WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, December 7th, 2021.
Later in the program, WFHB Assistant News Director Noelle Herhusky-Schneider interviews Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton in our bi-weekly segment, A Few Minutes with the Mayor. More coming up in the bottom half of our program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the new IU Health Bloomington Hospital officially opened over the weekend. More in the top half of our show.
Covid-19 Press Conference
At the Covid-19 Press Conference on December 2nd Board of Health Director Penny Caudill gave an update on the rise in community spread of Covid-19.
IU Health President Brian Shockney reported on the rising Covid-19 cases in the region.
Caudill said that they have learned through contact tracing that there are numerous instances of individuals going to social gatherings with symptoms of Covid-19, and urged residents to get tested before going to gatherings even if they think it could just be allergies.
IU Chief Health Officer Aaron Carroll said that individuals who have been vaccinated might think they don’t have to take as many precautions but warned that there can be breakthrough cases.
The next Covid-19 Press Conference will be held in two weeks to accommodate the new IU Hospital Dedication Ceremony.
Monroe County Commissioners
At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on December 1st Board of Health Director Penny Caudill updated the commissioners on Omicron variant preparation.
Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney Erika Oliphant presented a one time Federal grant that would give Adult Protective Services staff members a bonus for their work during the pandemic. She said that amidst the quarantine, Adult Protective Services staff still conducted home visits during a time without personal protection equipment and vaccinations.
Commissioner Penny Githens said that she was appreciative the staff continued to work under the stressful conditions.
The County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the federal grant. The next county commissioners meeting will be held on December 8th.
New IU Health Bloomington Hospital Site Opened over the Weekend
On Sunday night, IU Health said that the first baby was born at the new hospital. Five babies have since been delivered.
IU Health Bloomington Hospital officially moved on Sunday from the location on Second Street to the new location at 2651 East Discovery Parkway.
Brian Schockney, IU Health South Central Region President, said in a press release, “We are so proud of how our team handled this massive undertaking. In a little over twelve hours, we opened a hospital and moved 123 patients while continuing to provide care at both facilities.”
Shockney says, “It was a successful day for IU Health, and we are looking forward to our ability to care for patients in new and innovative ways in partnership with the Indiana University Health Sciences programs.”
The City of Bloomington purchased the Second Street hospital site. IU Health will be responsible for demolition.
Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals
On December 1st the Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals considered a zoning appeal for a truck stop on Victor Pike Road in Perry Township. The zoning violation is based on the fact that the business did not have the board’s approval to have a truck stop. However, Petitioner Mike Carman said that when the business was bought by P&G Associates the truck stop was a part of the gas station’s intended design.
Petitioner Carman asserted that the truck stop should be permitted moving forward because it has been allowed for 30 years. He presented a lawsuit that Perry Township filed in 1987 about the truck and automobile parking that was settled and allowed uses in existence to continue as it were.
Monroe County Planning Director Larry Wilson pushed back against the petitioner’s assertion that the truck stop was approved in the settlement.
He said the site is permitted to be a fueling station for semi-trucks, however it does not permit overnight parking. Board member Skip Daley asked why this the first time in the thirty years it has been addressed.
Wilson said that the planning department is complaint based, and doesn’t have the capacity to uncover and enforce all misuse cases. Wilson explained the methodology of how he researched the zoning violation.
During public comment Monroe County resident Tommy Blais supported the petitioner and said that he does not mind the overnight truck parking.
Resident Geoff Morris said that he has concerns about the gas station.
The board voted two to three on the appeal which means that the zoning use for overnight parking at the gas station on Victor Pike is not permitted.
Feature Report:
WFHB Assistant News Director Noelle Herhusky-Schneider interviews Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton on community issues in our bi-weekly segment, A Few Minutes with the Mayor.
Herhusky-Schneider speaks with Mayor Hamilton about the new art installation at the Fourth Street Garage. All that and more in today’s edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor.
Credits:
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Benedict Jones and Tod Wicks.
