WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, March 4th, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin features a recent item from his newsletter, the Morning Bulletin. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Julie Duhon from Tandem, a local nonprofit serving new moms and their babies. Julie wants to open Bloomington’s first community birth center. Find out more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on February 28th, Parks and Recreation Director Kelli Witmer asked the commissioners to approve a contract with Bluestone L-L-C for tree remediation or removal. Witmer also added that they pay special attention to bats roosting in the tree whenever they have to take one down, and shared that the Northern Bat is on the endangered species list.
Commissioner Lee Jones added onto the importance of bats to the ecosystem. Witmer added that they try not to take down trees unless it is absolutely necessary.
Commissioner Penny Githens commented that the bat population is also helpful in keeping the mosquito population down.
The commissioners approved the contract unanimously.
Later in the meeting Planning Department, Associate Planner, Shawn Smith asked the commissioners to approve a petition request, the Whaley P-U-D Outline Plan Amendment.
Commissioner Julie Thomas shared her concerns about the impact the petitioner’s business could have on the watershed, and explained how the property’s sinkholes drain into the watershed.
Thomas continued, and explained that since the business has already been operating in this way, it makes it more difficult to retroactively enforce their zoning ordinances.
Assistant Director of Planning Tammy Behrman responded to Commissioner Thomas’s concerns about whether or not semi-trailer storage was already approved in the P-U-D.
Smith said that the approval is contingent upon the M-S-4 Coordinator’s finding on the hydrology of the sinkholes.
The commissioners voted against the rezone request, all three voting no on the amendment, thus not allowing the petitioner to fill in the sinkholes on the property.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on March 6th.
Bloomington Board of Public Works
At the February 27th Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting, several members of the community came out in support of installing a marker in honor of Bloomington’s first Black firefighter, James “Snooky” Hopkins. Elizabeth Mitchell, historian of African American culture and experience here in Monroe County, asked that the marker be placed at 102 South Rogers Street, which was the original site of Fire Station #2.
In her request, Mitchell cited Hopkins’ dedication to the community despite its constant resistance towards him.
After working at the Bloomington Fire Department for 20 years, Hopkins was promoted to Captain at Fire Station #2 in 1985. Mitchell said that over his 27 year long career, Hopkins gained acceptance from his white colleagues, leading him to be a pioneer in the integration of the workforce.
Fire Chief Roger Kerr also came out to show support for the marker, stating that the fire department was in full support of the marker. Retired firefighter Lee Chapman spoke in favor of the marker.
Board member Kyla Cox-Deckard stated that she has been working closely with the mayor’s office to push this process forward. She thanked all who came out to support Hopkins. The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will be held on March 11.
Feature Reports:
Up next, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin features a recent item from his newsletter, the Morning Bulletin. Today, he discusses the a website called BloomDocs.org as a way for local area journalists and residents to upload original source files. That’s coming up next in Dave Askins’ weekly segment on the WFHB Local News.
Ever since Bloomington Area Birth Services closed its doors, there hasn’t been a central hub in our community for pregnant women, new moms and their babies. Julie Duhon is trying to fill that need through Tandem, a local nonprofit offering both medical care and support services to low-income families on a sliding scale. Julie wants to expand Tandem into labor and delivery services, and she’s asking for your help on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry, Kelsey Pease and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Activate is produced by Chad Carrothers and Michelle Moss.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
