> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://bsquarebulletin.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Sept. 21, 2026: Cloudy water, big zoning changes, appointment to transit board, failed rental inspections - URL: https://bsquarebulletin.com/sept-21-2026-cloudy-water-big-zoning-changes-appointment-to-transit-board-failed-rental-inspections/ - Published: 2026-09-21T09:28:29.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-21T09:28:29.000Z - Description: This morning's edition includes reports on a countywide boil-water advisory, supportive housing apartments still closed after failed inspections, a transit board appointment, and citywide zoning changes eliminating parking minimums. - Author: Dave Askins - Tags: Almost Daily Bulletin, #no-inline-feature ### Weather Talk Based on the National Weather Service forecast in [text](https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.1653&lon=-86.5264&ref=bsquarebulletin.com) and [charts](https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?w0=t&w1=td&w2=wc&w3=sfcwind&w3u=1&w4=sky&w5=pop&w6=rh&w7=rain&w8=thunder&w13u=0&w14u=1&w15u=1&AheadHour=48&FcstType=graphical&textField1=39.1648&textField2=-86.5174&site=all&unit=0&dd=&bw=&BackDay.x=47&BackDay.y=12&ref=bsquarebulletin.com) here’s some advice. **Monday:** Take an umbrella for the possibility of early showers, but after 10 a.m. you’re probably OK. It might feel chilly compared to this past week, but a high of 75F° is still plenty warm. You won’t need a sweater. **Tuesday:** The overnight low will dip into the high 50s, so it’s going to start to feel like fall around here. You won’t need rain gear, but it will be cloudy all day, with a high around 72F°. **Sign up for weather alerts:** [Monroe County emergency alert system](https://member.everbridge.net/1772417038942730/login?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2uaB5CUic7chciSA3zDnmEUsIRflEEWlELCaK1ouZgLADRnRCwugmnaAg%5Faem%5FAe5PkplH7bE%5F9j2C%5FACtHn6b%5F2754gizB4sxhDXVFPSLSBNROE4f4on5K4QE3b4HB7LYxsLKy0utImzhOmrxXV95) ### Recent articles - [Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish](https://bsquarebulletin.com/sunday-funnies-hawk-v-fish-79/). What’s another word for pamphlet? Fish knows! Do you?! - [Monroe County property transfers through Sept. 11, 2026](https://bsquarebulletin.com/monroe-county-property-transfers-through-sept-11-2026/). This report includes new property transfers in Monroe County that haven’t previously been reported by The B Square, with dates ranging from Aug. 21 to Sept. 11, 2026\. The data in this report comes from Beacon, the county’s online geographic information system for property and parcel data. - [Countywide boil-water advisory in effect through Monday (Sept. 21) after turbidity spike at Bloomington water plant](https://bsquarebulletin.com/countywide-boil-water-advisory-in-effect-through-monday-sept-21-after-turbidity-spike-at-bloomington-water-plant/). A countywide boil-water advisory is in effect after storm-related power outages reduced production at Bloomington’s water treatment plant and turbidity exceeded the federal limit. Residents should boil water for drinking, cooking and oral hygiene until at least 3 p.m. Monday (Sept. 21). - [Monroe County jail notebook: Population still routinely over functional capacity](https://bsquarebulletin.com/monroe-county-jail-notebook-population-hits-week-long-stretch-over-aclu-functional-limit-2/). Monroe County’s jail held 236 people Saturday, Sept. 19, above the ACLU’s 229-person functional-capacity estimate. The 10-day rolling average was about 232, down from roughly 254 in late July. At least 585 people left the jail during the 61-day span. The median stay was 2 days. - [Update: Some Bloomington supportive apartments stay closed to new tenants after failed inspections](https://bsquarebulletin.com/update-some-bloomington-supportive-apartments-stay-closed-to-new-tenants-after-failed-inspections/). Thirty-two of 61 apartments at Bloomington’s Crawford supportive housing complex are vacant but cannot be leased because both buildings