March 5, 2026: Flock cameras, water rates, residential TIF, prosecutor candidates, 78F° on Friday

Civic Solver

Civic Solver turns Bloomington’s everyday civic life into a puzzle. This week’s puzzle is a five-question local news quiz.

Weather Talk

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

Thursday: Flood Watch! Slow down! In addition to possible water over roadways, expect patchy fog before 10 a.m. You can get away with a light jacket because the high temperature will be 66F° but hang on to your hat because winds could gust as high as 21 mph.

Friday: Keep rain gear handy. Before 4 p.m. expect scattered showers and thunderstorms, and after that isolated showers. The big weather news on Friday is a high temperature of 78F°. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph.

Sign up for weather alerts: Monroe County emergency alert system

Recent articles

• 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 measure 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.

Quick notes

Official year-end fund balance report. If you are thinking of running for city council or mayor in 2027, this is the kind of thing you should get geeked for looking up around this time of year. Go to the DLGF Report Search → Annual Financial Report → Cash and Investments. From there, pick the year and unit of government. Bloomington’s report is now available, which I have posted to BloomDocs.org as a matter of convenience.

If you would like to have your email address added to the distro list, which receives an alert every time a new file is uploaded to BloomDocs.org, let me know.

Hopewell South. At Wednesday’s city council meeting, the Hopewell South PUD was moved along to a final vote at the council’s next regular meeting on March 25.

On the calendar

Review of ballots! A chance for everyone, including candidates to review the printed ballots for the May 5 primary election takes place at the new early voting location, at 501 N. Morton Street, Suite 101 on Thursday (March 5) from 8:30 a.m. until noon.

County commissioners. The regular 10 a.m. meeting of the Monroe County commissioners for Thursday (March 5) has been cancelled.

Post-election audit. On the 1:30 p.m. Thursday (March 5) agenda for Monroe County’s election board is a resolution requesting that this year’s general election get audited by VSTOP (Voting System Technical Oversight Program). The election board will also be reviewing final preparations for this year’s primary elections. Early voting for the May 5 primary starts on April 7. That’s just a month away!

Public parks of the internet? The Hamilton-Lugar School and the Ostrom Workshop at Indiana University have partnered up to sponsor a talk from author, activist, and entrepreneur Eli Pariser as part of the “Beyond the Web” salon series. The title of his talk: What Might “Public Parks of the Internet” Look Like? It will be held on Thursday (March 5) at Ballantine Hall on the IU campus from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. There is an option to join remotely.

Candidate forum. The Democratic Socialists of America are hosting a candidate forum on Thursday (March 5) starting at 6 p.m. at First United Church. The two featured races this week are: Indiana House District 61 (Lilliana Young and incumbent Matt Pierce) and US Congress District 9 (Brad Meyer, Tim Peck, Floyd Taylor, and Keil Roark.)

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!

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 Bonny!

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

Bonny is good with other dogs, cats and kids. Bonny is mom to seven pups.

Photo Finish: 1st Street & Rogers 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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