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(02/08/05 5:46am)
The City of Bloomington Planning Commission rejected a re-proposal Monday for the building of a new development, The Overlook at Bloomington Luxury Homes. The complex would have been directed primarily toward IU students looking to rent in the downtown area. \nThe development, composed of 99 multiperson units and planned on a plot of land at 11th and Morton streets, would have spanned 6.65 acres. Although the commission rejected the proposal, members encouraged the developers, Westwood LLC, to rewrite their plan to address the issues brought up in the meeting.\nThe commission voted to reject the re-proposal because it did not allow the option to eventually connect N. Woodburn Avenue to N. Morton Street with a straight, public road. The commission agreed with the developers that a busy railway to the north of the site would prevent the connection, but members wanted a plan that would leave the option open because connectivity is encouraged in Bloomington's Growth Policies Plan. The plan, created in 2002, outlines the city's plans for development for the next 25 years. \n"There is a presumption that existing public roads that are in line with each other need to be connected," said Joe Hoffman, a member of the commission. " ... In this case, these are two public roads in line with each other and 800 feet apart. ... Although there is a problem until the railroad (closes or reduces in traffic), cutting off access and putting buildings in the way (of the connecting road) could cause this option to be lost forever." \nThe re-proposal came on the heels of a proposal heard Jan. 10 in which the commission delayed the hearing until Monday, citing problems with connectivity, tree preservation and the architecture of the development.\nThe developers' proposed change to address the connectivity issue was creating a possible entry point in the complex through Woodburn Avenue on the north part of the development. \n "Morton and Woodburn won't connect. ... (The connection) would allow (residents of the complex) to choose north or south," said Steven Peters of Bynum Fanyo and Associates Inc., the company representing the developers. "It would not be welcoming for people to cut through."\nPeters added that the complex would be a residential neighborhood, so connectivity should be discouraged, not encouraged, according to the City of Bloomington's Growth Policies Plan.\nThe proposed connection would create a small private road for apartment residents but would not be sufficient suffice for public use, commission members said. They added that because the road would not be a straight shot between Morton Street and Woodburn Avenue and would instead included "doglegs," or a series of sharp turns, it would not invite drivers to use it as a connection. \n "This site plan makes cut-through traffic hard," said Chris Gaal, a member of the commission. "It's just a bad site design, with doglegs and indirect paths. ... It misses the opportunity for connectivity."\n--Contact City & State Editor Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(01/27/05 5:08am)
The Bloomington City Council unanimously approved the development of the proposed Certified Technology Park Wednesday. \nThe 66-acre park is designed to increase Bloomington's funds for developing public areas, to allow new small businesses the opportunity to flourish and to bring high technology and life-science firms to the town. The project is being funded by contributions from the city of Bloomington, state grants and IU. \n"(The park) is an allocation tool to give us funds and resources to grow in business and technology," said Ron Walker, director of economic development.\nThe technology park has North Rogers and West Eleventh streets running through the center. Part of the project will be erecting pedestrian and biking trails with the help of state grants, according to the council's weekly packet memo.\nOne of the other big components of the park, which IU will spend $50,000 annually to help fund, is a "small business incubator" called InVenture .\n"A small business incubator offers shared services for businesses, which makes everything cheaper for them," Walker said. "For example, all of the business in the building will share copy machines and printing, along with conference rooms and media outlets. There will also be business counselors to support the small businesses, and one receptionist to answer all of the businesses' phones." \nInVenture and the Small Business Development Center -- an additional business-friendly tool for the park -- will help companies that spin off from the University, Walker said.\nHe said another major benefit the park has to offer Bloomington is the tax system for businesses in the park.\n"We aren't really expecting a big growth in sales tax," Walker said. "But, (the city) is aiming for employment growth, and a growth in payroll taxes."\nThe designation of the area as a technology park puts payroll taxes - usually collected by the state government - into a fund specifically for the city, he said. The fund's oversight is the sole discretion of the City's Redevelopment Commission, and can only be used to fund public projects.\nWalker said possible uses for the fund included parking facilities, and necessary infrastructures to expand business growth. \nTim Mayer, an at-large councilman, said the city has historically exploited state business incentives designed to stimulate local economic growth.\n"Bloomington, for many years, has led the state in taking advantage of state programs (such as the development of a technology park)," Mayer said. " ... Clearly, objectively, Bloomington is business friendly."\n-- Contact City & State Editor Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu
(01/26/05 5:55am)
A group of local performers will rock the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre Thursday night in the name of helping those who had their lives destroyed by the recent tsunami in southeast Asia. The concert begins at 7 p.m., and for a $10 entry fee, concert-goers can see local musicians Jenn Cristy, Paris and Sophia Travis, along with the band Salaam, perform a wide range of musical styles.\nThe concert is being coordinated by the Indiana Public Interest Research Group and all of the profit will go to the American Red Cross to help the victims of the tsunami, according to a press release.\n"It means a lot because it's an art-related benefit to the tsunami," said Sophia Travis, a singer, piano and keyboard player who is scheduled to perform. "It's really bittersweet because we will be celebrating life while remembering the death and tragedy of the disaster."\nTravis said she thought the benefit was important to keep the disaster in the forefront of peoples' minds. "The media attention that happened when the waves hit was so powerful that people just rushed to help," Travis said. "But as time goes on, it's human nature to just put it in the back of your mind and go on with your day-to-day life. Hopefully this concert will raise the awareness again and start another big push of people helping out."\nTravis describes her music as "light and pretty" pop music and added that others have called it "both naïve and sophisticated, a sort of paradox." While she usually plays keyboards, occasionally with a band, Travis will be playing the grand piano and singing at the concert.\nJenn Cristy, another musician scheduled to perform at Thursday, said volunteering to play at the concert was her best option to help the victims of the tsunami.\n"The thought that I was taking time out of my schedule to volunteer for this never crossed my mind," Cristy said. "Over 200,000 people died; this is something I can do for them, and there is nothing better than that."\nShe said she will be playing piano and singing rock music with her band at the concert. \nOther performers include Salaam, whose Web site describes their music as a "cultural mosaic from countries of the Middle East and Northern Africa."\nParis, another of the musicians scheduled to play, was described as a "one-man show who plays acoustic guitar and sings" by Brandon Williams, an INPIRG member who was pivotal in organizing the concert. Paris plays a variety of styles and types of music, ranging from "bluesy to folksy," Williams said.\nWilliams was surprised at how quickly and enthusiastically bands and musicians responded to his request to play at the concert.\n"I made up a list with about five different musicians I wanted for the concert," Williams said, "and sure enough, four of the first five musicians I called said yes."\nHe added that he hopes legions of students and community members show up to support the cause of tsunami relief and enjoy the music.\n"We just hope as many people as possible come out so we can get a bunch of money together to these people out," Williams said.\n-- Contact City & State Editor Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(01/21/05 5:05am)
