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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.

Monroe County innkeeper’s tax revenue booming, due in part to ‘revenge travel’

Monroe County innkeeper’s tax revenue booming, due in part to ‘revenge travel’

Based on recent monthly numbers for innkeeper’s tax revenue, Monroe County’s tourism industry is back on track after getting hit hard by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. On Friday, the revenues from the county’s 5-percent innkeeper’s tax were reported by Mike Campbell at a meeting of the

Monroe County commissioners ask to be paid $18K more, on par with other electeds: $67,158

Monroe County commissioners ask to be paid $18K more, on par with other electeds: $67,158

On the agenda for the Tuesday, Dec. 14 meeting of the Monroe County council is a request from the three county commissioners to increase their 2022 salary from the amount approved two weeks earlier. The requested adjustment to the already-approved 2022 salary ordinance would increase commissioner pay from $48,886

Monroe County sees COVID-19 cases rise: “…could be our worst surge yet—it’s terrible.”

Monroe County sees COVID-19 cases rise: “…could be our worst surge yet—it’s terrible.”

At Friday’s news conference of local leaders on COVID-19 pandemic response, Bloomington mayor John Hamilton reacted to the relatively positive picture that Indiana University health officer Aaron Carroll had just painted about the situation on campus. “I’m really just echoing what Dr. Carroll said, which is: Probably one

Can Monroe County commissioners, election board bury beefs before 2022?

Can Monroe County commissioners, election board bury beefs before 2022?

Towards the start of their Wednesday meeting this week, the three Monroe County commissioners responded in turn to remarks made by county clerk Nicole Browne at last week’s election board meeting. Commissioner Penny Githens led off, “To hear ourselves and to hear people in our office called liars and

Finishing touches on 4th Street parking garage—from pretty to practical

Finishing touches on 4th Street parking garage—from pretty to practical

Bloomington’s new 540-space parking garage on 4th Street has been open for people to park there since Aug. 23. Since then, elements like the payment system and solar panels have been installed. On Wednesday, the installation of the public artwork called “Urban Fabric” resumed after a two-day pause, in

A look ahead at some Monroe County offices up for election in 2022

A look ahead at some Monroe County offices up for election in 2022

In 2021, voters enjoyed their regular respite from local political races, which comes in the year following a presidential election. In 2022, voters will be choosing several positions in Monroe County government. The positions include four different seats on the county council, three circuit judges, one county commissioner, as well

COVID-19 pandemic notebook: Surge means orange for Monroe County

COVID-19 pandemic notebook: Surge means orange for Monroe County

Based on numbers reported Monday, Wednesday’s update to the state of Indiana’s COVID-19 dashboard map will show Monroe County as orange. That’s because the county will have the next-to-worst score on the dual-metric system used by the state to color-code the map. For the week ending Sunday,