>> "INDIA NEWSDE" IS MADE SSIBLE I PART BY: >> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," BLOOMINGTON IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A CITYWIDE FIBER OPTIC INSTALLATION THAT WILL BRING HIGH-SPEED INTERNET TO THOUSANDS OF HOMES, BUT INSTALLING THE TUBE FIBER UNDERGROUND HAS RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO SOME HOMEOWNERS UTILITIES.

>> THE CITY, WHEN YOU TALK TO THEM AND YOU FEEL LIKE WHAT'S HAPPENED IS THEIR FAULT, AND YET THEY SEEM TO HAVE NO INTEREST.

>> BLOOMINGTON HAS A PROPOSAL ON THE TABLE TO REMOVE ALL THE BILLBOARDS FROM THE CITY, BUT FOR ONE FAMILY, A BAN WOULD BE PERSONAL.

>> IT'S DEVASTATING FOR US, YOU KNOW, IT QUITE LITERALLY WOULD BE A DEATH.

>> THE MEASURE IS EXPECTED TO BE VOTED ON EARLY NEXT YEAR.

>>> AND WE TALK WITH AN I.U.

PROFESSOR ABOUT THE RISE IN ANTI-SEMITISM AND WHAT IT MEANS.

WE'LL HAVE THESE STORIES, PLUS THE LATEST NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STATE RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >>ELCOME T"INDIANA NEDESK," I'M J HRE LL, EVEN BEFE T TOBER 7t AACK THA KILLED ME THAN 12 ISRAELI INCINTS OF ANTEMITISMN THE U.

HAVE BEEN O THE RISE.

SINCEHE ATTK AND SUBSEQUE WAR IAZA, RALLSUPPORTIN BH ISRAEL D PALESNE HEPRUNG ACSS THE NATN, PARTULARLY O COLLE MPUSES.

THAT LED U. LEGISTORS TO QUTION HOW COLLEGES ARE ALING WITH AI-SEMITI AND CALLS FOR THE GENOCE OF ISRAEL NOW, PSIDENTS O HARVA, M.T.

AND PEN WER CHASTED FOR THEIR RESNSES AT A HSE HEING LDI TO THE PENN PRESIDENT'S RESIGNATION.

WHILE INCIDENTS OF ANTISEMITISM ARE REAL, THERE'S BEEN A 400% INCREASE IN INCIDENTS SINCE THE OCTOBER 7th ATTACK ON ISRAEL AND THERE'S BEEN SOME POLITICAL PUSHBACK AS WELL.

FOR MORE ON THIS TOPIC, WE'RE JOINED BY JEFFREY ISAAC, WITH POLITICAL SCIENCE AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> THE THREE COLLEGE PRESIDENTS THAT WERE UNDER FIRE, I MEAN, WHAT ANSWER WOULD HAVE BEEN APPROPRIATE?

>> CERTAINLY, THEY SPOKE IN LEGALESE AND THEY WERE HEAVILY COACHED AND THEY WERE TRYING TO BE REALLY CAREFUL IN EXPLAINING WHAT ARE PROBABLY VERY COMPLICATED SPEECH POLICIES FOR CAMPUS.

AND, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, THEY SHOULD HAVE SAID GENOCIDE IS A CRIME AGAINST EWE MANTYA CORD -- HUMANITY AGAINST INTERNATIONAL LAW AND MORALITY AND CALLS AGAINST GENOCIDE ANY GROUP ARE DISAPPLICABLE.

>> THEY TRIED TO ANSWER WHAT THE SPEECH CODES MAKE ACCEPTABLE OR UNACCEPTABLE ON A CAMPUS AND THEY WERE EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTEXT, BECAUSE CONTEXT IS REALLY IMPORTANT, AND WHEN -- WHEN THAT KIND OF SPEECH IS LINKED TO THE ACTUAL INTIMIDATION, HARASSMENT OR ATTACKS OF PEOPLE OR PERSISTENT EFFORTS TO SCREEN THESE THINGS AT PEOPLE, I THINK IT'S VERY CLEAR IT'S A PUNISHABLE OFFENSE.

