Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish
Hawk quotes from the RFP for the convention center expansion RFP. (Because Hawk and Fish are civically engaged that way.) What does Fish say?
Dave Askins
Smith Road & 3rd Street (Office Lounge)
Local country music star Hank Ruff sits at a table in the back corner of the Office Lounge, a place which is probably a decent fit for lyrics of a recent release from Ruff: “One Thing I Can Count On.” Yeah, of course, I do know that's John Mellencamp in the right of the frame.
Vacancies: Three depart Monroe County board of health, including chair, and 36-year member
Three members concluded their service on the Monroe County Board of Health on Dec. 18, including longtime member George Hegeman. Their departures leave three vacancies on the seven-member board, which oversees the county health department and appoints the health officer.
Bloomington grows by a quarter-acre after 6–3 vote to OK owner-requested annexation
Bloomington’s city council voted 6–3 to approve a voluntary annexation of a wooded parcel on Cory Drive, adding about a quarter-acre to the city. Neighbors warned of drainage and karst risks. New R2 zoning was also approved which would allow a duplex as a conditional use.
Monroe County commissioners OK policy requiring 30‑day notice for clearing homeless encampments
Monroe County commissioners have adopted a policy requiring at least a 30-days notice before clearing homeless encampments. No notices are supposed to be issued until March 2, 2026. The move followed backlash over a Dec. 1 eviction notice, with just a one-week deadline.
2026: Monroe County may revisit now-voided but council-OK'd donations—$30K to BEDC, $1.8K to Seven Oaks
Two Monroe County Council-approved donations—a $1,800 award to Seven Oaks Classical School and $30,000 to the BEDC—were pulled from the county auditor’s claims docket by county commissioners, voiding the claims and forcing any payment come to from a restarted process in 2026.
Bloomington council OKs historic status for Ivan Adams House on 12th Street
Bloomington’s city council voted 6–3 Wednesday to designate the Ivan Adams House at 115 E. 12th St. as a single-property historic district. Supporters cited Adams’ significance as a limestone sculptor; dissenters questioned whether residence alone justified historic protection.