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Dave Askins

Dave Askins

Bloomington, Indiana

Dave Askins is editor and publisher of The B Square Bulletin. A Hoosier native with a background in math and linguistics, he previously co-founded the Ann Arbor Chronicle with his wife, Mary Morgan.

Private roads, public emergency: Snow exposes Monroe County plowing gap

Private roads, public emergency: Snow exposes Monroe County plowing gap

Heavy snow and bitter cold exposed a long-standing Monroe County issue: dozens of subdivisions remain unplowed because their roads are private and not in the county inventory. Councilors and commissioners may be considering emergency options.

Bloomington board of public works to consider $424K contract for Hopewell South infrastructure design

Bloomington board of public works to consider $424K contract for Hopewell South infrastructure design

Bloomington’s board of public works will consider a $424,200 contract with CrossRoad Engineers on Tuesday for preliminary engineering for the Hopewell South project, covering surveys and street-and-infrastructure design for a planned affordable, owner-occupied neighborhood south of 1st Street.

Jan. 26, 2026: Snow, cold, jail, basketball, buses, gun threat

Jan. 26, 2026: Snow, cold, jail, basketball, buses, gun threat

This edition includes reports on snow, high school basketball, county jail planning, public bus ridership, and a threat of a shooting in schools that proved not to be credible.

Snow impact: Bloomington trash pickup delayed indefinitely, no MCCSC school on Monday

Snow impact: Bloomington trash pickup delayed indefinitely, no MCCSC school on Monday

Heavy snowfall has prompted many closures and delays across Bloomington. The city has suspended regular trash pickup starting Monday, while MCCSC canceled school and eLearning. The College Avenue skywalk closure is delayed a day, and travel remains restricted under a county “Warning.”

Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish

Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish

This week Hawk reveals the actual origin story for the name of the state where we live, and it involves a guy named Edward VerDahntid.

Jail update: Monroe County elected officials working on ‘clear movement’ plan as April 15 ACLU deadline nears

Jail update: Monroe County elected officials working on ‘clear movement’ plan as April 15 ACLU deadline nears

Monroe County councilors and commissioners agreed the downtown jail fails constitutional care, conflicts with community values, and can’t be renovated. With an April 15 ACLU “clear movement” deadline looming, officials debated cost, sites (including North Park), and next steps.

Ridership decline in 2025 for Bloomington Transit, board weighs ridership targets

Ridership decline in 2025 for Bloomington Transit, board weighs ridership targets

Bloomington Transit’s board reviewed key performance indicators Tuesday as total ridership fell from about 2.5 million trips in 2024 to 2.3 million in 2025. Members questioned whether changes in counting and fare enforcement affected results and asked staff to return with 2026 targets.