>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," SCOTT COUNTY OFFICIALS VOTED TO END A NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM -- CREATED SIX YEARS AGO TO COMBAT AN HIV OUTBREAK.

>> THEY GAVE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THE RIGHT TO HAVE A FEEDLE EXCHANGE OR NOT TO HAVE A NEEDLE EXCHANGE.

>> WHILE THE HIV CASES ARE AT THEIR LOWEST IN YEARS, PROPONENTSPROPONENTS ARGUE NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO END THE PROGRAM.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY IS STILL REQUIRING VACCINATIONS FOR ALL STUDENTS, STAFF AND FACULTY THIS FALL, BUT THEY WILL NO LONGER REQUIRE SUBMITTED PROOF.

>> THIS IS THE ONLY WAY FORWARD TO A SORT OF NORMAL CAMPUS LIFE ON ALL OF OUR I.U.

CAMPUSES.

>>> AND THE D.N.R.

HAS APPROVED PLANS TO DREDGE LAKE LEMON.

THE 70-YEAR-OLD MAN MADE LAKE HAS LOST NEARLY 200 ACRES OVER THE YEARS TO SEDIMENTATION.

THESE STORIES, PLUS THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THE NEEDLE EXCHANGE CREDITED WITH SLOWING INDIANA'S WORST HIV OUTBREAK IS SET TO CLOSE.

SCOTT COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S VOTES EARLIER THIS WEEK TO PHASE OUT THE PROGRAM BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

MITCH LEGAN REPORTS.

>> I'M MAKING A MOTION TO END THE NEEDLE EXCHANGE AS IT IS RIGHT NOW.

AND TO NOT END IT TODAY, BUT TO PHASE IT OUT.

>> IN SCOTT COUNTY DISAPPOINTMENT, BUT NOT SURPRISE AFTER THE COMMISSIONERS VOTED TO END THE NEEDLE EXCHANGE.

>> WE ANTICIPATED THIS WOULD PROBABLY BE THE WAY THE COMMISSIONERS VOTED.

SO WE'RE NOT SHOCKED.

>> ED ADVOCATES INCREASED THEIR OUTREACH TO EDUCATE AND STUMP FOR THE PROGRAM WHICH THEY SAY NOT ONLY REDUCED THE NUMBER OF NEW HIV CASES BUT ACTS AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE FOR HEALTHCARE AND RECOVERY SERVICES.

>> IF IT WASN'T FOR THEM GIVING ME THE RESOURCES EVERY TIME I COME IN THERE, I CAN'T SAY THAT I WOULD HAVE GOT CLEAN.

>> BUT LIKE THE REST OF THE U.S., SCOTT COUNTY STILL HAS AN OVERDOSE PROBLEM.

DOCTORS THERE PRESCRIBE MORE OPIOIDS THAN THE STATE AVERAGE AND COMMISSIONERS MIKE JONES AND RANDY JULIAN SAY THE ACCESS TO NEEDLES IS LEADING TO MORE OVERDOSES.

>> AM I CONCERNED ABOUT HIV AND HEPATITIS?

ABSOLUTELY I AM.

VERY WORRIED ABOUT IT.

WHAT I'M MORE CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE PEOPLE WE COULD NOT BRING BACK TO LIFE.

>> THEY SAY THEY CAN'T LIVE WITH THE PROGRAM THAT MAKES IT EASIER TO USE DRUGS.

>> I KNOW PEOPLE THAT ARE ALCOHOLICS AND I DON'T BUY THEM A BOTTLE OF WHISKEY.

AND I HAVE A HARD TIME HANDING A NEEDLE TO SOMEBODY THAT I KNOW THEY ARE GOING TO HURT THEMSELVES WITH.

>> HEALTH OFFICIALS THERE SAY THEY ARE DISMAYED BY THE DECISION, WHICH REQUIRES THEM TO PHASE OUT THE NEEDLE EXCHANGE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

COMMISSIONERS COULD RE-INSTATE THE PROGRAM AT A LATER DATE IF THE HIV CASES SPIKE AGAIN.

BUT HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY AT THAT POINT, IT'S PROBABLY TOO LATE.

