WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 20, 2020.
In today’s program, our weekly consumer watchdog segment, Better Beware Hosted by Richard Fish. Also, WFHB News Director Kade Young talks to the founder of Quarantine Buddies – a Google form started by an IU student to connect those in isolation.
But first, your local headlines.
The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission approved a purchase agreement with Real America for 1730 South Walnut street also known as the former Night Moves site. Housing and Neighborhood Development Director Doris Sims said the property would be developed into affordable housing and would partner with Stonebelt.
Sims said Real America is experienced in affordable and low-income housing. Commission member Cindy Kinnarney asked city attorney Larry Allen about property financing.
Real America Vice President of Development Jeff Ryan said they will build approximately 60 affordable living units with a mix of bedroom numbers. He said the apartments would be a mix of 5 levels of affordability ranging from 30 to 80 percent of area median income.
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Governor Eric Holcomb issued an executive order putting a halt on evictions and foreclosures until the state of emergency expires on June 4th.
As record numbers of people are out-of-work, local activist groups are calling for a list of demands to protect people from being evicted.
Hoosier Action started a petition to protect Monroe County residents from Covid-19 evictions. The organization said their goal is to reach at least 500 supporters.
The petition asks the Mayor of Bloomington, the City Council of Bloomington, the Monroe County Commissioners and the Monroe County Council to do everything in their power to prevent evictions as a result of the Covid-19 crisis and to protect those already experiencing homelessness by following a number of demands.
Those demands include keeping public restrooms and facilities open, letting people use public spaces and benches as shelter if necessary, putting a moratorium on water or utility shut-offs, establishing a rent relief program, developing a local plan to inform renters of their rights and asking judges to stay all local eviction orders.
The petition said, “All Hoosiers, no matter where we come from, what our color or religious tradition, deserve a safe place to live. During Covid-19 this is more important than ever since we must shelter in place to protect everyone’s health.”
Hoosier Action said due to Covid-19, there are an estimated 43,800 newly low-income renters in Indiana and an estimated 205,837 low-income houses will require rental assistance in the wake of the pandemic.
The organization said, “In order to prevent a massive wave of evictions and increase in Hoosiers experiencing homelessness, we must take swift action to protect Hoosier renters and those already experiencing housing insecurity.”
More information can be found at HoosierAction.org.
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Bloomington Parks and Recreation Community Relations Manager Julie Ramey provided an update about virtual programing during the May 19th Board of Park Commissioners meeting. She said multiple virtual events have been available for children of all ages.
Ramey said programing can be found on the Banakir Community Center Facebook page and city of Bloomington I-N Parks and Recreation Facebook page. She said the Bloomington Farmers market Facebook Page also provides public market updates. She said any park updates can be found on the Bloomington Indiana Parks Department Website.
Recreation Services Director Becky Higgins said Kid City will still offer in person summer camp. She said the staff has diligently researched safe ways to provide a similar camp experience.
Higgins said the Bloomington fourth of July Parade was cancelled. She said The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department was one of 15 agencies nationwide to receive a Parks as Community Nation Hub’s – Expanding Access to Healthy Foods Grant from the National Recreation and Park Association.
Sports Services Director John Turnbul said no lifeguards training can take place until the social distancing order has been lifted. He said opening pools would be complicated. He said many surrounding local pools will NOT be opening. Operations Director Dave Williams provided an update that the previous pavement was laid in front of the 3rd street park stage.
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Bloomington Police Department arrested a murder suspect after a woman was found dead in her boyfriend’s apartment.
According to a press release, Bloomington Police Department is investigating a stabbing at an apartment complex on the south side of the City. 59-year old man, John F. Bryant of Bloomington, was arrested and charged with Murder.
The press release described the incident. It said on May 16th, 2020, officers from the Bloomington Police Department responded to an address in the 1300 block of N Crescent Rd in reference to a missing person report.
A 20 year-old man reported that he had not seen nor heard from his 50 year-old mother since she left their shared residence on May 6th to go to her boyfriend’s apartment. The boyfriend was identified as John Bryant.
The press release said, on May 18th at approximately 2:15 p.m., officers were called to Bryant’s apartment in the 700 block of E Alpine Trail by a friend of the victim’s son, as she had located the missing woman’s vehicle parked nearby.
She reported that when she knocked on Bryant’s door to see if the missing woman was inside the apartment, he refused to allow her inside. Officers made contact with Bryant who eventually allowed officers inside to determine if the victim was there.
As officers entered Bryant’s apartment, they immediately noticed something on the living room floor that had been covered with blankets that appeared to be the size of a human body.
Officers removed the blankets and located a deceased female with multiple stab wounds on her back. Bryant was immediately detained and transported to the police department for an interview.
Due to the condition of the victim’s body, it is believed that the victim had been deceased for several days.
An autopsy was scheduled for the morning of May 19th. After interview, John Bryant was remanded to custody of the Monroe County Jail for the charge of murder.
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The Richland Bean Blossom School Board approved a new School Corporation Logo and Mission Statement during their May 18th meeting. Superintendent Jerry Sanders said RBB received a Ready Schools Planning Grant in August 2019. STEAM Coach and Program Coordinator Jaime Miller said the changes would redefine their identity as a school district.
Miller said the new logo captures each school’s colors and refers to the Richland history.
Miller said a related logo would be assigned to each School. She said the logo supports the new Mission Statement.
Miller said all grades will be working towards a graduate ready profile. She said the profile would allow students to be successful in any post high school plans. She said the profile is structured by six skills.
Miller said students would also be exposed to continuous awareness of potential career paths.
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Feature Reports:
- Coronavirus has forced college campuses across the country to close. For students, this doesn’t leave room for a social life – not in the conventional way. WFHB News Director Kade Young talks to the founder of Quarantine Buddies – a service started by an IU student to connect others in social isolation.
- Better Beware, your weekly consumer-watchdog segment, hosted and produced by Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News.,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Sydney Foreman, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Better Beware was produced by Richard Fish.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young.
Our theme music is provided by Ben Lumsdaine, Scott Schmadeke, and Dani Graf.
Executive producer is Kade Young.