During a heated debate in an English class, a student threatened to rip the upside-down American flag off Ivy Tech College Democrat Jonathan Piland's shirt. The flag, which featured the slogan "Turn America Back Around," drew fire and accusations of being unpatriotic, as well as support, from Ivy Tech students Thursday afternoon. About 20 Ivy Tech students wore the flags as part of a protest against George W. Bush's inauguration. Bush was sworn in Thursday morning.\n"A former soldier said the flag was disrespectful, and came up like he was about to come rip it off," Piland said. "I told him to please respect my rights, and I was not going to take it off."\nPiland added he was wearing the flag as a symbol of protest against the government, not soldiers. \n"The upside-down flag is not a symbol of disrespect," Ivy Tech College Democrats President Megan Trusnik, said. "Officially it is a sign of distress, and that is why we decided to wear them; we think our country is in distress."\nThe other part of the protest was a room set up by the College Democrats that was called a "silent protest" against the inauguration. It consisted of a "wall of soldiers" that featured fallen soldiers' pictures and stories, as well as an anti-Bush video and a variety of anti-Bush displays. Throughout the day people came in and out of the room and left with mixed reactions; some students left the room angry, and others left the room crying, Trusnik said.\n"It was mostly silent in here today," Trusnik said. "It was once people got outside that comments were made."\nShe added reception to the "silent protest" was also mixed among current and former soldiers.\n"We had some soldiers upset about the flags and display," Trusnik said, "We had one come in and say 'What you are doing here is great.'"\nSome of those in opposition disagreed with the protest's message, but liked the idea of the protest itself and the ability of students to express their views. \n"Some things bothered me in there, because of my views," said Ivy Tech College Republican Brad Kot. "But it's just good to see people actively doing stuff on campus, so that people can see and think about different things ... It's a lot better then people just voting on someone because they see them on TV and think they look good in a suit." \nThe controversy comes in a semester where Ivy Tech administrators are encouraging students to be more active in clubs on campus.\n"We're trying to get discourse on campus," Assistant Director of Student Life Kara Huddleston said. "It's important for people to get involved and challenge people's thinking."\nShe said although clubs were always allowed on campus, the administration is making it a point to encourage active participation this year. \n"It's great we can express our First Amendment rights," Piland said. "Even if I was a Republican with different views on social issues, I would be happy about how this showed people's ability to express themselves." \n-- Contact City & State Editor Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(01/18/05 4:11pm)
The word "color" describes a visual attribute of objects that results from the light they emit, transmit or reflect. Color used to refer to skin has divided and facilitated ignorance in the past as well as today. But another use of the noun "color" means interest, variety and intensity, which is what united Bloomington citizens Monday night in a community-wide celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.\nThe sounds of children singing, the intense harmony of a choir and the booming vibration of a hearty laugh were all part of the 2005 MLK Day commemoration, which began with a reception at the First United Methodist Church, 219 E. Fourth Street and ended with a speech by award-winning civil rights author and activist Constance Curry at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. Curry has been a noted civil rights activist for more than 40 years and was a friend of King's. She also has written books tracing the struggles of unsung heroes of the civil rights movement. Curry said she was inspired to become the civil rights leader that she is today while she attended IU. \n"Oddly enough, right here on campus was one big place of inspiration," Curry said. "I was at the Student Union in 1954 representing my school, Agnes Scott College, in a debate. One of the topics discussed was desegregation in higher education. This really opened my eyes, and my Irish parents taught me about justice, so six years later I became involved in the movement."\nOther features of the program were words from Rev. Bruce Rose, pastor of the Second Baptist Church, Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan and an introduction by IU President Adam Herbert. The ceremony also featured the smooth, angelic sounds of pieces composed by IU's own jazz professor David Baker and the powerful voices of the IU African American Choral Ensemble, as well as a local children's choir.\nThe theme of the event was "A day on, not a day off," and the ceremony not only celebrated how far the community has come in promoting true equality and diversity but also noted how far Bloomington has to go. \n"People need to remember Dr. King's legacy for both the justice and human rights of it," said Beverly Calender-Anderson, chairwoman of the Martin Luther King Holiday Commission. "Young people need to remember his legacy to find examples of standing up for themselves and fighting for justice."\nMayor Kruzan spoke out against forgetting King and the ongoing race problems that still harm the community. "'Out of sight, out of mind' is a threat to our community; recognizing injustice is the first step in stopping it," Kruzan said. "Every day should have the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. Day."\nOne example of youth involvement in the ceremony was Jonathan Piland, a student from Ivy Tech, who attended both the reception and ceremony. "I came out because I felt like I needed to know more about Martin Luther King," Piland said. "He fought for peace and freedom, and that's why I decided to spend today as a 'day on.'"\nDespite the celebratory atmosphere, all of the speakers at the event agreed there was still work to be done.\n"There is still a lot of racism, and people think the answer is in diversity, but that's usually where a big group of white people decides to include a Hispanic or black person," Curry said. "The real solution is people talking with each other, where we don't act like we control everything."\n-- Contact City & State Editor Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(01/12/05 6:51am)
