Cleveland Dietz

Indiana FFA Foundation Executive Director Lisa Chaudion was recognized June 15 with a Distinguished Service Award at the 87th Indiana FFA State Convention. Chaudion was instrumental in bringing the Indiana FFA to Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corp. beginning next academic year. Distinguished service honorees are selected by a student-run executive committee each year. “When students … Read more

Taylor Isom, 22, became the fifth generation of her family to join the Order of the Eastern Star Ellettsville Chapter 454 on May 10. Isom graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in gender studies. She plans to continue her studies in the fall of 2017 … Read more

The natural gas provider serving Stinesville, Community Natural Gas, has petitioned the state to increase its residential and business rates. The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is accepting written feedback from the public until July 7. The privately owned utility company based in Mount Carmel, Illinois, cited operating and maintenance costs, as well as … Read more

Ellettsville residents Terry Cox and Karen Scales will bring their passion for coffee to downtown Ellettsville when they open the Heritage Trail Café and Coffee Roaster on North Sale Street. The dream began when Scales’ brother owned a roasting company in Bloomington called B-Town Beans, and Cox was on the board of directors for the … Read more

A proposed countywide public safety income tax will go into effect Oct. 1 after the Bloomington City Council unanimously passed the ordinance on June 1. The city council has a majority vote on the Monroe County Income Tax Council, which also includes the Ellettsville Town Council and the Monroe County Council as voting members. The … Read more

More than 250 people are expected to dine and play games at the ninth annual Picnic at Flatwoods Park on June 14. The picnic is a joint venture of the Ellettsville branch of the Monroe County Public Library, Monroe County Parks and Recreation, and Nutrition Therapy of Indiana University. Free packed lunches provided by Nutrition … Read more

Last year, former Ellettsville Fire Department volunteer firefighter Jeff Hackett was told T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma would take his life. But thanks to a stem cell transplant from his brother, he was able to overcome it earlier this year. The Bloomington-based semi-pro football team Indiana Cutters organized a game and concert featuring the Jake Dodds Band … Read more

The Monroe County Council delayed a vote on a proposed county public safety income tax at its May 24 meeting to allow more time for public comment. The proposed 0.25% tax would raise an estimated $6.9 million, with 30% of it going to help fund the central dispatch center headquartered in Bloomington. The county council’s … Read more

Bender Lumber purchased a building in Ellettsville earlier this year to be the new home of its original store after years of searching. It will celebrate with a grand opening on June 4. The event will feature an antique car show and free nail gun cleaning, and Bender Lumber suppliers will be on hand to … Read more

The Monroe County Redevelopment Commission unanimously approved a rebranding study for the Westside Economic Development Area at its May 18 meeting. The study is the first step toward defining the area’s identity. If pursued, the project’s cost is estimated to be more than $3 million. Commission President Barry Lessow, Secretary Efrat Feferman, voting members Doug … Read more