>> WE HOPE WE'RE WRONG, BUT IT'S VERY, VERY LIKELY AND THE EXPERTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TELL US, YOU KNOW THIS IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE ANOTHER OUTBREAK WITHOUT A SYRINGE SERVICE PROGRAM.

>> MY COLLEAGUE MITCH LEGAN HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THIS STORY.

HE MADE ANOTHER TRIP TO SCOTSBURG THIS WEEK AND JOINS US NOW TO JOIN THE COMMISSIONER'S DECISION.

SO MITCH, YOU SAID THIS WAS SOMETHING THE COMMUNITY HAD BEEN EXPECTING?

>> YEP, MIKE JONES THE COMMISSIONER'S PRESIDENT HE'S AN OUTSPOKEN NOT ADVOCATE, ADVERSARY OF THE EXCHANGE.

HE'S NOT A HUGE FAN OF IT.

RANDY JULIAN WAS ON THE FENCE AND THEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HE PLANNED ON VOTING AGAINST THE EXCHANGE.

SO IN TALKING WITH HEALTH OFFICIALS DOWN THERE, THERE WAS SOME HOPE THAT SOME SORT OF LAST-MINUTE DEAL COULD HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT OBVIOUSLY THE COMMISSIONERS WENT WITH THEIR -- THEY WENT WITH THEIR GUT AND DECIDED TO END THE PROGRAM.

>> SO WHY DID THEY VOTE TO GET RID OF THE PROGRAM?

IF IT'S WORKED?

I MEAN YOU SAID OVERDOSES?

>> YES, THE BIG POINT JONES AND JULIAN MADE IS I.V.

DRUG USE CAN LEAD TO OVERDOSES AND IF THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, THEY DON'T WANT NO PROVIDE DRUG USERS WITH THE TOOL TO DO IT.

JONES SAID TO HIS KNOWLEDGE, NOBODY IN THE COUNTY HAS DIED FROM HIV COMPLICATIONS SINCE THE OUTBREAK AND THERE HAVE BEEN EIGHT OVERDOSE DEATHS ALREADY THIS YEAR.

THEY ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THE EXCHANGE'S DATA AND RECORD KEEP, ESPECIALLY THE FACT THAT IT DOESN'T KEEP TRACK OF HOW MANY PEOPLE WHO USE THE PROGRAM THAT HAVE ACTUALLY OVERDOSED.

BUT I SHOULD SAY THAT'S ACTUALLY BECAUSE OF STATE LAW, IT PREVENTS THE EXCHANGE FROM GATHERING PERSONAL INFORMATION FROM PEOPLE WHO COME IN TO USE THEIR SERVICES.

>> SO THEN WHAT HAPPENS TO THE NEEDLE EXCHANGE COME JANUARY 1st?

>> YEAH, THE EXCHANGE IS GOING TO HAVE TO STOP OPERATING AT THE START OF THE NEXT YEAR.

BUT JONES SAID HE DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE SOMETHING AWAY WITHOUT PROVIDING, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING TO FILL THE VOID.

HE SUGGESTED CREATING WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS LIKE A 24-HOUR REC CENTER WHERE DRUG USERS COULD COME IN AT ANY TIME, AND PROVIDE A LOST SAME SERVICES AS THE NEEDLE EXCHANGE, JUST MINUS THE NEEDLES.

YOU KNOW, PEOPLE COULD GET TESTED THERE.

THEY COULD GET CONNECTED WITH RECOVERY SERVICES AND ADVOCATES ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THEY ARE PROBABLY WORKING ON PLANS RIGHT NOW.

CREATING AND FUNDING A CENTER LIKE THAT WILL BE TOUGH IN SUCH A SHORT TIME FRAME, ESPECIALLY IF YOU WANT STAFF THERE 24/7.

YOU KNOW, MEDICAL AND RECOVERY PERSONNEL.

THAT WON'T BE CHEAP.

THE COMMISSIONERS SAID THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO WORK WITH THE ADVOCATE AND PUSH THE DEADLINE FOR THE EXCHANGE BACK IF THE CENTER IS NOT READY BY JANUARY 1st BUT ADVOCATES AND MEDICAL WORKERS, THEY DOUBT THAT THAT CENTER WOULD BE AS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE IT'S NEEDLES THAT BRING THE PEOPLE IN THE DOOR AND CONNECT THEM WITH THE RECOVERY AND THE HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

>> ALL RIGHT, MITCH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR REPORTING.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, JOE.

