>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS ARE ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO HELP PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OBTAIN A RESIDENCE, BUT THE WAIT LIST FOR VOUCHERS IS A LONG ONE.

>> GUY HAD A SECTION 8 APPLICATION IN, AND SO DID SHE, AND WE JUST DECIDED TO LIVE TOGETHER.

SHE NEEDS HELP.

>> IN BLOOMINGTON, IT COULD TAKE AROUND 250 DAYS TO RECEIVE A VOUCHER.

>>> THE PROPOSED ENVISIONED ELLETTSVILLE PROGRAM WOULD GUIDE COMMERCIAL GROWTH IN THE COMMUNITY JUST NORTHEAST OF BLOOMINGTON.

>> PEOPLE WANTED TO BUILD HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS, THEY WANTED TO BRING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES HERE.

>> THE TOWN HAS GROWN BY MORE THAN 30% IN THE LAST TWO DECADES.

>>> AND THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION UNVEILS ITS SECOND ATTEMPT AT OVERHAULING THE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA PROCESS.

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

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

BLOOMINGTON IS APPEALING LAST WEEK'S RULING THAT BLOCKS THE ANNEXATION ATTEMPT TO AREAS 1A AND 1B ON THE CITY'S SOUTHWEST SIDE.

IT CAME AFTER A FIVE-DAY BENCH TRIAL IN MAY BY REMONSTRATORS WHO WERE ABLE TO GATHER THE REQUIRED SIGNATURE PETITIONS TO APPEAL IN COURT.

NOW THE STATEMENT MAY MAYOR KERRY THOMSON SAYS THE CITY STRONGLY BELIEVES IN THE MERITS OF ITS CASE AND REMAINS HOPEFUL ABOUT THE OUTCOME.

SHE SAYS SHE WOULD HAVE DESIGNED A MORE INCLUSIVE PROCESS FROM THE START AND HAS BEEN MEETING WITH THOSE INTENDED TO BE ANNEXED.

THOMSON SAYS IT COULD TAKE A YEAR FOR A DECISION ON THE APPEAL.

>>> A U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE IN INDIANAPOLIS DISMISSED A LAWSUIT CHALLENGING A CONTROVERSIAL NEW STATE LAW THAT UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS SAY VIOLATES THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

THE LAW REQUIRES FACULTY TO INCLUDE A VARIETY OF OPPOSING POLITICAL VIEWPOINTS IN THE CLASSROOM, OR RISK LOSING THEIR TENURE PROTECTIONS.

THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF INDIANA WAS REPRESENTING FOUR INDIANA PROFESSORS WHO SAY THE LAW VIOLATES THEIR FIRST AND 14th AMENDMENT RIGHTS BUT ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD ROKITA WHO INTERVENED IN THE CASE LAST WEEK SAYS THE LAW WILL FOSTER DIVERSITY OF THOUGHT.

HE ARGUED THE SUIT SHOULD BE DISMISSED BECAUSE THE PROFESSORS HAVE NOT BEEN HARMED.

>>> THE CITY THE BLOOMINGTON HAS FOUR ENCAMPMENTS WHERE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WERE SHELTERING.

THE CITY CLEARED AND ENCAMPMENT OFF THE RAIL TRAIL ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

NOW ACCORDING TO SURVEYS BY SOUTH CENTRAL HOUSING NETWORK, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING UNSHELTERED IN MONROE COUNTY INCREASED OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS FROM 29 TO 117.

THE CITY AND LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE PARTNERING TO ADDRESS THE RISE IN UNHOUSED PERSONS.

BENTE BOUTHIER HAS BEEN REPORTING ON HOUSING ISSUES IN BLOOMINGTON.

SHE ATTENDED A MEETING WEDNESDAY AT CITY HALL, WHERE OFFICIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS AND THE PUBLIC ALL SHARED OPINIONS AND IDEAS.

>> THE BLOOMINGTON COMMON COUNCIL GATHERED INPUT ON WHAT SHE SHOULD DO TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS AND SUPPORT WORK IN THIS AREA.

