Aug. 6, 2026: Toxic gas in justice center; Bloomington 2027 budget; MCCSC bargaining limits; rival College Square plans; city survey

Civic Solver

This week’s puzzle is another 10-question news quiz!

Weather Talk

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

Thursday: It would not be crazy to bring along an umbrella, because there’s a small chance of showers and thunderstorms from early in the day, increasing to around 50% by around 3 p.m. But otherwise it will be partly sunny with a high around 83F°.

Friday: It’s probably a good idea to bring an umbrella, because there will be a roughly 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms all through the day. The high will be around 85F°.

Sign up for weather alerts: Monroe County emergency alert system

Recent articles

• Bloomington’s 2027 budget: No new full-time positions, still taps $5.5M in general fund reserves.  Bloomington’s proposed 2027 budget has dropped. It authorizes $165.7 million in spending, excluding utilities and debt funds. It provides a 2.7% COLA for employees, and no net new full-time jobs. It taps general fund reserves for $5.47 million. City council review starts Aug. 17.
• MCCSC board takes first step toward limiting bargaining for non-teaching staff.  MCCSC trustees narrowly backed a first step toward limiting bargaining topics for non-teaching staff, while hearing support for Templeton’s multi-age program, reviewing federal funding changes and approving staffing moves. Redistricting discussion was delayed until Aug. 25.
• Use of drain cleaner fills Monroe County justice building with rotten-egg odor; workers report vomiting, nausea.  At least two Monroe County employees vomited and others reported nausea, headaches and watery eyes Tuesday after jail maintenance workers used an unfamiliar drain cleaner, filling the Justice Center with a rotten-egg odor. Some went outside for air or left work.
• Dora, Concord pitch rival College Square projects; Bloomington RDC mulls decision.  Bloomington’s RDC heard rival $4 million College Square proposals Monday but made no decision. Concord’s hotel-and-housing plan depends on CIB cooperation and a reversal of its convention center host-hotel choice; Dora’s stand-alone plan pairs a boutique hotel with market-rate housing.
• Bloomington’s latest survey finds high quality-of-life ratings, big concern about housing.  Bloomington’s 2026 community survey found general satisfaction with quality of life, but a lot of concern about affordable housing, homelessness, streets and sidewalks, and the local economy. City councilmembers will receive a presentation at their Wednesday meeting.

On the calendar

County election board. No agenda is posted yet for Monroe County’s 1:30 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 6) election board meeting. But one possibility is that the three-member group will formally receive the challenges that have been filed over the write-in candidacy of Joe Davis for county clerk. Davis lost the Democratic Party’s primary for clerk, which means state law precludes his candidacy in the general election for the same office. For B Square background, see: Monroe County ballot nears final shape: Davis files write-in bid, Trimble’s final paperwork pending

Gallery Walk: Aug. 7. For Bloomington’s Gallery Walk this Friday, the Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut St., will open two exhibitions from 5–8 p.m.: “Stepping Stones,” featuring work by 2025 Bloomington Arts Commission grant recipients, with music and dance performances; and “The Pregnant Form,” by Gloria Manzanares Romero and Emily Zarse. Gallery Walk includes 14 venues.

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.

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 Bigboy!

This very, very good boy is a bully breed mix. Here’s what the shelter staff have written about Bigboy:

Bigboy is a sweet, calm, and remarkably well-behaved boy who's still blossoming with confidence. He's an excellent leash walker with impeccable manners on walks. He rarely pulls and stays in heel position. He loves being with his people and enjoys long walks to explore his surroundings, plus spirited play in the yard. Although Bigboy is timid at first meeting new people, he warms up quickly with patience. He's curious about other dogs and animals, observing calmly in most situations. While he's not yet reliably house-trained or crate-trained, his foster family has seen real growth in his confidence over just two weeks—stairs were new for him, suggesting his early life experiences might have been limited.

Photo Finish: Kirkwood Avenue & Dunn Street

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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