WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 7th, 2021.
Later in the program, the City of Bloomington will host the Black History 101 Mobile Museum from 9 a.m. to noon on September 11th at City Hall. We spoke with James Sanders, chair of the City of Bloomington Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission. More coming up in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, President of IU Health Brian Shockney says that the hospital system has postponed non-urgent surgeries due to the rising number of patients with Covid-19. More in the top half of tonight’s program.
Local Joint Covid-19 Press Conference
At the September 3rd Covid-19 Press Conference, Mayor John Hamilton cautioned residents about increasing Covid-19 rates.
Health Administrator, Penny Caudill, shared that Monroe County is currently in the yellow advisory category for Covid-19 cases, however, the trajectory is moving toward the orange distinction.
According to the Indiana County Covid-19 guidelines, an orange status means that there is medium to high community spread. It also means more precautions should be put into place, for example, it is recommended that the size of gatherings be limited and common places in workspaces be limited.
Monroe County Commissioners President, Julie Thomas, reminded residents that the county is offering financial assistance for those who need help with utilities and rent. Residents of Monroe County can contact their township trustee for more information. She also encouraged members of the community to help each other.
President of IU Health, Brian Shockney, shared that the hospital is postponing non-urgent surgeries due to the rising numbers of patients with Covid-19. He explained that the number of patients at the hospital are predominantly non-vaccinated individuals.
The resounding message at the press conference was that individuals should get vaccinated because it is helping, and it will help even more if everyone gets the vaccine. The next press conference will be held on September 11th.
Ellettsville Plan Commission
The Ellettsville Plan Commission discussed an amended Governor Park Landscape plan. At the September 2nd meeting, Planning Director Kevin Tolloty presented an amended plan with less shrubbery and less sidewalks. Petitioner Hayden Lockhart said aspects of the project have cost more than expected, resulting in changes to the landscaping.
Commissioner Don Calvert did not mind the missing sidewalk. He said as long as one sidewalk leads to State Road 46, the plan is still fine.
Commissioner Sandra Hash motioned to approve the amendment with conditions. Commissioners approved the motion 5 to 0.
Monroe County Commissioners
Monroe County Commissioners announced their intent to establish a voting precinct and district review committee. County Attorney Jeff Cockerill said that the resolution at the September 1st meeting was more of an announcement. He said the goal was to encourage residents to apply now so the committee could be ready to roll once Monroe County gets information from the state.
Commissioner Julie Thomas clarified that interested residents can apply for the committee online. You can find the board and commission application at co.monroe.in.us/boards.
Feature Report:
The City of Bloomington will host the Black History 101 Mobile Museum from 9 a.m. to noon on September 11th at City Hall.
The museum will feature a collection of 7,000 artifacts of Black memorabilia dating from the trans-Atlantic slave trade era to hip-hop culture. This collection was founded and curated by Dr. Khalid El-Hakim, a keynote speaker at the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.
WFHB News spoke with James Sanders, chair of the City of Bloomington Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission. Sanders describes the exhibit as “jarring” but he still believes it is important for our community to acknowledge this difficult history. We turn to WFHB’s Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider for that interview.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Jake Jacobson and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider.
Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade
Anchors are Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Benedict Jones.