Money saved by avoiding parking tickets is money earned, so students who enjoy nights out downtown should take note; new re-zoning might change the way they park. Parking overnight is no longer an option, unless students are willing to risk parking tickets.\nThe regulations, approved at a Bloomington Common Council meeting in July, began as soon as the ball dropped Jan. 1. Students are not the only ones affected by the changes. Area businesses have paid attention to the possible advantages and disadvantages, as well as law enforcement, who may be forced to keep a sharper watch as students attempt to find alternative routes home to avoid parking violations.\n"We've extended the two-hour limit from eight to five Monday through Friday to five to five Monday through Saturday in spots downtown," said Deputy Mayor James McNamara. \nHe added that a large block of downtown Bloomington is to be included in this re-zoning effort.\n"It varies from street to street, but it is roughly in the box of Walnut Street, 11th Street, Fourth Street and Rogers Street to the west," McNamara said. \nThere are exceptions to the changes in these areas, he said. Signs have been posted in the re-zoned areas that reflect the new regulations.\nMcNamara also said the changes were not to increase city revenue. The regulations were instead enacted to increase the availability of downtown parking for citizens. This could allow more turn-over of parking spaces, which enables a greater availability of parking downtown. The new regulations come on the heels of another major parking change downtown, the inclusion of 24/7 parking meters at the garage on Seventh and Walnut Streets as well as the garage at Seventh Street and College Avenue. \nLt. Jerry Minger of the IU Police Department is unsure whether the regulations could increase the drunk driving problem in Bloomington because students can't ditch their cars after a night of drinking, \n"It's hard to say at this point what kind of effect (the new regulations) will have," Minger said. "My gut feeling is that most of the people affected will be residents of the downtown area, and they already have parking garages at their apartments, so it won't change too much. But, just like with other new restrictions, we'll just have to see." \nIn terms of business, Liza Prall, an employee at Kilroy's Sports Bar, didn't think that the new parking re-zoning would have an effect on business, but the new 24/7 parking meters may. \n"I don't suppose it will really hurt or help, because most of our lunch crowd comes in between 12:30 and 1:30," Prall said. "Certainly, (the new 24/7 parking meters) are not good for business, because customers have to pay to park at all times." \nShe added that both changes in downtown parking could also impact employee's finding spaces to park during work. \nMatt Jessen, a bartender at Scotty's Brewhouse, expressed his displeasure for both new regulations. "Personally, I'm not so crazy about them because the 24/7 parking garage basically takes away from wages," Jessen said. "Now it's either use that, or risk getting fined." He also said that it could affect business in that people will leave the bar earlier because they can no longer park their cars downtown overnight.\n-- Contact City & State Editor Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(01/11/05 5:42am)
The Bloomington Plan Commission considered a new a potentially new student housing development in the downtown area Monday. The new development would 6.6 acres and would feature 99 multi-person units. It was proposed by Westwood Bloomington LLC. The development would be built on a plot at 300 W. 11th St.\nSome commission members discovered a few major -- yet fixable -- problems with Westwood's plan proposal. Other commission members had concerns that the proposal generally conflicted with Bloomington's own Growth Policy Plan, and possibly its Downtown Plan -- an infant idea still being developed.\n"If you look at the city growth policy plan, and what it says about mixed-use development, there are conflicts (with the proposal)," City planner Tom Micuda said. \nThe city growth policy plan, written and adopted in 2002, outlines Bloomington's goals for the next 25 years. One specific plan objective calls for developing mixed-use neighborhoods that offer social interaction as well as the option of neighborhood resources. A mixed-use neighborhood offers a variety of community services to Bloomington residents and IU students, such as dining opportunities, small business services and various housing options.\nThe plan also includes the goal of developing and maintaining a thriving city center that offers diverse housing accommodations, specialized shopping, community-centered activities and varying entertainment choices. \nCommission member Pat Williams said the new proposal for the new apartment development may conflict with provisions in the city's growth plan. \n"The plan calls for diversity in the downtown market," Williams said. "This proposal is another high-density apartment complex geared to students." \nWilliams also questioned how the development would impact existing businesses besides bars and restaurants.\nThe commission's main logistical concern is extending Morton St. further north to increase conductivity downtown, Micuda said. \nA Westwood representative said issues such as the conductivity problem would be resolved in a new plan for the development that would be turned in to the commission within the next 30 days.\nMicuda said it is unclear when the commission would rule on the development, but a decision may be made at the next commission meeting February 7.\n-- Contact City & State Editor Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu
(01/07/05 4:56am)
Streams swollen with snow-melt and creeks overflowing with brown rain water flooded several southern Indiana counties Wednesday and Thursday. The water consumed fields, basements and more than 20 county roads. \nFortunately for the residents of Monroe County, immediate responses by personnel from the Monroe County Emergency Management and the Monroe County Highway Department, combined with a several-hour lull of the rain, kept traffic accidents and traffic jam headaches to a minimum. \nIn other areas of the state, gusty thunderstorm winds coated a significant section of north-central Indiana with more than an inch of ice Thursday. The storm left more than 145,000 homes and businesses without electricity because of fallen tree limbs and damaged power lines.\nThe worst of the ice was concentrated in a stretch roughly from Lafayette to the Anderson and Muncie areas, while several inches of snow fell further north, The Associated Press reported.\nMeanwhile, a flood warning for Monroe County issued by the National Weather Service stated precipitation would be ending Thursday morning but roadways, rivers, streams and creeks could remain flooded. The warning advised drivers to be cautious, never drive through flooded roadways and never allow children to play in flood waters.\n"A problem I saw was a girl (who) got her car stuck in a lot of water on Anderson Road," said John Chambers, Monroe County Highway Department superintendent. "But she got out, thank goodness."\nThe flooding was a result of a snowy December and a wet beginning of January that left tributaries, rivers and lakes throughout central and southern Indiana saturated. Monroe County was bombarded with more than 18 inches of snow in December, according to a precipitation report compiled at IU's power plant, most of which was dumped on Bloomington during a snowstorm Dec. 22-23. \nThe same snowstorm was categorized as a blizzard throughout several Indiana counties aligning the Indiana and Ohio border, because more than 30 inches of snow collected in some Hoosier communities. As the snow melted from higher temperatures, rain fell during a five day period, causing the already rising water to create flood conditions. \nMore than four inches of rain fell between Jan. 1 and the morning of Jan. 6 in parts of Monroe County, according to a National Weather Service precipitation map.\nThe highway department knew about the possibility of flooding beforehand, and their first goal was making sure all of the flooded roads were closed to public traffic. \n"Our first order of business was ensuring public safety," Chambers said. "We had all of the roads with high water barricaded."\nAfter the crews finished this task, they proceeded to get as much water off the roads as possible. The crews used machines to clear culverts, and created channels for the water to drain off the road into ditches and sewers.\n"Most of the flooding was just water over roads, mostly in low lying areas," Chambers said.