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Parks and Recreation is proud to announce the appointment of Leslie Brinson as the new Recreation Services Division Director, effective Aug. 18. With more than two decades of leadership in recreation programming, event planning, and program administration, Brinson brings proven expertise and a strong record of building community through innovative programs and partnerships.
In her new role, Brinson will shape the future of recreation services by expanding opportunities for residents and ensuring that core programs are consistently delivered at the highest quality. She will oversee Kid City camps, the Banneker Community Center afterschool programs, and signature events such as the Farmers’ Market and summer Performing Arts Series. “We are thrilled that Leslie is stepping up into this leadership role,” said Tim Street, Parks and Recreation Department Director. “Her extensive experience in creating beneficial and creative community events and programs will help us continue to offer the best for Bloomington.” On Tuesday, August 26, the Monroe County Council voted to approve Simtra BioPharma Solutions’ request for a tax abatement to support the development of a newly acquired 65-acre site in Monroe County, Indiana. The expansion will boost U.S. manufacturing capacity for sterile injectable medicines and create high quality jobs for the community. The request now moves to the Monroe County Commissioners for final consideration on Thursday, August 28.
Proposed investment: The site includes more than 300,000 square feet of available space for expansion under-roof. Plans include an initial $241 million capital investment to purchase, prepare, and equip the facility with its first manufacturing line. Each additional manufacturing line would require approximately another $100 million investment. Each line is expected to create 90 jobs with an average annual compensation of $70,000. BEDC support: The Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) worked closely with Simtra and Monroe County in supporting this expansion and earlier expansions, including the company’s $250 million investment announced in 2024. “This project represents more than a facility expansion — it is an opportunity to redevelop an underutilized industrial site and transform it into a long-term asset for our community,” said Jennifer Pearl, President of the BEDC. “Redevelopment can spark economic and social benefits for decades, from increased tax revenues and higher wages to new opportunities for investment and community revitalization.  Dynasty Haven & Friends, the community initiative of locally owned home care provider, Dynasty Haven, has introduced Wellness Wednesdays to bring health-focused programming directly to senior apartments and assisted living facilities across Bloomington and Monroe County. Each Wednesday, residents can participate in wellness check-ins, educational workshops, and social engagement activities designed to support healthy aging. Upcoming topics include fall prevention, nutrition, and strategies for staying socially connected.
This initiative reflects Dynasty Haven's commitment to creating meaningful community partners and improving access to resources that help older adults maintain independence and quality of life. If your agency or organization is interested in hosting a Wellness Wednesday, please contact Dynasty Haven to learn more.  Michael Arnold, a media executive with 25 years of leadership experience in public broadcasting, will be Indiana University Bloomington’s next executive director of integrated public media.
In this newly redefined role within The Media School, Arnold, a native Hoosier, will lead all operations across Indiana Public Media, which includes WTIU Public Television, WFIU Public Radio, and the organization’s expanding portfolio of digital media, podcasts, and multimedia initiatives. He will also provide strategic oversight of student media. His tenure will officially begin Sept. 22. Arnold’s career spans executive roles at KUNC Radio and The Colorado Sound, Wisconsin Public Radio, Public Radio International, and New Hampshire Public Radio. Throughout his career, Arnold has led transformative initiatives that broadened audiences, elevated underrepresented voices and secured major funding for innovative content strategies.  On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the OBBB), which significantly rolls back many of the core tax incentives that clean energy projects have relied on since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022.
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) has a negative impact on the 30% residential solar tax credits: the residential solar tax credit (25D) is being terminated after December 31, 2025, making the 2025 tax year the final chance to qualify for this homeowner incentive. The OBBB also has a negative impact on commercial solar tax credits 48E and 45Y. Under the new law, tax credits for wind and solar projects phase out much sooner. To qualify, these projects must either be completed by the end of 2027 or begin construction within the next 12 months. This compressed timeline will likely force developers to accelerate their project schedules or risk losing critical tax credits. As the deadlines approach demand for solar installations is rising. For homeowners and businesses considering solar, you need to act now to lock in the savings. Time is running out. The City of Bloomington Animal Shelter is holding a special community fundraiser from September 1 through September 21. Dubbed “Double the Love,” it will support the shelter’s medical fund, which helps provide animals with emergency surgeries, medical treatments and other essential care they need to survive. This fundraiser is a matching campaign, meaning every dollar contributed will be matched up to $20,000, doubling the impact of each donation.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our community to make a direct impact on an animal’s life,” said Virgil Sauder, Director of the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter. “With the shelter currently over capacity and the need exceeding our budget, this fundraiser comes at a critical time. The medical fund is a lifeline for animals in need—and through this matching campaign, our neighbors can make twice the difference.” How to Help:
More information about the animal shelter is available online at bloomington.in.gov/animal-shelter. The Hawaiian Hoosier, Ellettsville’s own Hawaiian-inspired snack shack, has officially marked its first anniversary and is celebrating the milestone with the launch of a fully functional website: www.hawaiian-hoosier.com.
The new site allows customers to order hot meals, snacks, and treats online for local pick-up or delivery — and for the first time, to ship Hawaiian Hoosier’s signature snacks across the United States. Favorites like Aloha Mix, Mahalo Mix, and Furu Critter Crunch are now available coast-to-coast. Over the next two months, even more island delights will join the online store, including freeze-dried fruits & candies and 17 flavors of savory island inspired popcorn. This expansion reflects the business’s growing reputation for creative, addictive flavors that blend the best of Hawaiian aloha spirit with Hoosier hospitality.  We hope you are planning to join us at the international award-winning Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Fest being held on September 26 & 27, 2025. This fundraiser has something for everyone including Helicopter Rides! Pyrotechnic Skydivers! Fall Egg Hunts (Awesome Prizes!)! Jeep Show & Shine! Bands! Food Vendors! Commercial Vendors! Trackless Train! Bungee Trampoline! Zipline! and MORE!! Tickets are on sale at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Help Us - Help Kids!
2025 National Dental Survey Identifies Key Differences between ‘Best Practices’ and the National AverageIn a year defined by rising costs, top-performing practices navigated cost increases and inflation with a margin of 39% before debt service and capital expenditures – according to Blue & Co.’s 2025 National Dental Survey. This performance gap highlights the operational and financial strategies that separate high-performing practices from their peers in an increasingly competitive industry.
These findings are based on a comprehensive analysis of data collected in 2024, with responses from more than 1,000 dental practices across the U.S., as part of Blue & Co.’s 29th annual benchmarking survey. This survey provides current and accurate information to familiarize dental practices with the financial and related production information of their own peers. |
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