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WFHB Local News – March 6th, 2025
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 6th, 2025.
Later in the program, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Amelia Bucher reports on Indiana’s reliance on coal as an energy source. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have a roundup of some recent government meetings in Bloomington and Monroe County.
That’s coming up next in your daily headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works Postpones Vote on Buskirk Chumley Theater Lane Closure
The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on February 25th.
The Parks and Recreation Department requested temporary lane and alley closure approval to accommodate roof repairs at Bloomington’s historic Buskirk Chumley Theater. Engineering Field Specialist Kyle Baugh presented the request.
The project involves partial alley closure behind the theater and a flagging system in place for lane closures. Lane closures would occur when materials are being loaded and unloaded into the building, which should last 2 to 4 hours at a time. While Kirkwood will have an existing lane closure, Walnut Street will remain open during the repair.
These closures would occur from March 1st to March 31st, before the upcoming dining closures on Kirkwood. Outdoor dining on Kirkwood is expected to begin April 4th, 2025.
Before the board had the opportunity to vote on the request, the meeting was unexpectedly recessed for unrelated reasons.
The vote to approve the lane closure was postponed.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works is scheduled for March 11th.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board Approves Stormwater Surcharge Design, Updates Purchasing Procedures
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
The City of Bloomington Utilities Service Board met on February 24th.
After an approval of minutes, claims, and the consent agenda, the Board heard a request for professional services with Crow, LLP for the Design of Surcharge at the city of Bloomington Building and Trades District Tech Park.
Utilities Director, Katherine Zager, presented the request on behalf of Matt Havey, the Assistant Director-Finance.
Zager explained that Crow, LLP would find out how much the city utilities should charge for the maintenance of the stormwater infrastructure in the Trades District. Assistant City Attorney, Chris Wheeler, explained why this is necessary.
This surcharge would be paid on top of normal stormwater fees.
The request was approved and is now pending city controller approval.
Finally the board heard once again from Chris Wheeler, with a request for a proposed update to C-B-U Purchasing Procedures. The board had previously reviewed C-B-U purchasing procedures back in 2000.
The request was approved and is now pending city controller approval.
During the Old Business portion of the meeting, Board Member Jim Sherman made a comment on the State Utility Regulatory Board.
As Sherman said, this decision from the Regulatory Board was against public opinion.
The Board also heard from the M-S-4 program coordinator, Liz Carter, who gave a report on construction project close-out.
Carter shared that in 2024, the program closed out Tri-North Middle School, Creeks Edge, New Hope for Families, the Standard, and more.
The next Utilities Board Meeting will be held on March 10th.
Ellettsville Town Council Approves New Fire Inspector Position, Reviews Plow Truck Loan Terms
The Ellettsville Town Council discussed creating and filling a position for a new deputy fire marshal at their meeting on February 24th. Fire Chief Kevin Patton said that the position is more accurately a fire inspector.
Patton explained that with only one full-time building inspector, the town lacks coverage when he is sick or on vacation. The new hire will help fill this gap.
The position was approved unanimously along with additional funding for the personnel services general fund.
The council also discussed an amortization schedule for a bank loan on a new plow truck. The council president signed a document approving a 4.75% interest rate and payment schedule.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be on March 10th.
Feature Report:
Coal has long powered the homes and industries of Indiana, but the future of the state’s energy landscape is at a crossroads. As the push for renewable energy grows stronger, the state faces tough questions about how to transition away from its reliance on coal—an energy source deeply embedded in both the economy and culture. What will it take to make that shift, and why has it taken so long? WFHB Environmental Correspondent Amelia Bucher explores the challenges, the stakes, and the politics of Indiana’s energy future in her feature on the path to cleaner, more sustainable power.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Amelia Bucher, Elyse Perry and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Amelia Bucher.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
View all episodes
By WFHB Local News
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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, March 6th, 2025.
Later in the program, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Amelia Bucher reports on Indiana’s reliance on coal as an energy source. More in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have a roundup of some recent government meetings in Bloomington and Monroe County.
That’s coming up next in your daily headlines:
Bloomington Board of Public Works Postpones Vote on Buskirk Chumley Theater Lane Closure
The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on February 25th.
The Parks and Recreation Department requested temporary lane and alley closure approval to accommodate roof repairs at Bloomington’s historic Buskirk Chumley Theater. Engineering Field Specialist Kyle Baugh presented the request.
The project involves partial alley closure behind the theater and a flagging system in place for lane closures. Lane closures would occur when materials are being loaded and unloaded into the building, which should last 2 to 4 hours at a time. While Kirkwood will have an existing lane closure, Walnut Street will remain open during the repair.
These closures would occur from March 1st to March 31st, before the upcoming dining closures on Kirkwood. Outdoor dining on Kirkwood is expected to begin April 4th, 2025.
Before the board had the opportunity to vote on the request, the meeting was unexpectedly recessed for unrelated reasons.
The vote to approve the lane closure was postponed.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works is scheduled for March 11th.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board Approves Stormwater Surcharge Design, Updates Purchasing Procedures
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
The City of Bloomington Utilities Service Board met on February 24th.
After an approval of minutes, claims, and the consent agenda, the Board heard a request for professional services with Crow, LLP for the Design of Surcharge at the city of Bloomington Building and Trades District Tech Park.
Utilities Director, Katherine Zager, presented the request on behalf of Matt Havey, the Assistant Director-Finance.
Zager explained that Crow, LLP would find out how much the city utilities should charge for the maintenance of the stormwater infrastructure in the Trades District. Assistant City Attorney, Chris Wheeler, explained why this is necessary.
This surcharge would be paid on top of normal stormwater fees.
The request was approved and is now pending city controller approval.
Finally the board heard once again from Chris Wheeler, with a request for a proposed update to C-B-U Purchasing Procedures. The board had previously reviewed C-B-U purchasing procedures back in 2000.
The request was approved and is now pending city controller approval.
During the Old Business portion of the meeting, Board Member Jim Sherman made a comment on the State Utility Regulatory Board.
As Sherman said, this decision from the Regulatory Board was against public opinion.
The Board also heard from the M-S-4 program coordinator, Liz Carter, who gave a report on construction project close-out.
Carter shared that in 2024, the program closed out Tri-North Middle School, Creeks Edge, New Hope for Families, the Standard, and more.
The next Utilities Board Meeting will be held on March 10th.
Ellettsville Town Council Approves New Fire Inspector Position, Reviews Plow Truck Loan Terms
The Ellettsville Town Council discussed creating and filling a position for a new deputy fire marshal at their meeting on February 24th. Fire Chief Kevin Patton said that the position is more accurately a fire inspector.
Patton explained that with only one full-time building inspector, the town lacks coverage when he is sick or on vacation. The new hire will help fill this gap.
The position was approved unanimously along with additional funding for the personnel services general fund.
The council also discussed an amortization schedule for a bank loan on a new plow truck. The council president signed a document approving a 4.75% interest rate and payment schedule.
The next Ellettsville Town Council meeting will be on March 10th.
Feature Report:
Coal has long powered the homes and industries of Indiana, but the future of the state’s energy landscape is at a crossroads. As the push for renewable energy grows stronger, the state faces tough questions about how to transition away from its reliance on coal—an energy source deeply embedded in both the economy and culture. What will it take to make that shift, and why has it taken so long? WFHB Environmental Correspondent Amelia Bucher explores the challenges, the stakes, and the politics of Indiana’s energy future in her feature on the path to cleaner, more sustainable power.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Amelia Bucher, Elyse Perry and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Amelia Bucher.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
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