failed city inspections. Officials say restoring the units is increasingly urgent amid limited housing options for people experiencing homelessness. - [Bloomington council appoints Ammerman to transit board, sends Cross removal question to committee](https://bsquarebulletin.com/bloomington-council-appoints-ammerman-to-transit-board-sends-cross-removal-question-to-committee/). Bloomington’s city council appointed Zach Ammerman to the Bloomington Transit board. The council referred the proposed removal of historic preservation commissioner Reynard Cross to a council committee, which is expected to report back Oct. 14. - [Bloomington council approves citywide zoning changes 5–3, eliminates minimums for motor-vehicle parking](https://bsquarebulletin.com/bloomington-council-approves-citywide-zoning-changes-5-3-eliminates-minimums-for-motor-vehicle-parking/). Bloomington’s city council voted 5–3 to approve zoning changes that shrink minimum lot sizes, and eliminate motor-vehicle parking minimums among other things. Supporters said the changes could ease housing construction. Opponents warned of parking and redevelopment impacts. ### Other notes **Absentee election ballots mailed.** When The B Square checked in with county election staff at the end of the week last week, they were preparing to send the first wave of absentee ballots out on Saturday (Sept. 19). That’s the [deadline](https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-Calendar-Brochure%5FFINAL-VERSION.pdf) for sending absentee ballots to people who have already filled out an approved application. That means campaign literature will be hitting your mailboxes soon, if it hasn’t already. **Constitutional challenge to “sore loser” law.** On the docket for [Monday (Sept. 21) at 2 p.m.](https://public.courts.in.gov/mycase/#/vw/SearchResults/eyJ2Ijp7Ik1vZGUiOiJCeUNhc2UiLCJDYXNlTnVtIjoiNTNDMDYtMjYwOC1NSS0wMDIyODkiLCJDaXRlTnVtIjpudWxsLCJDcm9zc1JlZk51bSI6bnVsbCwiRmlyc3QiOm51bGwsIk1pZGRsZSI6bnVsbCwiTGFzdCI6bnVsbCwiQnVzaW5lc3MiOm51bGwsIkRvQlN0YXJ0IjpudWxsLCJEb0JFbmQiOm51bGwsIk9BTnVtIjpudWxsLCJCYXJOdW0iOm51bGwsIlNvdW5kRXgiOmZhbHNlLCJDb3VydEl0ZW1JRCI6OTIsIkNhdGVnb3JpZXMiOm51bGwsIkxpbWl0cyI6bnVsbCwiQWR2YW5jZWQiOnRydWUsIkFjdGl2ZUZsYWciOiJPcGVuIiwiRmlsZVN0YXJ0IjpudWxsLCJGaWxlRW5kIjpudWxsLCJDb3VudHlDb2RlIjpudWxsfX0=) is a hearing in front of Monroe County circuit court judge Kara Krothe on the [case that Joe Davis has filed](https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-08-21-Joe-Davis-Monroe-County-Election-Board-county-clerk-sore-loser.pdf), challenging the constitutionality of Indiana’s so-called sore-loser law. Davis finished third in the Democratic Party’s primary for county clerk, and then registered as a write-in candidate for the Nov. 3 election unaffiliated with any party. For B Square background, see: [Candidate’s write-in bid blocked by Monroe County election board, court challenge planned](https://bsquarebulletin.com/candidates-write-in-bid-blocked-by-monroe-county-election-board-court-challenge-planned/). ### On the calendar **Voting equipment test.** The voting equipment test for the Nov. 3 general election will be held next Monday (Sept. 21) at 9:30 a.m. at the early voting space on Morton Street at Showers North. **Drinking water.** Set for a regular meeting at [5 p.m. on Monday (Sept. 21)](https://bloomington.in.gov/onboard/meetingFiles/17474/download) is the utilities service board (USB). It is likely, I would guess, that a briefing will be provided on the topic of the boil water advisory that was issued by CBU (City of Bloomington Utilities) around midnight Sept. 20\. But the agenda includes another item that is interesting. Habitat for Humanity has been denied a water hookup by CBU for two of its houses that are a part of the Osage Place development. The basis for the denial is an inadequate swale that is supposed to be a part of the stormwater management for the property. The item on Monday’s agenda is an [appeal](https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-09-21-Utilities-Service-Board-stormwater-swale-Osage-Place-6A-Habitat-for-Humanity-Appeal-Memo.pdf) by Habitat of the denied hookups. I don’t know how the USB appeals process works. I might be able to find out by using this one weird journalist trick: Show up to the meeting, listen to what people say, write down the words, and report back. **Contract with veterinarian.