This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 17th, 2025.
In today’s broadcast, WFHB News has a St. Patrick’s Day special interviewing one of the owners of the Runcible Spoon. More in today’s feature report.
That’s the voice of Shanker Krishnan. He’s a Court Appointed Special Advocate – a CASA for short. When a child is removed from a home due to abuse or neglect, grown-ups decide what happens next. But who speaks for the child? Learn more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!, featuring real people working for positive change in our community.
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council Reviews Greenhouse Gas Report, Fails to Advance Housing and Sustainability Resolutions
Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.
The Bloomington City Council met for a special legislative session on March 12, 2025. This session heard a report on the 2023 Community-wide and Municipal Operations Greenhouse Gas Inventory. The City’s Economic and Sustainable Development Department partners with ClimateNav to aid in compiling annual reports of Bloomington’s greenhouse gas emissions. ClimateNav’s CEO, Wes De Silvestro, shared a breakdown of the city’s primary sources of emissions, highlighting Bloomington’s downward trend in emissions since 2008.
Beyond the stationary energy sector, Silvestro also noted that emissions from vehicles have stayed relatively consistent since 2018.
Finally, the third most significant source of emissions, waste disposal, has seen an increase since 2011, according to Silvestro.
Overall, in accordance with the Bloomington Climate Action Plan, the city is projected to be on track for their 2030 target of a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. But complete carbon neutrality by 2050 will require further reductions by 30%. Council member Dave Rollo brought attention to the imported materials that weigh on the carbon budget, asking about other methods of carbon absorption such as the planting of more trees to account for overlooked aspects of emission reduction.
Assistant Director of Sustainability Shawn Miya explained that further reports on that matter are needed.
Council President Hopi Stosberg asked the Economic and Sustainable Development Department, to what extent was the reduction of carbon output from the stationary energy sector a result of community-wide efforts and how much was led by municipal reductions. Silvestro said that while Duke energy’s policy direction has made the biggest impact, all efforts have made a difference.
Director Miya followed by sharing two of their grant programs that have seen large revisions.
In other news, the council moved to address two resolutions, 2025-05 and 2025-06 that would amend the city’s Unified Development Ordinance. The former focused on sustainability and incentives for development by stipulating requirements for onsite renewable energy for PUD’s, among other amendments. The latter addresses zoning and development standards that would remove limitations on “middle housing” such as single family attached dwelling and cottage developments.
Council President Hopi Stosberg clarified that these resolutions are for the requesting that the Plan Commission take these amendments under review.
However, motions for both resolutions to be read by clerk by title and synopsis both failed in a 4-4 vote, with council member Zulich not present to break the tie. As a result, neither resolution was heard in this legislative session.
During public comment, Director at the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Christopher Emge reaffirmed his excitement for the Monroe County Convention Center expansion and revitalization project.
Emge also expressed optimism over the meeting of the fiscal committee of the council and the Friday meeting of the Budget Task Force amidst economic uncertainties looming over Bloomington and Indiana.
Also during public comment, Chris Sturbaum, a previous council member representing District 1, spoke on the state of Cascades Park.
He went on to discuss the history of the park.
The Bloomington City Council will meet again on March 26th.
Live Music, Lamb Stew, and Guinness: Runcible Spoon’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Every year, March 17th marks St. Patrick’s Day, commemorating the death date of the patron saint of Ireland.
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in more countries than any other national holiday. Festivities often include wearing the color green, dancing to Irish music or indulging in Celtic cuisine. One local restaurant celebrates the holiday by offering a meal and live music in the evening.
Earlier today, WFHB News spoke with Matt O’Neill, one of the co-owners of the Runcible Spoon, who was born in Ireland or as he puts it:
“Irish as Paddy’s pig, born and raised.”
Every March, the Runcible Spoon has live music and a St. Patrick’s Day meal.
“There are a lot of local musicians who are very well-versed in Irish culture and Irish music, so we have a lot of local Irish musicians get together. We have lamb stew, and we just celebrate the coming of spring, St. Patrick’s Day. Not everybody loves Valentine’s Day, but everybody loves St. Patrick’s Day because it’s more inclusive, right? Anybody can have a few Guinness and have a good time,” said O’Neill.
O’Neill described what St. Patty’s Day means to him, saying he loves to see Irish culture spread far and wide.
“Doesn’t matter what corner of the world they’re from—it’s a good time. It’s the coming of spring, and it’s a hope for the new year,” he said.
Tonight, the Spoon will host a Celtic music jam session starting at 7 p.m. O’Neill says that the spontaneous nature of a live jam session adds to the festivities of the holiday.
“Well, it’s very spontaneous. It’s not forced. It’s not something we’ve spent all year preparing for because it’s so simple. You have people getting together just to have a good time. The great thing about St. Patrick’s Day is the spontaneity,” he said.
On the menu, O’Neill said he’s preparing a lamb stew and Irish soda bread. There’s also a few Irish beers available.
“I’m working on the stew right now—lamb stew as made in Ireland. I’m cutting the meat from scratch, making the stock, peeling the potatoes, peeling the carrots, and putting it all in a big pot. The result is greater than the simple ingredients that go in there. It’s all fresh and ready to go,” said O’Neill.
Almost one year ago, a local staple of Celtic cuisine, the Irish Lion, closed its doors. O’Neill said this year’s St. Patty’s Day celebration feels a little melancholy without the Irish Lion – which in his view was the best Irish restaurant in Indiana.
“I was a good customer of the Irish Lion myself, and I got to know the bartenders and the managers over there. There’s a little bit of sadness. We’re not going to try to jump into the Irish Lion’s shoes, you know. We’re just a small little bungalow on Sixth Street,” said O’Neill.
However, he said even in the wake of the Irish Lion’s closure – at least he can offer some Irish food in the community. In his eyes, every restaurant should celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
“Color your rice green today,” he said. “They can dye the river green in Chicago, they can dye the rice green here.”
O’Neill says that for the remainder of the day – he will be hard at work preparing the St. Patty’s Day meals at the Spoon and a busy day lies ahead. Despite the hustle and bustle of the work day, he said he hopes to maintain a celebratory feel at the spoon, even in the kitchen.
“Nobody should stress out St Patrick’s Day, even the host, even the person doing the cooking,” he said.
All in all, O’Neill hopes people celebrate the Irish holiday saying he appreciates the inclusive nature of St. Patrick’s Day.
“I just want to wish everybody a Happy St Patrick’s Day. Whether it’s part of your culture or not, I think it’s the whole thing – it’s so inclusive and so flexible. Try to stay vertical at the same time,” said O’Neill.
When a child is removed from a home due to abuse or neglect, grown-ups decide what happens next – usually judges, lawyers and caseworkers. But who speaks for the child? A local non-profit called Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASA uses volunteers to help kids who are going through the justice system. Shanker Krishnan is a CASA and he says it can be tough but also quite rewarding making sure a kid’s best interests are looked after. Applications are due in May for the next round of CASA training and Shanker is hoping you’ll sign up on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Tom Muckerheide and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss produced today’s episode of Activate!
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