ATTENDEES BROKE OUT INTO SIX GROUPS, EACH WITH A COUNCILPERSON.

GROUPS SHARED ISSUES THEY HAVE NOTICED.

THEY ALSO TALKED ABOUT ADDRESSING SAFETY ISSUES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND OTHERS AND WAYS TO ALLOCATE RESOURCES.

DURING THE SECOND ROUND OF BREAKOUT SESSIONS, GROUPS IDENTIFIED POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS AND ACTIONS CITY COUNCIL CAN TAKE.

ONE OF THE SUGGESTIONS FROM THE GROUP WAS THE CITY WAS -- WAS THE CITY ZONING FOR MORE HOUSING OPTIONS.

THIS TIES TO COVERAGE I'VE DONE RECENTLY ON THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM LOCALLY, WHICH NATIONAL EXPERTS SUPPORT AS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING INSECURITY IN COMMUNITIES.

RIGHT NOW, THE BLOOMINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY IS MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE WAIT LIST OF CURRENT APPLICANTS.

THE LAST TIME THE LIST OPENED WAS LATE 2023.

I SPOKE TO A COUPLE WHO MADE IT OFF THE LIST.

THE BLOOMINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY'S HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER WAIT LIST HAS TAPERED DOWN TO 980 AS OF JULY.

TINA McDANIEL AND J.R. GRUNDEN MOVED INTO AN APARTMENT TOGETHER THIS SPRING THROUGH A VOUCHER.

McDANIEL WAS STAYING AT WHEELER'S SHELTER FOR WOMEN UNTIL IT CLOSED LAST SEPTEMBER.

>> WE DIDN'T REALLY START SEEING EACH OTHER UNTIL AFTER I MOVED IN.

>> SHE MET GRUNDEN AT FRIEND'S PLACE LAST YEAR.

THEY WOULD GO OUT TO COFFEE SHOPS TOGETHER LIKE HOPSCOTCH.

>> WE JUST DECIDED TO LIVE TOGETHER.

YOU KNOW, SHE NEEDS HELP.

YOU KNOW, LIKE SHE'S PRETTY INDEPENDENT WOMAN, BUT, YOU KNOW, STILL THIS ARE'S SOME THINGS SHE NEEDS HELP WITH.

>> MCDANIEL IS BLIND.

GRUNDEN HELPS HER WITH ACTIVITIES LIKE COOKING.

McDANIEL LIKES HER INDEPENDENCE BUT SHE APPRECIATES GRUNDEN'S HELP AND THE TRUST THEY BUILT.

>> I TRUST IN HIM, EIGHT MONTHS, NINE MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR AND IT TOOK ME THAT LONG TO TRUST SOMEBODY.

>> THE AVERAGE WAIT TIME FOR A HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER IS NEARLY 250 DAYS WITH THE BLOOMINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY.

IT'S A POINT-BASED SYSTEM THAT PRIORITIZES LOCATION AND VULNERABILITY OF AN INDIVIDUAL.

ONCE SOMEONE RECEIVES A VOUCHER, THEY HAVE 90 DAYS TO FIND A PLACE THAT WILL ACCEPT IT.

THE AVERAGE HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENT IS $800 PER MONTH.

>> THE DEMAND IS ALWAYS VERY HIGH.

WE HAVE NO SHORTAGE OF APPLICANTS.

>> MORE THAN 1200 PEOPLE APPLIED IN A 40-DAY PERIOD WHEN THE WAIT LIST LAST OPENED IN 2023.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT INCREASED ITS BUDGET FOR HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS BY $2 BILLION LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO A MAY ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> IT IS A HIGHER AMOUNT THAN IT WAS THE PREVIOUS YEAR, BUT STILL THERE'S -- THERE'S A GAP THERE.

YOU KNOW, MORE FUNDING IS NEEDED.

>> MORE THAN 40% OF PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE A VOUCHER SIGN A LEASE WITHIN 30 DAYS.

