The Optimist, the student newspaper at Bloomington High School South, is raising money to help pay for its website. The service costs about $1,100 a year, and the paper hopes to raise enough to cover more than one year.
The yearly fee goes to School Newspapers Online. It covers the site, an app, tech support, and hundreds of journalism lessons written for teen news staffs. If local student journalism matters to you, a gift of any size helps.
115 years of student reporting
The Optimist has been South’s newspaper since 1911. Its student journalists publish news, features, sports and opinion online every day, and they print an edition once per trimester. With print that infrequent, the website is where most of their work reaches readers.
Recent stories include the marching band’s regional win, three South students named Lilly Community Foundation Scholarship finalists, and whether high caffeine is healthy for teens. We also carry The Optimist’s headlines on our Bloomington news hub, alongside other local outlets.
The paper is part of local history too. The Monroe County History Center keeps issues dating back to 1923 in its research library.
Your donation goes to The Optimist, not to Bloomington Online. We are sharing this because student journalists are part of how our community stays informed.
This morning I made a trip into the city to meet Andrew Lambert, the consultant behind Lambert Consulting and the host of the Mind Yo' Business podcast, and show him what I built on Bloomington Online over the last three days. He pulled up his own business listing in our directory. It was there, but it was nearly blank. This post is a thank-you to Andrew for the work he does in our community, and an account of how we fixed his listing and then rebuilt the south side of the Courthouse Square from a pile of photographs.
Andrew started his advertising agency in 2010 and launched the Mind Yo' Business podcast in 2017. Lambert Consulting helps owners with traditional marketing, digital advertising, websites and hosting, and one-to-one consulting. The podcast has run for nine seasons and is often recorded live in front of an audience at Morgenstern Books on South Auto Mall Road. Season 9 this year has included conversations with Brian Dorsey of Meineke Car Care Centers, the team at Brightside Cafe, Jordan Davis on food and festivals in Bloomington, and Kaytee Lorentzen on the Chamber of Commerce.
The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce profiled him in April as part of its Small Business Series. It describes a former professor and stand-up comedian who wanted interviews to feel like a real conversation, with very few scripted questions and room for the mistakes and pivots that most people leave out. His idea of being "selflessly selfish" is that you can chase your own success as long as you create value for the people around you, and his advice to people starting out is to be real, stay flexible and take action.
He also gives back. On his own site Andrew says he served as Marketing Director and then President of the Monroe County Autism Foundation, founded in 2011, and as an advisor and contributor to the Katie and Victor Root New Hope Scholarship at Ivy Tech Community College, which helps adult learners return to school. He is the author of Be the Lime: An Insider's Guide to College.
If you own a business in Bloomington and you haven't heard the show, start with the episodes. If you need help with your marketing or your website, he is a good person to call.
Andrew's listing in the Bloomington Online directory today.
The blank listing
When Andrew looked himself up in our directory, he found a one-line placeholder that had been generated automatically when the directory was first filled in. That is the kind of thing I have been cleaning up all week, and it was a good reminder of how many businesses are in the same position. So we fixed it. I opened Claude Code in the Terminal, told it whose listing to improve, and it read his website and the sources about him, then wrote the description, added his logo, set the categories and tags, and corrected his website address. Every sentence in it traces to something he or a reputable source has published, and the old text is backed up. His podcast's listing, which was also a placeholder, was rewritten the same way and moved to the media category where it belongs.
That is the whole method. I describe the job in plain English, the assistant does the research and the typing, and I decide what goes on the site. A written note, a link, or a photograph is enough to get it started.
From eighteen photographs to a courthouse
The part of the demonstration I enjoyed most was the photographs. The previous version of the courthouse in Bloomington 3D had a copper-green dome and a front with steps up to the doors. It was a fair miniature, but it was a guess. So I walked around the Courthouse Square and took eighteen photos: the south front, the stairs, the flower beds, the plaques, the stores across Kirkwood Avenue, and the fish on top. I gave them to Claude Code and asked it to make the model match.
The south front of the courthouse, in my photo and in Bloomington 3D.
