This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, December 14th, 2023.

In today’s feature report, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. More in the bottom half of our program.

Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council unanimously rejected the sale of the city’s police station on Third Street during last night’s meeting.

That’s coming up next in your daily headlines:

Bloomington City Council Unanimously Rejects Sale of Police Station

On Wednesday, the Bloomington City Council unanimously rejected the sale of the city’s police station on Third Street. Deputy Mayor Larry Allen presented a summary of the resolution.

Outgoing Mayor John Hamilton spoke in support of the sale.

During public comment, Mayor Elect Kerry Thomson urged the council to delay the sale of the building.

Further complicating the process is a deed restriction on the land which requires the property to be a public park. Local resident Nathaniel Usher Hill the Fourth spoke out against the proposal, saying his family members were the original “signers of the deed.”

The council voted 0-9 rejecting the sale of the police building. This was the last city council meeting of the year. The council will convene for an organizational meeting on January 10th of next year.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, we have Prescription for Healthcare, a podcast collaboration between the WFHB Local News and Medicare for All Indiana. This month we interviewed Carol Paris MD, psychiatrist, former president of PNHP, on facing the crisis of moral injury in our healthcare system, and how it is different from burnout. We turn now to that segment.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, December 13th, 2023.

Later in the program, the Bloomington Board of Public Works met on Friday for a public hearing on the sale of the city’s police building on Third Street. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.

But first, your local headlines:

Bloomington City Council

The Bloomington City Council met on Wednesday December 6th. The meeting began with the summarization of several ordinances by Council President Sue Sgambelluri.

The main points discussed were ordinances 23-29 and 23-30. The ordinances will help repair and make improvements to the sewage and waterworks in Bloomington. The first ordinance would establish bonds to help finance the renovations and attempts to modernize the Dillman wastewater treatment plant, and the underground river stormwater project. Kelson explained why he believes the projects are necessary.

Ordinance 23-29 and ordinance 23-30 passed with unanimous votes.

The meeting ended with changes to the 2024 annual council legislative schedule.

The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on Wednesday December 13th.

Board of Public Works Holds Public Hearing For Sale of City Police Building

On Friday, the Bloomington Board of Public Works met for a public hearing on the sale of the city’s police building on Third Street.

The board voted 2-0 to not provide a recommendation to the city council. Corporation Counsel Beth Cate walked through the history behind the proposal and explained why the board of public works hosted the public hearing.

Tim Ballard, a broker at Griffin Realty, presented the offers made on the property.

Board President Kyla Cox Deckard asked for clarification on whether the interested parties expressed how they plan to use the building. Ballard explained the planned use for each offer.

Ballard then provided Griffin Realty’s recommendation to the board.

During public comment, Senior Police Officer Paul Post criticized what he called a lack of transparency in the process of the sale. He said he opposed the proposed move to the Showers building.

Local resident David Sabbagh also gave public comment saying he doesn’t approve of the process.

Again, the board voted 2-0 to not provide a recommendation. The Bloomington City Council has a resolution authorizing the sale of the property on their agenda for their meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m.

Better Beware

Up next, Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, December 12th, 2023.

In today’s feature report, host of WFHB’s Firehouse Theater Richard Fish reports on Matilda the Musical presented by Constellation Stage and Screen. The show will be on stage December 14 – 31 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.

But first, your local headlines:

Bloomington Utilities Service Board

At the Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting on December 4th, Utilities Engineer Phil Peden asked the board to approve two items, an agreement with the Weddle Brothers Building Group, and an agreement with Champlin – Haupt Architects.

Board President Amanda Burnham commented, clarifying that these projects would cost a total of about 5 million dollars.

Director of Utilities Vic Kelson explained why these renovations are necessary.

Kelson recommended they approve the money now, and then debate the specifics later down the road.

The board approved all of the requests.

The next order of business was a request for approval of repairs to the wastewater treatment plant. Capital Projects Manager for Bloomington Utilities Dan Hudson requested approval to repair and replace: the plantwide handrail system, piping and valves, and increase the capacity of the plant by adding a blower.

Kelson explained that increasing the plants capacity has been an ongoing process for years.

The board approved the agreement.

The next order of business was a request for the approval to fund five different stormwater projects that have to meet the following criteria M-S-4 Program Coordinator Liz Carter laid out.

Carter said they are not using the full one hundred thousand this year, and will instead reach out to people they think will need the money rather than people who come to them. Burnham said she was very pleased with their work.

The next Bloomington Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on December 14th.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, host of WFHB’s Firehouse Theater Richard Fish reports on Matilda the Musical presented by Constellation Stage and Screen. The show will be on stage December 14 – 31 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. We turn to Richard Fish for more.

Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, December 6th, 2023.

In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Elyse Perry reports on the lack of affordable housing in Bloomington, the prevalence of homelessness and the resources to fight it. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB hosted and produced by Richard Fish. More following today’s feature.