AROUND A QUARTER OF VOUCHER RECIPIENTS FIND A LEASE WITHIN TWO TO THREE MONTHS.

>> 68% OF PEOPLE ARE SUCCESSFUL WITH LEASING VOUCHER.

I FEEL THAT NUMBER SHOULD BE MUCH HIGHER.

IT WOULD HAVE TO BE DISHEARTENING, YOU KNOW, FOR SOMEONE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM.

TO SPEND THAT TIME ON THE WAITING LIST TO GET THE HELP THAT THEY NEED AND THEN THEY GO OUT, JUST TO BE UNABLE TO FIND SOMETHING.

>> THE SUCCESS RATE IS UP FROM FIVE YEARS AGO WHEN IT WAS 60%.

ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES IS AVAILABILITY OF HOUSING UNITS.

>> A NUMBER OF LANDLORDS DON'T ACCEPT THEM, EVEN IF THEIR RENTAL RANGE IS WITHIN THE -- WHAT'S CALL FAIR MARKET RENT FOR A COMMUNITY.

>> FEWER THAN 20 STATES HAVE LAWS AGAINST INCOME DISCRIMINATION FOR RENTERS, AND INDIANA IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN AREA 10 HAS REMAINED RELATIVELY STABLE, ASIDE FROM AN INCREASE IN 2019.

BUT STATEWIDE AND NATIONALLY, THE NUMBERS ARE TRENDING UPWARDS.

GILMORE SAYS MOVING IN WITH SOMEONE YOU MET THROUGH THE EXPERIENCE OF HOMELESSNESS HAS POTENTIAL RISKS.

>> THE RELATIONSHIPS ARE TRICKY, AND FOR ALL OF US, AND SO THERE'S UNPREDICTABILITY THERE.

SO THAT DOES CREATE SOME RISK FOR THE NON-VOUCHER HOLDER, BUT HE SAYS McDANIEL AND GRUNDEN KNEW EACH OTHER FOR A WHILE BEFORE MOVING IN TOGETHER.

>> IF ANYONE HAS A CHANCE OF MAKING IT, I THINK IT'S THEY DO.

>> McDANIEL SAID THEY HAVE SOME WORK TO DO, SETTING UP THE APARTMENT WITH INTERNET AND TV.

SHE WOULD LIKE SOME BRAILLE BOOKS WHILE J.R. IS OUT OF THE APARTMENT.

>> I LOVE THE APARTMENT.

I'M GLAD I'M OUT AND ON MY OWN.

J.R. IS HERE TO HELP ME, BUT THAT'S WHAT IT'S -- THAT'S WHAT IT'S FOR, IS IF YOU NEED HELP, ASK.

>> SHE'S A HELL OF A LADY.

YOU KNOW, I LOVE HER, AND YOU KNOW, WE JUST -- WE JUST CLICKED IN MORE WAYS THAN YOU COULD IMAGINE.

>> GRUNDEN SAYS HE WOULD LIKE TO BE HER REGISTERED CAREGIVER.

ABOUT 400 LANDLORDS ARE REGISTERED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM BUT ONLY ABOUT HALF ARE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING.

>> THE THREE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN INDIANA MET AT A DEBATE TUESDAY.

NONE OF THE CANDIDATES SHIED AWAY FROM CRITICIZING CURRENT REPUBLICAN STATE GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S BRANDON SMITH HAS THIS REPORT.

>> REPUBLICAN MICAH BECKWITH, TERRY GOODIN AND TONYA HUDSON, MET AT THE STATE FAIR.

FROM PROPERTY TAXES TO WATER RESOURCES TO RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, GOODIN'S MESSAGE WAS THE SAME.

IT'S BEEN ONE PARTY, REPUBLICAN CONTROL THAT HAS GOTTEN INDIANA INTO TROUBLE.

>> WE'VE HAD A NON-TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT.

A GOVERNMENT THAT DOESN'T LET FOLKS KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR STATE.

WHAT WE HAVE, WHEN WE HAVE FIXES, WE HAVE BAND-AID FIXES THAT DON'T WORK.