The photos corrected the model right away. The real courthouse has no steps at its doors. The long flight of stone steps with cheek walls and green lamp posts is down at the street, and a concrete walk crosses the lawn from there. The dome is dark and ribbed, with a clock on each face of the tower and an ornate crown at the top. The model now follows all of that, along with the lettering on the building, the "Anno Domini" panel, and the group of limestone figures over the entrance.
The Courthouse Square before and after.
The details on the lawn
The photos also showed what is on the lawn, and all of it is in the map now. A state historical marker stands beside the walk with its text about the 1818 log cabin and the brick courthouse that stood here until 1906. There is the Women in Government Plaza, with its stone benches and the block carved "Sophia," and a stone marking the Center of Population. A limestone memorial to county commissioner Warren Henegar, dedicated in 2013, carries its plaque and the words "Make me an instrument of Your peace." A tall war memorial topped by a soldier stands on the south lawn. The beds along the walk are full of orange and red flowers with blue salvia.
The steps at Kirkwood Avenue, with the lamp posts, rails and flower beds.
And the fish. Its weathervane is a long slim fish with a forked tail on a pole with four arrow-tipped arms, and the dome beneath it ends in a crown of leaves and scrolls. The old model had a plump fish on a lantern, so we rebuilt it. The fish swings slowly on its pole, as a weathervane should.
The weathervane on top of the courthouse, in my photo and in the model.
Across Kirkwood Avenue
The storefronts were next. The old map had a single long brick building across from the courthouse. In reality it is six, each with its own color and character, so each one got its own front: the white building with blue-trimmed arched windows and the cream one beside it over Andrew Davis menswear and formalwear, a narrow red-brick building, the cream building with the teal cornice over Mirth and its "Browse the shops inside" sign, the tall limestone Fountain Square building with its black awning, O'Child and #skullznbunniez, and the limestone building with the oriel windows over Tivoli Fashions.
The stores across Kirkwood Avenue before and after.
These are still miniatures. The shapes and colors come from photographs taken from the lawn, so they are close but not exact, and the buildings along the rest of the Square are next.
How it works, in case you want to try it
I take photographs or write down what I want, and I put them in the Terminal where Claude Code is running.
It reads them, writes the code or the listing, and renders the result in a browser so it can check its own work.
I look at what it made, point out what's wrong, and it fixes it. Every change has a backup, so anything can be undone.
The listings follow a rule: no fact goes in unless it comes from a source I can point to.
AI makes mistakes, and today's first attempt put steps at the courthouse doors because that seemed reasonable. Photographs are what fixed it, and they are what I'd ask you for if you'd like your own business or building to look right on the map.
Visit, and say hello
Open Bloomington 3D and walk up to the courthouse from Kirkwood Avenue. Then look up Lambert Consulting and the Mind Yo' Business podcast in the directory. If you own a business, make sure your listing is correct. If it is not in the directory yet, let me know and I will add it. Thank you, Andrew, for the time and for the good work you do for Bloomington.
Bloomington Online has been a quiet fixture of local life for more than twenty years. Lately it has been growing again, so this feels like a good moment to look back at how it started, share what we have been building, and talk about where we hope to take it. If you want the fuller story, our new About page covers it too.
Where it started
Bloomington Online has been part of the local web since 2003. For much of that time it was the work of one person, Dale Staton, who built it by hand into something impressive and technically complex.
Dale Staton built Bloomington Online and spent years documenting Bloomington through his camera.
Dale put himself into the site the way he put himself into everything he cared about: photography, staying close to people, and showing up at community events all over town. When the time came to pass it on, we met at a local Starbucks and he walked through everything he had made. It was remarkable, and we were glad to help keep it alive and growing.
Where we are today
Over the past year we rebuilt Bloomington Online on a modern platform and added a lot to it. A few of the pieces you can explore right now:
Practical resources like local jobs, obituaries, and public safety information.
The goal behind all of it is simple. Give residents a reliable home base for local life, and give local organizations a place to be found.
Update, October 2026: we’ve added Bloomington 3D, an explorable 3D model of the town with every business in the directory on its building. Read how we built it.
What we hope to accomplish
We want Bloomington Online to keep getting more useful, and more local, over time. Some of what we are working toward:
Growing the directory so more of Bloomington’s businesses and nonprofits are represented.
Keeping local news and events current and easy to scan.
Adding more community photos, stories, and resources.