\nJohn Hooker III, director of Monroe County Emergency Management, said his agency was prepared for the worst, which enabled a quick response.\n"Usually the National Guard sends down 50 guardsmen and sandbags (in response to flooding)," Hooker said. "This time it was more pro-active, I gave them 8,000 sandbags, and they filled them and were ready this morning. They filled 11 army trucks and were on call to respond to flooding problems."\nAfter leaving Monroe County, Hooker said the guardsmen headed to Shelbyville and other towns east of Indianapolis to combat flooding there. Monroe County Emergency Management also had sandbags available for people to fill and use to prevent flooding at their homes, Hooker said. \n"We only had three people come in, and they only picked up six to 20 bags, so it wasn't anything too major," Hooker said.\nChambers said the flooding was already beginning to recede Thursday afternoon. He said the fact that Monroe County does not have a river is the main reason it was spared from major flooding.\n"The list of small tributaries overflowing has already been cut in half," Chambers said. "Every day it's going to be getting better. Thank goodness there are no rivers in the county. We are just dealing with creeks and small tributaries. In places like Owen County, they're saying the river isn't cresting until Saturday." \nMike Shartrain, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, said Monroe County's forecast in the coming days is dry. This will allow the water to return to non-flood stage levels. There is a small chance of rain tonight, but the forecast for the rest of the weekend should remain precipitation free.\nThe Associated Press contributed to this article.\n-- Contact City & State Editor Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(12/13/04 6:57am)
Indiana State Excise Police raided Axis Nightclub Wednesday night, netting 25 people on charges of minors loitering, which refers to being in a bar while underage. They also charged 18 of those 25 people with minor consumption. The Excise Police arrived at Axis at 11:45 p.m., after hearing complaints of underage drinking going on Wednesday nights, according to Excise Police reports. \nThe report estimated there were 35 to 40 patrons at the bar when police arrived. The bar had recently been renting out its premises Wednesday nights to sororities and fraternities, according to Excise reports. On the night of the incident, the bar was being used for an event involving the sorority Sigma Delta Tau.\nA member of the Excise Police said a copy of the police report was sent to the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission in Indianapolis as well as IU officials. \nIU Dean of Students Richard McKaig, who had yet to hear about the incident at press time, said the usual judicial process will always be followed in such circumstances. \n"We'll usually look at the information provided, and decide both individual and organizational culpability," McKaig said. "Once we decide if it was just individuals, or something the organization sponsored, we will figure out what kind of judicial action to take."\nMcKaig, who is also a member of the Monroe County Alcohol Beverage Board, said bars cited for allowing underage drinking by Excise Police face fines, as well as other possible sanctions. \nOfficers first write the bar a citation, then both parties negotiate the imposed fine, McKaig said. At the next alcohol license renewal, a notation is made on the application which can affect the bar's renewal process. \nThe event occurred in a year when the Panhellenic Association has been pushing sororities away from fraternity parties, and encouraging them to hold events involving alcohol at third-party vendors. If a sorority function at a fraternity involves alcohol, it violates national Panhellenic laws and national sorority chapter laws. While the ruling actually occurred in 1999, recently there has been an emphasis on complying with the rule, said Executive Vice President of Administration of the Panhellenic Association Colleen Corley.\n"A big part of it is that the (sorority) chapter presidents have decided they want to play by the rules and this has helped facilitate the change," said Sarah King, president of the Panhellenic Association. "These are not new rules. Fraternity parties should be dry. It is just a new effort to comply with the rules." \nKing added that the new push is for events involving alcohol, not dry fraternity events.\nThe reason for the push was mainly concerns over sorority liability, Corley said. \n"If (a sorority) has a function at a fraternity involving alcohol, it goes against national Panhellenic rules," she said. "Once a sorority violates one of these rules, it isn't covered by insurance, and members can be named in lawsuits. Functions being held at third-party vendors transfer the liability to the vendor instead of the sorority."\nBeyond the efforts by sorority chapter presidents, legislation has also been enacted by the Panhellenic Association. A new system is in place where sororities file grievances against other sororities that may be in violation of the national rule, Corley said. \nLast spring a change in the Social Responsibility Policy enabled a new, shared responsibility between offending fraternities and sororities if a function violates alcohol policies. This includes equal fines and responsibility for the function.\nA function is defined differently by each sorority chapter nationally, but generally includes whether the sorority used its funds for the party, and if the party was promoted within the sorority, Corley said.\nCorley also emphasized that the incident that occurred at Axis has nothing to do with the Panhellenic Association. It is between the police, Axis and the people who received violations, she said.\nAxis Nightclub and Sigma Delta Tau President Aliza Sinkinson could not be reached for comment by press time.\n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(12/09/04 5:27am)
It's tough to distinguish the small post-lunch crowd from employees on the clock at Upland Brewing Co., as both sets mingle around the bar swapping stories, gossiping and discussing beer. The customers are all on a first name basis with those behind the bar, contributing to the local feeling of the restaurant and brewery. The food is hot, the beer is cold, and the place has an overall feeling of community.\nThe same restaurant setting can be seen on Friday afternoons at the Bloomington Brewing Co., another craft brewery located in Bloomington. People are finishing their lunches over light-hearted conversation in the smaller, but equally friendly atmosphere of the Bloomington Brewery. A blond-haired man walks up to the bar and strikes up a conversation about the latest brew created and served at Bloomington Brewery, a java porter. The beer is a dark stout, with a smooth coffee taste and smell. The man's name is Floyd Rosenbaum, head brewer here, and he can talk all things beer for hours. \nAlthough the beer here costs much more than a Budweiser or Miller Lite, customers don't seem to flinch at the price.\nA growing group of consumers have gained a fascination with the flavorful intricacies of beer brewed by craft brewers. This change in consumer taste, combined with a desire for local affiliation, has led to a boom in the craft brewing industry nationwide. The industry has experienced steady growth since the late 1980s, although the late '90s saw large numbers of closings. \nCurrently there are about as many craft breweries closing as there are new ones opening, said Ed Herrmann, the brewmaster at Upland. Despite the number of closings, the volume of beer sold by craft breweries is still steadily growing by about 4 percent a year, he added. This means craft breweries with a sound business plan -- and with beer consumers crave -- have room to survive and grow nationwide. \nIn Bloomington, these two breweries are part of this surviving category, though they have very different business plans and goals, marketing strategies and future plans. \n"Comparing Bloomington Brewing Co. and Upland Brewing Co. is kind of like comparing apples to oranges," said Jeff Hamlin, chief operating officer of One World Enterprises, the company that owns Bloomington Brewing Co., and other restaurants in town.