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Monroe County passes $300K mark in food and beverage tax allocations for relief of COVID-19 impacts

Monroe County passes $300K mark in food and beverage tax allocations for relief of COVID-19 impacts

At its regular meeting on Wednesday morning, the three-member board of Monroe County commissioners approved a couple of grants as part of its program to give relief to businesses and nonprofits that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the ninth round of grant awards, which brought the

First confirmed COVID-19 case in almost 3-months for city of Bloomington employees, as firefighter tests positive

First confirmed COVID-19 case in almost 3-months for city of Bloomington employees, as firefighter tests positive

In a press release issued on Wednesday, the city of Bloomington announced that another city employee has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. It’s the third employee to have tested positive, according to the release, but the first in nearly three months. The most recent employee to have tested

Bloomington public safety board briefed on 10 sworn officer vacancies, non-arrest approaches to policing

Bloomington public safety board briefed on 10 sworn officer vacancies, non-arrest approaches to policing

At a special Tuesday night meeting, Bloomington’s five-member board of public safety was briefed on the monthly activity of the city’s fire and police departments. One highlight was the 10 open jobs for sworn officers reported by Bloomington police department (BPD) captain Ryan Pedigo. The 2020 budget authorizes

County councilors give final OK for $100K for Monroe County township assistance

County councilors give final OK for $100K for Monroe County township assistance

At their Tuesday work session, Monroe County councilors gave the final approval needed to authorize up to $100,000 to augment the assistance that township governments normally give their residents. Helping residents bridge gaps to pay for essentials like utilities, housing, food, healthcare, funerals and emergency shelter is a routine

Up to $100K in Monroe County rainy day funds to go towards township resident assistance

Up to $100K in Monroe County rainy day funds to go towards township resident assistance

On the Monroe County council’s work session agenda for Tuesday is the approval of an interlocal agreement that will boost township assistance programs by up to $100,000. The money would come from the county’s rainy day fund. County commissioners already gave their approval at their regular meeting

Partisan case for partisan judges: Who rules on lawsuit over Bloomington plan commission seat?

Partisan case for partisan judges: Who rules on lawsuit over Bloomington plan commission seat?

On June 9, a lawsuit was filed in Monroe County’s circuit court disputing the mayoral appointment of the plan commission seat where Chris Cockerham had sat the day before. In the lawsuit, Andrew Guenther asserts that he has been duly appointed by GOP Monroe County chair William Ellis, and

Initial thoughts on policing from public to Bloomington city council committee: Sell Bearcat armored vehicle; re-open Joseph Smedley case

Initial thoughts on policing from public to Bloomington city council committee: Sell Bearcat armored vehicle; re-open Joseph Smedley case

A meeting held last Thursday by Bloomington city council’s four-member public safety committee got some initial comments from the public on the topic of policing in the city. Opening remarks from committee chair Jim Sims included the statement: “We are here to listen to you, the public.” Sims wrapped