** On the [5:30 p.m. Tuesday (Sept. 22) draft agenda ](https://bloomington.in.gov/onboard/meetingFiles/17453/download )for Bloomington’s board of public works a contract with a veterinarian to provide services at the city’s animal shelter. **$324,000 for elections.** On the [5 p.m Tuesday (Sept. 22) meeting agenda](https://bloomdocs.org/wp-content/uploads/simple-file-list/2026-09-22-Monroe-County-Council-Agenda-Packet.pdf ) for the Monroe County council is an additional appropriation for $324,000, to cover the cost of elections. **2027 formal city of Bloomington budget presentation (including Bloomington Transit).** On the [6:30 p.m. Wednesday (Sept. 23) meeting agenda](https://bloomington.in.gov/onboard/meetingFiles/17486/download) for Bloomington’s city council is the formal presentation of the various parts of the city budget for 2027\. Right after the formal introduction of the six separate ordinances that make up the “budget” is a so-called committee-of-the-whole meeting of the council to discuss the budget. All other things being equal, the council will vote on the adoption of the various parts of the budget on Oct. 7\. But there’s room on the statutory calendar for the council to undertake amendments and put off an adoption vote until the end of October. --- **New Leaf New Life benefit book event: Sept. 23.** Authors Chastidy Mader, Ryan Mader, Nordia McNish and Trunnis Goggins II will discuss resilience, recovery, purpose and second chances Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 6–8 p.m. at Redbud Books, [408 W. Kirkwood Ave](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=408%20W.%20Kirkwood%20Ave.%2C%20Bloomington%2C%20IN%2047404). Tickets cost [$20](https://buytickets.at/4pgroupllc/2340572), with $12 from each ticket benefiting New Leaf New Life, which supports people affected by incarceration and reentry. **Nerd Nite Bloomington: Sept. 25.** Bug sex, imperfect maps and the Great Molasses Flood get the 15-minute-talk treatment at Nerd Nite Bloomington #6\. Doors open at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, with presentations starting at 7:30 p.m. at The Bishop Bar in Bloomington. Organizers would like people to [RSVP](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nerd-nite-bloomington-6-tickets-1999395946097?utm%5Fsource=sendfox&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=save-the-date-nerd-nite-6-bug-sex-perfect-maps-and-the-great-molasses-flood ). **From the Ground Up: Sept. 26.** The [Monroe County Master Gardener Association](https://www.mcmga.net/) will host its annual fall gardening program [Saturday, Sept. 26](https://www.mcmga.net/from-the-ground-up), from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ivy Tech Community College’s Shreve Hall, 200 Daniels Way. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. This year’s program focuses on vegetable gardening, with sessions on soil health, community and urban gardening, natural pest control and container gardening, plus a panel discussion. [Registration is $25](https://forms.gle/3XnQKtb8wjKitU8W8). According to the gardeners: “Monroe County Master Gardeners provide food for this event, and boy can they make a delicious snack! The event is not on a football game day, so if folks are looking for something else to do, come learn about veggie gardening.” **Bloomington Paint Out: Oct. 3.** The fifth annual Bloomington Paint Out takes place rain or shine on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Bryan Park, with artist check-in from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Woodlawn Pavilion. Artists of all ages and skill levels can paint anywhere in Bloomington, with finished work due by 3:15 p.m. for judging in several age and experience categories. Free classes, supplies and artist demonstrations will be offered at the pavilion from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no registration fee or advance registration. --- **Book crawl Oct. 23–24.