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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, August 16th, 2021.
Later in the program, we have the latest edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor – a weekly segment where we pose questions to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton on community issues. More coming up in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, The U.S. Supreme Court will not block Indiana University’s mask mandate. WFHB Correspondent Robert Robinson has that story.
Coronavirus Press Conference
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton revealed that another city employee had tested positive for COVID-19 at the biweekly Coronavirus Press Conference. He said the county is going through a third surge and that the best thing we can do to help fight it is mask up and get vaccinated.
Indiana University Health President Brian Shockney echoed Mayor Hamilton’s call to mask up and get vaccinated. He said IU Health hospitalizations due to the coronavirus have surged to their highest numbers since February.
The next Coronavirus Press Conference will be on August 27th.
Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission
The Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission discussed building an artist studio. At the August 12th meeting, Commissioner and Petitioner Sam DeSollar presented plans to build a 2-story artist studio in an empty lot on Morton Street near the B-Line. He said the McDoel Gardens neighborhood features a mix of residential and industrial buildings, which he wanted to incorporate into the studio design.
Resident Elizabeth Cox Ash spoke in support of the project. She said the McDoel Gardens neighborhood plan emphasized the importance of spaces like artist studios.
Commissioner Chris Sturbaum showed concern for the modern design. He suggested the design could represent historic patterns and still have space for the amenities of an artist studio.
Commissioners voted to approve the COA, 4 to 0, with Commissioners Sam DeSollar and Chris Sturbaum abstaining.
Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Board
The Monroe County Solid Waste Management District looked at its 2022 budget. Board member Isabel Piedmont-Smith asked about the Metal Recycling budget at the August 12th meeting. She wondered if the 2022 metal recycling budget should be higher, considering that spending on it has nearly reached the 2021 budgeted numbers. Executive Director of the Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Tom McGlasson suggested the market might be inflated due to the coronavirus. He said the board could wait a year and see if the numbers stayed high.
Board member Cheryl Munson praised the board’s decision to raise the minimum wage for all solid waste management employees. She identified that, in 2022, employees would not be making less than 15 dollars an hour.
Board members approved the 2022 budget 6 to 0.
Bloomington Economic Development Commission
The Bloomington Economic Development Commission discussed issuing notes at its August 11th meeting. Director of the Bloomington Housing Authority Amber Skoby presented the request for notes to help acquire and fund renovations at Crestmont Park. She explained the proposed renovations will improve handicap accessibility and help modernize the units.
Commissioners voted to approve the resolution 3 to 0. The resolution will now move on to the Bloomington City Council for final approval.
Feature Reports:
On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed Indiana University to require students to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. WFHB Correspondent Robert Robinson has that story.
Now it’s time for A Few Minutes with the Mayor – a weekly segment where we pose questions to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton on community issues.
In today’s segment, WFHB Assistant News Director Jake Jacobson asks the mayor about the city’s decision to remove Area 7 from Bloomington’s annexation plan and its efforts to renovate Lower Cascades Park.
All that and more in today’s A Few Minutes with the Mayor.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Robert Robinson and Jake Jacobson, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Jake Jacobson.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