>> HUDSON, THE LIBERTARIAN ADVOCATES FOR DRAMATICALLY SLASHING THE SIZE AND SCOPE OF GOVERNMENT.

>> WE NEED TO ROLL BACK THE RULES AND REGULATIONS, CUT TAXES, PROPERTY TAXES NEED TO BE ABOLISHES.

YOU NEED TO HAVE MORE MONEY, WHICH WILL PUT A BOOST TO THE ECONOMY.

>> REPUBLICAN BECKWITH SAYS THE CURRENT ECONOMIC STRATEGY MUST CHANGE TO FOCUS MORE ON SMALL TOWN SNOOZE -- TOWNS.

>> YOU WILL SEE NOT ONLY FARMS AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN THESE RURAL COMMUNITIES COME BACK TO LIFE.

>> INDIANA'S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OVERSEES THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

NOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M BRANDON SMITH AT THE STATE HOUSE.

>>> DEMOCRATIC GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE JENNIFER McCORMICK UNVEILED A PLAN THAT SHE SAYS PLANS TO PROVIDE RELIEF FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING SHARP SPIKES IN THEIR PROPERTY TAX BILL.

IT INCLUDES INCREASING PROPERTY TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR HOMEOWNERS AGE 65 AND OLDER AND VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES.

HER PLAN WOULD ALSO INCREASE THE INCOME TAX DEDUCTION FOR RENTERS AND ALLOW MORE EXCEPTIONS ON EVERY HOOSIER TAXPAYERS' INCOME TAXES.

>> IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THAT RIDE RANGE OF RELIEF, MEANING THAT A LOT OF HOOSIERS WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS.

>> ANOTHER PART OF THE PLAN WOULD PROVIDE HOMEOWNERS WITH A TAX CREDIT IF THEIR PROPERTY TAX BILL INCREASES BY 10% OR MORE IN A YEAR.

>>> WELL, WE ARE JOINED NOW BY CLAYTON BAUMGARTH FOR MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HI, CLAYTON.

>> HI, JOE.

THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION UNVEILED THE SECOND DRAFT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OVERHAUL ON WEDNESDAY.

THE NEW PROPOSAL IS ONE THAT RELATES THE CURRENT CORE 40.

HOWEVER, SOME ENGLISH, MATH AND SCIENCE COURSE REQUIREMENTS ARE MORE FLEXIBLE THAN THE CURRENT STANDARDS.

STUDENTS CAN ALSO CHOOSE TO ACHIEVE SEALS OR PATHWAYS FOR ENROLLMENT, ENLISTMENT OR EMPLOYMENT ON TOP OF THE BASE DIPLOMA.

THE INDIANA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS BOTH SAY THEY SUPPORT THE NEW PROPOSAL.

>> THE DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED AND WERE PRESENTED TO US TODAY ARE REQUIREMENTS THAT NOT ONLY MEET THE ACADEMIC RIGOR THAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR INDIANA BE HIGH SCHOOLS, BUT GO BEYOND THAT RIGOR AND INCLUDE THE INDIVIDUALIZED FLEXIBILITY.

>> INDIANA, PURDUE AND SEVERAL OTHER STATE UNIVERSITIES JOINED IN SUPPORT OF THE STATE'S LATEST PLAN.

THAT'S AFTER SAYING THE ORIGINAL DIPLOMA PLAN WOULD NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION.

>>> WHILE, DIPLOMAS ARE TAKING UP MUCH OF THE FOCUS, INDIANA SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, KATIE JENNER WAS ABLE TO TOUT SOME SMALL GAINS MADE BY THIRD GRADERS IN THE IREAD.

IT'S FOUR POINTS BELOW PREPANDEMIC LEVEL BUT AN INCREASE OF .6 OF A PERCENT OVER LAST YEAR'S RESULTS.

>> IT IS EXCITING TO HAVE THE HIGHEST YEAR-OVER-YEAR INCREASE EVER IN THE HISTORY SINCE THE START OF THE TEST.