Welcoming neighbors who want to help, whether that is sharing an event, suggesting a listing, or lending a hand.
We would also love your input on what would make the site more valuable to you. You can always make a suggestion.
A community effort
Bloomington Online is community supported. It is not a nonprofit, so contributions are not tax deductible, but they are what keep it running: hosting, upkeep, and the news aggregation that keeps headlines flowing. If the site is useful to you, you can help keep it going on our support page.
More than anything, this is a thank you. To Dale, for building something worth carrying forward. And to everyone in Bloomington who uses the site, adds to it, and helps it grow.
A confirmed tornado touched down in Bloomington, Indiana on the night of February 19, 2026, carving a path of destruction across the west side of the city and into residential neighborhoods including Fieldstone and Stonechase. No fatalities have been reported, but property damage is extensive.
The storm moved through with sustained winds exceeding 60 miles per hour. In the Fieldstone neighborhood, entire roofs were lifted from homes, gutters and siding were stripped, trees were damaged, and outdoor furniture was scattered across yards. Debris was reported throughout the area, and the damage extended well beyond individual streets.
This reporter and family are among those affected. While our family is safe, we sustained roof and gutter damage, a downed backyard tree, and lost outdoor furniture. Our neighbor’s home was among the hardest hit on our street, with their roof completely gone and garage door destroyed.
A neighbor’s home in Bloomington’s Fieldstone neighborhood shows the aftermath of a tornado that struck the west side of the city on the night of February 19, 2026. The roof is missing and the garage door was completely destroyed. Photo: Dave Martin / BloomingtonOnline.com
Fifth Third Bank and Commercial Damage
Among the most visually dramatic damage was to the Fifth Third Bank branch off Third Street near I-69, where the roof was entirely stripped from the building, exposing the structural framing. The drive-through canopy was heavily damaged and debris was scattered across the parking lot. Storm Track 8 Meteorologist Drew Narsutis, reporting from Bloomington, confirmed the bank as one of the hardest-hit commercial structures from the evening’s storm.
The Monroe County Humane Association (MCHA) campus also took a direct hit. In a statement released overnight, Executive Director Andrew Krebbs confirmed significant structural damage to the facility and the total loss of a storage building containing the organization’s food and supply inventory. All animals were safely evacuated and relocated to trusted care partners including Animal Care and Control and The Ranch Cat Rescue.
“To the community, we’ll need you once we assess next steps. Please avoid our campus for now, as it’s unlikely usable in the near future.”— Andrew Krebbs, Executive Director, Monroe County Humane Association
Krebbs also thanked Shane and Scott from Electrical Services, Police Chief Diekhoff and the Bloomington Police Department for helping secure medical supplies, and the many community members who reached out overnight.
⚠️ Please avoid the MCHA campus. If you have an upcoming appointment, MCHA will contact you proactively in the coming days. Physical donations cannot be accepted at this time — follow their official Facebook page for updates on how to help.
Stonechase Neighborhood Near the Airport
The Stonechase neighborhood, located near the Monroe County Airport, also sustained significant damage. Reports from residents and storm spotters describe windows blown in, walls cracked, siding stripped, and interior debris. Meteorologist Todd Klaassen noted the damage was consistent with the radar rotation he had been tracking as the storm moved through.
Unconfirmed reports from community members describe significant damage at the Monroe County Airport, including hangar doors blown completely off, aircraft dragged across the tarmac, and private jets and vintage vehicles reportedly destroyed or overturned.
Lightning Over Rose Hill Cemetery
The Bloomingtonian captured dramatic images of lightning streaking across the sky over Rose Hill Cemetery as severe storms moved through the area, underscoring the intensity of the weather system that preceded and accompanied the tornado. 📷 See the photo on Facebook
Community Response
As word spread overnight, Bloomington’s community response mobilized quickly. Volunteers, licensed electricians, animal care workers, and organizations from as far as Indianapolis and Lafayette offered assistance. Stephanie Miller offered a large building as a potential temporary shelter for MCHA animals. Hal E. Kae indicated a volunteer team from Indianapolis-based PAAW could be deployed.
The outpouring reflects what Bloomington does best — showing up for neighbors when it matters most.
