March 30, 2026: No Kings, North Park jail clash, Hopewell South delay, school redistricting, polling-place changes

Civic Solver

Civic Solver turns Bloomington’s everyday civic life into a puzzle. This week’s puzzle is a word search for 10 schools. What do these schools have in common? If you have read every precious word of The B Square Bulletin for the last week, you might be able to answer even without completing the word search. If you can, please brag about that to your friends! If you can’t, try the word search for 10 schools.

Weather Talk

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

Monday: You can skip a jacket, umbrella, or sunglasses, but don’t leave the house naked, because it could get windy. It will be partly sunny, with a high near 76F°. Wind gusts could be as high as 30 mph.

Tuesday: Same weather as Monday, but a little warmer and even windier. It will be mostly sunny, with a high near 81F°, with gusts up to 34 mph.

Sign up for weather alerts: Monroe County emergency alert system

Recent articles

• Woman dies in Saturday house fire in southern Monroe County.  A woman died in a Saturday afternoon house fire near Smithville in southern Monroe County. A 911 call came at 2:51 p.m. for the 7000 block of S. Strain Ridge Road. Firefighters found the woman dead inside. Officials say initial evidence does not indicate foul play.
• Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish.  This week, Hawk and Fish are trading brutal insults! What happened to their romance? Is it all falling apart? Why the drama??
• Monroe County property transfers through March 25, 2026.  This report includes new property transfers in Monroe County that haven’t previously been reported by The B Square, with dates ranging from March4 to March 25, 2026. The data in this report comes from Beacon, the county’s online geographic information system for property and parcel data.
• Bloomington’s ‘No Kings 3.0’ protest features speeches, music, march down Kirkwood.  Crowds gathered Saturday on the southeast corner of the Monroe County courthouse for Bloomington’s “No Kings 3.0” protest, part of a nationwide day of demonstrations organized by the 50501 movement opposing policies of the Trump administration.
• MCCSC trustees review redistricting study, construction projects, preschool contracts, new cell phone law.  Beyond initiating the sale of the former H-T building, MCCSC trustees reviewed progress on an elementary redistricting study, heard updates on construction projects, approved preschool partnerships for next year, and discussed a new Indiana law requiring stricter limits on student cell phone use.
• Attention Monroe County voters: Check your polling location.  Monroe County voters should watch for a yellow postcard arriving around April 7 that lists their polling place for the May 5 primary. Several sites have changed. One example: the former NAPA site downtown has been demolished. County commissioners approved 28 locations for the 2026 elections.
• Convention center sign variances OK’d by Bloomington BZA.  Bloomington’s BZA approved sign variances for the convention center expansion’s wayfinding plan, allowing larger, taller, and more numerous signs—including some in the right-of-way. Officials said standard rules don’t fit the site’s multi-block “campus” layout.
• April 7 deadline looms as Monroe County leaders clash again on North Park as potential jail location.  Monroe County commissioners have put North Park back on the table for a new jail, despite the county council’s clear statement they oppose it. A new resolution from commissioners sets tight criteria and heightens pressure ahead of an April 7 deadline, as officials clash over location and cost.
• Hopewell South PUD vote postponed by Bloomington city council until April 1.  Bloomington’s city council postponed a vote on the Hopewell South PUD vote for a second time, splitting 6–3 after debate over permanent affordability and legal limits on amendments. The project returns April 1, a day after the mayor’s state of the city address.

Quick notes

Eat on Kirkwood. You know what’s more fun than arguing about whether Kirkwood Avenue should be open or closed to car traffic? Actually heading over to Kirkwood and eating at one of the restaurants participating in Bloomington Bites Bingo, from March 29 to April 7. That’s this week!

MCCSC advisory council. Monroe County Community Schools Corporation superintendent Markay Winston is launching something she is calling the Strong Schools, Strong Community Advisory Council. She puts it like this: “I’m looking for up to 40 community members — including parents and guardians, teachers, support staff, and students — to join me and members of our Board for three discussions on April 15, April 29, and May 6, from 6 to 8:00 p.m. Council members will learn about the challenges and opportunities facing MCCSC and share their perspectives. Input will help inform the corporation’s long-term planning to sustain academic excellence in our schools and strengthen our schools, now and in the future.” Here’s a link: apply to participate by Tuesday, March 31. 