>> THE PERCENTAGE OF MONROE MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL STUDENTS WOULD PASSED THE TEST IN 2024, WAS 83.1, UP FROM 2023.

>>> A PETITION TO DESIGNATE THE GREEN ACRES NEIGHBORHOOD A CONSERVATION DISTRICT WILL GO TO THE BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL.

THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION VOTED 6-1 IN FAVORING THE NOMINATION.

IT HAS QUALITIES THAT MEET HISTORIC AND ARCHITECTURAL REQUIREMENTS UNDER CITY CODE.

>> THE DEVELOPMENT OF GREEN ACRES LARGELY COINCIDES WITH THE TENURE OF BLOOMINGTON PRESIDENT HERMAN B.

WELLS FROM 1937 TO 196, 2A PERIOD OF MASSIVE EXPANSION IN THE SIZE AND ACADEMIC BREADTH OF THE UNIVERSITY.

>> THEY REQUESTED FOR THE PROTECTION.

THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION VOTED TO GIVE THOSE HOMES TEMPORARY PROTECTION FROM DEMOLITION UNTIL THE CITY COUNCIL DECIDES ON THE CONSERVATION STATUS.

THE COMMON COUNCIL HAS AN EXECUTIVE SESSION SET FOR AUGUST 21st.

>>> THE INTERSECTION OF ROGERS STREET AND FIRST STREET WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL OCTOBER 1st AS PART OF ONGOING CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOPEWELL NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE CITY PLANS TO INSTALL A NEW WATER MAIN AT THE INSECTION AND REPAIR THE ROADWAY.

IT WILL ENHANCE FIRST STREET BETWEEN FAIRVIEW AND COLLEGE AVENUE.

THIS IS SUPPORTED BY $4.6 MILLION IN FEDERAL CONSTRUCTION FUNDS.

>>> THE BLOOMINGTON AND ELLETTSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ARE PROPOSING A NEW SITE FOR THE MONROE COUNTY JAIL THAT THEY SAY IS MUCH CHEAPER AND A BETTER LOCATION THAN THE OTHER OPTIONS.

THEY TOLD THE COUNTY COUNCIL THIS WEEK THAT PRIVATE PROPERTY AT 3241 WEST WOODYARD ROAD, APPEARS TO MEET THE ACREAGE REQUIREMENT WITH ROOM TO GROW IN THE EVENT OF AN EXPANSION.

OF.

>> THE OWNERS HAVE EXPRESSED WILLINGNESS TO SELL THE PROPERTY TO MONROE COUNTY, AND HAVE INDICATED THAT WATER, SEWER AND ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE IS AVAILABLE ADJACENT TO THE PROPERTY AT THE CORNER OF VERNAL PIKE.

>> THE OWNER SAYS IT'S WILLING TO PAY FOR A PHASE ONE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY ON THE LAND.

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS IT'S CLOSE TO HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, AS WELL AS TRANSPORTATION AND EMERGENCY SERVICES.

IT ALSO CONTENDED THAT THE NORTH PARK SITE UNDER CONSIDERATION WOULD BE BETTER USED FOR ANOTHER PURPOSE.

>>> DUNN MEADOW -- >> LOCATING THE JUSTICE CENTER ON THAT PROPERTY WOULD NOT ONLY HAVE NEGATIVE FISCAL IMPACTS TO TAXPAYERS, BUT WOULD BE AN UNDER UTILIZATION OF THAT LOCATION.

IT'S A GATEWAY TO BLOOMINGTON, THE NORTH PARK PROPERTY COULD BE INCREDIBLY VALUED FROM AN ECONOMIC STANDPOINT.

>> IT'S NUN CERTAIN WHETHER THE COUNTY COUNCIL THE CONSIDER THE NEW PROPOSAL.

THE LETTER WAS READ DURING THE TIME DEVOTED TO PUBLIC COMMENTS.

DUNN MEADOW WILL BE CLOSED THIS FALL TO RESTORE DAMAGE FROM PROTESTS EARLIER THIS YEAR.

