This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, November 18th, 2024.

Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin penned an editorial on the county commissioners’ recent purchase agreement for the North Park property which will be used to construct a new jail. More in today’s feature report.

That’s Dana Jones from Wheeler Mission. Dana says solving the housing crisis takes more than a hot shower and a warm bed. Hear more about how Wheeler builds a support structure for the unhoused later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

But first, your daily headlines:

Monroe County Commissioners

During public comment at the November 13th, meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners meeting, Director of Pantry 279, Cindy Chaves spoke on this year’s Thanksgiving food drive. She said the Pantry is having a hard time gathering donations and volunteers this year especially, and asked for any help where they could get it from the public as well as the commissioners.

Commissioner Penny Githens responded to the public comment saying that the Hoosier Hills Food Bank also shared that they were having similar struggles.

Next, Reed and Sons Construction Inc., a local construction company, received approval to move forward with the K-A-C project which includes synthetic turf fields, field lighting improvements,

Then, the new justice facility asked for approval on construction management services. W-G-S was awarded this work after the completion of a request for proposal process. The contract agreement includes both pre-construction and construction work.

Commissioner Lee Jones expressed her excitement for the project, while Taxpayer Objection Petitioner Representative, Joe Davis, asked for a delay in funding for the project until the city has found another place for the justice facility to be built.

Commissioner Penny Githens recounted that the space where Davis is referring to is not big enough.

Commissioner Jones had a last comment saying that they have spoken with many experts in this area and they all say a multistory jail is not a good idea. It did not bode well for the current Monroe County jail and they don’t want to make the same mistake again.

Lastly, the Opioid Settlement Application Review Board had its first meeting and members wanted to review the language of Resolution 2024-21 about conflicts of interest. The board discussed and revised the language.

Commissioner Githens restated what a conflict of interest is. She wanted to recommend that if a board member has a conflict of interest then it should be reported in writing, then the reported conflict of interest can be forwarded with the recommendations. Commissioner Githens says that it can then be taken into account along with the recommendation so that the person can still vote with transparency. This way, those who are in recovery especially, can still be on the board and helping to make decisions for those who are going through what they were going through.

The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be November 20, 2024, in the Nat U Hill Room.

Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners

At the Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners meeting on November 12th, Recreation Services General Manager Leslie Brinson requested that the board approve changes staff made to update and improve park policies.

Brinson walked the board through the changes that were made.

Board President Kathleen Mills commented on the policy updates.

Board Member Israel Herrera asked a follow up question on the policy about disposing of lost items. Brinson responded.

The board voted unanimously to approve the policy updates.

The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners will meet again on December 10th.

Feature Report:

And now, we have an excerpt from the Brown County Hour – a monthly, community-generated radio program originating in beautiful Nashville, Indiana. We turn to host Pam Raider for more.

Credits: