Bloomington Fire Department responds to apartment fire on North Lincoln Street
The City of Bloomington Fire Department (BFD) responded to a fire earlier this morning at 519 N Lincoln, a four-story apartment building. No injuries to residents were reported; however, two (2) firefighters were transported from the scene by IU Health ambulance to the emergency department for evaluation and later released. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and details are expected to be released when the fire incident report is finalized.
At 10:31am, several 911 calls were received by Monroe County Central Dispatch indicating a possible fire in an apartment building. BFD crews were immediately dispatched, arriving on the scene within three (3) minutes of the 911 dispatch and taking decisive action to ensure that all residents were accounted for while beginning fire suppression efforts. On arrival, firefighters immediately saw smoke from the apartment building, and many residents had already evacuated the building due to the fire alarm activation. Fighting the fire took the entire shift of operational BFD firefighters, as well as two crews from Monroe Fire Protection District, responding to a mutual aid request. The building construction allowed the fire to spread quickly through hidden void spaces, resulting in significant fire, smoke, and water damage to 18 apartments. The damage to the building displaced over 40 occupants, many of which were Indiana University (IU) students.
Several pets escaped the apartments during firefighting efforts, and Bloomington Animal Care & Control responded to the scene to help recover and care for multiple pets. Pet owners from the building may seek missing pets at the Bloomington Animal Shelter. Stray recovery (impound) fees for any pets displaced by this fire will be waived. Pet owners can reach the animal shelter at 812-349-3492 or follow the lost & found pets recovery process at https://bton.in/e1QAT. Nearby residents can help their neighbors by being watchful for any pets that may be wandering and contacting Animal Control.
BFD notified the American Red Cross and IU Dean of Students office, both of which are actively assisting the displaced residents. Pavilion Properties, the rental management company, is also involved in helping its residents. In the event a resident returns to their apartment to discover fire, smoke, or water damage, they should contact the property managers at 812-333-2332.
US Representative Jim Banks announces bid for Senate
US Congressman to the House of Representatives Jim Banks, announced his intention to run for U.S. Senate seat, seeking the soon to be vacated seat of Senator Mike Braun, who has decided to run for Indiana Governor in 2024. Banks is the first to formally state his intention to enter the Senate race since Braun said in December that he would not seek a 2024 reelection bid.
The 43 year-old Representative criticized current Senate Republicans for cooperating too much with the Biden administration through the passage of a $1.7 trillion spending bill several weeks ago. Banks has also been critical of “anti-Americanism” being pushed in schools and the military.
Banks isa not believed to be the sole candidate for the Senate seat, as many believe there could be 4 or 5 other who will launch campaigns. It is widely speculated that Former Indiana Governor and President of Purdue University Mitch Daniels, will jump into the race.
A Week of Remembrance Announced to Celebrate African American History in Bloomington through Art and Storytelling
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission is announcing a call for artists and arts groups to create art, and historians and storytellers to activate five historically significant sites in Bloomington during community walks planned as part of MLK Remembrance Week, April 4-8, 2023. This week begins on Tuesday, April 4, which marks the 55th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s tragic and untimely death.
In an effort to promote and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and promote the acceptance of diversity in the community, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission is planning a week of remembrance and celebration of African American history in Bloomington through art and storytelling. There will be two walking tours to highlight five significant Black history sites across Bloomington. The walks are planned for the afternoons of Thursday, April 6 and Saturday, April 8 (times TBD). The April 6 walk is planned specifically for students at Fairview Elementary. The Commission is seeking historians/storytellers to propose history/story presentations that reflect and highlight the significance of each site, to be read/performed at each site during each walk. At the same time, the Commission is seeking artists and art groups to create artwork or media for each site. The artists will also be available at the sites to discuss the art they produce. The five Near Westside neighborhood sites include:
- Rev. Ernest D Butler Park, 812 W. 9th St.
- Banneker Community Center, 930 W. 7th St.
- Fairview Elementary School, 500 W. 7th St.
- Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 302 N. Rogers St.
- Second Baptist Church, 321 N. Rogers St.
The call for artists/art groups is in partnership with the City of Bloomington Economic and Sustainable Development Department. The call for historians/storytellers is in partnership with the Monroe County History Center. They both will be partnering to create an interactive experience based on national and local Black history. Request for Artists Proposals is available at https://bton.in/KDiRZ. Request for Historians/Storyteller Proposals is available at https://bton.in/i7UwM. For more information about Remembrance Week and planned events visit https://bton.in/_w8W_
This Week in Hoosier History
1921 – Listed in newspapers were titles of top-selling records from Richmond’s Gennett Studios. Included were “Carry Me Back to Old Virginia,” “The William Tell Overture,” “Margie,” “Broadway Rose Medley,” “Feather Your Nest,” and “The Bullfighter’s March.”
Follow us on Facebook
For more local news . . .
Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson here