This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 6th, 2022.

Later in the program, Pam Raider of the Brown County Hour interviews author Rachel Perry about her new book Painter of the Dunes. More in the bottom half of tonight’s program. Also coming up in the next half hour, Cutting the Cost of Gas Part 5 on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. But first, your local headlines.

Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals

Photo by Benedict Jones.

On June 29th at the Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, Vice-Chair Skip Daley asked the board to draft a letter to the Board of Commissioners requesting an expedited appointment to the board of Zoning Appeals. The motion passed unanimously.

County Attorney David Shilling presented a resolution for review that the board had previously approved on September 1st, 2021.

Shilling explained that the board needed to decide whether or not to continue to grant the Bedford Recycling Center their Conditional Use request.

Attorney Dustin Plumber spoke representing the Bedford Recycling Center.

Board Member Guy Loftman asked Plumber if the Bedford Recycling Center meets the policy definition of a solid waste collection facility.

Loftman said that he understands the argument that the Recycling Center is technically still contracting with residents to pick up their recycling materials, however, the intent of a recycling center says that they are supposed to pick up solid waste.

The vote to vacate the September 1st Conditional Use decision failed 2-1 with Daley saying there wasn’t enough evidence that the original decision was unlawful. Since the vote failed to pass, the board will hear it again at their next meeting.

The next Board of Zoning Appeals meeting will be held on August 3rd.

Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners

The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners met on June 28th. Sports Facility and Program Manager Dee Tuttle asked the board to approve a contract with Carpets Plus Colortile for a flooring project at the Frank Southern Ice Arena Facility.

Tuttle said that the original carpet was installed in 2009 and has been worn down by thousands of ice skaters every year. The board unanimously approved the carpet installation.

Urban Forester Erin Hatch asked the board to approve the re-appointment of George Hegeman to the Tree Commission. Hatch explained that he was previously appointed to the commission, and is a valuable member thanks to all of his experience.

Board member Jim Whitlatch commented that there were a lot of qualified candidates for the Tree Commision.

The board approved Hegeman’s reappointment unanimously.

Board President Kathleen Mills shared that it is Hatch’s last week as Bloomington’s Urban Forester. Mills thanked her for her work and wished her good luck at her new position in Colorado.

The next Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners meeting will be held on July 19th.

Shooting at Fourth of July Parade in Highland Park, Illinois

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press.

A gunman killed seven people and wounded dozens more during a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois.

On Monday, a 21-year-old man was taken into custody. The following day, he was charged with seven counts of first-degree murder.

According to Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the high-powered rifle used in the shooting was purchased legally.

“The rifle was purchased in Illinois, and the information we have thus far is that it appears to have been purchased legally by Crimo,” said Covelli. “During the attack, we believe that Crimo fired more than 70 rounds from this rifle into the c...