This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, February 11th, 2026.

That’s Katie Dewey, marketing intern with IU Athletics, sharing behind-the-scenes details on the return of the Bison as the IU mascot. Learn more later in the show in a feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, “The Loneliness Trap” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.

Richland Township and Ellettsville Reorganization Committee

The Richland Township and Town of Ellettsville Reorganization Committee met on February 4th and heard subcommittee updates. The Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries and the Planning and Zoning subcommittees presented their meeting dates.

Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries subcommittee member Jim Perry highlighted timelines during his report.

The reorganization committee plan is expected to be finalized by April 1st.

Committee member William Ellis responded that he didn’t think deciding on an election district map would cause problems since county commissioners would approve the precinct borders.

During public comment, community member Kathy Wheeler asked for a recap of committee actions. Ellis gave a rundown of the committee and its responsibilities.

Ellis explained the reorganization would merge the governments of Richland Township and Ellettsville, making them a single entity.

Ellis emphasized that the reorganization is not an annexation, saying the decision will be voted on by the public. He said the reorganization will allow the community to grow to support the public without overwhelming the infrastructure. He clarified that the reorganization will not change anyone’s address or zip code.

Henry emphasized that the committee is putting together a plan, not implementing it.

Committee member Kevin Ferris added that the state also has to approve the plan before it can be implemented.

Ellis stated later in the meeting that the reorganization would cause a slight increase in taxes. He estimated about a .05 percent increase.

The committee restated that information is available on the reorganization website. Committee members apologized that Facebook was their main method of communication with the public.

Monroe County Commissioners

The Monroe County Commissioners met on February 5th and approved an agreement to install digital signage in the Justice Building. According to Deputy Court Administrator Jama Chandler, the court was awarded a grant to install the technology.

Commissioner Julie Thomas said the new signage should help make the courtroom more efficient by reducing confusion.

The commissioners also heard bids for the Curry Pike Reconstruction Phase One project. Estimates ranged from approximately 680,000 dollars to nearly 1.3 million dollars. According to Highway Director Lisa Ridge, the county engineer estimated the project to cost just under 610,000 dollars.

During department updates, Ridge informed the commissioners about snow removal progress.

Ridge also acknowledged retiring county highway engineer Paul Satterly who has been with the county for 10 years.

The Monroe County Commissioners will meet again on February 12th.

Featured Segments:

An owl. A raccoon. An eagle. A collie. A bulldog named “Ox.” All had short-lived stints as the mascot of Indiana University. In 2025, IU re-adopted a bison as its athletics mascot. The bison served as IU Bloomington’s longest-running official mascot, from 1965 to 1969, and has now returned as “Hoosier the Bison.” It makes more sense than casual observers might think; a bison appears on the official state seal, and they roamed Indiana well into the 1800s. We hear from students who were part of the planning to bring back the bison – Student Athletic Board president Francisco Caceras and IU Athletics intern Katie Dewey – and reaction from IU superfan Gayla Klingelhoffer.

Up next, “The Loneliness Trap” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.

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