Music in Transit. Do you remember this B There item from November last year, featuring two photos of local musicians playing on a Bloomington Transit bus, as part of the Music in Transit project? The complete videos are now posted on YouTube. There’s a whole collection under that link. If you’d like to see Six Foot Blonde singing on a bus, start here: Six Foot Blonde. Bloomington Transit buses never looked better!

Eco Heroes art contest! This year’s theme of the city of Bloomington’s Eco Heroes art contest is: Our Nature at Night. From the city’s website: “Entries based on the theme are encouraged in a wide range of formats, including written, visual, or performance art. We welcome posters and illustrations, sculptures and 3D art, textiles, essays and poems, photography, music, or whatever best connects you to the theme Our Nature at Night.”

The deadline for submitting entries is April 7. That’s still plenty of time!

On the calendar

Candidate forum: March 30 (clerk, prosecutor). On Monday (March 30), a candidate forum hosted by the League of Women voters is set for 6–8 p.m. at Tri-North Middle School.

Advertised as participating are candidates for the Democratic Party’s nomination for Monroe County clerk: Tanner Dale Branham and Tree Martin Lucas. Also appearing on the ballot for the Democrats is Joe Davis. Appearing on the ballot as the sole candidate for the Republican Party’s nomination is Julie Hays. The publicity from the League of Women voters states: “All candidates from both parties have been invited to participate; those named have accepted our invitation.”

As part of the same event, candidates for the Democratic Party’s nomination for prosecuting attorney, Benjamin Tyron Arrington and Erika Oliphant, are set to answer questions.

State of the City address. Set for Tuesday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater is Bloomington mayor Kerry Thomson’s third State of the City Address. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the presentation beginning at 6 p.m.

Topics that could get at least a mention during the speech include: the Hopewell redevelopment, with a mention of the current city council dynamics; progress in the Trades District, including the Forge and Kiln buildings, and the new hotel there; the convention center expansion and associated hotel project; housing affordability and the city’s response to street homelessness; infrastructure needs like roads, water systems (status of fluoride in the city’s drinking water), public safety facilities (status of effort to replace the city’s police headquarters), and the status of Showers West; climate and sustainability initiatives; the citywide fiber internet buildout; economic development and entrepreneurship; community engagement and co-creation through town halls and listening sessions; the city’s ongoing place-branding initiative (wholesome quirk), and IU’s national championship in the sport of football.

Hopewell South PUD. Back on the city council’s agenda for the third time on Wednesday (April 1) at 6:30 p.m. is the Hopewell South PUD. Possibilities for the outcome of the vote on this proposed rezone include: another postponement; adoption; rejection; or withdrawal of the petition by the Thomson administration, if the council amends the proposal in a way it opposes. For B Square background, see: Hopewell South PUD vote postponed by Bloomington city council until April 1

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!

Trashion Refashion: April 12. Trashion Refashion has announced the release of ticket sales for this year’s event, which is set for April 12, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Organizers describe the event like this: “This beloved event blends high fashion with sustainability, showcasing over 50 original, upcycled designs modeled by a diverse cast of community members. A highlight of Bloomington’s arts scene since 2010, the show promotes environmental sustainability and artistic creativity while challenging conventional notions about beauty and consumerism.” It’s a fundraiser for the Center for Sustainable Living. There’s more information in the link to the news release, but here’s a direct link to purchase tickets.

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 Apollo!

This very, very good boy is a husky. Here’s what the shelter staff have written about Apollo:

At just half a year old, Apollo is in the "wiggle-butt" stage of life—his entire body moves whenever he sees a friendly face! Apollo is looking for a family ready for puppy milestones, training, and lots of belly rubs. If you’re looking for a loyal, wiggly sidekick to brighten your days, Apollo is your guy! Come meet him today and see those tail wags in person!

Photo Finish: 3rd Street & Walnut Street

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

Thanks for reading. I hope your week is off to a great start!

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

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