I THINK LOTS OF OTHER THINGS ARE LESS CLEAR AND THEY WERE TRYING TO BE AS ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE AT THE EXPENSE OF, LET'S SAY A KIND OF MORAL -- ARTICULATING A MORAL VOICE.

THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS I THINK PART OF WHY THEY WERE VERY CEF W BECAU OF TH WAY TUESTION WAS POSED.

ANDHAT'S RLLYEING REFEREED IN THESE CLAIMS ABOUT GENID OF JEWS OR NOCIDE O ISRLIS T PALESTINIA SLOGAN: FROM THE RIVER THE SEE PALESNE WILLE FREE.

LOT OF PEOPL INCLUNG JEWI PEOPLE, JEWIS SCHOLAR RELY QUESTN WHETH THAT IS INTEND A AALL FOR NOCIDE AS OPPOS FOR A CL TO PESTINIAN LERATION OR ONE STATE.

THERE'S LOTS OF THINGS THAT IT MEANS.

I THINK WHAT IT DOES NOT MEAN IS LET'S KILL ALL THE JEWS.

AND I THINK THE COLLEGE PRESIDENTS WERE RELUCTANT TO START SAYING -- TALK OF GENOCIDE SHOULD BE BANNED BECAUSE THEY WERE RELUCTANT TO SAY THAT THAT LANGUAGE SHOULD BE BANNED BECAUSE THAT'S POLITICAL LANGUAGE ON THE CAMPUS.

>> SO LET'S TALK ABOUT INDIANA CONGRESSMAN JIM BANKS WROTE A LETTER TO I.U.

SAYING IT WAS FAILING TO ADDRESS ANTI-SEMITISM AND YOU AND OTHERS TOOK ISSUE WITH THIS.

>> OUR ISSUE WAS FREE SPEECH.

IF THERE'S INCIDENTS OF ANTISEMITISM OR ANY BIGOTRY, THE CAMPUS HAS RULES FOR ADJUDICATING THESE.

THE STUDENTS WHO CLAIM THERE WAS ANTI-SEMITISM, AND THAT'S BEING ADJUDICATED AS IT SHOULD BE AND THERE ARE UNIVERSITY RULES FOR PUNISHING CERTAIN CRIMES ON CAMPUS, AS THERE SHOULD BE.

BUT THE IDEA THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A KIND OF INQUISITION OF UNIVERSITIES, BECAUSE OF ANTISEMITISM, WHEN, IN FACT, THERE HAS BEEN A RISE OF BOTH ANTI-SEMITISM AND ISLAM APHOBIA AND A LOT OF THAT IS REALLY SIMPLY VERY HEATED POLITICAL DEBATE, WHICH IS NOT NECESSARILY BIGOTED.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY LINKED TO VIOLENCE.

MY COLLEAGUES AND I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT CAMPUSES BE A PLACE WHERE THERE'S BROAD RANGE OF FREEDOM FOR STUDENTS TO ARGUE, AND TO DEMONSTRATE AND AS LONG AS THEY DON'T HARM OTHERS DIRECTLY, THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT WITHOUT FEAR OF PUNISHMENT AND UNIVERSITIES ARE QUITE CAPABLE OF REGULATING THAT WITHOUT AN EXTERNAL POLICING AGENT.

>> SO WE HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS.

SO REALLY QUICKLY, CAN ONE BE CRITICAL OF THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT AND YET WITHOUT BEING LABELED ANTI-SEMITIC?

>> CERTAINLY.

AND THERE ARE MANY ISRAELI CRITICS.

THERE ARE JEWISH PEACE GROUPS.

YES, IT'S POSSIBLE AND IT'S NECESSARY TO BE CRITICAL WITHOUT BEING ANTI-SEMITIC.

AND IT'S NECESSARYO BE ITICAL OF HAD HAS.