\n"We are classified as a brewpub, selling a large percentage of our beer in the actual brewery. Upland is considered a microbrewery, with a lot more outside sales," he said.\nThe tale of one of the breweries began in the '90s, when business partners at One World Industries became bored with their pizza business and began looking at the microbreweries popping up nationwide, Hamlin said. After petitioning the local legislature to change laws that prevented a company from brewing alcohol and distributing it on the same premises, Bloomington Brewing Co. moved into its current location on 10th Street. The brewpub was ready for business in December 1995. \n"It took us about three years to reach the levels of beer volume that we currently sell," Hamlin said, "but currently we aren't really trying to expand beer sales." \nBloomington Brewery sells about 50 percent of its total sales volume in the store, while the other half is sold to local bars and patrons in the form of kegs, Hamlin said. The Brewery does not bottle its beer because One World Industries does not plan to sell it outside of Bloomington.\nUpland has also experienced prolonged success since it opened in 1998, but has a very different business plan. Unlike Bloomington Brewery, Upland is set up as a microbrewery, meaning its equipment has the capacity to produce much larger quantities of the fermented beverage, Herrmann said. Until a few years ago, the brewery did not even have the restaurant it has now. The building simply housed the brewing equipment and a small tasting room for patrons to sample the beer. This capacity to produce more beer and consumer appreciation for the beer has allowed Upland's sales to grow at an average of over 20 percent a year. Last year alone brought a 50 percent growth in sales volume, Herrmann said. \nUpland distributes its beer across the entire state of Indiana and may eventually expand outside the state.\n"As soon as we can get ownership to buy a bigger tank farm, we could definitely expand our sales area," Herrmann said, "We've been at full capacity for the entire spring and summer, and we can't even fill all of our orders now." \nUpland sells only about 10 percent of its volume at the brewery, a stark contrast with the Bloomington Brewery. The rest is shipped out in bottles, kegs and jugs throughout Indiana.\nDespite the difference in business plans, both Upland and the Bloomington Brewery retain the local flavor that keeps consumers loyal. \nLocal ties, along with the company's flavorful beers, are what allow successful breweries to stay in business, Hamlin said.\n-- Contact City & State Editor Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(12/03/04 6:28am)
A high-speed car chase Thursday morning resulted in the arrest of Bloomington resident Marshall Bailey, 23, on charges of resisting law enforcement while fleeing in a vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident and operating while intoxicated, according to IU Police Department reports. \nThe chase began around 4 a.m. and officially ended around 6 a.m. after an hour-long search for Bailey in a wooded area following the pursuit, said IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger. The chase began at East 10th Street and ended in the 900 block of South Jordan Avenue when Bailey crashed his blue Audi into a cement post, wooden fence and a tree. He then left his car and hid in a wooded area by covering himself with leaves.\nThe pursuit reached speeds of more than 80 miles per hour on Jordan Avenue, and although his car was totaled, Bailey was not injured in the crash, according to IUPD reports. He refused a sobriety test and was taken to Monroe County Jail after his arrest. \nThe pursuit started when IUPD Officers David Winburn and Dan Keeler attempted to pull Bailey over after their radar indicated his Audi was traveling at 52 mph while traveling east on 10th Street, where the posted speed limit is 30 mph. The officers attempted to pull him over on East 10th, but instead of pulling over, he sped up. \n"We paced him at a safe distance," Winburn said. "We didn't want to get too close to his tail. I can't give an exact speed since we weren't right on his tail, but I know he exceeded 80 miles per hour. I would estimate he was traveling between 80 and 90 miles an hour."\nAlthough he blew through two traffic lights, there was no danger to the public because of the lack of cars on the road at that time, Winburn said.\nThe brief pursuit ended when Bailey crashed his Audi, which occurred after Winburn and Keeler lost sight of the car, so there were no eyewitnesses to the crash. \n"If you're traveling down South Jordan, and you get to Maxwell, the road ramps up slightly," Keeler said. "We found skid marks and oil drips on the road in that area. We think he probably bottomed out because of how fast he was going and then lost control of his car."\nMinger added that the scene of the accident looked bad, and Bailey was lucky he escaped injury. \n"The fence was splintered into pieces -- it was completely destroyed," Minger said. "He's lucky he didn't get impaled by the fence: Part of (the fence) came right through his front windshield."\nBailey then fled the scene, ran into a nearby wooded area and hid among the trees and leaves for around an hour before IUPD officers discovered him, Minger said. After an hour-long search, officers found him lying in the bushes near the wreck. An ambulance arrived at the scene, but Bailey had no visible injuries and refused any medical attention.\nHe also refused to take sobriety or chemical tests following his arrest. He was, however, charged with operating while intoxicated based on observations officers made at the scene.\n"Officers observed that he smelled strongly of alcoholic beverages and had poor dexterity," Minger said.\nBailey also told officers that he had been at a bar earlier in the night, according to IUPD reports.\n"There is some irony in cases like this," Minger said. "Lately there has been a lot of criticism about programs like Operation Pull Over, our efforts to catch impaired drivers. This is an example of the problem that we are trying to keep off the streets." \nBailey still was being held at Monroe County Jail at press time, a Monroe County Jail spokesman said. \n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(11/17/04 5:29am)
Last week anti-gay protesters exercised their right to free speech twice, convening near the law school Tuesday and in front of Franklin Hall Friday. Tuesday's protest featured slogans such as "AIDS cures fags," and "Christ is our only escape from hell," according to a Nov. 10 Indiana Daily Student article. \nThe protest Friday also featured signs people might have found objectionable, according to IU Police Department reports. Most of the protesters hailed from Old Paths Baptist Church in Campbellsburg, Ind. \nThese messages were met by counter-protests led by Bloomington United and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender representatives and supporters both Tuesday and Friday. These confrontations led to the arrest of one of the counter-protestors on Friday, according to IUPD reports. Senior Andrew Allred was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct in connection with the Friday protests. \n"These groups that come to IU to protest are usually very cooperative and are just trying to get as much attention as possible," said IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger. "It was actually a person who was opposed to their message who was arrested for an altercation with one of the protestors. I think he may have grabbed a sign from one of the protestors and tried to hit him with it." \nThis string of protests on campus have the GLBT Student Support Services office coordinating with other student groups on campus to formulate a concentrated response to the incidents, as well as to give students advice about how to handle themselves when responding to members of Old Paths Baptist Church. They also have IUPD ready to respond if the protests cause disruptions or are carried out in areas other than those designated by the University as a free speech zone. \n"We had incidents like these a year ago during the summer," said Doug Bauder, coordinator of the GLBT office. "We ran a program called 'Make Every Minute Count,' and it encouraged students not to pay attention or argue with the protestors. As part of the program, people would pledge money for every minute they were in town, for the amount of hate the protestors were bringing. We are going to be meeting with Bloomington United and other groups to determine if we will run that program again or come up with another one." \nBauder also circulated an e-mail to those on the GLBT office's e-mail list that gave potential demonstrators information on counter-protest behavior. \n"Basically I tell people that one choice they have is to ignore them," Bauder said. "If they come and no one pays attention, they'll leave a lot faster."