WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, January 11th, 2021.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty speaks with city councilman Matt Flaherty about the city’s decision to clear out an encampment at Seminary Park on Monday.
Also coming up, we have A Few Minutes with the Mayor – a weekly segment where Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton answers listener-posed questions on community issues.
But first, your local headlines:
COVID-19 Joint Press Conference
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton reported COVID-19 vaccinations were received by approximately three percent of the county population. He stated a quicker vaccination rate would be needed during the January 8th COVID-19 Press conference.
Hamilton encouraged all residents to get the vaccination when it becomes available to them. County Health Administrator Penny Caudill specified vaccination appointments can be made online or by calling 211.
Caudill reported 400-600 vaccinations are expected each week. She mentioned the vaccination is free, however Indiana University Health can still bill insurance companies. Indiana University Health Hospital South Central Region President Brian Shockney said there are no walk-in vaccination appointments.
Indiana University Assistant Vice President Kirk White stated the IU-Bloomington campus was enrolled as a vaccination site and is awaiting state approval. Caudill said the Morton Street COVID-19 testing site now offers rapid testing.
Caudill continued to encourage any community member experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to get tested.
City of Bloomington Utilities Service Board Discusses Water Rate Increase
The Bloomington utilities Service Board Finance Subcommittee met to discuss the Water Rate Case. Director Vic Kelson spoke about a rate case from 2016 during their January 7th meeting.
Kelson stated the 2021 rate increase would support maintenance, continue water main replacement efforts, and begin new projects. He mentioned their revenue was designed to cover costs.
Kelson spoke of a Cost of Service Study which disclosed how costs are distributed across customer classes. He mentioned some inequities in the distribution.
Kelson stated all customer classes except Residential and Irrigation would pay their cost of service by the end of the rate increase. He clarified residential customers would see a maximum increase of about 3 dollars and 74 cents per month. He mentioned the increase would happen in phases.
Kelson stated any increase would not take effect until 2022, contingent upon approval form the Bloomington City Council and The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
New Variant of Covid-19 Originally Found in UK Identified in Indiana
On Monday, the Indiana State Department of Health announced in a statement that the UK variant of novel coronavirus was identified in Indiana.
According to the BBC, little is known about the strain of the virus, but UK health officials said they have “high confidence” that it spreads more easily.
Dr. Kristina Box, state health commissioner, said in a statement, “it’s common for viruses to mutate and we are seeing that occur with Covid-19. Because this strain of the virus can be transmitted more easily, it’s more important than ever that Hoosiers continue to wear their masks, practice social distancing, maintain good hygiene and get vaccinated when they are eligible.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, scientists are working to learn more about this variant to better understand how easily it might be transmitted and whether currently authorized vaccines will protect people against it.
The strain nicknamed B.1.1.7 contains 23 mutations of the virus, 8 of which are in the spike protein that binds to and enters human cells, as reported by Science Magazine.
Chris Whitney, England’s chief medical officer, said the variant is not known to cause a more severe infection.
According to the CDC, Indiana ranks the 17th worst state in the U.S. with an average of 79.8 daily cases per one-hundred-thousand residents in the last seven days.
Feature Reports:
The City of Bloomington warned that tonight it would clear tents from the homeless encampment at Seminary Park. WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty speaks with city councilman Matt Flaherty about his decision to sign an open letter which urges Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton to call off the city’s planned eviction.
Now it’s time for a Few Minutes with the Mayor – a weekly segment where Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton answers listener-posed questions on community issues. In today’s segment, Mayor Hamilton answers questions on the clearing of Seminary Park, the Covid-19 vaccine and why the city of Bloomington hasn’t maintained a moratorium on water and utility shut offs during the pandemic. All that and more in today’s edition of a Few Minutes with the Mayor. Assistant News Director Sydney Foreman has more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Aaron Comforty, Kade Young and Sydney Foreman, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
A Few Minutes with the Mayor was produced by Sydney Foreman.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Executive producer is Kade Young
