Region

City hopes to increase wastewater connection fees

The city's utility department is looking to scare up more revenue to hold down sewer service rates. So officials are proposing increases in wastewater connection and stormwater fees. The Bloomington Utilities Department held a three-hour Utilities Service Board meeting on the plan Monday evening, outlining their intentions. City hall supports the plan -- Bloomington Mayor John Fernandez said the proposal was a matter of "fairness and equity" for all utilities customers. But critics contend the proposed hikes will hinder development and growth.

Strains on Kabul residents run deep

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The television tower lies toppled on its hill, felled by aerial bombing. Not that it matters much to people in Kabul. Their Taliban rulers long ago banned television as part of their rigid Islamic program. Tanker trucks are spread throughout the city, apparently to disperse the Taliban's oil supplies away from the fuel depots that are on the list of bombing targets.

The hunter and the hunted

There is something very special going on at Collins Living-Learning Center. It is a test of endurance, strategy and courage. It is "The Game." You might be asking yourself what "Game" is taking place at Collins.

Following Bloomington's Final Four craze

IDS reporter Elise LeBlanc traveled the town on the eve of IU's biggest victory since 1992. She encountered "alumni losers," athletic exhibitionists and beloved police officers. This is what she saw.

Parking attendants just doing their job

I normally don't respond to columns in the IDS, but after reading James Boyd's column on March 29, entitled "Fight the evil Parking Operations power," I feel I have to share my thoughts.

Israel agrees to halt Arafat seige

JERUSALEM -- Israel and the Palestinians agreed Sunday to accept a U.S. proposal that would place six wanted men in a Palestinian jail under the watchful eyes of American and British guards -- a deal that would end the month-old Israeli siege of Yasser Arafat's West Bank headquarters and enable the Palestinian leader to travel freely for the first time since December.

Local libertarians discuss alternatives to war

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, people are just beginning to piece their lives back together. The next step and part of the healing process for some is finding a way to help prevent terrorism in the future.

Big Ten Championship advances 4 wrestlers

The Hoosier wrestlers finished the second day at the Big Ten Championship in the same place they entered. IU finished in 10th place with 48 points.

IU on Display

They're out. They're everywhere. They're on spring break and invading IU's campus. They're getting prolonged stares and numerous smirks from students who've done it before and would prefer not to do it again. Campus tour groups. "We get catcalls and honked at all the time," junior Brett Armstrong said. "Sometimes my friends will join the back of the tour group and start asking me questions like 'what time is it?'"

This Weekend's Calendar Events

Attack paralyzes, stuns New York

The terrorist attack at the World Trade Center shut down vast stretches of New York on Tuesday, stranding millions of people in their homes, offices and on the streets. Many could not get home or reach loved ones by phone.

Davis becomes favorite among national media

ATLANTA -- It's hard not to like a guy as easygoing as Mike Davis. And for the national media that got to know him for the first time in Atlanta this weekend, it would be an understatement to say that they fell in love with him.

Alumni president dies

Whenever it came time for an important alumni event, IU Alumni Association President Jerry Tardy would gather Alumni Association employees together and give a speech about making sure the event was done right. Although John Hobson, senior vice president of the Alumni Association, said Tardy didn't often define "doing it right," Hobson always knew what he meant. Each event had to follow Tardy's example: to make all alumni feel a part of IU, and that the campus -- particularly the Virgil T. DeVault Alumni Center -- was a second home.

Hoosiers finish with win

The women's soccer team ended its season this weekend with two dramatic games, including a farewell to three seniors who have been heavy contributors to the Hoosiers program during the last four seasons.

Juneteenth celebrates culture, freedom

More than 500 people crowded Bryan Park Saturday to celebrate Juneteenth, the day triumphant Union forces arrived in Texas to announce the emancipation of all slaves.

Yiddish research educates

Assistant Director of the II Pitigliani Jewish Community Center in Rome Laura Mincer accomplished two personal milestones this week. Not only did she venture to Bloomington for the first time, but her visit also marked the first time she set foot in the United States.

Living abroad amid tragedy

Last semester, I decided that I wanted to study abroad. After filling out massive amounts of paperwork, sending transcripts, and picking out classes, I prepared myself for what I knew would be the best experience of my life. I headed for London Sept. 9, and found myself mixed in with nearly 100 other American students from all throughout the United States. I had been here for nearly a day when tragedy struck back home. As I was walking back to my flat, I noticed that crowds of people were gathered around the nearest televisions. I couldn't believe my eyes. The first plane hit, and then another, and then the World Trade Center towers collapsed.

To Serve and Protect

The harsh snapping of latex gloves echoes down the hallway of McNutt Quad, causing the man slumped miserably on the floor to wince. A male IU student has signed a search warrant for his side of the dorm room. Part-time police officers and seniors Eric Mayo and Nick Ojeda are going to search for any contraband.

'Unfaithful:' Emotions to the extreme

Nelly to kick off Little 500 events

People who like the city of St. Louis, speak country grammar and believe the key to everything must be the money, are probably anticipating the arrival of Nelly today at the IU Auditorium. "I can't wait to see Nelly. I'm a big fan of his; his music just gets me so hyped!" freshman Dawn Brooks said. Nelly, also known as Cornell Haynes Jr., is from St. Louis and represents his city in almost all his work. Nelly was first a member of a rap group called the St. Lunatics. The group never received a record deal, so Nelly decided to go solo. Four years later, he had a smash hit with the single "Country Grammar."