\nFor those who feel the need to confront the protesters, however, he emphasized the need to keep a cool head.\n"They know how to push people's buttons and are very savvy," Bauder said. "If they get in your face and you happen to push them with a finger, they won't hesitate to press charges, so it's important to keep cool."\nIUPD also must be prepared to respond to protests so participants do not disturb the learning environment at IU, impede traffic flow or stray from designated free speech areas such as Dunn Meadow, Minger said.\n"We endorse the ability to dissent and demonstrate -- that's what college is all about, a free expression of ideas," Minger said. "We just need to make sure the manner and location of the protest doesn't disturb the educational goals of the University."\nSuch disturbances have taken place in the past when people have set up protests in the grassy area between Ballantine and Woodburn Halls. These protests become a problem because of their proximity to classrooms; the arguments and screaming the protests often generate have disturbed professors trying to teach in the past, Minger said. \nMinger added that IUPD these demonstrators are asked by IUPD to move to a designated free speech area on campus or to leave campus. If they don't leave, they can be arrested for trespassing, but such arrests have not occurred recently.\n"People are allowed to set up and voice whatever opinions they want at any free speech location on campus," Minger said. \n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(11/12/04 6:12am)
An IU student was charged with six counts of felony class B sexual battery Wednesday. Khalid Fahad Hejab was arrested on a charge of larceny Monday night and taken to Monroe County Jail, where he remained until Thursday. Hejab, a resident of Forest Quad, was charged separately in the two cases because each set of charges was the result of a different IU Police Department investigation. \nThe larceny charge was a result of Hejab's suspected involvement in a theft from a dorm room inside Forest Monday. \nThe case began Monday with a call to IUPD dispatch informing officers of a theft of blankets and clothes from the room of a Forest resident. When officers went to talk to Hejab, who was a suspect in the case, they saw the stolen blankets and clothes in his room, and promptly arrested him on a charge of felony class B larceny, IUPD reports said. \nThe six counts of sexual battery, however, were the result of a longer investigation that had been going on since Nov. 5, IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said. The charges began with a complaint that Hejab had "rudely" touched a female resident of Forest. \n"As the investigation went along, more and more incidents began turning up," Minger said. "We were having women coming forward. One said he had grabbed her breast in the lounge, another said he had grabbed her buttocks in the elevator, and another said he had tried to kiss her while improperly touching her." \nMost of the alleged incidents happened in late October, IUPD reports said. The final and sixth count of sexual battery was the result of the complaint filed Nov. 5 that began the investigation.\n"These circumstances have happened in the past, where individuals don't come forward because they are not aware that others have been victimized by the suspect," Minger said.\nIUPD reports indicate Hejab is a citizen of Saudi Arabia but is attending school at IU.\nMinger said Hejab could be facing jail time or even deportation depending on what happens in court.\nHejab was bonded out of jail around 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon, a Monroe County Jail spokesman said.\n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(11/09/04 6:11am)
A "flash" in the chemistry building Monday resulted in the hospitalization of Michael Ingleson, a post-doctoral student, for second degree burns. The flash caused heavy blistering on the skin of the part of Ingleson's arms that was not covered by his gloves and short sleeve shirt, according to IU Police Department reports.\nThe gloves melted to his hands, said IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger. Ingleson also suffered flash burns on the parts of his neck not covered by the collar of his shirt and some burns on the face. \nHe did not suffer any hearing or vision damage.\nPolice cars, ambulances and fire trucks were called to the scene at 9:57 a.m. The incident occurred in Chemistry A230. The building was not evacuated.\n"The hospital told us he was treated and released," Minger said. A spokeswoman at Bloomington Hospital said Ingleson was not in the hospital at 4:40 p.m.\nThe reason for the "flash" was probably an equipment malfunction, but no one was sure exactly what went wrong, said Jack Baker, director of facilities at the IU Chemistry Building. \n"He was working at one of the solvent hoods, where we keep stills of solvents," Baker said. "The solvent probably came out of the hood through a faulty fitting, or partially opened valve; It was an escape of vapor. The air outside of the hood was above the vapor's flash point, so when it hit the air it flashed, and (Ingleson) was in the middle of the flash." \nThe still of the chemical itself was not ignited, Baker said.\nThe chemical that caused the explosion is called pentane, according to IUPD reports. The chemical pentane is considered highly flammable in both its liquid and vapor form according to a Material Safety Data Sheet at www.jtbaker.com. It also warns that the vapor can cause a flash fire. It is a colorless liquid or vapor, with a mild gasoline-like smell.\nAlthough the burns were severe, they were minimized because Ingleson was wearing all of his safety equipment when the incident happened, Baker said.\nThe IU Chemistry department will respond with an investigation into what happened, Baker said.\n"We will be looking at the still to find out if the flash was caused by a fitting or a partially opened valve," Baker said.\nThere was another minor explosion which caused the evacuation of the chemistry building Nov. 11, 1998, according to a Nov. 12, 1998 Indiana Daily Student article.\n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(11/02/04 5:31am)