What to Do Now
If your property was damaged, document everything thoroughly with photos and video before cleanup begins, and contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. Monroe County Emergency Management is the primary point of contact for disaster assistance resources. Avoid damaged structures, downed power lines, and debris-filled roads until they are cleared and assessed.
BloomingtonOnline.com will continue updating this story as more information becomes available. If you have photos, video, or damage reports to share, contact us directly.
Media credits: Original video and photography by Dave Martin / BloomingtonOnline.com. Please share original posts directly where possible.
Sources: MCHA Executive Director Andrew Krebbs (official statement), Storm Track 8 / WISH-TV Meteorologist Drew Narsutis, Meteorologist Todd Klaassen, The Bloomingtonian, community reports via Facebook.
Monroe County has just taken a major step toward preserving natural beauty for future generations—thanks to a remarkable donation from the trust of Nancy Huntington, 409 acres on the southeast side of Bloomington will become the site of a brand-new county park.
📍 The land sits near E Moores Pike, S Smith Rd, and SR-446, and will be protected for recreational and nature-based uses only—no non-recreational development will be allowed.
County leaders say plans are still in the works, but trails for hiking, walking, and biking are already envisioned, along with a deep commitment to protecting the site’s ecological value in the Monroe Lake basin.
🗣️ What Local Leaders Are Saying
“Not often do we have this historic opportunity to ensure over 400 acres are set aside from development to be cherished by future generations,” — Julie Thomas, President, Monroe County Board of Commissioners
“This park represents a commitment to the history, people, and natural environment of Monroe County,” — Julie Thomas
“This natural area will provide significant benefits to nearby residents and families while continuing the county’s commitment to environmental stewardship,” — Commissioner Lee Jones
“Monroe County is once again showing federal and state leaders what responsible governing looks like.” — Commissioner Jody Madeira
🌿 Why It Matters
At a time when state and federal park systems are facing budget cuts and staffing reductions, this move sends a powerful local message: 🛠 Invest in access. Protect green space. Plan for the future.
This land won’t just be a place to play—it’s a symbol of environmental stewardship, community wellness, and generational foresight.
📫 For more information, contact: Kelli Witmer, Director, Monroe County Parks and Recreation 📧 kwitmer@co.monroe.in.us
In the heart of Bloomington, Indiana, amidst the fervor of the Little 500, one man stands as a pillar of support and guidance: Greg Souder. For the past seven years, Greg has been the sole mechanic ensuring that every rider’s bike is race-ready, embodying the spirit of dedication and community that defines this iconic event.
A Serendipitous Beginning
Greg’s journey with the Little 500 began unexpectedly. After moving to Bloomington from Markle in 2017, he stumbled upon a classified ad his wife found, seeking a bike mechanic for the race. Despite initial doubts about his age being a barrier, Greg’s mechanical prowess and passion secured him the role. Since then, he’s become an integral part of the race’s fabric, mentoring countless students and ensuring the smooth operation of every bicycle on the track.
Greg Souder’s mechanic station awaits riders during Little 500 practice.A playful mascot adds some charm to the serious business of bike racing.Greg Souder’s toolkit—a key part of Little 500 tradition.Greg Souder shares his mechanical expertise with student cyclists.
Mentorship Beyond Mechanics
Beyond fixing bikes, Greg serves as a mentor and confidant to the student riders. He recalls with pride how freshmen, initially unfamiliar with basic bike maintenance, evolve into team captains by their senior year, often imparting knowledge to newcomers. His approachable nature and willingness to teach have made him a beloved figure among the riders. IDS News
Facing Challenges with Resilience
In 2021, Greg faced a personal health challenge with a cancer diagnosis. The support from the Little 500 community was overwhelming, with students and staff rallying around him during his treatment. This outpouring of care reaffirmed his deep connection to the event and its participants. Remarkably, just two months after surgery, Greg was back at the track, embodying resilience and dedication.IDS News
A Lasting Legacy
As Greg continues his tenure, he hopes to reach a decade of service, dreaming that the bike shop might one day bear his name. His story is a testament to the profound impact one individual can have on a community, turning a simple role into a legacy of mentorship, resilience, and unwavering commitment.
Precision and care: Greg Souder ensures every bike is race-ready.
For a more in-depth look into Greg’s journey and contributions, you can read the full feature here: IDS News.
