WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 15th, 2021.
Later in the program, we have an excerpt from last night’s airing of Bring It On – our Black public affairs program here on WFHB. Tonight’s excerpt will feature up-and-coming activists from the voters’ rights advocacy group, Count Us In Indiana. More coming up in today’s feature reports.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have a brief excerpt from Kite Line – a public affairs program that covers news behind prison walls. In today’s headlines, you will hear more about the US juvenile criminal justice system.
But first, your local news brief:
Monroe County’s COVID-19 vaccination rate has slowed over the past two weeks. The percent of eligible Monroe County residents who have received their first dose of the vaccine has increased only by .7% since June 1st. For comparison, the second half of May saw 2% of eligible residents receive their first dose, and in the first two weeks of April 11% of eligible residents received their first dose. As of today, 50.9% of Monroe County residents aged 12 and older are vaccinated. The statewide vaccination rate is 44.2%.
A public comment period for Bloomington’s pending water rate increase has been opened until July 16th. Bloomington municipal water consumers are invited to submit comments to the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor through the Office’s website, by email, or by mail. There will also be a public hearing at 6:00 PM July 6th in the City of Bloomington’s Common Council Chambers. Bloomington’s water utility is seeking the rate increase to finance a variety of infrastructure projects and improvements. A household using 5,000 gallons of water each month can expect to see their water bill increase by roughly $2.50 once the new rates go into effect.
The cost of Monroe County’s lawsuit against the U.S. Forest service has exceeded projections, totalling over $90,000 in excess of an initial estimate of $50,000. The lawsuit was filed last year to halt a Forest Service logging project near Lake Monroe, due to fears of potential drinking water contamination. It has continued since, and could incur further costs if oral arguments are required. The county council approved $15,000 in additional funding for the entire Monroe County legal department last week in order to offset the lawsuit’s financial strain.
Ellettsville Town Council
The Ellettsville Town Council discussed progress on the Envision Ellettsville plan at its June 14th meeting. Ellettsville Chamber of Commerce Board Member Dan Rarey said the Envision Ellettsville project had finally hosted its kickoff event after a year-long delay due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. He explained that the project will help determine what the town of Ellettsville looks like as more people move in.
Town Manager Mike Farmer suggested the Town Council be involved in the project financially. Councilor Scott Oldham agreed. He said the Council should be involved in such an important step forward for Ellettsville.
Councilors voted to commit funding unanimously.
Bloomington Economic Development Commission
The Bloomington Economic Development Commission debated The Woolery Mill Ventures’ compliance in its tax abatement. At the June 9th meeting, Commissioner Geoff McKim asked about Woolery Mill Ventures, LLC’s tax abatement resolution. He questioned Assistant Director of Small Business Development Jane Kupersmith for clarification on Woolery Ventures’ filings.
Commissioner Kurt Zorn said he feels Woolery Ventures has made significant investment, but that the company should present an update to the commission soon. Commissioner Vanessa McClary pointed out the Commission had already asked for an updated report. Kupersmith said staff at Woolery Ventures would be happy to give one in the future.
Feature Reports:
Up next, we have a brief excerpt from Kite Line – a public affairs program that covers news behind prison walls. The following headline comes from the June 11th broadcast of Kiteline, and covers the US juvenile criminal justice system. We turn to the producers of Kite Line for more.
In today’s feature reports, we have an excerpt from last night’s airing of Bring It On – our Black public affairs program here on WFHB. Tonight’s excerpt will feature up-and-coming activists from the voters’ rights advocacy group, Count Us In Indiana. We turn to host William Hosea for more.
That excerpt comes from the June 11th broadcast of Bring It On, titled “The Next Generation of Young Black Activists.” Stay tuned for tomorrow during the local news – where the producers of Bring It On will air a special on the Juneteenth holiday coming up this Saturday.
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.
Bring It On is produced by Clarence Boone.
Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climber
Our engineer and executive producer is Kade Young.
