WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:06 — 41.4MB)
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, January 20th, 2021.
Later in the program, Beacon Inc. opened a low-barrier emergency winter shelter today for people experiencing homelessness in Bloomington. The low barrier-shelter opens after two city evictions from the encampment at Seminary Park. More in today’s feature report.
But first, your local news brief:
Monroe County is averaging about 50 new positive cases of Covid-19 per day. That’s according to the Indiana State Department of Health.
Although experts consider the department’s statistics to likely be undercounted, Monroe County has seen over 9,200 cases of Covid-19, since testing began.
Indiana University reports that over 4,200 individuals tested positive on its Bloomington Campus alone–meaning that the university is responsible for more than 45 percent of the county’s total cases.
The campus’ numbers haven’t budged much, since students went home early at end of the fall semester, while the county’s case count has continued to grow. It’s unclear to what degree the university contributed to community Covid-19 spread in the county.
About 110 Monroe County residents are known to have died because of complications arising from Covid-19. At this point, Indiana University has not released statistics about its Covid deaths.
The State of Indiana released new data on Covid-19 spread in its schools on Monday. As of now, over 22,000 students have tested positive, while about 10,000 teachers and staff have tested positive at well. Locally, Bloomington South High School has recorded just shy of 50 cases. Bloomington High School North has recorded about half of that.
Surrounding Counties, including Brown, Green, Owen, Lawrence, Jackson, and Morgan all have positivity rates at about 20 to 30 percent. Brown County Health and Senior Living, an assisted living facility in Nashville, Indiana has been hit harder by Covid-19 than any other area long term care facility. It has seen just under 90 positive resident cases, 20 of them have died. The facility has seen 50 members of its staff test positive as well.
Nursing homes have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, but there may be some light at the end of the tunnel; Indiana residents 70-years-old and older are now eligible to sign up for a Covid-19 vaccine. While it’s welcome news to many seniors, it’s unclear what effect Indiana’s vaccine strategy will have. Federal guidelines recommend that states prioritize vaccinating various occupational groups, like healthcare workers, before seniors, but Indiana, and a number of other states have chosen to go a different route.
Under the Trump administration’s leadership, the United States did not have unified pandemic response policies. This will change with the new Biden Administration’s Covid response plan. The administration plans on changing the Federal guidelines so that more people will be eligible to get the vaccine. It also plans to mobilize the National Guard and utilize the Federal Emergency Management Agency to aid with the vaccination effort. In a notable shift away from Trump’s policies, the Biden Administration will also issue a nation-wide mask wearing mandate.
Public health experts expect the highly contagious British strain of the Covid-19 virus, to become the dominant strain across the U.S. by the month of March. As people around the world are experiencing mask and distancing fatigue, experts recommend doubling down on safety precautions by reducing time indoors with people who are not in your, so-called, “bubble,” and by wearing a three-layer mask if you have to go into an public indoor space.
2021 Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris
At noon, Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States.
Vice President Kamala Harris was also inaugurated making history as the first woman of color ever to hold the office.
The Biden camp coined the inauguration with the theme, “America United” to mark the transfer of power from Donald Trump to the new administration.
Joe Biden was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor who swore in Kamala Harris, who made history as the first woman vice president in U.S. history.
Kamala Harris is also the first African American, first South Asian, first Indian Tamil American and the first Caribbean American to ever hold the office of Vice President.
President Donald Trump did not attend the inauguration, making him the first president since Andrew Johnson to not attend the ceremony of their successor.
Former Indiana Governor and former Vice President Mike Pence did attend the inauguration, as well as the Clintons, the Bushes and the Obamas.
Former president Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn (raa·zuh·luhn) Carter, were not in attendance – the first inauguration the Carters have missed since 1977.
Indiana Statehouse Update
Since the insurrection at the Capitol, increased national security measures have been taken, as 25,000 members of the National Guard surround Washington, D.C.
Indianapolis also took heightened security measures in light of the inauguration. The Indiana General Assembly agreed to cancel its sessions this week and close the Statehouse.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI put out a press release which says, “The FBI Indianapolis Field Office and our law enforcement partners are aware of a report indicating there may be protests at state capitols this weekend and leading up to the inauguration on January 20. There has not been any specific and substantiated threat to the Indiana state capitol or other government buildings in the state.”
In other state news, Governor Eric Holcomb will give his 2021 State of the State Address at 7 p.m. tonight virtually.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Utilities Director Vic Kelson presented the 2021 Water Rate Case to the Bloomington Utilities Service Board for final vote. Kelson mentioned rate reviews occur every 4 years during their January 19th meeting.
Kelson stated the 2021 rate increase would support maintenance, continue water main replacement efforts, and begin new projects. He mentioned approximately one quarter of water mains are nearing their 100-year life expectancy.
Kelson said monies would also support capital Improvement plans. He mentioned the increase would happen in two phases, and phase one effects would not be seen until early 2022. Board member Amanda Burnham clarified phase two would occur in 2024. Kelson mentioned the revenue increase would total 22 point 2 percent.
Kelson said residential customers are currently overpriced compared to other customer classes. He mentioned residential customers would see a maximum increase of about 3 dollars and 74 cents per month. Kelson stated Irrigation would see the largest increase.
Kelson said no customer class would see more than a 20 percent increase in either phase increase. He stated future rate increases will work toward cost of service. Board members unanimously approved the increase.
Bloomington Redevelopment Commission
The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission discussed a Public Art Agreement with Snebtor for the Trades District Parking Garage. Attorney Larry Allen spoke about the artwork created by Esteban Garcia Bravo during their January 19th meeting.
Allen mentioned the total cost would be 75 thousand dollars. He said the cost was budgeted in Public Work expenses.
Allen stated the installation would remain for the life of the garage. He reported a maintenance and cleaning plan are in the works. Board member Cindy Kinnarney questioned Allen about maintenance costs.
Board members unanimously approved the agreement.
Feature Report:
Beacon Inc. opened a low-barrier emergency winter shelter today for people experiencing homelessness in Bloomington. The low barrier-shelter opens after two city evictions from the encampment at Seminary Park.
In today’s feature report, you will hear from Forrest Gilmore, executive director of Beacon Inc., Harry Collins, co-founder of the Bloomington Homeless Coalition and concerned residents about the city’s actions at Seminary.
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.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young, Aaron Comforty and Sydney Foreman.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