ANT'S IORTANTO NEGOTIE WITH EAC OTHER AND COME U WITH SOME KIN OF ASONABLE SETTLENT OVE A LAND THAT THEY SHARE THANK Y SO MUC FOREING ON THE SHO AX APPREATE I >> THANK YOULOOMINGT'S AMBIOUS BER OIC PLA WILL BRING RAD DNLDS BUT HOMEOERS MAGED DURIN INSTAATION CAN FIND TMSELVESOGGED DOWN FOR MONTH ETHA SANDWEISS HAS ME.

>> HOOSIER FIBER NETWORKS CONNECTED THE HOME OF MIKE SAUER AND HIS WIFE TO BROADBAND.

SAUER SAID IT ONLY TOOK A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE TROUBLE STARTED.

>> WE STARTED HAVING SOME PROBLEMS IN OUR BATHROOMS.

A LOT OF GURGLING GOING ON IN THE TOILETS WHEN YOU FLUSHED THEM.

>> SAUERS SUSPECTED THE ISSUE THAT IT WAS RELATED TO FIBERS.

THEY DISCOVERED THE CONTRACTOR HAD DRILLED THROUGH THE SEWER LINE.

VERTICAL UNDERGROUND L.L.C.

SENT OTT A OUT A CREW TO FIX THINGS AND THAT FIXED THINGS FOR A WHILE, BUT PROBLEMS RESURFACED.

>> WE HAD TO CALL THE PLUMBER BACK AND CLEAR OUT OUR LINES A WEEK BEFORE THANKSGIVING WHEN WE WERE HAVING GUESTS TO COME IN FROM OUT OF TOWN AND THE TOILETS ARE BACKING UP.

>> NOW SAUER IS AT A LOSS.

HE COULD FOOT THE $12,000 BILL.

FIBER INSTALLATION IS THE LARGEST UNDERGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM.

DAVE BROADEN, C.E.O.

OF HOOSIER FIBER NETWORK SAYS BLOOMINGTON CAN BE A CHALLENGING PLACE FOR A PROJECT OF THIS SIZE.

>> AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT LIKE BLOOMINGTON IS VERY DENSE WITH UNDERGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE, AND SOME OF THAT INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING PARTS OF THE UTILITIES, DOG FENCES, IRRIGATION SYSTEMS, ARE FREQUENTLY UNMARKED.

>> THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON MAINTAINS OVER 420 MILES OF WATER MAIN PIPE, NOT INCLUDING THE SERVICE LINES THAT LEAD INTO BUILDINGS.

AS VICK KELSON, THE DIRECTOR OF CITY OF UTILITIES SAYS BREAKS ARE USUALLY CAUSED WHEN NTCTORS MISTIMATE THE PTH OFHE PES.

THEY KNOW I NE SNDING ON TOP OF IT, BHE DON'T KNOW HOWEEP IT I BECAUSE E LAND SURFACE ELEVATION CHANGES WITH THYME.

>> ACCORNG -- WH TIME.

>>BEUSE SL CPOTION IS INEXPERIENCE AN INEXRICED ONAWARE CONTRACT CAN DRILL FURER UNRGROUNDHAN THE REALIZ.

AT HAPPENE NEAR GENTR ESTAS LASMONTH CAUSI STE T GO IO AOND.

>> TT WASETWEEN 4 A 5 FEET SOMEWRE.

AN THEY TUGHT THEY WOULD ON BET 2 FT. >> TY TRY TO CACK O THIS BYETTING RID OF UNRELIABONTRACTO.

>> ANY SUBCONTRACTOR HAS MULTIPLE INSTANCES, IS TYPICALLY REMOVED FROM THE PROJECT.

>> DEALING WITH PIPE BREAKS CAN BE FRUSTRATING FOR RESIDENTS BECAUSE NOT ALWAYS CLEAR WHO TO CONTACT.

THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON DOESN'T CONTRACT OR PAY THE COMPANY PAYING THE FIBER.

SO IT'S NOT LIBEL FOR FIXES.

MERIDIAN HOOSIER FIBER NETWORK HANDLES THIS BUT IT'S HANDLED BY GENERAL CONTRACTOR A.E.G.