>>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED IT WILL NO LONGER REQUIRE STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF TO PROVIDE PROOF OF THEIR COVID-19 VACCINATION.

THIS POLICY CHANGE COMES AFTER SEVERAL GOP LEGISLATORS AND INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA ARGUED STATE LAW DOES NOT ALLOW THE UNIVERSITY TO MAKE SUCH A REQUIREMENT.

PROVIDING VACCINE DOCUMENTATION WILL NOW BE VOLUNTARY AND INSTEAD STUDENTS AND STAFF WILL HAVE TO SIGN A CERTIFICATE THAT AFFIRMS THEY HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

I.U.

SPOKESPERSON CHUCK CARNEY SAYS THE UNIVERSITY CONSULTED WITH LAWMAKERS BEFORE IMPLEMENTING THE NEW PROCEDURES.

>> WELL, THIS REFLECTS AN ADJUSTMENT BECAUSE OF THOSE CONCERNS THAT WERE EXPRESSED TO US, BUT WE DO KNOW THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING IS ALLOWED LEGALLY.

>> SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS ARE LIMITED TO INDIVIDUALS WITH MEDICAL PERMISSION OR UNDERSTRICT RELIGIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.

THOSE WHO DECLINED TO COMPLY WILL SEE THEIR REGISTRATION OR EMPLOYMENT CANCELED.

THE UNIVERSITY IS LAUNCHING AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM, INCLUDING DRAWINGS AT ALL CAMPUSES FOR THOSE WHO SUBMITTED PROOF OF VACCINE VIA THE SELF-REPORT.

THEY WILL DISTRIBUTE $70,000 IN PRIZES.

CARNEY SAYS REQUIRING VACCINES IS THE ONLY WAY THE UNIVERSITY CAN RETURN TO A SENSE OF NORMALCY THIS FALL.

>>> INDIANA'S LARGEST HOSPITAL SYSTEM, INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH, WILL REQUIRE ALL ITS DOCTORS, NURSES AND OTHER EMPLOYEES TO BE FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 BY SEPTEMBER 1st.

I.U.

HEALTH ANNOUNCED IN A STATEMENT VACCINES ARE A SAFE, EFFECTIVEWAY TO PROTECT PATIENTS AND PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

IT'S REQUIRED THE FLU VACCINE SINCE 2012.

THEY WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR A DEFERRAL OR EXCEPTION FROM THE COVID-19COVID-19 EXEMPTION BASED ON MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS REASONS.

>>> CONSTRUCTION HAS BEGUN ON A PROTECTED BIKE LINE TRAIL FROM THE B LINE TRAIL TO INDIANA UNIVERSITY.

HOLDON ABSHIRE REPORTS.

>> TRAILS ARE ONE OF THE CITY'S MOST TREASURED ASSETS.

THAT'S WHY HE PROMISED FUND FOUR NEW ROUTES WITH THE 2018 BICENTENNIAL FUNDS.

>> JUST THINK ABOUT HOW THE B LINE REVOLUTIONIZED THE WAY WE GET AROUND BLOOMINGTON.

ON FOOT, OR BIKE, WHEELCHAIR, STROLLER, SKATE, SCOOTER, BASICALLY NORTH TO SOUTH, AND NOW AN IDEA RECOMMENDED IN OUR 2019 TRANSPORTATION PLAN, AN EAST-WEST ROUTE.

>> THEY BEGAN CONSTRUCTION ON THE PROJECT ON THURSDAY AND HOPES TO COMPLETE THE FIRST SEGMENT BETWEEN WOODLAWN AVENUE AND INDIANA AVENUE BEFORE STUDENTS RETURN IN AUGUST.

CONSTRUCTION WILL CONTINUE WEST ALONG 7th STREET TOWARDS COLLEGE AVENUE.

THE EASTBOUND LANE OF 7th OF REMAIN CLOSED THROUGHOUT WITH PERIODIC CLOSURES IN THE WESTBOUND LANE.

ONCE FINISHED THE PATH WILL BE ALMOST THREE-QUARTERS OF A MILE LONG AND THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE CITY.

