WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 18th, 2020.
In today’s show, WFHB Assistant News Director Sydney Foreman talks to John Hamilton, Mayor of Bloomington, in our recurring segment, A Few Minutes with the Mayor.
Also, restaurants in Bloomington are beginning to reopen. WFHB News Director Kade Young talks to Chris Martin, who owns a string of restaurants, including Yogi’s Bloomington.
But first, your local headlines.
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton said City Hall will open up to the public on May 26th during a Covid-19 Press conference on May 15th. He said any resurgence would not be noticeable until at least 2 weeks after reopening.
Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill said any reopening business must have a posted prevention plan. She said businesses could require face coverings for both employees and customers. Hamilton said the next round of COVID-19 prevalence testing will begin in June. President of Indiana University Health Brian Schokney said antibody testing is not reliable.
Caudill said if local testing can’t be found, other Indiana counties with drive through and Optum clinic testing sites can test Monroe County residents.
Caudill said the Optum Testing center is NOT open. She said location issues pushed back the opening date and can expect to be running sometime this week. She said any patients with scheduled appointments should be contacted to reschedule and appointments can still be made.
The County Health Department encouraged the community to take the COVID-19 Prevention Pledge on the Monroe County Health Department website to maintain 6 feet social distance, wash hands often, wear a facemask in public or if you are sick, and to get treating if any symptoms are present.
WFHB News Correspondent Alex Dederer provides a report on unemployment in Indiana.
Since the coronavirus struck Indiana, nearly 300,000 Hoosiers have filed unemployment claims, with $1.4 billion in benefits paid out to claimants through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
Commissioner of the Department Fred Payne reported Friday that the state had paid $400 million in addition to the $1 billion the federal government paid Indiana residents since March.
According to the Herald-Times, Payne said, “We’re trending in the right direction here, but we know that is not deep enough for every single Hoosier who has filed for unemployment benefits. But, we will get there and each and every Hoosier, who is eligible, will receive those benefits.”
A voucher for unemployment insurance benefits includes information about hours worked and it must be filed each week. Payne’s department reported almost 377,000 vouchers on average during the first four weeks in April.
Averaging the four weeks, the department reported that 86% of the claims were resolved, equating to nearly one in 10 applicants not receiving benefits.
Payne stated the department started paying those claims May 8 – 60,000 of the 68,000 applicants had received their benefits, claiming his department’s staff has gone from resolving 6,800 issues a week to 27,000.
The department states the claims were resolved within 21 days, on average.
Some unemployment claims take longer than 21 days to process due to issues revolving around deductible income, whether someone was a full- or part-time employee or if the person voluntarily quit.
The department claims the average state benefit paid during April was $272.72, compared to the previous reported average benefit of $300. The federal stimulus package grants an additional $600 of state benefits, which max out at $390 per week.
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce approached the state to enact work share legislation, which are programs where employees with reduced hours, rather than be laid off, qualify for partial unemployment compensation if their employers have an established agreement with the state.
In the news release, the chamber stated, “28 states today have successful work share programs. Workers in those states are able to receive the partial unemployment benefits and $600 per week in extra federal support.”
The number of weekly initial unemployment claims continues to fall, dropping to under 31,000 the week of May 9. This is down from more than 139,000 claims during the peak in March.
The City of Bloomington Board of Public Works approved a change order to the Sare Road Right of Way clearing project during their May 12th meeting. Project Manager Russell White said workers encountered additional tree clearage.
White said a large specialized Crane is required to remove the large tree and prevent any street damage. He said removal would cost an approximately additional 6,400 dollars. Board member Dana Pallazo said the change order is within the public works law at the cost of 20 percent of the original contract.
Saturday morning, Monroe County’s stay-at-home order expired. That led the way for Bloomington restaurants to reopen at 50 percent capacity.
Relatively-crowded house parties were reported in downtown Bloomington.
It was reported in local news media, across the street from the Princess Theater, the words “Stay the f*** home” were projected onto a wall.
Some restaurants such as the Irish Lion opted out of re-opening on Saturday. Other restaurants, such as Brothers Bar and Grill reached full capacity on opening night. Restaurant owners are required to monitor occupancy limits and social distancing guidelines.
One local restaurant that reopened Saturday was Yogi’s, which has been a Bloomington staple since 1992.
Coming up later, Kade Young talks to the owner, Chris Martin, about reopening amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Monroe County Solid Waste Management District discussed Recycling Center reopening during their May 14th meeting. Board member Cheryl Munson said face masks would not be required for customers but highly suggested.
Munson said restricting the number of cars is to maintain social distancing. After deliberation board members decided to open recycling facilities on Mondays, and Wednesday through Saturday – However the South Walnut Location will be closed on Mondays. Executive Director Tom McGlasson said the new operating schedule will take place on Monday May 18th.
Feature Reports:
- Kade Young to Chris Martin, director of operations for Finney Hospitality, which owns The Tap, SmokeWorks, Social Cantina, and Yogi’s in Bloomington.
They talked specifically about reopening Saturday at Yogi’s Bloomington. Here is that interview. - Sydney Foreman talks to John Hamilton, Mayor of Bloomington, in our recurring series, A Few Minutes with the Mayor.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News.
Today’s headlines were written by Alex Dederer, Kade Young and Sydney Foreman, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Sydney Foreman.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
