WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, March 9th, 2021
Later in the program, we turn to WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty, for an interview with State Senator Shelli Yoder. She voiced her support to teachers who say that newly proposed bills would grossly underfunded public schools. Stay tuned to hear the interview.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have headlines from Kite Line – our public affairs program which covers prison issues around the Midwest and beyond.
But first, your local news brief:
Hoosiers ages 50 and older are currently eligible to sign up and receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Hoosiers who are first responders or healthcare workers still qualify to sign up for the vaccine, as well.
If you qualify, you can sign up online by visiting ourshot.in.gov, over the phone by calling 211 for assistance, or by contacting one of Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging.
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Last week, President Joe Biden announced a directive that all states prioritize school staff and child care workers for COVID-19 vaccination, regardless of whether or not they qualify for their state.
Indiana is still one of a shrinking number of states who do not consider teachers as an eligible group to receive their vaccines.
Now, Indiana Teachers and childcare workers can sign-up and receive the COVID-19 vaccine through a federal pharmacy program.
Teachers and childcare workers of any age in the listening area can make their COVID-19 vaccine appointment through Kroger’s website.
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Indiana University McKinney School of Law professor Janet McCabe faced her first round of senate questioning last week in her nomination to become deputy director of the US Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA.
McCabe, the director of the Environmental Resilience Institute at Indiana University, was nominated by President Biden in mid January.
If confirmed, this will be McCabe’s second stint serving in the EPA. McCabe served in the Office of Air and Radiation under the Obama administration.
Monroe County to Move Main Vaccine Site to Assembly Hall
Monroe County will move its main vaccination site to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall starting March 29th.
As of now, the Monroe County Convention Center serves as the county’s main vaccination site. The move to Assembly Hall will increase vaccine capacity up to 2,000 people each day, according to Kirk White, head of Indiana University’s Covid-19 response.
White said vaccines will continue at Assembly Hall for an indefinite period of time during last Friday’s local Covid-19 press conference.
“We’ve been told that we’ll have the supply,” said White, “and we’ll be ready to make some of our own shots on the 29th of March and ongoing then for an indefinite period.”
Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill said vaccines will continue at the Convention Center through the remainder of the month.
“The Convention Center is open for first doses through March,” said Caudill, “and we will, then, in April decommission the Convention Center site.”
As of last Friday, over 20,000 people received at least the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine in Monroe County. Caudill noted over 13,000 county residents are fully vaccinated.
During the Q-and-A portion of the press conference, she explained why the county decided to make Assembly Hall its primary vaccination site.
“It’s really about capacity,” she said.
IU Health South Central Region President Brian Shockney said the Medical Arts Building will remain a vaccination site.
Caudill said vaccine appointments will start to open up in the next few weeks at the new IU site. Appointments can be made by visiting ourshot.in.gov.
Bloomington Plan Commission
The Bloomington Plan Commission presented amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance during their March eighth meeting. Development Services Manager Jackie Scanlan spoke about the reason for changes during the March eighth meeting.
Scanlan spoke about plans for the amendments regarding plex developments. She said conditional uses would be allowed in the R1 through R4 zoning districts.
Scanlan stated duplexes would be allowed in more places than triplexes and quadplexes. She mentioned plexes are an integral part of a growing community.
Scanlan spoke about the six conditional use requirements developments must meet, such as not destroying historical areas or areas of significant importance. She mentioned conditional use requirements also bar the production of large amounts of smoke, noise or light.
Scanlan stated the conditional uses attempt to make sure any new buildings are compatible. Commission member Brad Wisler stated the commission would consider which district zones would permit plex housing development on March 25th. The next Plan Commission meeting will be held on March 22nd.
MCLP Reopens Indiana Room At Main Location with Limited Capacity
The Monroe County Public Library reopened the Indiana Room at its main location on Kirkwood Avenue with a capacity of ten people.
According to a press release, library patrons should limit their use of the room to one hour if others are waiting.
MCPL’s Indiana Room features an archive of local and family history, including sources for local genealogy research. According to the Indiana Room’s web page, the library expects a high demand for local newspapers on microfilm.
In addition, the library launched a new community history project called the Monroe County Field Notes. This is a virtual dig to uncover stories about 19th-century landmarks and people from 1816 to 1876.
Patrons can request certain materials in advance by emailing [email protected].
Ellettsville Town Council
Ellettsville Town Manager Mike Farmer proposed the disposal of a surplus Street Department trailer. He spoke of a new trailer replacement during the March eighth Town Council meeting.
Farmer mentioned a 2 thousand dollar reserve on the trailer. He mentioned the older model was outdated for their current uses.
Foreman Kip Headdy stated the trailer was 30 years old. Deputy Clerk Amber Wright stated a bid period would be open for the trailer until March 19th. Council members unanimously approved the transfer.
Feature Reports:
Up first, we share headlines from Kite Line – our public affairs program which covers prison issues around the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. You can also hear this program wherever you find your podcasts.
Up next, we turn to WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty, for an interview with State Senator Shelli Yoder. She voiced her support to teachers who say that newly proposed bills would grossly underfund public schools. Aaron Comforty has more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Jake Jacobson, Kade Young and Sydney Foreman, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Aaron Comforty
Kiteline is produced by Mia Beach.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