IT'S UNCLEAR WHEN IT WILL REOPEN.

MANY PLACES SAY THEY WILL NEED TO FIND OTHER PLACES INCLUDING THE ANNUAL SWING.

ONE IS THE AMPHITHEATER BEHIND THE PRESIDENT'S HOUSE ON CAMPUS.

IT JUST REOPENED FOR EVENTS.

>> IT WAS OUTDOORS, HAD AN ELECTRICAL SOURCE FOR THINGS YOU NEEDED TO PLUG IN, BUT WAS ALSO IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO ALL OF THE GREAT PERFORMANCE UNITS ON CAMPUS.

>> THE AMPHITHEATER HAD BEEN CLOSED TO EVENTS SINCE THE PAN PANDEMIC.

IT WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 2015 TO PROMOTE THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES.

>>> AND HIGHWAY WORK ZONE SPEED CAMERAS ARE ACTIVE IN INDIANA FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THEY AUTHORIZED THE SPEED CAMERA PILOT IN 2023.

THE LAW CURRENTLY LIMITS THE CAMERA TO FOUR HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION ZONES STATEWIDE: IN-DOT IS STARTING WITH CAMERAS IN A WORK ZONE ON INTERSTATE 70 JUST EAST OF INDIANAPOLIS.

THE AGENCY PLANS TO ANNOUNCE ADDITIONAL SITES LATER THIS YEAR.

THE CAMERA TAKES A PHOTO OF THE REAR OF ANY VEHICLE THAT'S TRAVELING AT LEAST 11 MILES PER HOUR OVER THE SPEED LIMIT.

WHOEVER OWNS THE VEHICLE, RECEIVES A CITATION IN THE MAIL.

AND JOE, YOU DON'T WANT TO GET THAT.

>> IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THE AUTOMATIC TOLLS TO LOUISVILLE.

>> YEAH, A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," A PROPOSED PLAN CALLED ENVISION ELLETTSVILLE WILL BE A VIDE FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE GROWING COMMUNITY OUTSIDE OF BLOOMINGTON.

>>> AND WE VISIT WITH TERRE HAUTE MAYOR BRANDON SAKBUN ABOUT THE PLAN TO RECONNECT DOWNTOWN WITH THE WABASH RIVER.

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

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

HISTORICALLY A PLACE CONSISTING MAINLY OF FARMLAND AND MINIMAL SHOPS, THE TOWN OF ELLETTSVILLE HAS BIG PLANS TO REVIVE THE COMMUNITY NORTHWEST OF BLOOMINGTON, AND BRING IN MORE BUSINESSES THROUGH THE ENVISION ELLETTSVILLE PLAN.

ISABELLA VESPIRINI HAS THIS REPORT.

>> RACHEL McCARTY'S GRANDPARENTS MAINTAINED THE PEDON FARM SINCE MOVING THERE IN 1941.

THEY LIVED ON MAPLE GROVE ROAD WHEN ONLY SEVEN HOUSES WERE BUILT ON A ROCKY UNPAVED ROAD AT THE TIME.

>> THINGS WERE SMALLER THEN.

YOUR NEIGHBORS EVEN IF THERE WAS SOME DISTANCE BETWEEN, YOU WERE STILL NEIGHBORS.

>> NOW, MANY MORE APARTMENTS ARE BEING BUILT.

THE POPULATION HAS INCREASED ABOUT 4.3% IN THE LAST DECADE, AND APPROXIMATELY 31.5% SINCE 2000.

THAT'S A MUCH FASTER RATE THAN BLOOMINGTON'S 4.4% POPULATION INCREASE SINCE 2000.

>> WE GOT OUR FIRST FAST FOOD THERE.

IT WAS A TWO-WINDOW GO BOTH DIRECTIONS DRIVE THROUGH.

WE HAD A WALL PAPER STORE.

WE HAD A CARPET STORE.

SO IT WAS A ONE-STOP SHOP TO GET ANYTHING THAT YOU NEEDED FOR YOUR HOME.