Despite persistent April rain falling on Bloomington Saturday, April 5th, 2025, residents gathered in impressive numbers at Monroe County Courthouse Square, proving their concerns wouldn’t be dampened by the weather. The local demonstration was part of a nationwide “Hands Off!” day of action, aimed at protesting policies under the Trump administration and adviser Elon Musk, particularly those affecting Social Security, government restructuring, and other critical services.
Protesters line the streets of Bloomington, advocating for the protection of social security, education, and healthcare.
The turnout reflected Bloomington’s determination to add its voice to a broader call for accountability.
Undeterred by Downpour: Arriving at the Square
By noon, the entire Courthouse Square was bustling with determined residents, their umbrellas forming a colorful patchwork against the gray sky. Despite rainwater slicking the sidewalks and soaking through signs, the energy was unmistakable.
All four corners of the square were filled with people—older adults clutching handmade signs, young families with children on their shoulders, and college students wrapped in raincoats. The turnout, despite the weather, spoke volumes even before the organized chants and speeches began. Passing cars honked in solidarity, providing a steady backdrop of support throughout the event.
Voices Rise: Energy and Engagement at the Heart of the Protest
Civic Leadership Takes Center Stage
Isak Asare, a well-known voice in Bloomington’s civic engagement circles, led the crowd with steady chants that echoed through the rain. His presence helped unify the diverse gathering, providing focus and intensity to the protest.
The rally quickly found its rhythm as participants discussed concerns ranging from the stability of Social Security to broader issues of democracy and governance. The conversations felt urgent, reflecting local frustrations with what many viewed as an erosion of essential rights and services.
A Constitutional Lesson from Dawn Johnsen
Dawn Johnsen, a prominent constitutional law scholar and former head of the Office of Legal Counsel, added intellectual heft to the rally. Her appearance was met with clear appreciation from the crowd, especially when she drew on her extensive legal knowledge to offer practical guidance.
Producing a well-worn pocket Constitution from her coat, Johnsen emphasized the importance of civic participation and legal advocacy. Her message was as much about education as it was about action. Many in attendance appeared energized by her words, nodding in agreement and discussing her advice long after she spoke.
Her presence served as a reminder that effective activism involves understanding both legal principles and practical steps for change.
A Sea of Signs and Supportive Sounds
The visual impact of the protest was striking. Homemade signs bobbed above the crowd, emblazoned with messages addressing concerns over democracy, Social Security, government accountability, and human rights.
While the demographics of the protest skewed older—many well into their fifties and beyond—there was also a notable presence of younger attendees. Families with children, college students, and professionals on lunch breaks gathered under umbrellas or simply braved the rain to show solidarity.
From Kirkwood Avenue, drivers honked in support. The steady chorus of horns seemed to buoy the crowd’s spirits, providing a constant reminder that even those passing by were taking note.
Mayor Kerry Thomson Engages with Attendees
Mayor Kerry Thomson’s presence added an official layer of acknowledgment to the day’s events. She could be seen engaging with various groups of protesters, listening to their concerns, and sharing information about potential follow-up actions. Her willingness to interact directly with participants underscored the significance of local advocacy.
Thomson’s participation signaled a clear acknowledgment that the issues raised were being heard and registered by local officials. Her presence also suggested that Bloomington’s local government was prepared to consider these concerns moving forward.
Why This Matters for Bloomington
The resilience of those who turned out on a cold, rainy Saturday spoke volumes about Bloomington’s engagement with national issues. This wasn’t just a passive agreement with broader concerns—it was active, vocal, and unyielding.
Mayor Thomson’s engagement underscored that local government was listening. Meanwhile, the strong turnout from older residents likely reflected direct anxieties over Social Security and healthcare, while younger attendees voiced concerns about the country’s future direction and governance.
The presence of civic leaders like Isak Asare and Dawn Johnsen highlighted a shared drive for accountability and change. The turnout demonstrated a commitment to preserving essential rights and services, with a particular emphasis on practical, sustained activism.
A Statement Made, Rain or Shine
The “Hands Off!” protest at Courthouse Square may have been damp, but the determination of Bloomington residents was anything but. The national call for action was met with energy, resilience, and a readiness to keep the conversation going—rain or shine.
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