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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.

Bloomington OKs single-house historic district or: A lesson in cursive writing—how to form the letter ‘p’

Bloomington OKs single-house historic district or: A lesson in cursive writing—how to form the letter ‘p’

At its final meeting of the year on Wednesday, Bloomington’s council approved the establishment of a single-house historic district. It’s the Reverend James Faris House at 2001 East Hillside Drive, which is in the southeast part of town. The vote on Wednesday by the city council was uncontroversial.

$82K from federal law enforcement grant OK’d by Bloomington city council, part of interlocal deal

$82K from federal law enforcement grant OK’d by Bloomington city council, part of interlocal deal

At its final meeting of the year on Wednesday, Bloomington’s city council approved its side of an interlocal agreement with Monroe County for the use of $81,724 in federal money to support local law enforcement. The money came from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program.

Monroe County commissioners could get higher pay, but maybe not the $67,158 they think is right

Monroe County commissioners could get higher pay, but maybe not the $67,158 they think is right

If Monroe County councilors approve some kind of increase to county commissioner compensation before the end of the year, it might not be as much as the commissioners have requested. That’s the basic picture after about an hour of discussion at the county council’s regular meeting on Tuesday.

Full report: Lead fallout from Bloomington fire department burn doesn’t need more investigation

Full report: Lead fallout from Bloomington fire department burn doesn’t need more investigation

The lead-based paint fallout from the intentional burning of the house at 1213 High Street on Nov. 5 does need additional investigation, according to the city of Bloomington’s contractor, VET Environmental Engineering. The first 17-pages of narrative from VET concludes with the statement: “It is VET’s professional opinion

Bloomington OKs 6-story building with sustainable features to net 72 housing units near stadium

Bloomington OKs 6-story building with sustainable features to net 72 housing units near stadium

At its Monday meeting, Bloomington’s plan commission unanimously approved a site plan by University Properties IX for a six-story building with 105 apartments at 19th and Dunn streets, across from the Indiana University Memorial Stadium. Given the 33 dwelling units currently on the multiple-parcel site—spread across single-family, fourplex,

Stay granted: GOP pick for Bloomington plan commission won’t be seated pending appeal

Andrew Guenther will not be serving as a Bloomington plan commissioner—at least not for the next several months—even though a mid-November order from special judge Erik Allen installed him in a plan commission seat effective immediately. On Monday morning, Allen granted a request from the city of Bloomington

Private security checks in Bloomington park OK’d through January pending new, broader contract

Private security checks in Bloomington park OK’d through January pending new, broader contract

At its meeting last week, Bloomington’s board of park commissioners approved what city staff called a stopgap contract with Marshall Security, extending the current arrangement covering Switchyard Park through January 2022. The contract extension approved on Tuesday last week is for $7,161. The source of the money is