>> WITH MORE GROWTH EXPECTED, ENVISION ELLETTSVILLE VISION PLAN WAS PROPOSED IN 2021.

IT ESTABLISHES A COMPREHENSIVE VISION FOR THE FUTURE TO FURTHER DEVELOP AND GROW THE DOWN.

LOCAL BUSINESSES, RESIDENTS, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND NOT-FOR-PROFITS GAVE THEIR INPUT ON WHAT CHANGE THEY WANTED TO SEE.

>> WE WERE BEING POSITIONED AS A COMMUNITY, AS A PLACE FOR GROWTH, FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, FOR NEW WORKFORCE ATTRACTION INITIATIVES.

WE LITERALLY HAVE PEOPLE KNOCKING ON OUR DOOR.

PEOPLE WANTED TO BUILD HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS.

THEY WANTED TO BRING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES HERE.

>> BUSINESSES LIKE A COFFEE PLACE ARE APPEARING.

>> GREAT LOCATION ON THE CORNER, DRAWING PEOPLE TO OUR DOWNTOWN.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT.

>> THERE WILL BE A NEW DEVELOPMENT ON 115 ACRES NEXT TO EDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL.

>> AND THE CONCEPT OF NEW URBANISM, EVERYTHING YOU NEED.

YOU CAN WALK TO A RESTAURANT.

YOU CAN WALK TO GROCERY.

YOU CAN WALK TO SHOPPING.

YOU CAN WALK TO WHATEVER YOU WANT.

IT HAS ROOM FOR CARS.

YOU STILL HAVE A GARAGE AND ON-STREET PARKING.

THIS WILL PROVIDE A MORE STABILIZED COMMERCIAL CENTER FOR ELLETTSVILLE AND BEING 15 MINUTES TO DOWNTOWN BLOOMINGTON.

HE HOPES TO BUILD A HOTEL, ASSISTED LIVING CENTERS, COFFEE SHOPS, RETAIL STORES AND MORE.

RESIDENTS ALSO WANT MORE DINING AND NIGHT LIFE OPTIONS AND MORE CHILD CARE AND MEDICAL SERVICES.

>> WE WANT TO JUST RUN DOWN THE ROAD AND GRAB SOMETHING FOR DINNER, WITHOUT HAVING TO DRIVE INTO BLOOMINGTON.

OF.

>> LEWIS HAS LIVED IN ELLETTSVILLE SINCE 1990 AND RUNS HER OWN HAIR SALON FROM HOME.

SHE LIKES ELLETTSVILLE BECAUSE HOUSING IS MORE AFFORDABLE THAN IN BLOOMINGTON.

SHE ALSO APPRECIATES THE STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

>> WE LIKE OUR SMALL TOWN.

WE REALLY DO.

IT'S QUAINT.

EVERYBODY KNOWS EACH OTHER, AND THAT'S THE FUN OF IT.

>> CURTIS SAYS IT HAS BEEN CHALLENGING TO GET THE FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN.

>> IT'S A CHALLENGE TO BE ELLETTSVILLE IN THE COUNTY.

IT'S JUST A CHALLENGE.

MOST PEOPLE THINK OF BLOOMINGTON, AND BLOOMINGTON IS A BIT LIKE A FORCE OF NATURE THAT SORT OF PULLS EVERYONE ALONG.

SOMETIMES WE'RE AN AFTERTHOUGHT.

AND IT'S FRUSTRATING.

>> CURTIS HOPES AS THE PLAN GOES INTO MOTION AND THE COMMUNITY GROWS, MORE PEOPLE WILL VISIT AND ENJOY WHAT ELLETTSVILLE HAS TO OFFER.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ISABELLA VESPERINI.

>>> ELLETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL VOTED THIS WEEK TO SEND A PROPOSED UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE BACK TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION WITH AMENDMENTS.

IT INCLUDES A CONTROVERSIAL REGULATION ON SIGNS AND FLAGS.