With a shotgun in hand, IU Police Department Lt. Jerry Minger waits in the garage for hours with his team, concealed by the darkness. It is his first mission as part of the Critical Incident Response Team, which uses most of the same training as a SWAT team. \nThe man who owns the garage is heavily armed, and the night before, he took his wife hostage. She escaped the house earlier in the night, when her husband passed out momentarily from intoxication. The CIRT has been informed that he is leaving for a gun show in the morning, and they wait in the garage to take him by surprise. \n"You could only see our eyes; we were covered entirely in black," Minger said. "He was so surprised when he walked into that garage."\nThe black swarm quickly disarmed the man, who later could not believe he had been busted by a team featuring university police. \n"It's typical," Minger said. "People look at university police as kiddy cops, or glorified babysitters, but we deal with all manners of crime here."\nA member of the first incident response team in the county is just one of the many positions Minger has held during his more than 30 years of experience with IUPD. Although he no longer conducts high-risk CIRT missions, Minger's "alter ego" outside IUPD still provides him with plenty of thrills. When not acting as IUPD's Technical Service Coordinator or spending time with his family, Minger plays guitar and banjo for Justin Case, a bluegrass/classic rock band.\nMinger's career in music actually began long before his interest in police work took hold. He has played guitar since age 14 and actually began college in Vincennes with plans to become an elementary school music teacher, Minger said. He later moved to Bloomington, where he decided to enroll in the IU Police Academy in 1972.\n"After I moved to Bloomington, I realized this community was where I wanted to stay," Minger said. "I wasn't sure about the job prospects in the elementary music field, so I decided a great way to stay in the community and work was police work."\nDespite changing his career from music to police work, Minger kept playing guitar and singing. His music career includes a stint playing guitar in Bobby Helms' backup band. Helms is most known for writing the song "Jingle Bell Rock."\nMinger also played for a band called Route 37 before becoming part of Justin Case, which is the band he has played in for the last 16 years.\nIUPD Detective Greg McClure, one of Minger's colleagues, has seen a few of Justin Case's shows. \n"They're pretty good," McClure said, "and they definitely keep working (to get better)."\nJustin Case frequently plays at the Port Hole Inn on Lake Lemon. The band is usually scheduled every other weekend during the summer and about once a month when things slow down in the winter, said Karen Hollcraft, an employee at the Port Hole Inn. She added that the regular crowd around Lake Lemon always shows up for Justin Case's gigs, while the band also brings a crowd that includes family, friends and colleagues.\n"They're great," Hollcraft said. "They joke around with the crowd and get everyone going. I really enjoy them."\n-- Contact staff writer Mike \nWilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(10/27/04 5:47am)
If turnout for the anti-Bush rally Tuesday was lower than expected because of the rain, the noise and enthusiasm of the crowd was not. \nAs the rain poured down, a group of about 40 or 50 protestors at the Sample Gates yelled, chanted, passed out pamphlets and encouraged the cars driving by to honk against Bush. The protestors later marched down Kirkwood Avenue, chanting anti-Bush rants en route to the Monroe County Courthouse.\nAmidst the chants of "one more week" and "Bush lied, thousands died" were yells from cars driving by on Indiana Avenue, with a passenger shouting "Go W." \nOne sport utility vehicle full of people drove up and the passengers flashed "W" signs by crossing their middle and ring finger, which resulted in a "Bush sucks" shout from some of the protestors. \nResponses from passers-by were also positive, with people blasting their horns in appreciation of the "Honk against Bush" signs spread throughout the crowd.\nThe demonstration was organized by junior Sean Leffer, who used www.thefacebook.com and word of mouth to get the message out about the rally. \n"My goal is to give people a chance to show the reason they are personally against Bush," Leffer said. \nSigns dealing with the War in Iraq, the proposed gay marriage ban and the economy were displayed by protestors. The crowd was mostly made up of students, along with other members of the Bloomington community. \n"I just started an anti-Bush forum on www.facebook.com," Leffer said, "and the number of responses I got made me realize that a lot of people around here had anti-Bush views."\nOne participant who braved the rain to protest Bush was senior Jillian Horn. \n"It just shows how much we think we need change; even in the rain, we got out here," she said. \nWithout the luxury of an umbrella, Horn held up part of a large sheet that had "George Bush, he just doesn't get it," painted on it. \n"It's just like the postal service," said Bloomington resident Frank Harrison, "I'll be here if it rains, shines or sleets. Bush just needs to get out of office."\nFreshman Whitaker Blackall, who held a sign protesting a ban on gay marriage, said he came out for a variety of reasons but gay marriage was one of the main causes.\n"It really bothers me; it's ridiculous," Blackall said, "If two people love each other, there is no reason they should not be allowed to marry." \nAlthough he was not sure how big of an impact the protest would have, he still came out. \n"It probably won't make a big difference. It's just one corner, and I don't even know if it will change one person's vote," he said. "If no one does it, though, these views just won't get out."\n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(10/22/04 6:19am)
A dire warning about the possibility of a security breach in a Citibank checking account screams for action in a student's e-mail account. After reading the contents in the official-looking e-mail, he is directed to a Web site that looks exactly like an official bank site, down to the domain name. \nThe e-mail says he needs to immediately fill out a form with all his account information, including his social security number, or the account might be breached and looted by hackers. In a panic, he quickly fills out the forms online with all of the personal information requested. The next day, he goes to his ATM and finds it completely empty, all his money taken by international con-men.\nThis is a scenario that is happening both at IU and nationwide with more and more frequency, said IU Police Department Detective Greg McClure. This example is the latest in a series of "phishing" e-mails that find their way into students' e-mail boxes daily. \n"The Web sites look really real and professional," McClure said. "They just send tons of these e-mails out hoping someone has an account at the particular bank they are claiming to be. Then, once they get the information they're looking for, they clean out the victim's account, or even take out credit cards in their names." \nOne IU student victim recently filled out the information the site asked for and found his bank account completely empty the next day, McClure said. \nAn IU researcher has taken an interest in both the frequency and sophistication of these phishing attacks, and has come up with some alarming scenarios, according to a statement. Informatics Associate Professor Markus Jakobsson's report was recently cited by Howard Schmidt, chief information security officer for eBay, Inc., in front of a U.S. Congressional Subcommittee, according to the release. \nIn the scenarios Jakobsson outlines a variety of new, more personalized attacks that have yet to be used by con-men, but could very well be in the works. Even without these personal phishing attacks, the e-mails being sent out are still taking people's hard-earned cash, including the money of many IU students. \n"Phishing is getting more and more prevalent," Jakobsson said, "and more aggressive." \nIUPD itself isn't immune to attacks.\n"I even receive those in my IUPD account," said IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger, who is astonished at the amount of these e-mails he has seen.\nThe scenarios detailing context-based attacks include the possibility of "phishers" pretending to be a victim's friend, business associate or family member in an e-mail. The message will state that the victim needs to fill out personal information on a Web site, and because the message is coming from someone the victim trusts, it will have a much higher success rate. The phisher can find personal information such as names of spouses, friends and business partners through networking Web sites, Jakobsson said. \nAlthough it is hard to say when these context-aware attacks could start, there has already been a lot of progress in the sophistication of phishing attacks. \n"The old ones didn't spoof people as well, or at all," Jakobsson said. "Some old ones had spelling errors. New ones are done by professionals." \nVictims of these phishing attacks also will find it hard to recover their money, as most of their accounts are accessed overseas, McClure said. Once the money leaves the United States, there is nothing local or state police can do because of jurisdiction issues, McClure said. The only hope the victim has of catching these thieves is the Secret Service, which investigates thousands of such incidents.\n-- Contact staff writer Mike \nWilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(10/08/04 5:34am)