But first, your local headlines:

Bloomington Board of Public Works

During the December 5th meeting of the Bloomington Board of Public Works, Assistant City Attorney Aleksandria Pratt made a case for a memorandum of understanding for a lease buyout of the Monroe County Humane Association.

Board member Kyla Cox Deckard asked how the amount of money for the buyout was settled. Pratt responded.

Cox Deckard posed a question regarding the language of the agreement where it touches on modifications to the structure. Director of Animal Care and Control Virgil Sauder further explained how they arrived at the amount of 95 thousand dollars and what the modifications clause means in the agreement.

The board approved the agreement by a unanimous vote. It will advance to the city council for their consideration. The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again for its regular session on December 19th.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Elyse Perry reports on the lack of affordable housing in Bloomington, the prevalence of homelessness and the resources to fight it. We turn to Elyse Perry for more.

Up next, Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB hosted and produced by Richard Fish. Fish has more.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, December 5th, 2023.

In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull spoke with local Urban Forester Haskell Smith about what it’s like to be a forester, the local tree canopy and more. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.

But first, your local headlines:

First, WFHB Correspondent Robert Shull delivers a report on the latest joint session between the Monroe County Council and the Monroe County Commissioners.

In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Robert Shull spoke with local Urban Forester Haskell Smith about what it’s like to be a forester, the local tree canopy and more. We turn to Shull for that interview on the WFHB Local News.

Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, December 4th, 2023.

In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins with the B-Square Bulletin discusses the future of local news in his weekly segment on WFHB. More in today’s feature report.

That’s Ximena Martinez, our city’s Latino Outreach Coordinator. Learn more about efforts to engage Bloomington’s growing Latino population later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

But first, your daily headlines:

Local Chapter of the League of Women Voters Host Legislative Town Hall To Discuss Priorities Ahead of Upcoming Session

During a legislative update hosted by the local chapter of the League of Women Voters, local officials discussed policy priorities ahead of the Indiana General Assembly’s upcoming session.

Yoder explained that one of her priorities would be repealing Senate Bill One – Indiana’s abortion ban. She also touched on reforming the state’s taxes on menstrual products.

Representative Matt Pierce, who represents Indiana’s 61st district, touched on the shorter nature of the new session. Pierce scrutinized the process, characterizing it as “rushed.”

During the question-and-answer portion of the town hall, Brown County School Board Member Amy Oliver asked about school referendums.

In Brown County, voters turned down a school referendum last year by only 333 votes. Oliver asked what the legislators could do in order to revise what she labels as “misleading language” at the Statehouse when it comes to ballot referendums.

Representative Pierce responded saying he doesn’t believe the Republican supermajority is interested in revising that language.

State Senator Yoder added that she saw shortcomings of the state’s budget passed earlier this year. She emphasized the importance of referendums when funding education initiatives in the state.

Local resident Cathy Rountree expressed frustration at the limited amount of bills each legislator is allowed to introduce.

She also criticized the lack of public input available to be heard on bills introduced in the Statehouse. Rountree asked who is responsible for this process. Pierce responded saying that it’s a part of the rules of the House and Senate.

All legislators who represent a portion of Monroe and Brown counties were invited to the town hall. Yoder and Pierce were the only legislators in attendance. To watch the full town hall, you can visit this link.

The 2024 legislative session will officially kick off on January 8th of next year.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins with the B-Square Bulletin discusses the future of local news in his weekly segment on WFHB. We turn to Askins for more.

Bloomington’s Latino population is growing, and Ximena Martinez wants our Spanish-speaking neighbors to feel welcome in this community. Martinez is the Latino Outreach Coordinator for the City of Bloomington, which also makes her the producer of Hola Bloomington, our Spanish-language public affairs program airing Fridays at 6pm. She talks about that show and other ways to engage the Hispanic community on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, November 30th, 2023.

Later in the program, Civic Conversations – a collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. This month, we are joined by Health Officer Dr. Clark Brittain and Board Member George Hegeman of the Monroe County Health Department Board. More in the bottom half of the show.

Also coming up in the next half hour, an excerpt from Kite Line’s latest episode on the Stop Cop City protests in Atlanta, Georgia.

But first, your local headlines:

Monroe County Commissioners Postpone Convention Center Vote

At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on November 29tth, Health Department Director Lori Kelley gave an update on Covid-19 and flu cases in the community.

Later in the meeting, County Attorney Jeff Cockerill introduced an interlocal agreement with the City of Bloomington to confirm the initial of a Capital Improvement Board. Cockerill gave some history on the agreement which was put on hold during the pandemic.

Commissioner Julie Thomas asked if they could take more time before approving the agreement as she wasn’t comfortable with all of the items.

During public comment on the agreement, a Capital Improvement Board Member John Whikehart shared that the new interlocal agreement would temporarily pass off the management of the building which he did not believe is necessary.

