June 18, 2026: North Dunn court fight, Kirkwood veto clock, jail site, Showers West, tap-to-pay bus fares, trash rates

Civic Solver

This week’s puzzle is a word search for restaurants that have been lost from downtown Bloomington in the last few years.

Weather Talk

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

Thursday: Wear something that dries fast, because the risk of rain is not big enough to carry an umbrella or a rain jacket. There could be isolated showers after 4 p.m. But for most of the day it will be sunny, then turn mostly cloudy during the afternoon. The high will be around 79F°.

Friday: Wear your best sunglasses. It will be sunny all day with a high near 79F°.

Sign up for weather alerts: Monroe County emergency alert system

Recent articles

• North Dunn subdivision fight: Judge weighs stay of Bloomington BZA variances.  A Monroe County judge expects to rule Monday on whether to pause three Bloomington BZA variances for a proposed 14-lot subdivision on North Dunn, while a full judicial review is undertaken.
• Bloomington mayor hears split views on Kirkwood as veto deadline looms.  Bloomington mayor Kerry Thomson heard 90 minutes of public comment Tuesday on a council-approved ordinance to close 5 blocks of Kirkwood Avenue to cars for 7 months a year starting in 2027. Speakers raised various points in support and opposition. Thomson has 10 days to sign or veto the ordinance.
• Monroe County judges underscore support for co-located jail, justice system.  Monroe County judges Catherine Stafford and Mary Ellen Diekhoff urged jail planners to keep courts, jail, sheriff, clerk, prosecutors and public defenders close together, citing safety, cost, constitutional access, remote-hearing limits and the county’s commitment to alternatives to incarceration.
• After losing in court, Bloomington RDC files appeals, preps Showers West mediation.  Bloomington’s RDC voted Monday to authorize its president, or a designee, to settle two Showers West lease disputes in mediation. The cases involve Warrant Technologies and the Bloomington Board of Realtors, whose leases the city sought to terminate after buying the building.
• Tap-to-pay now a fare option for Bloomington Transit, as new west side route gets a test.  Bloomington Transit has launched tap-to-pay with credit cards as a fare payment option, along with a redesigned Route 16, combining former Routes 3 West and 13 for west side service. A Monday test ride showed light midday ridership but on-time performance after a late start.
• Bloomington’s trash cart rate hikes up for discussion based on ‘alarming numbers’.  Bloomington’s curbside rates for trash pickup could rise sharply as sanitation costs outpace user fees. A city council fiscal committee discussed phased increases, possible recycling charges and whether more costs should be covered by users, but endorsed no specific plan.

Other Important Notes

School board elections. Three MCCSC school board seats are up for election this year. The deadline for filing is (Thursday) June 18 by noon. Candidates for the seats that are up for election have to live in District 1, District 3, or District 7. Here’s a useful link: MCCSC school board districts.

On the calendar

Claims docket only. The only item on the 10 a.m. Thursday (June 18) meeting agenda for the Monroe County commissioners is the approval of the claims docket.

Working subgroup on jail. Set for Thursday (June 18) at 6 p.m. is the first meeting of a working subgroup of county and city officials, which is supposed to make a site recommendation for a new jail. For B Square background, see: City, county officials launch working group to recommend new jail site inside of a month.

Seminary Pointe update. On Saturday (June 20) from noon until 1:30 p.m. in the Downtown Library Auditorium (303 E Kirkwood Ave) there will be a public forum on the proposal from Bloomington Homes for All to preserve the affordable housing units at Seminary Pointe. For the most recent B Square background, see: Seminary Pointe demolition clock starts as downtown Bloomington land-swap hopes continue

Regular Bloomington Transit board meeting. It turns out the meeting scheduled for this Tuesday was actually changed until next Tuesday.

Juneteenth. On Friday (June 19) from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Switchyard Park the city of Bloomington, in partnership with IU’s Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, IU’s African American Arts Institute and Food Truck Friday, will host a free, family-friendly Juneteenth celebration with food trucks, vendors, community booths, educational activities and live entertainment. Performances include IU Camp S.O.U.L. students at 12:30 p.m., The Lucky Sevens at 6:15 p.m. and Jenn Cristy at 7:15 p.m. A 21-and-over beer garden will be open 5–8:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets.

Lake Lemon Shoreline Sessions: June 21. Live music, lakeside vibes and Sunday relaxation are planned for Sunday, June 21, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Riddle Point Park on Lake Lemon. The lineup includes the Ben Cartha Fowler Project, Salaam, and Claire Pendreigh. Bring a chair; outside food and drink are welcome. Tickets are $22.66.

Bingo Brunch at Cardinal Spirits: June 28. It’s every Sunday 12-2 p.m. at Cardinal Spirits: Bingo Brunch with celebrity callers! You might wonder: What is the Cardinal Spirits definition of celebrity? It needs to be flexible enough to include ... me, the founder of The B Square. I plan to apply all the principles I have learned about government meeting procedures to bingo calling—in the best possible way! You have never heard letters and numbers sound so great. What kind of prizes can you win? How about a hat?

Carwash fundraiser: July 18. Is your car filthy? Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana invites the community to support the 17th Annual Crew for Kids fundraiser on Saturday, July 18, 2026, with a rain date of Saturday, July 25. For one day only, visit a participating Crew Carwash location and purchase an Ultimate or Ultimate 360 wash. Fifty percent of the cost will be donated directly to Big Brothers Big Sisters, helping join Bigs and Littles together for effective mentorship and impacting lives for the better through meaningful one-to-one relationships. Bloomington participants can visit Crew Carwash at 235 South Pete Ellis Drive or 3430 West 3rd Street.

Meet Clematis!

This very, very good girl is a Labrador retriever mix. Here’s what the shelter staff have written about Clematis:

Clematis is an energetic older puppy who loves playing with people and dogs!

Photo Finish: Courthouse Square

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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