NOW, IF PASSED IN THE CURRENT FORM, IT WOULD HAVE REQUIRED PERMITS FOR THINGS SUCH AS POLITICAL FLAGS AND YARD SIGNS.

SOME COUNCILMEMBERS EXPRESSED THAT NOT ADOPTING THE U.D.O.

AT THE MEETING WOULD POSTPONE ELLETTSVILLE'S GROWTH.

>> I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A FIVE-WEEK DELAY WILL HINDER GROWTH.

I REALLY DON'T.

WE HAVE TO STICK THE LANDING ON THIS.

>> MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHARED THEIR OPINIONS SAYING THE RESTRICTION ON SIGNS AND FLAGS INHIBITED FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND EXPRESSION.

A VOTE ON AN AMENDED U.D.O.

WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE NEXT TOWN COUNCIL MEETING ON AUGUST 26th.

>>> TERRE HAUTE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF ITS PARKS FIVE-YEAR MASTER PLAN AND SEEKING PUBLIC INPUT.

I SAT DOWN WITH MAYOR BRANDON SAKBUN THIS WEEK AT FAIRBANKS PARK AND TALKED ABOUT HOW CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE LOOKING TO RECONNECT DOWNTOWN WITH THE WABASH RIVER.

>> WE'RE FINALIZING A RIVER FRONT DEVELOPMENT STUDY.

AND FAIRBANKS PARK IS NESTLED ON THE RIVER.

SO IT'S BRINGING IN THE BEST OF THOSE TWO WORLDS, THE PLANNING SPHERES IN OPERATION RIGHT NOW AND WE'RE REALLY LOOKING AT UNLOCKING SOME OF OUR PARKS THESE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

AND ONCE THAT MASTER PLAN IS COMPLETE, THAT WILL HELP US WITH SOME FUNDING CONVERSATIONS, OF COURSE WITH THE CASINO DOLLARS COMING IN, THAT'S ALWAYS A CONVERSATION WE LIKE TO BE A PART OF.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE AMPHITHEATER.

ACTUALLY THE MAYOR'S YOUTH COUNCIL IS LOOKING AT HOW DO THEY UPDATE THE AMPHITHEATER.

THEY WANT TO COMPETE FOR A GRANT, AND WE'LL BE THERE TO SUPPORT THEM AND THEY ARE LOOKING AT DOING THE SEATING AND SOME OF THE EXTERIOR BECAUSE THE AMPHITHEATERS EXPENSIVE TO RENOVATE.

WE ARE LOOKING AT ALL THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT.

WE ARE LOOKING AT UPDATING OUR SHELTERS THIS YEAR.

HANDLING SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS WITH THIS YEAR'S BUDGET OPENS THE CONVERSATION FOR NEXT YEAR TO DO TRUE ADDITIONS TO THE PARK.

OUR YMCA IS STAYING STRONG, LOOKING AT THEIR POSSIBLE RENOVATION.

WE HAVE THE NONPROFIT WABASH VALLEY CREW.

THEY ACTUALLY WANT TO PUT A BOATHOUSE ON THE RIVER AND ACTIVATE THE SPORT OF ROWING HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE PARTNERED WITH THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO REALLY LOOK AT THE CONVERSATION AROUND BANK STABILIZATION AND WATER LEVELS AND IT WAS A PRETTY FOREIGN CONCEPT TO ME, RIGHT.

I THOUGHT RIVER FRONT DEVELOPMENT, A LITTLE BIT OF GREEN SPACE, PARKS AND THEY'RE LIKE, A-HA YOUNG MAN, THERE'S SOME OTHER SIDES TO THIS.

AND SO OUR LOCAL SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATORY, VIGO COUNTY THIS HE HAVE BEEN HELPFUL TO PARTNER WITH THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AS PART OF OUR RIVER FRONT DEVELOPMENT STUDY.

>>> JUST CHECK OUT OUR ASK THE MAYOR WEBSITE FOR MORE AND A LINK TO THAT RIVER FRONT SURVEY.

>>> WELL, 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