May 14, 2026: North Park vote, Kirkwood Avenue, AG versus sheriff, free speech

Civic Solver

This week’s puzzle is a 10-question news quiz based on events of last week.

Weather Talk

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

Thursday: Leave home without a care in the world. It will not rain. It will be sunny, with a high near 67F°.

Friday: Take an umbrella if you don’t want to risk getting wet early. There will be a chance of showers before 10 a.m., then a slight chance of showers after 11 a.m. It will be mostly sunny through mid-morning, then becoming cloudy, with a high near 73F°.

Sign up for weather alerts: Monroe County emergency alert system

Recent articles

• Kids on Kirkwood: Bloomington’s townie summer begins with block party for families.  Children danced, chased bubbles, and filled Kirkwood Avenue Wednesday night as Bloomington launched its “Family Night Out” series. The monthly block parties are part of the city’s compromise approach to downtown activation, keeping Kirkwood mostly open to cars except for special events.
• Final North Park jail showdown set for May 26 after Monroe County council’s 1–5 vote fails.  The Monroe County council failed Tuesday to approve a $11.375 million purchase agreement for the proposed North Park jail site, but the ordinance can return May 26 for another vote. The meeting featured sharp exchanges, public opposition, and warnings about renewed ACLU litigation.
• Judge pauses Rokita’s lawsuit against Monroe County sheriff, as fight over ICE detainers shifts to federal court.  A special judge has paused Indiana AG Todd Rokita’s lawsuit against Monroe County sheriff Ruben Marté over immigration-enforcement policy, while a separate federal constitutional challenge to SEA 76 moves forward. Rokita is now asking the local court to unpause the lawsuit.
• ACLU sues attorney general investigator over warning to Monroe County man about “86” social media posts.  A Monroe County man has sued an investigator for the Indiana attorney general’s office, claiming a doorstep warning over Facebook posts using “86” violated his First Amendment rights. The encounter was captured on a door camera. The lawsuit seeks an injunction and damages.

On the calendar

Bridges inside Bloomington. On the 10 a.m. Thursday (May 14) meeting agenda for Monroe County commissioners is a resolution about two bridges inside the city limits of Bloomington that are not in Monroe County’s inventory. One of them, on West Club House Drive near the Cascades golf course, needs to be posted with a load limit due to its deteriorated condition. But it’s the city of Bloomington that is apparently responsible for doing the posting.

Post election work: Provisional ballots and complaints. Two meetings are set for Monroe County’s election board for Friday (May 15). One starts at 11 a.m. and the other at 12:01 p.m. The first one involves two allegations about election law violations, which will be heard by the election board. The other is the usual meeting to review provisional ballots.

Block party at Seminary Pointe: May 15. Homes for All is hosting a fundraiser at Friendly Beasts Cidery on Friday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in an effort to preserve the apartments that exist on that block. For the latest B Square coverage on that topic see: Request for host hotel proposals OK’d by CIB at Seminary Pointe, activists still hope for land swap. The event is billed as a “save the block party”, with live musicians and DJs, tree planting, and live mural painting.

Beethoven’s 9th Symphony: May 16. For the first time in its history, the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra will perform Beethoven’s 9th Symphony starting around 6:15 p.m.. The symphony will be joined by a community chorus of more than 100 members on the stage of Indiana University’s Musical Arts Center (MAC). More details on the BSO website.

Ms. Lake Lemon: May 16. You should be in the final phase of your training regimen. 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.

Garden Walk: June 7. The Bloomington Garden Club will host its 37th annual Summer Garden Walk on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, June 7, from noon to 4 p.m. The self-guided tour will feature six private gardens around Bloomington, along with a flower show at Hilltop Garden and Nature Center. You can buy $10 tickets are from local vendors, with proceeds supporting children’s gardening education programs and other local beautification projects.

Meet Presley!

This very, very good boy is a bloodhound mix. Here’s what the shelter staff have written about Presley.:

Presley is a great dog, very energetic, and loves to play. He is the sweetest and most caring dog. He loves cuddles and spending time with his favorite people. Presley also loves to sunbathe, and if you are looking for a tanning partner, he’s your man. His other favorite things are pup cups, riding in cars, and playing with stuffed animals! He does well with crating also. Presley is a large and in-charge young hound mix who loves sniffing and food in equal measures! He is house trained and looking for someone to take him on long walks! Come visit him today!

Photo Finish: 9th Street & Morton Street (North Showers)

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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