THEY WORK WITH SUBCONTRACTORS THAT DIG, BORE AND LAY CABLE.

IN THE WORDS OF RICK DIETZ, GOING TO THE CITY AS A MIDDLEMAN IS NOT USUALLY THE BEST ROUTE.

>> IF YOU NOTICE THERE'S AN ISSUE, YOU KNOW, TALK TO THE -- YOU KNOW AND THE CONTRACTOR IS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, TALK TO THEM IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THEY WERE OFTEN, YOU NOAH DRESS THE -- YOU KNOW, ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.

>> THE BREAKS CAN TAKE WEEKS, MONTHS OR NEARS TO BECOME NOTICEABLE.

THE LONGER THEY WAIT, THE MORE DIFFICULT IT IS TO PROVE A CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE.

>> I THINK IT'S BETTER FOR THEM TO BE MORE PROACTIVE THAN TRYING TO BE REACTIVE.

MAYBE 18 MONTHS AFTER, WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TROUBLE CONVINNG THAT THEY DID SOMETHG THIS ONTHS AGO >> B STILL,T SULDEVER LANDN THE CONSUMEO PAY FORHOSE MISTAS.

OADEN SA WHEN HIS COMPANY'S CONTRACTORS DAMAGE INFRTRUCTURE THEYEIMBURSE EIER THEITY O THE PRERTY OWNER F RAIRS.

>> A TIMEOOSIER FIBER TWKS IS ATAUOR ANY DAMA, IT'S TOTALLYHE FINANCL RESNSIBILITY O OUELVES.

IT'S N ON TH HOMEOWN.

THEOMEOWNER WON HE T PAY F ANYTHIN STILL T PHORWARD IS NOLEAR TO SAUER THE CONTCT ORTHOSPONSIBL HA BEEN MOVED T-- THE NTRACTOR RPONSIBLE HAS EN MEDO ATHERROJECT IN COLUMBU OHIO.

SINCEHE DAMAG UNDERNEH S PPERTY A NOT ON THE PUBLIC SER PAI THE CITY SAYS THEY CANNOT INSPECT THE SEWER LATERALLY TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.

>> JUST HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION FOR THIS LONG HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING.

>> RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY CONSTRUCTION SHOULD CONTACT HOOSIER FIBER NETWORKS.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY CALI LICHTER FOR LATEST HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE AREA.

>> HI, JOE.

>> THE MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL CORPORATION HAS PROPOSED MERGING ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TO BALANCE SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS BETWEEN SCHOOLS.

AT THIS WEEK'S BOARD MEETING, SUPERINTENDENT JEFF HOSSWALD PROPOSED COMBINING ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WILL REMAIN THE SAME.

IN ONE SCENARIO, CHILDS WOULD HOUSE GRADES K-2 AND TEMPLETON WOULD HAVE GRADES 3 THROUGH 6.

>> WE TALK WITH SOCIOECONOMICS AND THAT STATUS AND THAT IS DEFINED IN TERMS OF SCHOOL BY THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS THAT ARE -- THAT QUALIFY FOR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH.

>> THE SECOND SCENARIO WITH PLACE GRADES K-3 AT UNIVERSITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND GRADES 4 THROUGH 6 AT FAIRVIEW.

THE COMBINED SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS RANGE FOR ALL 14 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WOULD DECRSE FROM8% T PROXIMATY 53%.

THECHOOL BOARD WLEVISIT E PROPOSA A TE PUBLI MMENTT I JANUA 9th NUARY 9tMEETING.

>> T BLOOMINON CITY COUNCILOT UNANIMOLY WEDNESDA NIGHT T REJECTHE SALE OHE DOWNTN POLICE ATION.

THEALECAMEN ISSUE AFTER FAMILY O THERIGINAL OWNER OFHEROPERTY SPO OUT AGAIT IT.

