This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, July 18th, 2024.

Later in the program, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze gets an update from the Indiana Forest Alliance on a set of ongoing issues and opportunities to get involved in documenting local endangered species. More in the bottom half of our program.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Voices in the Street – public opinion polls in the streets of Bloomington produced by WFHB’s Youth Radio.

But first, your local headlines:

Ellettsville Town Council

On July 8th, the Ellettsville Town Council tabled a second reading of an ordinance that would establish a Redevelopment Commission. Council Members came to a consensus to table the agenda items due to the fact that only 3 out of the 5 council members were present at the meeting. Town Attorney Darla Brown asked for clarification on an amendment to the policy. Council Member William Ellis responded.

President of the Council Scott Oldham inquired about an appointment to the redevelopment commission which requires approval from the Richland Bean Blossom School Board. Brown outlined the rules around the appointment.

The council will revisit the second reading of the ordinance to establish a redevelopment commission at their next meeting.

Then, during the new business section of the meeting, the council deliberated on whether or not to allow use of the Town Hall for the Republican Party Caucus on July 25th. Council Member Ellis introduced the agenda item.

Brown noted that if there’s a Democratic Party Caucus, they would also be permitted to use the town hall. The council voted unanimously to approve the initiative. Next, council members heard a Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Ellettsville and the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation. Town Manager Mike Farmer walked through the M-O-U.

Farmer then highlighted his recommendation to the council. Brown provided clarification on the M-O-U.

The council voted 3-0 to support the M-O-U. The Ellettsville Town Council met earlier this week on July 15th. Stay tuned for more coverage during WFHB Local News next week.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zero Roze gets an update from the Indiana Forest Alliance on a set of ongoing issues and opportunities to get involved in documenting local endangered species. We turn now to an interview with Steven Stewart, Hoosier National Forest Program Director for the Indiana Forest Alliance.

Up next, we have Voices in the Street – public opinion polls in the streets of Bloomington produced by our very own, Youth Radio. On today’s voices in the street, Youth Radio correspondents conducted interviews with Bloomington residents willing to provide their opinions on concurrences surrounding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, Indiana University pro divestment and Palestine solidarity protests, and IU President Pamela Witten. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.

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