>> PROTECTED BICYCLE LANE MEANS THAT THERE WILL BE PHYSICAL BARRIERS BETWEEN THE BICYCLE PART OF THE STREET AND THE MOTOR VEHICLE PART OF THE STREET.

>> THE BARRIER WILL HAVE TREES AND BUS ISLANDS AT ITS WIDEST POINTS AND A 2-FOOT TALL CURB AT THE NARROWER POINTS.

>> THE PROJECT IS SET TO TAKE PLACE BETWEEN THE ALREADY EXISTING CURBS, WHICH MEANS THAT BETWEEN TWO-WAY TRACK, PARKING AND BIKERS, SOMETHING WASN'T GOING TO FIT.

BUT CITY PLANNERS ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE LOSS OF PARKING WILL INSPIRE NEW MODES OF TRANSPORTATION.

>> THE GOAL OF THE SEVEN LINE IS TO CREATE A SAFE EXTENSION OF THE B LINE AND ACCORDING TO CITY RESEARCH, TWO-THIRDS OF THE POPULATION DOES NOT FEEL SAFE BIKING ANYWHERE ELSE IN TOWN.

>> THE MORE WE BUILD FACILITIES OF THAT CALIBER, THE MORE PEOPLE WILL FEEL -- WILL FEEL WELCOME IN THOSE SPACES.

I THINK TO MAKE DIFFERENT CHOICES.

>> THE PROJECT IS ONE PHASE OF THE CITY'S TRANSPORTATION PLAN, WHICH AIMS TO SUPPORT EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAYS.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M HOLDEN ABSHIRE.

>> THE TRAIL NETWORK IS SCHEDULED TO EXPAND EAST AND CONNECT UNION AVENUE TO STATE ROAD 46, VIA THE EAST 7th 7th NEIGHBORHOOD GREENWAY THAT TRAIL IS STILL BEING DESIGNED WITH INITIAL FEEDBACK ANTICIPATED LATER THIS SUMMER.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," THIS WEEK MARKED THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY STUDENT LAUREN SPIERERS DISAPPEARANCE.

THE CASE REMAINS OPEN.

>>> AND PLANS ARE UNDERWAY TO DREDGE LAKE LEMON.

THESE STORIES AND MORE, RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

WELL, IT'S BEEN TEN YEARS SINCE 20-YEAR-OLD INDIANA UNIVERSITY STUDENT LAUREN SPIERER WENT MISSING AFTER A NIGHT OUT WITH FRIENDS.

EMMA ATKINSON REPORTS.

>> IN A THURSDAY FACEBOOK POST LAUREN'S MOTHER CHARLENE SPIERER DETAILED THE GRIEF AND FRUSTRATION HAS SHE HAS EXPERIENCED SINCE THEY LEARNED ON JUNE 3rd JUNE 3rd, 2011.

LAUREN WAS SEEN WALKING SOUTH AT THE CORNER OF 11th STREET AND COLLEGE AVENUE IN BLOOMINGTON.

DESPITE A $100,000 REWARD, SEVERAL CIVIL LAWSUITS AND YEARS OF TIPS AND POSSIBLE LEADS POLICE HAVE NEVER NAMED A SUSPECT IN THE CASE.

POLICE CHIEF SAYS THE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO RECEIVE AND FOLLOW UP ON NEW INFORMATION.

>> THE LAST THREE TO FOUR YEARS, FOR EXAMPLE, INVESTIGATORS HAVE EXECUTED AT LEAST TEN SEARCH WARRANTS AND RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 800 TIPS.

OF THOSE TIPS OVER 100 OF THEM REQUIRED ADDITIONAL FOLLOW-UP.

ONCE THEY WERE VETTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THEY WERE NOT REPORTS THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN REPORTED.

>> ANYONE WITH INFORMATION RELATED TO LAUREN IS SPIERER'S CASE IS ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE BLOOMINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCAST, I'M EMMA ATKINSON.

>>> NOW, WE TURN TO ETHAN BURKS IN THE NEWSROOM FOR LATEST HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HI, ETHAN.

>> HI, JOE.

