Body recovered from Monroe Lake
The body of an unnamed man has reportedly been found in the waters of Fairfax Beach at Monroe Lake. While very few facts are currently known, it is believed that the man was there visiting the beach area with family members on Tuesday afternoon, including a child who was also believed to have been in danger. Some witnesses to the incident have indicated that they believe that the family was having a challenging time communicating with officials due to a possible language barrier. There were numerous first responders on hand yesterday afternoon during the search, which is believed to have lasted close to an hour.
This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.
Monroe County prepares for inevitable face covering mandate
Even though Monroe County Commissioners have yet to meet, hear the evidence, and subsequently vote accordingly on what they believe is best for the residents of Monroe County, businesses and schools have undergone plans as if they know what will be decided. According to Indiana State Law, local municipalities must hold discussions, hold a vote, and pass into legal ordinance any health code mandates which are more stringent than the current standards established by the State of Indiana. This meeting is scheduled for Wednesday morning.
Even though this has yet to happen, the community apparently, overwhelming believes that their Board of Commissioners have their minds made up, regardless of any potential evidence which may be entered, or any public comment to be offered. The advance actions of scores of businesses and schools in town to act as if a face covering mandate is in effect beginning at the strike of midnight on Wednesday morning speaks volumes of their lack of faith that our system of representation works the way it is designed. Regardless of how one feels regarding the wearing of a face covering, most importantly is the process of which how these and other legal decisions in our municipalities are made; a Representative Republic with proper consideration of the facts at hand and on the record input of the thoughts of those that are impacted by potential legislation.
Will there be a mandate imposed? If so, when will it begin; who will be impacted; will additional restrictions also be in place; when will it expire? These questions and more should be the focus of businesses and schools . . . all decisions which have not been made. While those residing, working, and visiting Monroe County brace for what many believe to be inevitable, the manner in which our elected officials operate is on stage.
Monroe County Commissioner Julie Thomas did not respond to a request for input or comment.
Fire Department Successfully Relocates Downtown Headquarters
Just six weeks after severe flooding rendered its headquarters uninhabitable, the Bloomington Fire Department’s new temporary headquarters at 226 South College Avenue is fully functional. The headquarters operations were relocated among several other stations after BFD Station One on East Fourth Street sustained flooding in both the basement and ground floor during the extreme weather event of June 18-19. No disruptions to fire response times occurred as a result of the station relocation. Firefighting apparatus typically housed downtown were responding to emergencies and did not sustain damage from the flooding at the station. A timeline of the transition to the new temporary headquarters follows:
- June 20: Station One is determined to be uninhabitable due to flood damage.
- June 22: Following professional inspections, staff learns repairs to the facility will take a minimum of several months.
- June 23: The former Bunger and Robertson property at 226 South College Avenue is identified as a viable location for temporary relocation of partial operations. The property had been acquired by the City of Bloomington through its Redevelopment Commission in 2019 in preparation for a potential Convention Center expansion project.
- June 23-30: Information technology is installed at the College Avenue location, and equipment and furnishings not ruined by floodwaters are transferred to the new facility.
- June 24: BFD command staff successfully establish administrative functions at the College Avenue location.
- June 29: The new temporary headquarters has functionality to support an engine crew from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but is unable to secure its engine at night or provide external power to keep the apparatus batteries charged.
- Throughout July: BFD works with City’s departments of Information Technology Systems, Public Works (Facilities and Street Divisions), and Planning and Transportation, as well as independent contractors and property management to make upgrades needed to allow the College Avenue location to function as BFD’s interim headquarters 24/7.
- July 30: The Station Alerting system (Locution) is installed and operational at the new temporary headquarters.
- August 3: The new temporary headquarters is deemed to be fully functional. Command staff, an Engine, Squad, and Battalion Chief, in addition to the command staff, are able to respond from the temporary headquarters station.
The temporary station holds all of the resources regularly housed at the Fourth Street location with the exception of Truck 1 (the BFD ladder truck) which is temporarily stationed at the west-side Station 2, the only other station that can support the aerial. Staff continue to review options to relocate the aerial to a location closer to the new College Avenue station. The City continues to evaluate the damage to Station One and the potential for future flooding of the facility as it develops long-term plans for the BFD’s permanent headquarters.