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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 17th, 2021.
Later in the program, we have the latest edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor – a weekly segment where Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton answers listener-posed questions on community issues. That’s coming up in today’s feature reports.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Robert Robinson gives an update on Monroe County’s Covid-19 guidelines, while Correspondent Cynthia Roberts-Hall covers a protest in Indianapolis over the weekend.
But first, your local news brief:
By Katherine Patterson
COVID cases in Monroe County have had a 33% decrease in the past two weeks with 37% of the population getting vaccinated. Although the CDC announced that fully vaccinated people are able to interact indoors and outdoors without a mask, the vaccination percentage has only increased 3% in the past 10 days.
This past Friday the Central Indiana Presbytery voted to bring formal charges against Dan Herron, after the Indiana Daily Student released an investigative piece about accusations made against Herron on May 6th. The CIP will suspend Herron from his “official functions” – taking away his ability to serve or preach.
Many graduating seniors at Indiana University had their information stolen as the University required students to receive their cap and gowns from Herff Jones who had a data breach. Students have needed to freeze their bank accounts, order new credit and debit cards because of the incident, however, Harff Jones in a statement last Wednesday claimed to have hired a cyber security firm to investigate the incident.
Monroe County Ends Mask Mandate and Gathering Restrictions
By Robert Robinson
Monroe County officials announced Friday that COVID-19 mask and gathering restrictions will be rescinded on Monday, May 17th.
The rescissions, which come from the Monroe County Health Department and Mayor John Hamilton respectively, come in the wake of declining COVID-19 cases and increased rates of vaccination.
At Friday’s press conference, Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill described the Health Department’s decision.
Monroe County had 62 cases per 100,000 residents and 1.36% test positivity rate over the past week, and reported similar numbers the week before. These statistics place Monroe County in the Indiana Department of Health’s blue category on Monday.
Caudill also announced the lifting of the Health Department’s 50-person gathering limit.
Mayor John Hamilton’s 15-person gathering limit was rescinded in an executive order later in the day. At the press conference, Hamilton offered national context to Health Administrator Caudill’s announcement.
However, the announcement was couched in caution. Unvaccinated and immunocompromised residents are still advised to wear masks indoors and in crowded settings.
Administrator Caudill also noted that, as was the case before the mask mandate, businesses can still require mask usage in their establishments.
Masks will still be required on federal property, COVID testing sites, and in healthcare facilities. Indiana University facilities will also continue to require masks in the immediate future.
The announcement comes after a year of COVID-related restrictions and several months of mandatory masking. While emphasizing caution, officials noted that the rescissions are an important milestone, due in large part to responsible mask usage and vaccination.
Eligible Monroe County residents are encouraged to schedule a time to receive the vaccine or make use of walk-in appointments where they are available. As of last Monday, this includes all residents aged twelve or older.
About 400 Protesters Gather in Indy to Demonstrate Support for Palestine
By Cynthia Roberts-Hall
On Saturday, about 400 protesters gathered at Monument Circle in Indianapolis to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the mass expulsion of Palestinians in 1948 and to speak out against recent acts of violence by the state of Israel against Palestinians.
A coalition of advocacy groups joined together to organize the protests, including Students for Justice in Palestine at Butler University and IUPUI, Jewish Voice for Peace Indiana, Indy-10 Black Lives Matter and several others.
WFHB Correspondent Cynthia Roberts-Hall attended the protest and heard from various speakers. The initial speaker, who identified as Palestinian, summarized that it was a peaceful protest of the ongoing violence and the need to claim Palestinian humanity.
Another speaker from Indy-10 BLM, shared a message of support to Palestine on behalf of the organization.
Protestors chanted for the liberation of Palestine and for the tearing down of walls everywhere – from Mexico to Palestine.
According to a press release from the Students for Justice in Palestine shared before the event, the organization said, “We call on all of our Indiana congressional representatives to voice their opposition to the Israeli state violence happening in Sheikh Jarrah and demand that the U.S. government end its $3.8 billion annual funding to the Israeli military.”
US Representative Andre Carson, a Democrat for Indiana’s 7th District, apologized for not being able to attend, but sent a message of support which was read aloud by one of the organizers.
Roberts-Hall said the march was spirited. She said that protesters chanted for a while on the east side of Capitol Street and then moved around to the south side of the Statehouse with more chants and a few speeches before marching back to Monument Circle.
Organizers of the protest sent out a link to a petition to, “stop Israel’s forced displacement of Palestinians from East Jerusalem.” So far, it garnered more than 294,000 signatures with a goal to reach 300,000.
Bloomington City Council Special Sessions
By Jake Jacobson
The Bloomington City Council continued its discussion on duplexes in residential areas at its May 12th special session. Councilmember Susan Sandberg introduced an amendment reducing the number of beds on each side of a duplex to 2, with a third bedroom available as a low-income incentive. She said this is one of the tools the council can use to ensure housing stays affordable in some parts of Bloomington.
Director of Planning and Transportation Scott Robinson expressed doubt that the incentive would work. He referenced that other large projects are already ignoring affordable housing incentives.
The amendment failed 4 to 5, with councilmembers Dave Rollo, Susan Sandberg, Ron Smith, and Sue Sgambelluri voting in support of the amendment.
At its May 13th special session, the Bloomington City Council discussed the adoption of a new Unified Development Ordinance. Jackie Scanlan introduced the ordinance, which would repeal and replace the old UDO with a new one as approved by City Council. Councilmember Sue Sgambelluri asked Scanlan if she thought Bloomington was becoming PUD adverse. Scanlan suggested that the council revise P-U-D regulations if they are worried that may be the case.
Councilmembers voted to adopt the new UDO 8 to 1, with Council Member Dave Rollo dissenting.
Monroe County Commissioners
By Jake Jacobson
The Monroe County Commissioners discussed amending the zoning map around South Rogers street. At the May 12th meeting, Planner Drew Myers proposed an amendment that would expand and rezone the Joseph Greene PUD from several various zones into one mixed-use residential zone. He explained the new property would add additional homes for county workers, and act as a hub for the Clear Creek community.
Commissioner Lee Jones expressed concern over the amount of parking. She worried that there wouldn’t be enough spaces for residents and businesses to share.
Commissioners agreed that the proposed plan is too dense. Commissioner Julie Thomas added that the county can see some density but should never look like Bloomington.
Commissioners rejected the amendment unanimously.
Feature Report:
Now it’s time for A Few Minutes with the Mayor – a weekly segment where Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton answers listener-posed questions on community issues.
In today’s segment, WFHB Assistant News Director Jake Jacobson asks the mayor questions on local Covid-19 guidelines and the outcome of the Unified Development Ordinances in the Bloomington City Council. All that and more in today’s edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Katherine Patterson, Robert Robinson, Cynthia Roberts-Hall, Kade Young and Jake Jacobson, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Jake Jacobson.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young