THEYAID BAUSEHE ORINAL SA WAS FOR THE LD TO B USEDS A PUBLIARK, SELNG IT FOR PRITE USE WOULD EACH THE DEE AND TT OWNEHIP OF T LAND SHOULD VERT BACTOHE FAMIL MAYOR JN HAMILTOSA THE CITY H INVESGATED THE MATTER.

>> A YEAR AGO PLUS, T ESTION W: D WHAVE THE RIGHT TOELL THISROPERTY, LEGA TEA INVESTIGATED, SAID, YES.

>> THE VOTE COMPLICATES MAYOR JOHNJOHN HAMILTON'S PLAN TO MOVE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO CITY HALL AND DELAYS WORK ON A FIRE STATION AND FIRE TRAINING CENTER WHICH WERE INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT WITH THE POLICE STATION SALE.

ANY FUTURE ACTION WILL FALL ON INCOMING MAYOR KERRY THOMSON AND THE NEW CITY COUNCIL.

THEY TAKE OFFICE ON JANUARY 1st, 2024.

>> THE ELLETSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL SAYS THEY WILL HELP MONROE COUNTY FUND RURAL TRANSIT THROUGH MARCH 2024.

THEY AGREED TO FUND THE SERVICE ON A PER TRIP BASIS, BUT DID NOT SAY WHETHER IT WOULD GET THE NEARLY $33,000 IT NEEDS TO KEEP RURAL TRANSIT GOING.

>> WE'RE NOT SAYING WE'RE CUTTING IT OFF, BUT WE'RE NOT MAKING ANY COMMITMENTS.

I MEAN, WE'RE GOING TO REEVALUATE.

>> MONROE COUNTY RECENTLY APPROVED $88,000 FOR RURAL TRANSIT, EXPECTING ELLETSVILLE WOULD COME UP WITH THE REMAINING 132,000 NEEDED FOR ANOTHER YEAR OF SERVICE.

ELLETSVILLE SAYS THE COUNCIL WILL DETERMINE IN MARCH IF THEY CAN FUND RURAL TRANSIT ANY LONGER.

>> THE INDIANA DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION SAYS ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ARE ARE A RAKITA.

BRANDON SMITH REPORTS THE COMMISSION IS ASKING THE COURT TO TAKE AN ERAORDINARY STEP AN ME PUBLICAKITA'S PUBL DISCIPLINAR AGREEMENT THE INDNA SUPRE COURT APOVED A AGREEMENT IN NOVEMB BETEN T ATTORY DIIPLINARY COMMIION AND TODD ROKA SAID TH HE COITTED MISNDUCT.

IT SMMEDROM COMMES BY THE TORNEY GENERAL ABOUT DR. KALIN BNARD SHE SCUSSED PROVING ARTION CAREO RAPE VICM.

ROKITA SAID H ONLY AEED TO MIONDUCT T SAVE A LOT OF TAXPAYER MONEY AND DISTRACTION.

THE DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION CALLS INTO ROKITA'S SINCERITY AND DAMAGE IN THE INTEGRITY AND JUSTNESS.

IT SAYS PUBLICLY RELEASING THE AGREEMENT AND THE AFFIDAVIT THAT GOES WITH IT, WHICH ROKITA SIGNED WILL HELP TO RESTORE PUBLIC FAITH THAT LAWYERS CANNOT MANIPULATE THE DISCIPLINE SYSTEM.

FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING I'M BRANDON SMITH AT THE STATE HOUSE.

>>> THE NEXT STEP IN THE PROCESS ALLOWS ROKITA TO RESPOND TO THE COMMISSION'S REQUEST.

IF IT MOVES FORWARD FROM THERE, THE SUPREME COURT WOULD HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE MAKING A DECISION.

>> INDIANA IS IMPROVING IN SOME KEY ECONOMIC AREAS ACCORDING TO THE LATEST REPORT CORD RELEASED BY THE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, BUT IN OTHER AREAS IT'S OUTPACED BY OTHER STATES.

THE REPORT CARDS ARE TIED TO THE ECONOMIC VISION PLAN.

IT TRACKS METRICS ACROSS A RANGE OF ISSUES, EVERYTHING FROM LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP, TO HEALTHCARE COSTS AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT.

