WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, February 2nd, 2026.
In today’s newscast, you will hear Connor Hitchcock, founder of Homefield Apparel, on the tee shirt that rocketed him to a national player in sports merchandise. Hear his amazing rags-to-riches story later in the show in a feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Susan Welsand shares a success story from VITAL – that’s Volunteers in Tutoring Adult Learners. Susan guarantees you’ll meet fascinating people who might even become lifelong friends later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
Monroe County Commissioners Discuss Response to Winter Storm
The Monroe County Commissioners met on January 29th and ratified an emergency order to get funding from the state and federal governments for snow response.
County Council member David Henry spoke during public comment in support of the ratification.
Then, the commissioners discussed the county highway department’s response to the weekend’s snow storm.
Highway Director Lisa Ridge said the county is only able to plow county roads, not private lanes.
Jeff Cockerill said there are 41 private lanes in Monroe County that cannot be plowed by county highway vehicles. He said the county highway department will provide a list of private snow removal contractors to residents upon request.
Commissioner Julie Thomas suggested thinking about prohibiting private lanes in future subdivisions to prevent similar problems in the future.
During public comments, residents of private lanes raised concerns that their developments have been attempting to become county roads for years with little luck. Resident Lynn Coyne said his subdivision did road construction to meet the requirements, but the requirements were then changed.
Another resident said the county did the same thing to her subdivision. County Council Member Trent Deckard, who is running for a commission seat, said the county needs to look at its emergency management plans.
Deckard said county emergency management will respond to flooding on private lanes, so the county could look into extending that response to snow.
The commissioners said they do not supervise, manage or control the Emergency Management Department so they cannot direct it.
The next meeting of the Monroe County Commissioner will be on February 5th.
MCCSC School Board: Overcrowded Classrooms, ICE Activity in Schools, Teacher Appreciation Grant
The MCCSC School Board met on January 27th. During public comment, Alice Kilbride, a parent and community member, raised the concern that the number of teachers resigning exceeds the number of open positions, as classrooms are becoming overcrowded.
Jana Pereau brought up concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in local schools.
Jenny Noble-Kuchera, the president of the Monroe County Education Association, opposed the board’s resolution 2026-04, which could potentially allow 12.5 million dollars to be moved out of this year’s education fund and into the operations fund.
The board decided to repeal a teacher appreciation grant, due to changes in legislation. Dr. Henderson presented the non-union support staff and administrator salary schedule.
The motion was approved unanimously. The MCCSC School Board will meet next on February 24th.
Featured Segments:
Connor Hitchcock started Homefield Apparel in his Bloomington apartment. Now he’s becoming a major player in licensed university sports merchandise. Recently Homefield opened its first brick-and-mortar store, on Kirkwood Avenue in downtown Bloomington. Hitchcock went from selling homemade stickers to Indianapolis stores to a national brand with over 200 university licenses. Correspondent Isaac Perlich has that story in a feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Volunteers in Tutoring Adult Learners, or VITAL, is a learning lab operating out of the Monroe County Public Library. VITAL started as a literacy program but has expanded in recent years to include English as a Second Language tutoring and helping stroke victims regain their communication skills. Susan Welsand has been a VITAL volunteer for 42 years. In that time she’s done a lot of teaching but also a lot of learning – if YOU sign up as a volunteer Susan guarantees you’ll meet fascinating people who might even become lifelong friends. Learn more on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry and Paige Zuckerman, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Today’s feature story on the launch of Bloomington sports merchandise outfit Homefield Apparel was produced by Isaac Perlich in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Chad Carrothers produced today’s episode of Activate!
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Camdyn Glover and Benedict Jones.
