Aug. 10, 2026: IOSHA sewage complaints, Powerline Camp closure, jail turnover, election hearing, Bloomington survey

Civic Solver

This week’s puzzle is another 10-question news quiz about events that took place in the last week.

Weather Talk

Based on the National Weather Service forecast in text and charts here’s some advice.

Monday: No need for rain gear, but there’s a small chance of a shower or two before 10 a.m. Wear something that makes you look great when you’re sweaty. Because for the rest of the day it will just turn mostly sunny and sauna-like, with a high near 92F°. Heat index values will go as high as 101.

Tuesday: It wouldn’t be crazy to take an umbrella, because the threat of 30–50% chance of overnight showers will continue through Tuesday morning and the rest of the day, along with thunderstorms. But your main focus should be on dressing light and cool, so that when you get wet from rain or sweat, you’ll dry out fast. The high will be a miserable 91F° with index values as high as 101.

Sign up for weather alerts: Monroe County emergency alert system

Recent articles

• IOSHA gets two complaints over sewage backup at Monroe County justice building.  IOSHA received two complaints alleging unsafe conditions after sewage and water came through ceilings at Monroe County’s justice building. The agency is not planning an inspection for now, but has ordered the county to investigate and report findings and corrective action within five working days.
• Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish.  How much does the city’s proposed spending and revenue plan weigh? Hawk knows the answer!
• Monroe County property transfers through July 27, 2026.  This report includes new property transfers in Monroe County that haven’t previously been reported by The B Square, with dates ranging from July 27 to Aug. 5, 2026. The data in this report comes from Beacon, the county’s online geographic information system for property and parcel data.
• Monroe County jail notebook: Population goes down slightly for flat 18-day trend.  Monroe County’s jail population stood at 247 on both July 21 and Aug. 7, but 149 people left during the 18-day span, showing substantial turnover. Meanwhile, 8 prisoners have been transferred to Brown County as the sheriff tries to respond to overcrowded conditions.
• Monroe County says ‘Powerline Camp’ must close by Sept. 1—fight stokes safety concerns.  Monroe County has set Sept. 1 as the deadline for homeless residents to leave the ‘Powerline Camp’ on the Thomson property. A fight near Habitat for Humanity’s Osage Place has deepened safety concerns and prompted calls for more police presence and better city-county coordination.
• Monroe County election board sets hearing on Davis write-in bid, delays on Trimble complaint.  Monroe County election officials set an Aug. 12 hearing on whether Joe Davis can stay a write-in candidate for clerk after losing the Democratic primary. The board also delayed action on a complaint against assessor candidate Lisa Jeneé Trimble while seeking additional legal guidance.
• Council rips Bloomington survey for sidelining college students.  Bloomington city councilmembers sharply questioned whether a $37,900 community survey that intentionally de-emphasized IU students could reliably guide policy or spending. They also challenged its low response rate, wording, accessibility and lack of useful comparisons.

On the calendar

UDO amendments: Consideration of increased housing. On the Monday (Aug. 10) 5:30 p.m. meeting agenda for the Bloomington plan commission is an item that originated with the city council that covers several issues in the city’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The proposed ordinance change includes reduction in minimum lot widths, and the elimination of parking minimums, among other things. According to the staff memo, the hearing on the proposed changes also satisfies the requirements of a new state law, that requires cities to “conduct a public hearing to review the UDO and any zoning regulations and land development rules, with the goal of increasing housing development by using the following factors ... ”

3rd Street work between College and Walnut. On the Tuesday (Aug. 11) 5:30 p.m. meeting agenda for the Bloomington board of public works are various right-of-way closures related to the south side of the street, where work on the north side of the convention center will be taking place from Aug. 25 through Sept. 30.

MUST committee discussion. On the Tuesday (Aug. 11) 5 p.m. meeting agenda for the Monroe County council as a topic discussion are the MUST (Municipal Unit Strategic Taskforce) committee meetings, which are likely to be convened in the coming weeks. The committee will include representatives of Monroe County, Bloomington, Ellettsville, and Stinesville, and could shape the future of local income taxation in the next few years.

Candidate challenge. On the Wednesday (Aug. 12) meeting agenda for Monroe County’s special election board meeting is a hearing on the attempted write-in candidacy of Joe Davis for county clerk. For B Square background, see: Monroe County election board sets hearing on Davis write-in bid, delays on Trimble complaint

Family Night Out: Aug. 12. Downtown Bloomington is the place to be for an evening of food, music, art and family activities Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 5:30–8 p.m. in front of the Monroe County Public Library. You can buy dinner from Pili’s, Mikki’s Munchies and Planted, then eat together in the street while browsing artist and community booths. Kid Kazooey will perform from 5:30–6:30 p.m., followed by Yolanda D from 7–8 p.m. The Seedlings Flower Truck will create what organizers describe as a “stunning flower installation” in the library courtyard.

Actual ice cream for Traffic Cones: Aug. 26! Hats off to Bloomington’s planning and transportation crew for the greatest name and concept for a public engagement event ever. Free ice cream from Chocolate Moose just for talking about traffic! From the official announcement: “Curious about bike lanes, sidewalks, transit, traffic safety, trails, or future projects? Stop by and chat with a City planner over ice cream! ... As a thank you for stopping by, you’ll receive a free ice cream from Chocolate Moose. This event is part of the City’s August safety week.” The event runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard Garden Gala: Aug. 28. Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard will hold its annual Garden Gala fundraiser Friday, Aug. 28, from 6:30–9 p.m. at 1100 W. Allen St. The evening will include a light dinner, drinks, live music by Don’t Call Me Betty, a photo booth, community art projects and a raffle featuring prizes from local businesses. Tickets cost $45, with sponsored tickets also available for community members. Proceeds support MHC’s accessible garden and kitchen education programs.

Secretly 30th Anniversary: Magnolia & Johnson Electric: Aug. 27. Magnolia & Johnson Electric Co., Early Day Miners and June Panic perform Thursday, Aug. 27, at the Bluebird, 216 N. Walnut St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; music starts at 7:30 p.m. Ages 21 and older: tickets.

Secretly 30th Anniversary: Sharon Van Etten and Kevin Morby: Aug. 28. Sharon Van Etten, Kevin Morby and Jordan Patterson perform Friday, Aug. 28, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m.; music starts at 7 p.m. All ages: tickets.

Secretly 30th Anniversary: Durand Jones & The Indications: Aug. 29. Durand Jones & The Indications, Jensen McRae and Angela Autumn perform Saturday, Aug. 29, at Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St. Doors open at 5 p.m.; music starts at 6 p.m. All ages: tickets.

New Leaf New Life benefit book event: Sept. 23. Authors Chastidy Mader, Ryan Mader, Nordia McNish and Trunnis Goggins II will discuss resilience, recovery, purpose and second chances Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 6–8 p.m. at Redbud Books, 408 W. Kirkwood Ave. Tickets cost $20, with $12 from each ticket benefiting New Leaf New Life, which supports people affected by incarceration and reentry.

Meet Myles!

This very, very good boy is a mountain cur mix. Here’s what the shelter staff have written about Myles:

Myles is a shy but very sweet young dog who enjoys meeting other dogs. Myles also knows several commands! Spend some time with him and he will show you his high five! He loves to go for a good, long walk and check in with his human to make sure they're enjoying the scenery as much as he is.

Photo Finish: Courthouse square

The Photo Finish items are drawn from the B There section of the B Square website.

Thanks for reading. I hope your week is off to a great start.

Dave Askins
734-645-2633
dave@bsquarebulletin.com

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