OUTGOING CHAMBER C.E.O.

SAYS INDIANA RANKS IN THE TOP TEN OF ONLY OF THE 7 OF THE 49 NATIONAL MEASURES.

>> PROGRESS IS NOT HAPPENING FAST ENOUGH, BECAUSE OTHER STATES ARE IMPROVING AT A FASTER PACE.

SO WE NEED TO PICK UP THE PACE.

>> AND, JOE, AREAS WHERE THE CHAMBER SAYS INDIANA LAGS ARE HEALTHCARE COSTS AND EARLY ILDHOOD ECAON.

>> ALLIGHT, THANKS,ALI.

>>COMING U NEXT ON NDIANA NEWSSK," BLOOMGTON'S PROPOSAL TO BAN BILLBRDS IN THE CITY HSLOSEO HOME FOR ONE BOMINGTON FAMY.

AND WE TAKE A TOU OF COLUUS' NUS PARKHERE THEY TUR AN EMPTY MALL INTO A SPORTS A WELLNS CTER.

>>> THE STORIES ANDORE RIGH HEN "INDIA NEWSDESK >> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

BLOOMINGTON'S PLAN COMMISSION POSTPONED A VISIT TO AMEND THE CITY'S ZONING CODE AND REMOVE ALL BILLBOARDS IN THE CITY.

AS CALI LICHTER REPORTS FOR ONE BLOOMINGTON FAMILY, THREAT OF A BILLBOARD BAN IS PERSONAL.

>> BILLBOARDS, THEY SHOW DRIVERS WHERE TO GET GAS AT THE NEARIST HIGHWAY EXIT BUT FOR ONE BLOOMINGTON MAN, BILLBOARDS ARE MORE THAN ADVERTISEMENTS.

>> THE ABILITY TO TEACH JACOB THROUGH THIS OUTDOOR ADVERTISING IS JUST BEYOND COMPREHENSION TO PROBABLY PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE OR ASSOCIATE WITH A CHILD ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM.

>> JACOB PERRY HAS ALWAYS LOVED TRAVEL.

BEING ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM, THE VISUAL STIMULATION OF ROADSIDE SIGNS PROVIDE LANGUAGE ENGAGEMENT FOR HIM.

HIS MOM JENNIFER MYERS SAYS WHAT STARTED FOR A LOVE FOR MILE MARKERS EXPANDED TO GREEN SIGNS, WELCOME SIGNS AND THEN TO A WIDER WORLD.

>> AND FROM THERE THIS EXPANDED INTO THE WORLD OF BILLBOARDS.

IN OUR AREA, WE HAVE A LOT OF LAMAR AND PLACES WHERE WE TRAVELED TO HAVE HAD A LOT OF LAMAR.

>> LAMAR OWNS THE MOST BILLBOARDS IN COMPANY ANDS THE COMPANY IS JACOB'S FAVORITE.

AFTER THEY REACHED OUT TO THE BLOOMINGTON OFFICE ABOUT PUTTING UP A SPECIAL 11th 11th BIRTHDAY BILLBOARD, THE COMPANY HAPPILY GIFTED ONE TO HIM.

>> THEY REALLY APPRECIATED MEETING SOMEONE WHO LOVES LAMA EVEN MOR THANHEY DID.

>> THEYUT IT IN HISAVITE PANEL ON HIS FAVORIT BLMINGTON STREET WALNUT BECAE IASOST BILLBOARD AL IN ROW >> TT'S WHEE GOT TOEE LAMAR INSTAERUT UP THI VINY AND WHENHEY ROLLED ITOWN, THERE WAS A GIGANTIICTURE JOBHAT SAID HAPPY 11th BIRTHDA AND I W LIKEHRISTMAS MORNI.

>>ND THAT GIFT STAED THE OV TEN-YEAR FRIDSHIPITH JACOBND LAMAR ODOOR ADVERTIN HE'ST MANY LAMAR INSTALLAONS AND REIS PY WOR ORDERS.

