Owen County Commissioner Charged with Official Misconduct, Conflict of Interest, and Theft
82 year-old Owen County Commissioner Dale Dubois has been arrested and charged with Official Misconduct of a Public Servant, Conflict of Interest, and Theft. The Indiana State Police began an investigation in August of this year after requests from authorities to look into repairs to County-funded roadway, allegedly ordered by Dubois. The project in question is believed to have had no benefit to Owen County Government or its citizens, but instead solely for Dubois’s personal advantage. After a complete review of the ISP investigation, Owen County Prosecutor Donald Van Der Moere II asked for a warrant to be issued for Dubois’s arrest. A warrant was issued by Owen County Circuit Court on November 2, 2021. Dubois surrendered himself to the Owen County Jail later in the evening where he was held on a $7,500 bond with 10% allowed.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Progress Update on Waldron Arts Center
In May 2021, the City announced a commitment of $515,000 to rehabilitate the circa-1915 building to bring it into code compliance and allow it again to serve as a performance and exhibition space. The ownership of the Waldron had reverted from Ivy Tech Community College to the City of Bloomington in January 2021. The former City Hall building served as a community arts center from 1990 to 2020. The City’s investment in the building and its reactivation as an arts center for the next five years follows recommendations made by the community-led Waldron Recommendation Task Force in November 2020. The Waldron task force report is available here.
The City of Bloomington is hosting an online update on the progress the City has made on investments and actions to reactivate the John Waldron Art Center to support the performing and visual arts in the community for the next five years. The event will take place in the lobby of the Waldron, 122 South Walnut Street, on Friday, November 5th, at 5 pm. during the First Friday Gallery Walk.
Indiana working to better protect firefighters
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) will launch a program to collect Per- and Polyfluoroalky1 (PFAS) foam from Indiana fire agencies. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, evidence has shown exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse health outcomes in humans. The PFAS initiative focuses on protecting firefighter safety. The State will remove and properly dispose of PFAS material from any agency that requests it. This is a free service with no additional requirements for fire agencies.
In 2020, the Indiana General Assembly passed House Enrolled Act 1189, prohibiting the use of firefighting foam containing PFAS for training purposes (Read relevant Indiana Code). The new collection and disposal program allows Indiana to protect Hoosier firefighters and the environment. Minimizing exposure to Class B firefighting foam will have a big impact on the health of firefighters across Indiana.
Click here for additional information about PFAS and the program.
Indiana University inaugurates President Pamela Whitten
Faculty, staff, students, and members of the Indiana University community will join events this week in honor of the inauguration of the university’s first female president, Pamela Whitten. Whitten became the 19th president of Indiana University earlier this year, and has outlined three core missions for the university: ensuring student success by placing them first; setting ambitious research goals; and, affirming IU’s leadership role in advancing economic development and quality of life for individuals throughout the world. Celebrations are planned on both of IU’s core campuses:
- 2:45 p.m. Nov. 4 at IU Auditorium on the Bloomington campus: RSVP for the Bloomington event to attend in person. The Bloomington ceremony will be followed by the Inauguration Festival at 4 p.m. at the Fine Arts Plaza/Showalter Fountain. The festival will include the Marching Hundred band, Grammy Award-winning bluegrass fiddler Michael Cleveland and dozens of interesting booths.
- 1:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Campus Center on the IUPUI campus: RSVP for the IUPUI event to attend in person. The event will include a fall festival at the Campus Center filled with entertainment and activities, including Stuff a Jag, free food, live art demonstrations from the Herron School of Art + Design, Jagathon performers and more.
This Week in Hoosier Histrory
1848 – Virginia Claypool Meredith was born in Fayette County. She became known as “Queen of American Agriculture” and gained fame as a writer, speaker, and university professor. She encouraged women to pursue education and professional careers. For many years, she managed a farm near Cambridge City. In 1921, she became the first female trustee at Purdue University.