Aug. 24, 2026: Zulich in 2027 mayor’s race; CIB moves ahead with hotel, demolition; jail population; South over North 44–6

Civic Solver

This week’s puzzle is a jigsaw featuring the folks behind Cup & Kettle. The jigsaw is set up to be easy, and the reward for completion is so fantastic!

Weather Talk

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

Monday: Slow down. There will be patchy fog to start the day. Otherwise it will be pure bliss—sunny, with a high near 80F°.

Tuesday: Wear whatever you like, you won’t need rain gear. It will be sunny, with a high near 83F°.

Sign up for weather alerts: Monroe County emergency alert system

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Recent articles

• Monroe County jail notebook: Population stays under 229 benchmark, but remains well above sheriff’s 186 figure.  This week’s jail count swung from 245 to 224 before ending at 228, which is still below one functional-capacity benchmark. Over 33 days, 299 people left the jail, with a median stay of 3 days. County officials have filed their answers to the ACLU’s federal lawsuit.
• Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish.  Who has control of spending on top of the courthouse—Hawk or Fish?
• Monroe County property transfers through Aug. 19, 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 31 to Aug. 19, 2026. The data in this report comes from Beacon, the county’s online geographic information system for property and parcel data.
• Zulich announces for 2027 Bloomington mayor’s race, putting District 6 council seat in play.  Bloomington councilmember Sydney Zulich launched her 2027 mayoral campaign Saturday, calling for more local hiring and fewer out-of-town consultants. Her entry points toward a 3-way Democratic Party primary with mayor Kerry Thomson and Joe Davis, while opening Zulich’s District 6 council seat.
• Bloomington South rolls past North 44–6 in season-opening rivalry game.  Bloomington South opened the 2026 football season with a 44-6 win over crosstown rival Bloomington North. Hayden Clark rushed for three touchdowns, while TJ Wilson and Jonathan Winstead returned interceptions for scores as the Panthers built a 28-0 halftime lead.
• Editor’s notebook: A two-wheeled Bloomington intro for IU students, townies alike.  Bloomington’s Aug. 25 Welcome Week bike ride offers students and newcomers a two-wheeled introduction to the city: grocery stores, parks, trails, Kirkwood and downtown, plus bike-on-bus practice and a pedal-powered smoothie. One additional piece of advice: Look up for the hawks.
• CIB approves letter of intent with Dora for hotel, moves ahead with Seminary Pointe demolition.  Monroe County’s CIB is moving ahead with Seminary Pointe demolition even though Dora Hospitality’s proposed convention center hotel would not use that real estate. The CIB said the remaining land would stay with the board for now and could later be offered for sale. Demolition could start Nov. 4.

Other notes

Help shape the future of your Library! From the public library: “We’re creating a new strategic plan for the Monroe County Public Library, and we want to hear from you! Take our short survey and share your experiences and ideas. Your feedback will help us better serve you, your household, and our community.”

Election board: Petition for judicial review filed. Joe Davis has now filed a petition for judicial review of the election board’s decision to disqualify him as a write-in candidate for Monroe County clerk. For B Square background, see: Candidate’s write-in bid blocked by Monroe County election board, court challenge planned

Jail lawsuit. There is a status conference at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday (Aug. 25) with the parties and the judge on the new ACLU lawsuit that has been filed against Monroe County government officials over conditions at the jail. The scheduling order says: “The purpose of this conference is to address case status and settlement.” The county council has an executive session set for 4 p.m. on Tuesday to discuss the litigation. [Monroe County Jail Timeline]

On the calendar

More city budget presentations. Monday (Aug. 24) and Wednesday (Aug. 26) mark the third and fourth meetings of the Bloomington city council when various departments will give presentations on their proposed 2027 budgets. The meetings this week begin at 5:30 p.m. which is an hour earlier than the start times for regular meetings.

$162,379 for Streets to Stability. On the 5 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 25) meeting agenda for the Monroe County council is an item that would make an additional appropriation from the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) in the amount of $162,379 to support Heading Home’s Streets to Stability Initiative. That is an effort to connect homeless people directly to housing and provide support necessary to remain housed for a year.

Redistricting of attendance districts, sales listing agreement. On the 6 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 25) meeting agenda for the MCCSC school board is a discussion of redrawing the attendance districts for elementary schools and a sales listing agreement with CBRE for the former H-T building with a commission of 4-6%.

Get your Bloomington bearings on a bike—a tour where only the wheel truth about cool local places will be spoken: Aug. 25. Tuesday’s (Aug. 25) slow-paced community ride meets up at Showalter Fountain, and runs 5–7 p.m., showing off comfortable routes around town for students, newcomers and longtime residents alike. Along the way: local stops, Bloomington bike know-how and pedal-powered smoothies. A limited number of loaner bikes are available with advance registration.

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.

Kidical Mass: Aug. 27! What does that hilarious play on words mean? It’s a back to school family bike ride and celebration! It takes place on Thursday, Aug. 27, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., staring from the Bryan Park Woodlawn parking lot. This free, family-friendly event features a short, slow-paced 1- or 2.5-mile bike ride, plus a bike rodeo, games, bike-blended smoothies, popsicles, helmet decorating, free bike lights and quick bike repairs. Children under 11 have to ride with an adult. Official information from the city’s website.

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.

Big Book Sale: Sept 18-21. The Friends of the Library will be hosting their Big Fall Book Sale in Meeting Room 1B/C at the Downtown Library with thousands of items at bargain prices. The 2026 Big Fall Book Sale will be open to the public Sept. 18–21 with a special early-bird sale for Friends members on Sept. 17. For hours on specific days, check the book sale webpage.

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 Augusta!

This very, very, good girl is an unspecified mix. Here’s what the shelter staff have written about Augusta:

Augusta is a petite princess ready to tip-tap her way into your heart with her delicate paws! She is full of zest for life and encourages everyone around her to take joy in the small things like her! Augusta likes to do zoomies in the yard, resembling a tiny tornado zeroing in on sweeping you up in her silliness. She also appreciates a tasty treat as a token of appreciation for her hard work at making you smile.

Photo Finish: Bloomington city hall

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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