INDIANA SAW 32 HIGHWAY WORK ZONE DEATHS IN 2019 WHICH IS THE MOST RECENT YEAR WITH AVAILABLE DATA.

THAT'S HIGHER THAN ANY YEAR IN ALMOST A DECADE.

BUT INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S JUSTIN HICKS REPORTS, RESEARCHERS AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY ARE TRYING TO USE DATA TO STOP ACCIDENTS BEFORE THEY HAPPEN.

>> TRANSPORTATION RESEARCHERS AT PURDUE STARTED BY SELECTING A FEW INDIANA HIGHWAYS AND LOOKED AT DATA FROM SO-CALLED CONNECTS VEHICLES, CARS AND TRUCKS THAT LOG DRIVING HABITS.

THEN THEY LOOKED FOR AREAS WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE SEND TO SLAM OPEN THEIR BRAKES AND THEY FOUND A CORRELATION BETWEEN THOSE SPOTS AND CRASHES.

DIRECTORS OF THE JOINT TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PROGRAM DARCY BULLOCK SAYS THAT WITH THAT INFORMATION, OFFICIALS CAN PREVENT SOMETIMES FATAL ACCIDENTS BEFORE THEY EVEN HAPPEN.

>> WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS LOOKING AT HOW THEY RATE DRIVERS, WE ARE REALLY LOOKING AT WHERE IS THIS CROWD SOURCE INFORMATION TELLING US THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY ON THE ROAD TO MAKE A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT?

AND IF WE CAN REDUCE THOSE HARD BRAKING EVENTS, EVERYBODY WINS.

>> THE RESEARCHERS ALSO HOPE TO USE INSIGHTS FROM THE DATA TO ONE DAY INFORM HOW AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES MIGHT OPERATE IN THE FUTURE.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M JUSTIN HICKS.

>>> THE HOOSIER ACTION RESOURCE CENTER SAYS 91% OF ALL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY COME FROM POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES AND LARGE DONORS.

THE GROUP SAYS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO LIMITATIONS ON MONEY FROM PACs, LAWMAKERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO PRIORITIZE THE INTEREST OF BUSINESSES.

THE HOOSIER ACTION RESOURCE CENTER LOOKED AT RECENT BILLS PASSED THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND FOUND THAT THE COVID LIABILITY PROTECTIONS BILL, WHICH AIMED TO COLLECTIVELY HELP BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, DID NOT OFFER EQUAL SUPPORT ESPECIALLY FOR NURSING HOMES.

>> THERE WAS NOT A SINGLE PIECE OF LEGISLATION PROGRESSED THAT DID ANYTHING TO PROTECT RESIDENTS OF NURSING HOMES OR MAKE THINGS SAFER OR BETTER FOR THEM.

>> MORE THAN 6200 LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY RESIDENTS IN INDIANA DIED FROM COVID DURING THE PANDEMIC.

ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES IN THE NATION.

>> AFTER STRUGGLING TO BREAK EVEN DURING THE EARLY STAGES OF THE PANDEMIC EARLY LAST YEAR, THE HOOSIER LOTTERY IS ON TRACK TO BREAK SALES AND REVENUE RECORDS THIS YEAR.

THE LOTTERY IS SET TO DELIVER ABOUT $368 MILLION BACK TO THE STATE THIS FISCAL YEAR.

THE REVENUE HELPS SUPPORT TEACHER RETIREMENT FUNDS AND POLICE AND FIREFIGHTER PENSIONS.

THE PRIVATE COMPANY THAT RUNS THE LOTTERY WILL GET NEARLY A $20 MILLION BONUS FOR EXCEEDING THE STATE'S INCOME GOAL.

>>> COLUMBUS RESIDENTS ARE ON TRACK TO SEE THEIR WATER AND SEWER BILLS INCREASE BY ABOUT 40% IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS BEGINNING JULY 1st.

CITY COUNCIL GAVE THE FIRST APPROVAL ON THE READJUSTMENT THIS WEEK.

FINAL APPROVAL IS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 15th.

>> WE HAVE GOT SOME SEWER LINES IN THE CITY THAT ARE 100 YEARS OLD AND THEY ARE DOING WHAT YOU WOULD THINK A SEWER LINE 100 YEARS OLD WOULD DO.