IU graduate student Tom Verhovshek pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance in Indianapolis Southern Federal District Court Wednesday, said a District Court spokeswoman. \nVerhovshek could face between 10 years to life in prison for his role in a national heroin distribution ring.\nThe charge stemmed from a Bloomington Police Department/Drug Enforcement Agency investigation in which Verhovshek was allegedly found to be part of the ring, BPD Police Capt. Joe Qualters said. \nThe court accepted the plea, and Verhovshek was released on his own recognizance, according to District Court records. He has not been sentenced but will receive a sentencing date after investigations are completed, according to an attendant at the Federal District Clerk's office.\nVerhovshek was not distributing the heroin nationwide but was alleged to be part of a distribution ring that included Illinois and Ohio. Qualters said Verhovshek was the supplier for the group in this area. The graduate student was pursuing a doctoral degree in psychology with an emphasis in neuroscience.\n"We estimate he was moving five to six grams of heroin a week in Bloomington," Qualters said. \nThat amount of heroin equals about 50 to 60 doses a week.\nBPD began investigating Verhovshek in February of 2003 after receiving a tip from a confidential informant. The investigation ran until May of 2003, Qualters said. BPD asked the DEA to help out in the investigation after the scope of the investigation began to broaden. \n"The DEA's involvement in the case began when our detective determined that this was a multi-state operation," Qualters said. "We then provided them with our information and began working with them. It is important for us to utilize the additional resources they offer when conducting these types of investigations."\nOnce the case was under DEA jurisdiction, several arrests were made in the case, but no other arrests were made in Bloomington, Qualters said.\nVerhovshek was charged under title 21 section 846 of U.S. Federal Code and is not eligible for parole because of federal sentencing guidelines created in the 1980s.\n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.
(10/07/04 6:19am)
Alpha Epsilon Pi was placed on social probation for an incident concerning a party which the Dean of Students was called to investigate at a hearing Tuesday, said an AEPi brother who wished to remain anonymous.\nSocial probation restricts a chapter from participating in officially sponsored campus events, such as dances and parties, said Dean of Students Richard McKaig, although he had yet to be informed of the ruling by press time.\n"It means we are not going to be able to pair for our Homecoming," said AEPi President, junior Nathan Schiller. "(The judgement is) a major blow to our character and our reputation on campus." \nSchiller also emphasized AEPi accounting for its actions, and for the most part, agreed with the decision for probation. \n"We take responsibility for our actions, and we believe we deserve social probation until the end of this first semester," Schiller said. "But we were sanctioned until March 1, contingent upon compliance with some other self-imposed sanctions. AEPi will not be appealing the decision."\nThe source inside AEPi expounded the reasons for the hearing and probation. \n"The ruling was concerning the fact that the Dean was called to our house," he said. "Given our history, the ruling was to decide what type of probation to put us on."\nThe incident that spread the hearing occurred in the early morning hours of Friday, Sept. 3. The IU Police Department arrived at the AEPi house at 3:24 a.m. after students stopped for underage drinking earlier in the night reported they had been served alcohol at the house, according to a Sept. 6 article in the Indiana Daily Student. \nThe officers at the scene observed plastic cups scattered in the yard in front of the house at 1412 N. Jordan Ave., along with a large pool of vomit next to a vehicle. The officers also noticed the smell of beer and a wet floor inside the house.\n"It basically looked like a party ... with cups lying about and a wet floor," McKaig said in the article, "But when we got there, it was mostly just people who lived in the house that were there."\nThe IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct states that the University may discipline a student for the use or possession of alcoholic beverages in any undergraduate residence supervised by the University, include fraternity and sorority houses.\n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mwhilson@indiana.edu .
(10/06/04 5:47am)
The IU Police Department will be receiving a new, updated radio dispatch system worth nearly $300,000 from funds provided by part two of the State Homeland Security Grant Program-2003. The funds were allocated to the state of Indiana, which were then allocated to, among others, Monroe County Emergency Management, which made the decision to fund the project.\nThe new equipment has already been ordered and will hopefully be installed by the end of October or beginning of November, said IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger. \nThe new equipment was needed to replace IUPD's aging dispatch system, which acts as a backup to the Monroe County Central Dispatch located in the Bloomington Police Department, said Director of Monroe County Emergency Management John Hooker III.\n"The IUPD dispatch is currently operating in the dark ages," Hooker said. "We decided IUPD needed to go into the 21st century." \nHooker added that their decision to use the funds to buy the equipment was based on the frequency of use of the current equipment, as well as the importance of having a good backup to the Monroe County Central Dispatch. \n"We didn't want to spend the money on something that would just sit on the shelf," Hooker said. "We wanted to fund things that get a lot of use." \nThe grant specifies the money be used for the protection of both the public and private central infrastructure, and this new dispatch system is part of that infrastructure.\nThe new equipment, which will consist of a higher radio tower, base radio equipment that operates at 800 Megahertz, and eventually, handheld 800 Mhz radios will bring IUPD dispatch to the same technological level as central dispatch in the BPD. This will allow IUPD to easily take over the emergency county dispatch if there are problems with the central dispatch, Minger said. \nAlthough the IUPD dispatch system is currently functional as a backup system, it requires a lot of extra effort. \n"It's the difference between doing something manually or something automatically," Minger said. "If we need to get in touch with the fire department, for example, we need to manually pick up the phone and call. With the new system, the call will automatically be made through the radio to the fire department."\nMinger added that the new system could also be used for seamless University and statewide communication. "For example, if the whole University decides to switch to the new system, it would allow us to easily radio building services if we needed to get in touch with them," Minger said. \nMinger also said the equipment will allow IUPD to communicate statewide in case of an emergency. \n"If there was an emergency and we had to get a hold of police in Fort Wayne, the new system would allow us to easily do it," Minger said. \n-- Contact staff writer Mike Wilson at mhwilson@indiana.edu.