WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, July 1st, 2020.
Later in the program, WFHB News Director Kade Young talked to Jonah Crismore, executive director of the Buskirk Chumley and Jared Thompson, owner of the Comedy Attic about how Covid-19 has impacted their local entertainment venues.
But first, your local headlines.
Monroe County Council held a special meeting to discuss community concerns and law enforcement resourcing on June 30th. The county Council brought in a community mediator, Latasha Williams to facilitate the meeting. She said the meeting was a beginning for change against racial injustice.
Williams started the discussion with reallocation of police budgeting to social services. Community member Macklin said they work in teenage social services. They said police involvement in a social case never turned out well and escalated the situation. Community member Dave Owens said the current funding for Sharif’s Department, given the services they provide, is not sufficient. Resident Sarah Ericson said the police are not properly trained.
Resident Kel said reallocation should start with refusing the sheriffs request for two deputy hires. Community member Ellen Wu said she wants transparency of Sheriff Diekhoff’s involvement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Community member Eli Parker said enforcement should share a public database of information. He requested to see complaints according to officer badge numbers. Resident Kate Blake said officers should be searched for white supremacist affiliations. Kel said police officers with body cameras are not always reliable.
Community resident Peter Reeves said there is no success under a police system that began as slave patrols.
Indiana State Department of Health reported 371 new positive cases of Covid-19 on June 30th. 8 new deaths were reported from June 14th to June 30th. This comes after 5,555 new tests were issued from May 13th to June 30th.
That brings the total number of positive cases to 45,952 people with 2,456 deaths. Almost 490,000 total tests have been issued with 9.4 percent of all tests coming back positive.
51 percent of ICU beds are in use due to non-covid related illnesses. 9.5 percent of ICU beds in the state are in use due to Covid-19. 39.4 percent of ICU beds are available in Indiana.
14 percent of ventilators are in use to non-covid-19 patients. 3.5 percent of ventilators are being used to treat Covid-19 patients. 82.5 percent of ventilators are available, according to the state department of health.
The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission discussed a preliminary design for the housing project located on South Walnut Street, known to be the former Night Moves location. Petitioner Jeff Ryan of Real America said the development would be called Retreat @ the Switchyard. He said the design is inspired by Switchyard park architecture.
Ryan said retail and parking would be on the ground floor of the building and apartments above. He said the development would include 64 apartment units, 50 of which are affordable living. He said up to 25% of apartment units would be reserved for Stone belt clients. Commissioner Nick Kappas said the building is too simple.
Commissioner Don Griffin said using natural stone would be more favorable than concrete. Ryan said for the final design, Real America will partner with a local architect. He said construction is projected to begin in July 2021 and leasing would begin October 2022.
Last week, citizens living near the Mississippi gulf coast such as Texas, Florida and Louisiana were recommended to wear face coverings not just for COVID-19 but also to protect themselves from the dense dust plumes that came in Thursday.
Nicknamed the “Gorilla Dust Cloud” the storm came from the northwest originally from the Saharan Desert. The storm swept over San Juanas well, creating massive sandstorms in Isla Verde beach in Puerto Rico.
Environmental health specialist with the University of Puerto Rico stated that in terms of climate events, “This is the most significant event in the past 50 years.”
The last of the dust was expected to hit southern Indiana on Saturday and gradually dissipate Sunday and Monday. Reports estimated a thicker concentration in southern Indiana that would travel to Indianapolis by Saturday.
Meteorologist in Indianapolis, Michael Koch said that this was his first time dealing with these climate events however he explained that behavior of the accumulation being carried by winds over the Atlantic Ocean is typical.
Dust comes from the Sahara every year, however the amount of dust this time is greater than it has been in decades.
The concerns from this storm were mainly the effects on air quality and as a result, a rise in people getting sick or more sick from respiratory issues caused by the dust. The main precautions were directed towards children, older adults and people dealing with heart disease, lung disease, allergies, or asthma.
The COVID-19 virus was another reason for concern. The state of Texas was already seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases when news came of the dust storm to arrive in the area.
Scientists and observers listed a couple positive side effects from these plumes, such as the colors in the sky and the suppression of hurricanes.
Meteorologist Michael Koch explained that the sunsets may be miraculous from the enhanced sunlight scattered by dust in the atmosphere. With more dust present, more particles are in the sky for the light to retract off of, presenting brighter shades of red, orange, yellow and pink.
Scientists also stated that the dust plumes may temporarily stop hurricanes during this month due to the dry, desert air sweeping across the Atlantic Ocean.
Up next, WFHB Assistant News Director Sydney Foreman delivers three local headlines.
A 30 thousand dollar grant from, Early Learning Indiana, was presented to the Brown County Schools’ Preschool program.
The grant was part of a 15 million dollar Come Back Stronger Fund, sponsored by the Lily endowment. The fund was aimed to support the most vulnerable children in early learning opportunities.
According to a press release, Brown County Schools had to submit a letter on how the funds would support their vulnerable children’s educational systems. The funds will support the opening of additional classroom space to optimize social distancing, implementing the most current safety practices, being responsive to new recommendations as circumstances evolve and change throughout the school year, addressing the social and emotional needs of children by pursuing specific training for preschool staff, deep cleaning of spaces including equipment and toys on a regular basis, purchasing personal protective equipment and purchasing items commonly shared among students such as writing instruments and other supplies.
In the release Brown County Schools Director of Student Learning and Services, Deborah Harman, said, “Our early learners were thriving in our classrooms prior to the pandemic. Our reopening with the return to school and continued program expansion are dependent on our commitment to offering families a high-quality early education experience in a safe and engaging environment.”
Yesterday, June 30th, the Bloomington Switchyard Park spray pad opened. The pad includes a system of approximately 90 nozzles and misters which spray out water for visitors to enjoy. The water is treated through a chlorinated system. A maximum of 50 visitors will be allowed on the pad at any given time to follow social distancing practices. Surrounding all-gender restrooms and changing rooms also opened on June 30th. There are no fees to use the Switchyard spray pad, however visitors may experience a wait to use the facility.
Starting today, July 1st, Indiana has implemented a hands free law. A bill was signed in March making it illegal to hold your phone while operating a car. This includes phone usage at a red light. However, a driver can use their phone through bluetooth, voice control or other hand free methods such as stands. According to Indiana State police the law was passed to reduce distracted driving. In 2019, distracted driving caused more than 10 thousand 400 crashes. Approximately 2 thousand of the crashes caused injury and 19 ended fatal. Breaking the law is labeled as a class C infraction. Drivers found in violation of the law could receive up to a 500 dollar fine. However, points will not be added against your license until July 1st 2021. State law says license suspensions occur when a driver reaches 20 points.
Now it’s time for your feature reports.
Up first, WFHB News Director Kade Young talked to Jonah Crismore, executive director at the Buskirk Chumley and Jared Thompson, owner of the Comedy Attic. They discuss how Covid-19 has impacted their local businesses, increased safety protocols and reopening efforts.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Katrine Bruner, Kade Young and Sydney Foreman, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kade Young
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Executive producer is Kade Young.