IN MANY CASES, THEY COLLAPSE OR WE ENDED UP WITH SINKHOLES.

>> HE SAYS IT'S BEEN 25 YEARS SINCE RATES HAVE INCREASED, AND THE CITY IS RUNNING OUT OF CASH FOR IMPROVEMENTS.

>>> THE CLOSURE OF KIRKWOOD AVENUE TO EAST-WEST VEHICLE TRAFFIC BETWEEN INDIANA AVENUE AND WALNUT STREET WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE END OF OCTOBER.

THE BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE PROGRAM'S EXTENSION TO OFFER MORE OUTDOOR DINING FOR RESTAURANTS AND FOOT TRAFFIC FOR SHOPS.

THE CITY SAID IT WILL EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACCESSIBILITY BY TALKING WITH BUSINESSES ABOUT BUILDING RAMPS AND ADDING MORE NEARBY A.D.A.

PARKING SPOTS.

AND JOE, THAT'S ALL FOR NEWS BREAKS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WELL, THE STATE D.N.R.

APPROVED A LARGE-SCALE DREDGING PROJECT TO BEGIN ON LAKE LEMON LATER THIS YEAR.

PROPONENTS SAY IT'S NECESSARY TO STAVE OFF SEDIMENT FLOW THAT WILL EVENTUALLY RUIN THE LAKE BUT NOT EVERYONE IS ON BOARD WITH THE PLAN.

ADAM PINSKER REPORTS.

>> IT'S PROBABLY AT A FOOT AND A HALF.

>> LAKE LEMON DISTRICT MANAGER SHOWS US HOW THE LAKE IS LITERALLY DISAPPEARING FROM UNDER HIS EYES.

>> WE LOST ABOUT 200 ACRES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY LAKE THAT WERE NOW FORESTED AND SHRUB-SCRUB WETLANDS WHICH ARE TREES, AND UPLAND SPECIES.

>> THAT'S WHY THE LAKE LEMON CONSERVANCY DISTRICT, ESTABLISHED IN 1995, TO MANAGE THE LAKE, WANTS TO REMOVE 120,000 CUBIC YARDS OF SEDIMENT FROM THE LAKE BED.

>> SO A DREDGING PROJECT OF THIS SCALE HAS NEVER BEEN DONE.

>> TO UNDERSTAND WHY IT NEEDS TO BE DONE, CASEY SAYS YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT LEMON'S HISTORY.

IT WAS FORMED IN THE 1950s ON WHAT WAS THEN BEAN BLOSSOM CREEK AND SERVED AS BLOOMINGTON'S WATER SOURCE BEFORE LAKE MONROE.

>> ANY TIME YOU TAKE A CREEK AND DAM IT UP, MOTHER NATURE WANTS TO GET IT BACK TO THE NATURAL STATE, WHICH IS A CREEK.

>> CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS SUCH AS EXTREME FREEZES AND THAWS HAVE LOOSENED THE SOIL AROUND THE LAKE EVEN MORE, INCREASING THE RUNOFF INTO THE LAKE.

>> WHEN THE LAKE WAS INITIALLY FORMED, IT ONLY HAD A NOMINAL LIFE EXPECTANCE OF 120 YEARS AND THAT'S UTILIZING AS A RESERVOIR BUT THAT'S ASSUMING THAT NO MAINTENANCE WAS TAKING PLACE.

>> THE LAKE LEMON CONSERVANCY DISTRICT IS A TAXING AUTHORITY.

PROPERTY TAXES AND USER FEES IT COLLECTS FROM PEOPLE WHO FREQUENT THE LAKE'S PARKS AND FACILITIES GOES TOWARDS THE MAINTENANCE OF THE LAKE.

THE DISTRICT SOLD A $1.2 MILLION BOND TO PURCHASE THE SITE WITH A DREDGE SEDIMENT WILL BE DEPOSITED.

>> THE SITE IS LOCATED ON SOUTH SHORE DRIVE, IN BROWN COUNTY.

ABOUT A HALF MILE EAST OF THE COUNTY LINE ON SOUTH SHORE DRIVE.

>> BUT ANOTHER SITE, A 17-ACRE OVERFLOW POND ACROSS FROM THE LAKE CONCERNS LAKE RESIDENTS OR FREE HOLDERS AS THEY ARE KNOWN.

