This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 12th, 2026.

In today’s newscast, Dr. Peter Hotez speaks about the U.S. measles epidemic and scientific disinformation in today’s political landscape on the latest edition of Prescription for Healthcare – a podcast collaboration between WFHB and Medicare for All Indiana. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Sports Correspondent Chase Dodson brings you today’s Sports News Briefing.

Ellettsville–Richland Township Reorganization Committee Discusses Fire Protection, Road Services and Budget Impacts

The Richland Township and Town of Ellettsville Reorganization Committee met on March 4th. During public comment, resident Phil Schonhoff shared concerns about the fire protection arrangement between Ellettsville and Richland Township.

Shanoff suggested Monroe County and Ellettsville governments try to reach an agreement. Committee member William Ellis said the fire protection issue came about after the reorganization plans began, and the county indicated it wanted to move to a new fire district.

Schonhoff also expressed concern about how the reorganization might affect other county-provided services such as road maintenance, snow removal and stormwater management. Ellis said the town would take control of services like roads and fire protection, and the town could use funding already in place from the county.

Ellis said the town would take responsibility for an extra 80 to 90 miles of road. It would coordinate with Monroe County for maintenance and plowing, and police protection will remain the same. He emphasized that reorganization would give Richland Township residents a voice for development, land use and services.

The committee moved on to discuss finalized subcommittee reports. Sandy Hash with the finance subcommittee talked about funding sources for the reorganized area.

Hash said the town and township budgets will increase.

Hash said reorganization will provide long-term financial advantages, such as structured service expansion, a broader tax base and coordinated planning for land use and economic growth. It would also create a single, simplified budget process.

Ellettsville resident and Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries subcommittee member Jim Perry asked about the impact of 2025 Senate Enrolled Act 1 on local income tax and taxation structure.

Hash said the financial subcommittee report accounts for cigarette tax and excise tax, as well as property and local income tax. However, she said the income tax rates for 2028 and onward are not yet known.

Ellis said the committee doesn’t yet have all the answers, but it appreciates community input as it consolidates subcommittee reports into a final reorganization plan.

The next meeting of the Richland Township and Town of Ellettsville Reorganization Committee will be held on March 18th.

Featured Segments:

Up next – we have Prescription for Healthcare – a monthly podcast collaboration between WFHB and Medicare for All Indiana. This month, March 2026, due to spring break, we are going to re-broadcast our Prescription for Healthcare show originally aired in July 2025 with Dr. Peter Hotez. As the US measles epidemic worsens and the voices of scientific misinformation become louder, we turn again to Dr. Hotez to help set the record straight. According to our producers, he is a hero and a voice of truth. That’s coming up next on the WFHB Local News.

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