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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 20th, 2021.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Max Campbell speaks with Margaret Clements, member of the Monroe County Residents Against Annexation, in a new installment of an ongoing series on the city of Bloomington’s effort to annex about 10,000 acres of Monroe County land. More in today’s feature reports.
Also coming up, a group of 8 students sued Indiana University over its mandatory vaccine policy. WFHB Correspondent Robert Robinson reports on a recent ruling in the case. That follows today’s headlines.
But first, your local news brief:
Indiana announced this week that it will be spending $5.5 million dollars from the Volkswagen emissions cheating settlement to begin installing electric vehicle charging stations across the state. Duke Energy, NIPSCO, and AES Indiana are some of the utilities signing on to the project. Indiana plans to start by having charging stations along the major highways like I-65, I-69, I-70, I-64 and I-145. There has been some hesitancy with the project since if there aren’t enough people driving electric vehicles here, then companies don’t want to invest in the stations but without the stations drivers may not want to buy electric vehicles. It is expected that there will be a few hundred fully electric car models by 2025 and sales are expected to exceed 1.2 million. So with this project, Indiana will be getting some of that growth.
Indiana has seen a high increase in Covid-19 cases the past two weeks, up by 143%. There have been 446 hospitalizations and 4 deaths from Covid in the last two weeks. 44% of the state is fully vaccinated. Monroe County is at high risk for unvaccinated individuals. The county has seen 2 deaths in the last two weeks and is at 51% for vaccinated residents.
A large housing development plan for the old Kmart site was OK’d recently. The project, called The District at Latimer Square will provide housing for professionals, and possibly employees of the new Indiana University Health Bloomington hospital 1.5 miles north. The complex will cost developers more than $80 million, with 340 units for students and families. Senior vice president of development for the project, Aaron Bartels said that residents will have 4 acres of open landscaped space including native vegetation. There will also be three public parks with one pool. The amount of impervious surfaces will go from 98% to 60%.
Richland Bean Blossom School Board
The Richland Bean Blossom School Board discussed a safety plan for the upcoming school year. At the July 19th meeting, Superintendent Doctor Jerry Sanders proposed a contingency learning and safety plan for the 2021 to 2022 school year that focuses on keeping one consistent schedule for the entire school year. He said that the school board may change other safety measures in response.
Board member Angie Jacobs agreed that children need more mental health options. She added that it does not change the severity of the Coronavirus, especially the Delta variant.
Resident Michelle Garrett suggested the board strike a clause that requires volunteers and chaperones be fully vaccinated. Doctor Sanders said he would think about it but that the requirement is a way to make field trips safe and possible.
Board members voted to approve the plan 4 to 1, with board member Jim Durnil dissenting.
Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
On July 19th, the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission talked about COVID-19 grant funds. Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development John Zody presented a resolution for the 9 local organizations that had been approved to receive Community Development Block Grant funding. He said that COVID-19 restrictions on the funding made it even harder to award.
Commissioner Nick Kappas asked about the short window for public comment. He suggested that 5 days is too short even if they don’t receive many comments.
Zody replied that the guidelines have been made available to the public for a long time. He said he was confident that Bloomington had advertised them well enough.
Commissioners approved the resolution unanimously.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Director of Bloomington Utilities Vic Kelson talked to the Bloomington Utilities Service Board about applying for grant funding. At the July 19th meeting, Kelson discussed the possibility of Bloomington receiving funds to improve storm water infrastructure. He clarified that the funds were for planning, not for flood relief.
Board member Kirk White commented on the importance of addressing the infrastructure. He said that two serious floods in one month shows that something is wrong with the inlet.
The next Utilities Service Board meeting is scheduled for August 2nd.
Feature Reports:
Last month, a group of 8 students sued Indiana University over its mandatory vaccine policy. WFHB Correspondent Robert Robinson reports on a recent ruling in the case.
WFHB Correspondent Max Campbell has covered annexation for several months now. In today’s feature reports, he files a report relaying the county’s perspective when it comes to annexation. Campbell speaks with Margaret Clements, member of the Monroe County Residents Against Annexation, about how she hopes to shut down the city’s effort to annex about 10,000 acres of Monroe County land. We turn to Max Campbell for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News
Today’s headlines were written by Katrine Bruner, Robert Robinson and Jake Jacobson, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Max Campbell.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Benedict Jones and Kade Young
More Info:
The WFHB News Department is seeking an Assistant News Director to cover government meetings, news features and to assist our award-winning news department. Interested applicants should send their cover letters and resumes to [email protected].
If you enjoyed this episode of the local news, consider listening to our evening public affairs program, Interchange.
