Region Briefs

MONROE

Council to discuss parking rate increase

The Bloomington City Council will have its final meeting of the year at 7:30 tonight in City Hall, 401 N. Morton St.

Proposed parking rate increases and a tax abatement for a northside development, near the corner of 17th and Walnut streets, will be discussed.

Firefighters, officers receive promotions

In January, five Bloomington police officers and four Bloomington firefighters will have new titles.

Officers Faron Lake, Alan Pointer, Joe Sanders and Myrick Williams will officially begin their duties as sergeants. Steve Kellams will begin immediately as the third-shift supervisor.

Firefighters Scott McKnight and Chester Adams will be promoted to sergeants, and Steve Coover and Roger Kerr will be captains.

This is the largest group of Bloomington police officers to be promoted at once since the early 1980s, said assistant chief Randy Williamson.

Nominees accepted for 'Woman of Year'

Bloomington groups are seeking nominations for the city's annual Woman of the Year award.

The groups encourage the nomination of women who have improved the quality of life for other women through inspiration, community service or professional accomplishments above or outside normal job responsibilities.

Also, nominees should provide a positive role model for girls and women. Nominees need not be employed outside the home. The award will be presented at the 18th annual Women's History Month lunch March 12.

Nomination forms are available online at www.city.bloomington.in.us, from the city of Bloomington's Community and Family Resources Department in City Hall or by calling (812) 349-3430. The deadline is Jan. 24.

Groups sponsoring the award include: the Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women, Network of Career Women, League of Women Voters, Indiana University Office for Women's Affairs, Mujeres en Connexion, Bloomington Human Rights Commission, Monroe County Historical Society, Bloomington NOW and Baha'is of Bloomington.

Steinmetz elected as APA fellow for 2003

Joseph Steinmetz, chairman of the psychology department at Indiana University, has been elected by his peers to be a fellow of the American Psychological Association for 2003.

APA fellows are selected for exceptional contributions to research, teaching or practice. The Washington-based APA is the world's largest association of psychologists.

Steinmetz is the Eleanor Cox Riggs professor of psychology at Indiana University. A graduate of Ohio University, he has been at IU since 1987.

OWEN

Plan commission to consider ordinances

SPENCER — The Owen County Plan Commission will consider a zoning ordinance and subdivision control ordinance at its next meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the commissioners' room of the Owen County Courthouse. A copy of the proposed ordinances will be available at the county auditor's office.

Approval of the ordinances by the plan commission would send the measures on to the Owen County board of commissioners for consideration.

Home won't receive emergency funds

SPENCER — Byron Stockwell, president of the Owen County board of commissioners, said Tuesday he learned the county was not deemed eligible for emergency funds to keep the Owen County Home open.

Citing a financial crunch, the county council voted earlier this year to eliminate the budget for the home — a move that upset area residents, who began a campaign to raise half the home's operating fund before the end of the year. The fund-raising deadline is Friday, but supporters have only raised about $11,000 of the $125,000 that is needed.

Stockwell said he spoke with the home's director Tuesday about closing down the home. "Unless somebody drops a big amount of money on them in the next few days, it doesn't look good."