This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026.

In today’s newscast, protesters convened for a walkout and rally outside city hall Friday, demanding the city cut its contract with Flock Safety – a company whose technology has been used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for surveillance. More in today’s feature report.

You’ll also hear from John Butler, a Bloomington native who bought his own childhood home when it was slated for destruction. Hear about his crusade for historic preservation of the Cottage Grove neighborhood later in the show in a feature report.

Monroe County Council Addresses Snow Plowing for Private Roads

On January 27th, the Monroe County Council met and discussed various funding requests including the recent snow fall and plowing. Monroe County resident Skip Daly addressed the plowing of private roads and the impact on residents.

After public comment concluded, Highway Director Lisa Ridge explained the county response to the weekend’s snow storm. She said Monroe County and surrounding areas received 12 to 16 inches, leading to snow removal crews working for 48 hours straight. Ridge said the materials, equipment, and labor costs totaled just under 300 thousand dollars.

Ridge addressed the concerns of residents on private roads, saying county trucks cannot plow these roads.

The developers have been provided a list of requirements needed to meet the standards. This includes elements such as ADA compliance. Council Member Marty Hawk supported Ridge’s statements.

The next Monroe County Council meeting is on February 10th.

Bloomington Board of Public Works Tackles Sidewalk Closures

The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on January 27th and discussed the new Hopewell construction project. Director of Public Works Adam Wason expressed his excitement for the project and what it will do for the community.

Then, Engineering Field Specialist Zach Bell requested an extension of the sidewalk and lane closures on West 11th street on behalf of Duke Energy.

The board unanimously passed this motion. Next, Bell requested closing West First Street for Clark Landscaping to repave sidewalks.

The motion passed unanimously. Engineering Field Specialist Kyle Baugh requested lane closures and shifts on 115 East Kirkwood on behalf of Odyssey Construction.

The board unanimously approved this action. The next meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works will be on February 10th.

Feature Report:

Protesters convened for a walkout and rally outside city hall Friday, demanding the city cut its contract with Flock Safety – a company whose technology has been utilized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for surveillance. The city has at least 40 Flock cameras installed. WFHB Correspondents Audrey Ouillette and Coco Duneman have that story titled “Flock Around and Find Out” coming your way on the local news.

Imagine your childhood home is about to be demolished. If you’re John Butler, you buy it…and convince the city to deem it a one-house historic district. Butler is the new owner of 115 East 12th Street. This modest bungalow is not architecturally significant, but in December the Bloomington city council voted 6-3 to give it historic protection, for one reason only – stone carver Ivan Adams once lived there. It’s a huge victory for Butler in his crusade for historic preservation of the Cottage Grove neighborhood. Butler doesn’t want houses replaced with larger multi-unit apartment complexes. Correspondent Marjorie Lewis has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.

Up next – Lil Bub’s Lil Show, a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. That’s coming up on the WFHB Local News.

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