>> I SUPPORT THE SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT PROJECT.

I SUPPORT THE FULL UTILIZATION OF THE LAND-BASED SITE.

I'M ONLY OPPOSED TO USING THIS OVERFLOW POND THE WAY IT'S PROPOSED IN THAT COUNT.

-- IN THAT DOCUMENT.

>> IT'S LOCATED IN AN ADJACENT -- >> LATE APRIL, DOZENS OF RESIDENTS SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE CONSERVANCY'S PLAN IN A MEETING HOSTED BY D.N.R.

AS PART OF THE DREDGING PERMIT PROCESS.

SOME WERE WORRIED THAT DEPOSITING SEDIMENT WILL ATTRACT SNAKES AND INSECTS INTO THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> THE TREES ARE GOING TO COME IN.

THEY ARE GOING TO START GROWING UP.

AND A FEW YEARS, WE WON'T EVEN HAVE A VIEW THE LAKE.

WE'LL BE COMPLETELY WALLED IN WITH A SWAMPY FOREST.

>> CASEY SELS THE SAYS THE OVERFLOW POND WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE IT IT IS MUCH CLOSER TO THE LAKE AND TRANSPORTATION WILL BE EASY.

>> ONE IS EASE OF ACCESS.

IT'S ALREADY FORMED.

THERE'S BERMS ON ALL SIDES OF IT.

>> AT A BOARD MEETING LAST MONTH, THE CONSERVANCY VOTED TO USE ITS LAND-BASED PARCEL OF LAND FIRST, AND ONLY USE THE OVERFLOW POND IF THE OTHER SITE FILLS UP.

IF ALL GOES AS PLANNED AN HYDRAULIC MACHINE WILL BE BROUGHT?

>> WE DO THE MECHANICAL MACHINE, WHERE IT'S A SCOOP BY SCOOP AND A SLOW PROCESS.

>> THE PROJECT AFFECTS MORE THAN JUST THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE NEAR THE LAKE.

LAKE LEMON IS A POPULAR SUMMER DESTINATION FOR PEOPLE ALL AROUND INDIANA, AND IT'S ALSO HOME TO I.U.

'S ROWING TEAM, AND TONS OF WATERFOWL.

>> WE HAVE AT LEAST TWO BREEDING PAIR OF EAGLES, LOTS OF JUVENILES AROUND.

WE ACTUALLY HAD PELICANS STOPPING THROUGH.

HERONS, ALL KINDS OF STUFF OUT HERE.

>> FOR CASEY WHO STUDIED WATER MANAGEMENT AT I.U., COMPLETING THIS PROJECT AND SAVING THE LAKE IS PERSONAL.

>> IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SPOT AND IT'S REALLY A CULMINATION OF MY EDUCATION AND PASSION.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ADAM PINSKER.

>> PREPARATIONS FOR THE DREDGING PROJECT BEGIN THIS FALL, BUT SEDIMENT REMOVAL WON'T TAKE PLACE UNTIL NEXT SPRING.

>>> WELL, IF YOU ARE AN OWNER WITH A DUG ON PUBLIC DOG ON PUBLIC PROPERTY, YOU MUST KEEP THEM ON A LEASH.

BUT THE NEW DOG PARK AT SWITCH YARD PARK IS A PLACE TO LET DOGS BE DOGS.

>> IF YOU ARE IN A PUBLIC MACE, PLACE, YOU MUST KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEASH.

IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT.

BUT THERE ARE PLACES YOU CAN LET YOUR DOG RUN FREE.

THE NEWEST IS A 7-ACRE DOG PARK AT SWITCH YARD PARK.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ALWAYS BEING ON THE LEASH AND JUST HAVING THE FREEDOM TO GO AND RUN AROUND FOR A DOG IS TREMENDOUS.

>> OPENED ABOUT A YEAR AGO, IT IS ONE PIECE OF THE $26 MILLION SWITCHYARD PARK ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF TOWN AND THE OLD McDOLE SWITCHYARD.

THERE ARE TWO DOG PARKS.

ONE FOR SMALL DOGS, THOSE UNDER 40 POUNDS AND A LARGER TRACK FOR BIG DOGS.