EREVER THEHEYOULD GET A RK OER, JACOB NAM ITENT FROM THE BLOINGTON FICE, AND THE LAM NATIONAL OFFICE WHERE HE WAS GREETED BY LAMAR C.E.O., SEAN RILEY.

>> IT WAS ALL HANDS ON DECK FOR JACOB.

EVERYONE KNEW HE WAS COMING.

EVERYONE HAD SOME SORT OF GIFT TO GIVE HIM THAT DAY.

REALLY JUST TOOK HIM UNDER HIS WING AND JUST GAVE HIM, YOU KNOW, JUST THIS -- YOU KNOW, V.I.P.

TREATMENT.

>> WHEN THE BLOOMINGTON OFFICE CLOSED, MYERS COMPARED TO JACOB LOSING A FAMILY MEMBER.

>> IT TRULY WAS A FAMILY MEMBER.

HAVING THAT LOCAL OFFICE SHUT DOWN WAS PRETTY TRAUMATIC FOR JACOB IN ALL HONESTY.

HE WENT THROUGH A HUGE GRIEVING PROCESS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, HAVE THAT TOUCHPOINT IN HIS LIFE EVERY WEEK.

>> A LOSS THAT WILL GROW.

DURING THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING IN SEPTEMBER, BLOOMINGTON MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON'S ADMINISTRATION PROPOSED AMENDING THE CITY'S ZONING CODE AND REMOVING ALL BILLBOARDS IN BLOOMINGTON OVER THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS.

>> IT'S DEVASTATING FOR US, YOU KNOW, FOR JACOB, IT QUITE LITERALLY WOULD BE A DEATH.

YOU KNOW, HE WOULD RESONATE IN THAT IN A WAY.

THIS IS HIS ABSOLUTE PASSION.

>> THE VOTE BY THE PLAN COMMISSION WAS SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK, BUT THEY CANCELED MEETING EFFECTIVELY PUSHING THE ISSUE TO 2024.

BUT BILLBOARDS ARE STILL ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK.

>> FOR NOW, MYERS SAYS SHE'S CONTINUING TO PROMOTE THE POSITIVITY OF BILLBOARDS IN BLOOMINGTON BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT ON JACOB'S IDENTITY.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT EXCITES HIM.

AND THESE ARE PLACES THAT HE IDENTIFIES WITH AND IN PERSONAL CHALLENGES, IN WAYS THAT NOTHING ELSE COULD FILL THAT SPOT.

>> AN IDENTITY THAT'S SHOWN IN JACOB'S AT-HOME OFFICE.

HE DSN'T EVE HAVO G OUTSE.

HE HAS HIS OWN LAR ORATION HIS BEMENT.

HENOWS A THE NUMRS.

ALLHE LOCATNS.

AND ALL T PROCE OF PUTTI UP HIS HOMEMADE BILLBOARDS.

IT DOESN'T MEAN HE DOESN'T TAKE SOME CREATIVE LIBERTY WHEN MAKING HIS LITTLE BOARDS.

>> THAT'S SO AWESOME.

WHAT WAS THE BILLBOARD YOU JUST PUT UP?

>> WTIU!

>> OH!

LOVE IT!

I SEE THE LOGO AT THE BOTTOM NOW.

>> YEAH.

>> I SEE THE WTIU, THE CIRCLE.

I WOULDN'T WANT ANYONE ELSE TO PUT UP OUR BILLBOARD.

>> AND HIS FAVORITE PART?

>> I JUST LIKE TO INSTALL.

>> INSTALLATION.

LIKE HE'S SEEN SO MANY OF HIS FRIENDS AT LaMORE LAMAR DO.

BUT EVEN IF IT ENDS, HIS INSTALLATIONS AND LOVE FOR LAMAR WON'T.

>> IT FOSTERED RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE GENUINE AND IN THESE REAL LOVE FOR MY CHILD.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M CALI LICHTER.

>> IF THE CITY COUNCIL PASSES THE BAN NEXT YEAR, BLOOMINGTON'S 47 BILLBOARDS WILL HAVE TO COME DOWN BY 2031.