** You probably know what a bar crawl is. It’s that, but with bookstores. From the organizers: As we continue to sell [tickets](https://buskirkchumley.org/events/an-evening-with-wright-thompson-michael-koryta-october-25-2026/), we wanted to let you know along with the keynote speakers on [Oct. 25](https://www.bloomingtonbookfestival.com/events), Wright Thompson and Michael Koryta, we are also launching our first Bloomington Book Festival Book Crawl. It will be happening Oct. 23–24. Here is what the book crawl will look like: 9 participating bookstores — [Book Corner](https://thebookcorneronline.com/), [Caveat Emptor](https://www.caveatemptorbloomington.com/), [Knitting Romance](https://knittingromance.com/), [MCPL Friends of the Library](https://mcpl.info/friends/friends-library), [Morgenstern Books](https://morgensternbooks.com/), [Naughty Dog Books](https://www.naughtydogbooks.com/), [Redbud Books](https://redbudbooks.org/), [Steve’s Book-O-Rama](https://stevesbookorama.com/home/), and [Vintage Phoenix](https://vintagephoenixcomics.com/home.html). - Begin at any of the above participating bookstores to pick up your passport. - A single purchase (ANY purchase, no minimums) from EACH store gets you a stamp in your passport. (A purchase is necessary to receive a stamp.) - Each stamp is an entry into a raffle to receive 2 free tickets to [The Bloomington Book Festival](https://www.bloomingtonbookfestival.com/) on Oct. 25, 2026. - Each fully completed passport is an entry into a raffle for the grand prize: over $500 in gift cards, autographed copies of Wright Thompson’s “The Barn” and Michael Koryta’s new release “Die Famous,” and 2 free tickets to this year’s Bloomington Book Festival. - Once your passport is completed or you are finished with the book crawl, leave your passport with the last bookstore you visited. - The drawing for the prizes will take place the morning of Oct. 25. - The winners will be contacted that morning via email and text and announced on our social media! ### Meet: Saint! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/20/6f/206f9007-c0a7-47d4-b87b-686c21961f22/content/images/2026/09/saint.jpeg) Up for adoption, as of Sept. 20 at the city of Bloomington’s animal shelter, is [Saint](https://bloomington.in.gov/animal-shelter/animals/86544). Here’s another link: [all animals up for adoption at the shelter](https://bloomington.in.gov/animal-shelter/animals?ref=bsquarebulletin.com). (The photo is from the city’s website.) This very, very, good boy is a bully breed mix. Here’s what the shelter staff have written about [Saint](https://bloomington.in.gov/animal-shelter/animals/86544): > From his previous owner: Saint would benefit off living in a home with a backyard and somewhere he can run around. He has a lot of energy and loves people and attention. ### Photo Finish: 2nd Street & College Avenue ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/20/6f/206f9007-c0a7-47d4-b87b-686c21961f22/content/images/2026/09/2026-09-20-water-shelves-PXL_20260920_152227875.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/20/6f/206f9007-c0a7-47d4-b87b-686c21961f22/content/images/2026/09/2026-09-20-water-shelves-PXL_20260920_152334714.MP-1.jpg) At the Seminary Square Kroger, the shelves that hold jugs of water are nearly empty as shoppers buy up the inventory after the [boil water advisory](https://bsquarebulletin.com/countywide-boil-water-advisory-in-effect-through-monday-sept-21-after-turbidity-spike-at-bloomington-water-plant/). (Dave Askins, Sept. 20, 2026) The Photo Finish items are drawn from the [B There](https://bsquarebulletin.com/tag/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** --- ## Sponsors stand with local civic journalism The B Square Bulletin is made possible by financial supporters who believe in informed, engaged communities. 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