Feb. 19, 2026: Voting hours, student ID ban, Showers West tenants

Civic Solver

Civic Solver returns this week, to its customary spot at the end of the Almost Daily Bulletin.

Weather Talk

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

Thursday: Slow down and take an umbrella, but you won’t need extra wraps to stay warm. The day will start foggy, and starting around 1 p.m. there will be a decent chance of rain. The high will reach around 68F°.

Friday: Leave the umbrella at home, but put on a warmish jacket, because the temperature will drop to the low 40s overnight from Thursday and will reach a high of just around 45F° on Friday.

Sign up for weather alerts: Monroe County emergency alert system

Recent articles

• Monroe County election board OKs 28 Election Day polling sites, early voting hours, but state legislation could limit schedule.  Monroe County’s election board OK’d traditional early voting hours for 2026, while warning that pending state legislation could cut the voting window from 28 days to 16. The board also moved toward using 28 polling places, though some sites have not yet confirmed they can host Election Day voting.
• Federal lawsuit challenging Indiana’s student ID voting ban seeks emergency court order ahead of primary.  With early voting set to start April 7, plaintiffs challenging Indiana’s new student ID voting ban have asked a federal judge to block the law before the May 5 primary. If the judge agrees, college IDs could be used at the polls this spring; if denied, students will need other identification.
• Two Showers West tenants fight Bloomington’s bid to terminate leases; judge weighs city’s ‘inverse condemnation’ theory.  Two Showers West tenants are fighting Bloomington’s effort to terminate their leases, after the the city declared their interests “inversely condemned.” The judge has to decide whether the city can end leases without formal eminent domain—or is bound by the contracts it assumed.

Quick notes

Council, mayor squabbling again: Hopewell South PUD. The title and synopsis of the Hopewell South PUD failed to get read aloud on Wednesday night, even though it appeared on the agenda. So that is dead for now.

Councilmember Hopi Stosberg complained that the council president, Isak Asare, had placed it on the agenda over her objections. Stosberg is the city council representative to the plan commission, who voted in favor of the Hopewell South PUD when the plan commission considered it. But her vote in favor came after a condition was added to ensure that she had a chance to make some changes to correct several botched references to the UDO in the plan commission’s version, among other issues she had identified, before it was considered by the city council.

There is a requirement in city code that says the materials for an agenda item have to be filed in the council office “at least ten days before the meeting at which the legislation is to be introduced.” The city code continues, “That time frame may be extended by a vote of the council or at the request of the president.”

Stosberg objected that the Hopewell South PUD materials were not filed 10 days ahead of Wednesday’s meeting. She contended that the only reason the item appeared on the agenda was because Bloomington mayor Kerry Thompson wanted the council to consider it as soon as possible.

Councilmember Isabel Piedmont-Smith described the situation like this “[S]uddenly, the mayor is storming in, saying, ‘We have to have this now,’ even though it’s not properly vetted and properly written.”

In the end, only council president Isak Asare and vice president Sydney Zulich voted to introduce the Hopewell South PUD by reading its title and synopsis, so it failed 2–7. It will have to wait until the council’s next regular meeting on March 4 to appear on the agenda again.

But by March 4, it will be possible for the council to discuss the Hopewell South PUD, even though it will be the first time it has been considered by the council. That’s because on Wednesday, the council amended the city code so that it no longer includes a prohibition against any discussion or amendment when an ordinance first appears on the agenda.

On the calendar

County Commissioners meeting: Cancelled. The regular Thursday morning meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners has been cancelled.

County board of health meeting: Cancelled. The regular monthly meeting of the Monroe County board of health has been cancelled.

Baseball, soccer. On the 5 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 19) meeting agenda for Bloomington’s board of park commissioners are several standard seasonal items, like agreements for use of baseball and soccer fields.

Candy Stripe Classic Bicycle Race: March 8. The board of public works has approved the necessary street closures for a criterium bicycle race on March 8 that is hosted by the Cycling Club at Indiana University. It’s part of a two-day event. The race is several laps around The Mill, up and down Madison and Morton streets between 10th and 11th. There’s a “family ride,” which is a chance for parents and kids to turn one lap of the course so they can get an idea of how tight those corners really are.

Zingtrain: April 1. Brought to you by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, this is a full day of training at the Bloomington Convention Center from the world’s leading experts in customer service—Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor, Michigan. That’s not just the chamber telling you that, it’s me—former Ann Arbor resident for two decades—telling you that. And check this out: This event is free to everybody, chamber members and non-members alike. The chamber’s event description has more details. Lunch will also be provided!

Ms. Lake Lemon: May 16. Start your training regimen now. This amazing contest of skill is to be held at Riddle Point Park this year. Monitor the Ms. Lake Lemon Facebook page for details, as they become available. The B Square covered last year’s inaugural event.

Meet Dumpling!

This very, very good boy is an unspecified mix. Here’s what the shelter staff have written about Dumpling:

Don't let the shy demeanor fool you—inside this quiet boy named Dumpling is a heart full of love waiting to be shared! Dumpling is a little timid when meeting new people and in loud environments, but he warms up quickly with patience and quiet reassurance. He’s looking for a "Patient Human" to help him learn that he’s safe and loved. He’d thrive in a calm home where he can cuddle up, go for gentle walks, and slowly come out of his shell. Are you the special person who can help Dumpling feel like a whole, happy boy

Photo Finish: 6th Street & Walnut Street

The Photo Finish items are drawn from the B There section of the B Square website.

Thanks for reading. I hope you have a great weekend!

Dave Askins
734-645-2633
dave@bsquarebulletin.com

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Civic Solver

Civic Solver turns Bloomington’s everyday civic life into a puzzle worth cracking—from familiar faces to local landmarks. This week’s puzzle is a word search designed to help you get familiar with the names of candidates for county office in the May 5 primary.