>> IT'S ALSO ABOUT SOCIALIZING.

YOU KNOW, MY DOG AT HOME, SHE HAS A BACKYARD BUT SHE DOESN'T MEET OTHER DOGS UNTIL SHE'S HERE.

JUST LIKE PEOPLE, IT'S GREAT TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS AND SO I THINK IT'S A TERRIFIC PLACE.

>> MICHELLE MOVED TO BLOOMINGTON RECENTLY AND HAS BEEN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE DOG PARK.

>> I DON'T HAVE A FENCED IN YARD AND I GOT THIS DOG ABOUT TWO AND A HALF MONTHSA.

IT'S IT'S A GOOD PLACE TO COME, AND WALK AROUND WITHOUT A LEASH.

>> I HAVE NEVER BEEN A DOG PARK LIKE THIS BEFORE.

IT'S NICE.

>> OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN DOGS AT THE PARK.

THEY ARE EXPECTED TO PICK UP DOG WASTE AND FILL IN ANY HOLES AND ALWAYS MAINTAIN CONTROL AND SIGHT OF THEIR DOGS.

THE DOGS MUST BE SPAYED OR NEUTERED ANNOTATOR DATENEUTERED AND UP TO DATE ON VACCINATIONS.

>> I WISH I COULD SAY ALL THE DOGS GET ALONG.

OCCASIONALLY SOME OF THEM HAVE THEIR LITTLE DISAGREEMENTS.

>> THE DOG PARK SECTION IS LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF SWITCHYARD PARK, FAR AWAY FROM THE PLAYGROUND, THE PICKLE BALL COURTS AND THE BASKETBALL COURTS.

>> IT'S QUIETER THAN SOME OF THE OTHER AREAS.

OVER BY THE SPRAY PAD AND THE PLAYGROUND, THERE'S A LOT OF KIDS.

HERE IT'S A LITTLE QUIETER.

THERE'S NOT AS MUCH GOING ON.

>> WHILE THE DOGPARK HAS BEEN OPEN FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW, MARLA WOULD LIKE TO SEE WATER SYSTEM AVAILABLE.

THERE'S ONLY ONE FOUNTAIN FOR DOGS AND IT'S OUTSIDE THE FENCED IN AREAS.

HE WANTED TO INSTALL THEM, AND HAVING WASHING STATIONS IN BOTH, SOMETHING IN PLACE AT THE CITY'S OTHER DOG PARK, FERGUSON DOG PARK.

>> WE NEED OUR TREES TO GROW.

IT TAKES A WHILE FOR TREES TO GROW AND UNTIL THEY GROW, THERE'S NOT AS MUCH SHADE AS WE WOULD LIKE.

>> BUT THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF ROOM FOR YOUR DOGS TO RUN.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PAT BEANE.

>>> THE DOG PARK IS OPEN DAILY FROM 5 A.M. TO 11 P.M. >>> PURDUE UNIVERSITY'S AGRICULTURE BAROMETER SURVEY DECLINED 20 POINTS LAST MONTH BUT STILL REMAINS HIGH.

PURDUE PROFESSOR JAMES MENART SAYS A NUMBER OF FACTORS COULD BE HIND THIS MONTH'S DIP, INCLUDING UNCERTAINTY AND INFLATION CONCERNS.

HE NOTES THE OVERALL INDEX REMAINS HIGH BASED ON THE LONG-TERM HISTORY.

HE SAYS THERE'S SEPARATION BETWEEN HOW CROP AND LIVESTOCK FARMERS VIEW THE FUTURE.

>> THE INDUSTRY HAS GROWN OVER TIME, AND WE HAVE GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE BALANCE BETWEEN PROCESSING CAPACITY AND THE VOLUME OF ANIMALS NEEDING TO BE MOVED THROUGH THE CHANNEL IS VERY TIGHTLY BALANCED.

>> AND BOOMINGTON'S 4th OF JULY PARADE IS BACK ON BUT IT WILL BE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR AS THEY FOLLOW COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS.

THE FLOATS WILL BE STATIONARY AND THE SPECTATORS CAN DRIVE OR WALK PASSED THEM.

THE PARADE IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 3rd.

THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM.

WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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