WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 3rd, 2021.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Robert Robinson spoke with Thomas Alcamo, the EPA’s Remedial Project Manager, about the EPA’s latest announcement that it will remove three Bloomington-area Superfund sites from its National Priorities List. More coming up in today’s feature reports.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have coverage from last night’s meeting of the Bloomington City Council. More coming up in today’s headlines.
But first, your local news brief:
According to the Indiana State Department of Health COVID-19 dashboard, the state has had 418 new positive cases and 20 new deaths in the last 30 days. Monroe County has had 1 death from COVID-19 over the last two weeks. Test positivity rate is at 3% currently and 40% of the county is fully vaccinated. The New York Times summarized that Monroe County cases have decreased in recent weeks but are still high. There is an average of about 6 cases per day which is 42% less than the average two weeks ago.
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Indiana University released a health and safety guide on Tuesday explaining how the campus will be running from August 1st to December 31st. COVID-19 restrictions will be gone for the most part during the fall 2021 semester, including masks and physical distancing on campus. Classes and regular settings like dining halls and fitness centers will be open to students and return to the regular capacity limits according to IU’s Restart Committee. Public spaces and common surfaces will continue to be cleaned and disinfected regularly. As for now, events with more than 250 people will have to go through a review process and large indoor events with non-IU attendees will require masks on.
Students and staff who are not fully vaccinated will have to wear a mask on campus and participate in testing. If anyone tests positive for the virus, they will need to isolate themselves for ten days or until symptoms improve and stay improved for at least 24 hours.
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The Bloomington Garden Club is hosting a summer garden walk this weekend. The walk will be available on Saturday and Sunday, both from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and free for kids ages 12 and younger. They can be purchased at both Bloomingfoods locations, Bloomington Hardware, Bloomington Valley Nursery, Ellettsville True Value Hardware, Goods for Cooks, Hall’s Greenhouse or May’s Greenhouse.
Bloomington City Council
At the June 2nd Bloomington City Council meeting, Councilmembers discussed creating a form that confirms how many non-related adults live in small rental properties. Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development John Zody presented a resolution that would require landlords to present an affidavit for their tenants to sign. He said the form would help replace previous forms that the City can no longer require.
Zody clarified the affidavit would only need to be filed each year if a property had new residents. Councilmember Isabel Piedmont-Smith presented an amendment that would require the affidavit be signed annually, even if the residents haven’t changed. She said this would help educate residents on occupancy limits.
Resident Greg Alexander opposed the amendment. He said the extra step would just punish multi-year tenants.
The amendment passed 5 to 4, with Councilmembers Dave Rollo, Kate Rosenbarger, Matt Flaherty, and Susan Sandberg dissenting. Councilmember Ron Smith suggested the resolution be moved to a future council meeting for further discussion. Councilmembers voted to postpone the resolution to the June 16th regular session unanimously.
Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals
The Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals discussed variances at a property on East Hardin Ridge Road. At the June 2nd meeting, Senior Planner Tammy Behrman presented a request that would allow the petitioner to build a pool on their property. She said planning staff still recommended denial based on the pool’s proposed location.
Petitioner Keith Dickerson revealed he would be installing a retaining wall before beginning construction on the pool. He said this would help prevent erosion and keep the pool the required 125 feet away from Lake Monroe.
Board member Bernie Guerrettaz motioned to approve the variances, with the same conditions proposed at the May 5th meeting. Board members voted 4 to 1, with Margaret Clements dissenting.
Feature Report:
Up first, WFHB Correspondent Robert Robinson spoke with Thomas Alcamo, the EPA’s Remedial Project Manager, about the EPA’s latest announcement that it will remove three Bloomington-area Superfund sites from its National Priorities List. We turn to Robert Robinson for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Katrine Bruner and Jake Jacobson, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Our feature was produced by Robert Robinson.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