Cockerill added the management of the convention center would remain within the city and the county until it would go back to the Capital Improvement Board.

Next, Bloomington Chamber of Commerce President Eric Spoonemoore spoke on the agreement.

Commissioner Penny Githens shared concerns that were brought up at the Monroe County Council meeting the day before. Their main concern being that County Council Members would not be allowed to be appointed to the board.

Thomas added that it was unfortunate the agreement was announced by the city as a done deal, and said that there are things that need to be clarified before approving it.

Githens proposed that they look at the agreement for a little longer, and work on what amendments they would like to make.

The Commissioners postponed the decision on the agreement. The Monroe County Board of Commissioners will meet again on December 6th.

Feature Report:

Up next, Civic Conversations – a collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County. This month on Civic Conversations, we are joined by Health Officer Dr. Clark Brittain and Board Member George Hegeman of the Monroe County Health Department Board. In our discussion, we tackled the Health Department’s role and numerous services. With the recent legislative allocations towards Indiana public health, Dr. Brittain talked about the amounts received and how that money would be spent in Monroe County through the Indiana Health First Initiative. We turn now to Civic Conversations on the WFHB Local News.

Up next, we present a portion of Kite Line – a public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond on WFHB. This excerpt comes from their most recent episode on the Stop Cop City protest in Atlanta, Georgia. Tune in tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. or visit this link to listen to the full program. We turn now to that segment of Kite Line on the WFHB Local News.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, November 29th, 2023.

In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze spoke with Neal Goswami of the Monroe County Environmental Commission about his background, the new generation of advocacy when it comes to tackling climate change and the proposal to expand the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, “Testing Your Credibility” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment hosted and produced by Richard Fish.

But first, your local headlines:

Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners

During the November 28th meeting of the Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners, the board heard a contract with masonry contractor Baker Stone Work for wall repair at Rose Hill Cemetery. This comes in the aftermath of a high-speed police chase in October where a man crashed into a concrete wall and hit three headstones, according to Bloomington police. Operations

Superintendent for the city’s parks department Mark Marotz walked through the contract with Baker Stone Work.

The board approved the contract with a unanimous vote. The board then heard a review of a contract with Eco-Logic for the 2024 deer browse monitoring project at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. Natural Resources Manager Steve Cotter provided the update.

Board Member Jim Whitlock asked if the cost of the contract has remained consistent or if it has gone up. Board Member Kathleen Mills also asked how the initiative has been going. Cotter responded.

The board approved the contract unanimously. The next Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners meeting will take place on December 12th.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB Environmental Correspondent Zyro Roze spoke with Neal Goswami of the Monroe County Environmental Commission about his background which led him to join the environmental commission, the new generation of policy making when it comes to tackling climate change and the proposal to expand the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area. Zyro Roze has more.

That was WFHB Correspondent Zyro Roze speaking with Monroe County Environmental Commission member Neal Goswami about young people in the fight for climate change, his background in environmental advocacy and the proposed expansion of the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area. Up next, “Testing Your Credibility” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment hosted and produced by Richard Fish. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.

Credits:

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, November 28th, 2023.

In today’s feature report, WFHB Arts Correspondent Cindy Beaulé spoke with Konnor Graber and Kate Weber of Eclipse Productions about their upcoming theater production of True West, a play by Sam Shephard written in the early 1980s. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, learn more about the Exotic Feline Rescue Center in this week’s edition of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.

But first, your local headlines:

Ellettsville Town Council Discusses Rural Transportation

The Ellettsville town council met yesterday to discuss changes to rural transportation.

Chris Myers, rural transit representative, has been providing transportation for non urban areas in Monroe County into urban areas for a long time, but was recently informed that they should not have gone into urban areas.

Bloomington has gotten approval to expand their boundaries of services to anywhere in the county. One option is for Bloomington to use their expansion to cover the urban areas. The council continued to discuss plans like this along with their funding options. Monroe County Counselor Trent Deckard noted.

President William Ellis agreed with the need for a transit service.

Councilman Mike Farmer asked if in the future as the town grows will the amount they have to pay also grow. Monroe County Commissioner Julie Thomas responded.

Ellis emphasized the importance of transportation regardless of the cost.

The council is aware of the need for transportation, but is still unsure on how to fund it.

The Town council will continue this conversation at the next Ellettsville Town Council Meeting on December 11th.

Feature Report:

In today’s feature report, WFHB Arts Correspondent Cindy Beaulé spoke with Konnor Graber and Kate Weber of Eclipse Productions about their upcoming theater production of True West, a play by Sam Shephard written in the early 1980s. The show opens this Thursday at the Waldron Arts Firebay Theater and will continue until December 10th. We turn now to that interview on the WFHB Local News.

Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. In this week’s episode, you will learn about Georgia, a serval hybrid/Savannah cat, and the Exotic Feline Rescue Center. We turn it over to that segment on the WFHB Local News.

Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,