>> WELL, OUTDOOR COLUMBUS MAYOR JIM LIENHOOP.

HE TOOK US ON A TOUR OF NEXUS PARK, SOON TO BE THE ONE-STOP-SHOP SPORTS AND WELLNESS CENTER.

THERE ARE MORE MALL WALKERS THAN SHOPPERS AT THE FORMER FAIR OAKS MALL.

BUT SOON, THEY WILL HAVE MORE THAN EMPTY STOREFRONTS.

THE $92 MILLION TRANSFORMATION OF THE MALL INTO A HEALTH, WELLNESS AND RECREATION CENTER IS SCHEDULED TO BE DONE BY APRIL.

>> THIS IS GOING TO BECOME THE MAIN ENTRANCE.

>> THEY EXPECT 1,000 VISITORS A DAY AND UP TO 10,000 OVER THE WEEKEND.

>> WHEN I WAS A YOUNG BOY, I PLAYED BASEBALL ACROSS THE STREET AT LINCOLN PARK AND MY BROTHER AND I WOULD COME BY THIS PLACE, AND JUST COMMENT ABOUT THE FACT THAT IT WOULD MAKE A GREAT ADDITION TO THE PARK.

>> IT'S CALLED NEXUS PARK.

THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE CITY, ITS PARKS DEPARTMENT, AND COLUMBUS REGIONAL HEALTH.

>> WORKERS ARE BUSY FINISHING UP THE FIELD HOUSE, BIGGER THAN TWO AND A HALF FOOTBALL FIELDS TO HOST SOCCER AND SOFTBALL GAMES.

>>> TWO COLLEGIATE SIZED BASKETBALL COURTS, TWO HIGH SCHOOL SIZED OR WITH A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT CONFIGURATION ON THE LINES, MAYBE 10 PICKLE BALL COURTS OR VOLLEYBALL COURTS.

>> INDIANA UNIRSY COLUMS LL ALSO USE THEACILITY AS IT HE CRT.

>> TRE WILLE TNGSERE FOR PEOPLEO DO IN BETEN.

>> CUMBUS RIONAL HEALTH WILL MOVANY OFHEIR CLINIC PRACTES TO A PORTIOOFHE BUILDIN >>F YOU LE HERE AND YOU'VE T SE HEALTARE NEE, YOU KNOW, TH WILL BE ABLE TAKEARE O IT AERE UNDER E ROO SO YOUON'T HEO DRIVE AROUND TOWN.

>> LIENHP SAYSHELINIC LL BEELCOME CHANG TO W HEAHCARE IS DELIVER.

>> THE CY OF COLUMBU ALONG TH CONSODAD SCHLSILL VE A CNICERE, IT WILLE SAAY,EXTAY SERVI F OUR ELOYEEST NO ADDITNAL ARGE TO THEM.

>> S'S PAR DEPTMENT WL ALSOOV HE -- THEITY'S PARKSEPARTMEN WILL AO MO HE, FEATURI A CLD WAH CENR, TEACHIN TCHENS A MOR LIENHO SAYS FDING CES FROMOME LNS PKS A CITY BONDS A THE STATE'S READI GRANT PROGRAM.

>> WE FOLDED THIS PROJECT INTO THE READI REQUEST AND IT HAS ALLOWED US TO ACCELERATE THE PHASES THAT WOULD HAVE TAKEN LIKE I SAID FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS.

>> THE FINAL STAGE WILL FEATURE EXTERIOR WORK SUCH AS GREEN SPACE, PARKING AND PARK PROJECTS.

WELL, BESIDES THAT STORY, WE HAVE OUR FULL SIT-DOWN LAST ASK THE MAYOR SHOW WITH HIM ON OUR WEBSITE AS WELL.

SO JOIN US FOR THAT.

THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY SMITHVILLE, FIBER INTERNET, SECURITY SOLUTIONS AND VOICE IN SOUTHERN INDIANA, MORE INFORMATION AT SMITHVILLE.COM.