Nov. 9, 2026: Jail count still below threshold, new fire center opens, $6.87M bonds approved, bus cuts proposed

Weather Talk

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

Monday: A light wrap and sunglasses are all you need to get through the next two days. The day will launch from an overnight low in the mid-40s, with a high around 63F°. It will be clear and sunny.

Tuesday: Same as Monday but a little warmer, with a high of 66F°.

Sign up for weather alerts: Monroe County emergency alert system

Recent articles

• Photos: Edgewood Marching Mustangs celebrate fifth straight state title.  The Edgewood Marching Mustangs won their fifth consecutive Class C state championship Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. It was the band's sixth state title overall. Seth Baugh's photos show the 88-member band's performance and celebration.
• Monroe County property transfers through Nov. 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 Oct. 16 to Nov. 4, 2026. The data in this report comes from Beacon, the county’s online geographic information system for property and parcel data.
• Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish.  Fair warning: There is implied nudity in this week's edition of Hawk v. Fish.
• Monroe County jail notebook: Population holds steady above 200, stays under ACLU threshold.  Monroe County’s jail held 204 people Saturday, marking 32 straight days below the ACLU’s functional capacity figure of 229. The latest 10-day average was 206, down from 254 earlier in the tracking period. Records show at least 859 departures since July 21, with a median stay of two days.
• Bloomington caps big week for fire department with new operations center, funding for aerial truck.  Bloomington's fire department opened a $7.95-million operations center Friday, completing a building program funded by 2022 bonds. Earlier in the week, the city council approved $2.5 million for a replacement aerial truck and three ordinances overhauling fire prevention rules.
• Bloomington council OKs $6.87M bond issue by narrow 5–2 vote.  Bloomington’s city council approved $6.87 million in bonds for a fire truck and street improvements on a 5–2 vote. Andy Ruff opposed some street designs, while Matt Flaherty cited broken spending commitments. Dave Rollo cast a conflicted yes vote, providing the minimum needed for passage.
• Possible bus service cuts: Bloomington Transit board sets public hearing.  Bloomington Transit’s board voted 5–0 to seek public input on temporary cuts to four bus routes. The reductions would eliminate 237 driver hours a week as the agency struggles with a driver shortage, mandatory overtime and missed runs. A public hearing is set for Nov. 17.

Other notes

Six-word memoir. If you are a regular reader of the Almost Daily Bulletin, you are plenty old enough to write a memoir. But you might think: Nobody wants to read a long book about my life! You’re probably right, but frankly, you could stop after “long book.” So the Monroe County Public Library has you covered. They’re holding a contest: Write your memoir in six words. The contest is open through Nov. 22.

Artists sought for Miller-Showers Park gateway. The city of Bloomington is looking for artists to create a permanent public artwork near the limestone sign installed in 2024 at Miller-Showers Park. The project has a $125,000 budget. Professional artists or teams from Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois are eligible to apply by Dec. 4. Residents can also offer input through an online survey.

Convention center seeking local artwork. The Monroe County capital improvement board (CIB) is accepting submissions from artists interested in selling existing works for permanent display in the expanded Bloomington Convention Center. A total of $88,320 is available. But the CIB is expecting to pay between $1,500 and $12,000 for each piece of art. To be eligible, an artist has to be at least 18 years old and live in Monroe County or one of five adjoining counties. Artists can submit up to three works. The deadline is 5 p.m. on Nov. 27.

Griffy Lake to close for deer hunts. Bloomington parks and recreation has scheduled the annual controlled deer hunts at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve for the weekends of Nov. 14–15 and Nov. 21–22. The whole preserve, including trails, shoreline and lake, will close from 11 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday on both weekends. The city says the hunts are part of a continuing effort that started in 2017, to reduce damage to native vegetation from deer browsing. Only selected, authorized hunters are allowed to participate.

On the calendar

Request for PUD change. On the 5:30 p.m. Monday (Nov. 9) meeting agenda for Bloomington’s plan commission is a proposal to replace 10 previously approved three-bedroom condominiums at Hilltop Court, 1237 W. Allen St., with 24 one-bedroom rental apartments. City planning staff are concerned about eliminating the development’s owner-occupied housing and the proposed changes to its affordability requirements.

Public safety, housing. On the 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 10) work session agenda for Bloomington’s city council is a review of the previous two work sessions on public safety and the city’s housing development fund. The council removed $3 million in appropriations out of the the housing development fund from Bloomington mayor Kerry Thomson’s proposed budget for 2027. The mayor will likely not attend the council’s work session, unless she is planning to skip her re-election launch party which starts at 6 p.m. the same night.

Beth Shalom Holiday Bazaar. Next Sunday (Nov. 15) from noon to 5 p.m. Congregation Beth Shalom will host its 19th annual Holiday Bazaar, Fair and Bake Sale at 3750 E. Third St. in Bloomington. The event will feature locally made pottery, paintings, woodworking, glass, jewelry, candles, knitwear, quilts, photography and other gifts. Shoppers will also find home-baked sweets, challah, a bagel café, Hanukkah treats and Judaica. Free parking is available.

Hope for the Holidays Tree Festival. For three days, from Nov. 17 to 19, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Switchyard Park Pavilion, there will be dozens of unique and festive holiday trees decorated by local businesses, organizations, groups, and families on display and available for purchase! Hope for the Holidays is free to attend and open to the public. From the organizers: “At New Hope for Families, we believe that every child deserves a safe place to sleep and every family deserves a home—and hope—for the holidays! Our annual Hope for the Holidays tree festival helps us keep our promise that no child will sleep outside.”

Bloomington Handmade Market. On Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 21–22, more than 100 artists and makers from around the Midwest are expected at the Bloomington Convention Center for Bloomington’s annual Handmade Market. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Admission is free. Sunday’s activities will include youth artists and photos with Santa.

Meet Luna!

This very very good girl is a Dutch shepherd. Here’s what the shelter staff have written about Luna:

If you are looking for a loyal, 2-year-old cuddle bug who will make your heart melt, Luna is your girl! This adorable 2-year-old lady is the definition of 'sweet.' She is incredibly friendly, social, and loves nothing more than making new human friends and soaking up affection. She’s young, full of life, and ready to bring unconditional love to her forever family. She even knows sit, shake, and lie down! Whether it’s long walks or cuddling on the couch, Luna is ready to be your shadow. Her absolute favorite toys are rubber balls she can shake around before you throw it for her again. Come meet our sweet Luna and prepare to fall in love! Luna has been on a couple of outings and loves a good hike and walking in the creek. I would love more than anything to go home with my best friend Lexie. We get along so amazingly that it's a a joy and way more fun than watching TV seeing us play together!

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 your week is off to a great start.

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

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