County council approves $184K to keep Bloomington Transit Route 13 running to west side. Monroe County councilors unanimously approved $184,104 in EDIT funding to keep Bloomington Transit’s Route 13 operating for a year between downtown and the Ivy Tech–Park 48 corridor. Debate centered on process and regional transit policy, but there was no opposition to keeping the route running.
Perry Township Democrats weigh background, legacy in Gordon–Combs trustee race. At a Monroe County Democratic Party forum, Perry Township trustee Leon Gordon and challenger Levi Combs offered contrasting backgrounds but similar priorities for the office. The May 5 primary will likely decide the seat, with no Republican currently on the ballot.
March 9, 2026: Hopewell South, bicycle racing, high school hoops. This edition includes reports on the proposed Hopewell South rezone, bicycle racing, and high school basketball.
Photos: Candy Stripe Criterium brings bicycle racing back to Bloomington streets. Temperatures in the low 40s made for a crisp early Sunday morning (March 8) for the Candy Stripe Criterium bicycle race hosted by the Cycling Club at Indiana University. It was part of a two-day event. Photographer Kathryn Coers Rossman was on hand to capture some of the action.
Civic Solver: March 9, 2026. This week’s puzzle is a jigsaw from a photo taken at a Bloomington public park.
Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish. Hawk: This daylight-saving time shift is stressing me out so bad that I’m losing the red feathers from my back end—the ones my species is named after. Thinking about seeing a hawk doctor. What does Fish say?
Monroe County property transfers through March 4, 2026. This report includes new property transfers in Monroe County that haven’t previously been reported by The B Square, with dates ranging from Feb. 3 to March 4, 2026. The data in this report comes from Beacon, the county’s online geographic information system for property and parcel data.
Hoops: Terre Haute North rallies late to deny Bloomington South sectional title 44–39. Bloomington South held a narrow second-half lead in Saturday’s Sectional 13 championship at Martinsville, but Terre Haute North Vigo finished stronger down the stretch. The Patriots erased the deficit in the final minutes and secured the sectional title 44–39 over the Panthers.
Hoops: Bloomington South, Terre Haute North Vigo set for sectional championship showdown. Bloomington South and Terre Haute North Vigo advanced through Friday’s semifinals to set up a 7 p.m. Saturday showdown for the Sectional 13 championship at Martinsville. South beat Terre Haute South Vigo 60–45, while North Vigo cruised past Bloomington North 78–39 to reach the final.
Bloomington council signals support for Hopewell South PUD zoning, but won’t vote sooner than March 25. The Bloomington city council signaled support for the Hopewell South housing development, but put off a final vote until March 25. The proposal would allow about 98 homes on 6.3 acres of city-owned land near 2nd and Rogers, more than the roughly 28 units allowed under current zoning.
March 5, 2026: Flock cameras, water rates, residential TIF, prosecutor candidates, 78F° on Friday. This edition includes coverage of a city council resolution on Flock cameras, an RDC vote on residential TIF, a forum for candidates for county prosecutor—and the usual weather report, which includes a forecasted high temperature of 78F° on Friday.
Bloomington city council adopts resolution on Flock license-plate reader cameras as ‘first step’. The Bloomington city council voted 9–0 Wednesday to adopt a resolution addressing the city’s use of Flock automated license-plate reader cameras, after more than 30 speakers spoke from the public mic. The resolution asks the mayor for a public briefing and detailed information about the program.
Business community raises concerns over proposed Bloomington water rate increases. At a Bloomington field hearing in a drinking water rate case, business customers warned that the city’s proposed rate increases could strain local employers. The plan would help fund an $84 million infrastructure program, with a final decision expected later this summer.
Hoops: Bloomington South holds Martinsville to 29% shooting in 56–34 sectional playoff win. Bloomington South opened sectional play with a 56–34 win over Martinsville Tuesday night, holding the Artesians to 29% shooting. Jack Clark scored 18 points to lead the Panthers, who pulled away with a strong second quarter and now advance to face Terre Haute South Vigo on Friday
Summit District residential TIF gets initial nod from Bloomington RDC, accord on road design OK’d. Bloomington’s RDC took another step to create the city’s first residential TIF for the 140-acre Summit District, including the initial Shasta Meadows allocation area. The RDC also approved a $5-million road design pact with developer Sudbury, with a final TIF vote expected in April.
Monroe County prosecutor candidates clash on non-prosecution pledges, protest role. At a Bloomington DSA forum, prosecutor candidates Erika Oliphant and Benjamin Arrington drew contrasts on marijuana prosecution, ICE cooperation, surveillance, and protest roles.
March 2, 2026: Strikes against Iran, county commissioner race, jail financing, charges in fatal crash. This edition includes coverage of a demonstration in support of U.S. strikes against Iran, a forum for candidates running for county commissioner, recent developments in the effort to build a new jail, and more.
Iranians in Bloomington demonstrate in support of strikes targeting Tehran regime. About three dozen Bloomington residents of Iranian descent gathered Sunday on the courthouse square, many waving Lion-and-Sun flags, or U.S. flags. They were celebrating U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and hoping for regime change after reports that the strikes had killed Iran’s supreme leader.
Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish. Hawk: Many pieces of traffic technology have names with bird themes. For example, there's the High-intensity Activated WalK light known as the HAWK signal. But we need a good bird-based name for parking enforcement tech. What does Fish suggest?
Monroe County property transfers through Feb. 26, 2026. This report includes new property transfers in Monroe County that haven’t previously been reported by The B Square, with dates ranging from Jan. 30 to Feb. 26, 2026. The data in this report comes from Beacon, the county’s online geographic information system for property and parcel data.