WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, November 10th, 2021.
Later in the program, WFHB Assistant News Director Noelle Herhusky-Schneider continues her coverage on the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project. She speaks with Marion Mason and Chris Thornton from the U.S. Forest Service. More coming up in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, the City of Bloomington will no longer contract with Servpro for cleanup of lead contamination after the Bloomington Fire Department conducted a prescribed burn last week. More in today’s headlines.
But first, your Environmental News Brief:
Last week, the Bloomington Fire Department practiced a training exercise at an approved burning site at an old home. This allowed them to prepare for real life scenarios. However, Bloomington residents have raised concerns about the toxins that came from the home. Local landlord Matt Murphy specifically smelled the burning of lead, and noticed ash and other contaminants landing in his and his neighbors backyards. City officials have contacted biohazard cleanup companies to investigate and possibly remove any harmful chemicals and debris that may still be present in the area. The main contaminant, lead, can have permanent harmful effects on the brain and central nervous system.
The Supreme Court of the United States has recently announced that they will hear cases concerning whether the federal government has the power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
The case, a consolidation of many, goes by the name of West Virginia v. the Environmental Protection Agency. Many people on the side of West Virginia are fighting to make it unconstitutional for the EPA to create strong and effective policies to fight climate change, as they view it as hurtful for the fossil fuel industry. Two Supreme Court Justices, Justice Neil Gorsuch and Justice Brett Kavanaugh have shown support for such a position in the past. If ruled in favor of West Virginia, this could become a monumental shift in terms of the power of the federal government.
A brand new project between the state of Indiana and an Israeli based renewable energy company will lead to a $1.5 billion investment for a brand new solar panel farm in northwest Indiana. Called the Mammoth Solar Project, the solar farm will be around 13,000 acres of previously farmed cropland. This area of the state receives a large amount of solar energy, so it is an ideal spot for the new farm. This conversion will also save an estimated billion gallons of irrigation water and 2,000 tons of carbon emissions that would result from the application of pesticides, as well as the planting and harvesting of crops. Once completed, this solar farm will be the biggest in the country.
Local Officials Discuss Covid-19 Response Ahead of the Holidays
At the Covid-19 Press Conference on November 5th Mayor John Hamilton shared that OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, published new rules for large employers regarding national safety requirements.
“All city employees by January 4 must either be vaccinated, demonstrate their vaccination status, or get weekly COVID testing and have significant masking protocols consistently at work,” said Hamilton.
Board of Health Director Penny Caudill gave an update on vaccines for 5 to 11 year olds, and asked residents to be patient as the demand for the vaccine is high. She promised they will be able to get everyone who wants to be fully vaccinated, fully vaccinated before Christmas.
Caudill shared that Monroe County was in the Yellow Advisory Category this week, and recommended residents maintain their diligence with mask wearing and precautions especially with the holiday season coming up.
“As we come to a time of giving, I would request that we not give each other infections, be they the flu, COVID, or any other respiratory infection,” said Caudill. “Instead, let’s give all of our efforts to giving grace and being kind. Get vaccinated, follow regulations and recommendations to reduce transmission.”
Monroe County Commissioner Julie Thomas reported that there is a Monroe County Township Assistance Fund to residents who need financial assistance.
“This is specifically designed to help folks who are struggling in the community with basic necessities, things like rent and utilities,” said Thomas.
IU Health president Brian Shockney shared that the hospital is seeing higher levels of flu patients this year than in previous years, and urged everyone to get the flu vaccine alongside their Covid-19 Vaccine.
IU Chief Health Officer Aaron Carroll asked that parents with questions about their children getting the Covid-19 vaccine should seek out well informed answers so that they can help protect their families.
“Lots of research has been done. These are safe and effective, incredibly safe,” said Carroll. “We’ll be doing more monitoring as we move forward. But, you know, the harm of COVID is real.”
According to IU Director of Media Relations Chuck Carney the Covid-19 Press Conference will now be held bi-weekly. The next press conference will be on November 19th.
Ellettsville Town Council
At the Ellettsville town council meeting on November 8th Envision Ellettsville member Dan Rarey invited residents to attend the fourth Steering committee meeting coming up.
Town Council member Denise Line updated the council on the Community Crossing grant award.
She also shared they are applying for a grant for a Next Level Trails Grant.
The next meeting will be held on November 22nd.
City No Longer Contracting with Servpro for Lead Contaminated Cleanup
On Monday, WFHB News ran a story about a resident who reported lead contaminated ash and debris after the Bloomington Fire Department conducted a prescribed burn of a home at 1213 South High Street as a training exercise.
We reported on the city’s response, which included a Google form for remediation and door-to-door warnings to nearby residents. We also reported that the city will contract with Servpro, a company that specializes in biohazard cleanup.
In a press release on Monday from the mayor’s office, the city said that due to delays in contracting with the company, the Bloomington Fire Department will contract with an alternate service provider to conduct the evaluation and cleanup at no cost.
By Tuesday, BFD Fire Chief Jason Moore said the city entered an agreement with the Indianapolis-based Environmental Assurance Company, Inc. for the cleanup effort.
EACI will partner with Vet Environmental Engineering, an engineering and consulting firm who will monitor air quality while work continues, according to a report in Indiana Public Media.
The city has since organized a web page titled “BFD Controlled Burn Information.” In it, the fire department outlines a list of instructions for wet washing – the city’s recommended way to clean up lead dust. To view the full list of instructions, click here.
Feature Report:
WFHB Assistant News Director Noelle Herhusky-Schneider continues her coverage on the Buffalo Springs Restoration Project. She speaks with Marion Mason and Chris Thornton from the U.S. Forest Service. We turn now to that interview.
Up next, Counterfeit Goods on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. Fake brand-name merchandise is becoming a huge problem, especially in on-line sales, and with the holiday season coming up, everybody needs to watch out. With more on the story, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
Anchors are Benedict Jones and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider
