WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:00 — 41.3MB)
Subscribe: RSS
This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, August 4th, 2021.
Later in the program, Indiana will receive 1 million dollars in federal money to deal with ramifications of the opioid crisis. WFHB Correspondent Robert Robinson has that story in the bottom half of tonight’s show.
Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Katrine Bruner provides a short rundown of local and state environmental news in today’s Environmental News Brief.
But first, your local news brief:
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has granted Indiana Farm Bureau a statewide permit for members to perform takes on black vultures. According to federal law, “takes” can include hunting, capturing and killing birds. Black vultures have been known to often prey on young cattle and sheep, which is an issue particularly present in southern Indiana. The Indiana Farm Bureau explained in a news release Monday that the birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so they can’t be killed without a migratory bird depredation permit.
The Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation will be requiring all students and staff to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. The first day for school in the county is August 11th. The new requirement was put in place over the weekend via an email to families by the R-BB superintendent, Jerry Sanders. Sanders explained to parents that the change was made as a result of the Monroe County Health Department’s announcement of a new health order up for approval due to worsening COVID-19 data for Monroe County. This new health order will be discussed at the board of health meeting today and will go to the Monroe County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday.
Monroe County Board of Health
The Monroe County Board of Health discussed a new mask mandate at its August 3rd meeting. Board of Health members discussed signing a new Health Order that would require all Monroe County residents to wear a mask indoors regardless of vaccination status. Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill talked about the growing spread of the COVID-19 delta variant. She said that 100 percent of recent cases have been the delta variant.
Resident Jeff Houser suggested that masks don’t help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Board member Doctor Carol Touloukian pushed back on this suggestion. She clarified that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention initially asked people to not buy masks so that healthcare workers could have enough of them.
Monroe County Commissioner Penny Githens vocalized her support to add a signage requirement to the health order. She pointed out that residents from surrounding counties, which have lower vaccine rates and higher incident rates, come to visit Monroe County frequently.
Board member Mark Norrell suggested the Health Order either expire on September 30th or if Monroe County enters blue status on the Indiana State Department of Health Coronavirus dashboard. Board members agreed, with the caveat that they would meet before September to discuss extending the order. Board members voted unanimously to sign the Health Order. The Health Order and enforcement actions go to the County Commissioners for final approval.
Monroe County Personnel Administration Committee
Human Resources consulting firm Waggoner, Irwin, Scheele, and Associates gave a presentation to the Monroe County Personnel Administration Committee on job description and salary compensation. At the August 3rd meeting, WIS representative Addie Rooker said they spent a large amount of time sorting out job descriptions. She revealed that each department had multiple versions of a job’s description, and that many did not match their salary ordinances.
Rooker said WIS received feedback around offering additional compensation for positions that do not qualify for overtime pay, like elected officials and legal advisors. She pointed out that these positions do not qualify under the Fair Labor Standards Act but that the County Council could pass legislation that would allow it.
Commissioner Marty Hawk cautioned that the report doesn’t necessarily mean any salaries will change. She said it all comes down to whether Monroe County has the money to follow the report.
The next Personnel Administration Committee meeting is scheduled for September 7th.
Board of Public Works
The Bloomington Board of Public Works discussed improvements at the Fire Station on Fairfield Drive. Director of Public Works Adam Wason presented agreements with companies to replace the blinds and flooring at Fire Station number 2 at 209 South Fairfield Drive. Board member Beth Hollingsworth questioned Wason on when the replacements would begin.
Board members approved of both replacements unanimously.
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
The Bloomington Utilities Service Board talked about soil at its August 2nd meeting. Assistant Director of Environmental Programs James Hall proposed an amendment to a contract with V-E-T Environmental Engineering, who the city hired to help excavate and dispose of soil. Hall said the project needed additional funding because it would have to reach farther north than expected. He added contractors would need a place to store waste, which was not considered in the original plan.
Board member Jeff Ehman asked how much farther north the project would reach. Hall clarified the delineation would only be a few additional feet.
Board members approved the amendment unanimously.
Environmental News Brief
Scientists have issued a warning of an invasive species of poisonous plants that are migrating from the woods to backyard gardens and neighborhood parks across Indiana. The poison hemlock, first discovered in Indiana five years ago, is fatal if eaten by people and animals, including young children and pets. The severity of the poisoning is dependent on how much is consumed. The plant is best identified by its purple stems. Researchers ask that if you come across this plant in your neighborhood then it is possible to remove them with the help of gloves, long sleeves, and even goggles, as even touching the plant can be dangerous.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering a modification of the qualifications needed for waterways to fall under the protection of the federal government. The current 2020 law does not include waterways that are only covered by water on a seasonal basis. Due to this missing piece of protection, Indiana lawmakers recently passed a bill that removed protection for 800,000 acres of wetlands across the state. The EPA is holding virtual public meetings to help create a new and clear definition of waterways. The public is welcome to join the virtual meetings.
Researchers are advising gardeners to be prepared for the final heat waves of the summer by protecting their plants from heat stress. Most plants become stressed when the weather is too hot and too much water evaporates. Researchers urge gardeners to water their plants early in the morning in preparation for the hot day, but be sure not to overwater and cause plants to drown. A similar method to protect plants would be to add fertilizer and mulch which can help reduce temperature and trap moisture in the soil. In order for plants to survive the heat, it is important for them to have adequate care.
Indiana Will Receive More than $1 Million Due to Opioid Epidemic
The federal government announced this week that Indiana will be receiving more than $1 million in federal money to deal with the ramifications of the opioid crisis.
The money, awarded by the Labor Department to the Indiana Department of Workforce development, will go towards training workers to fill jobs needed in the wake of the opioid epidemic–such as counseling, recovery coaching, and addiction treatment. The grant is specifically designated for 25 counties located throughout Southern Indiana. Monroe County does not appear on the list.
The disbursement comes in the wake of multiple recent settlements with opioid companies that also could provide Indiana with large sums of cash. A multistate settlement with McKinsey & Company, a consulting firm that promoted addictive opioids, yielded $12.5 million for Indiana. Another settlement, with Cardinal Health, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen, could bring $507 million to Indiana. However, with many local governments refusing the settlement and opting to pursue their own lawsuits, the deal could fall through.
The opioid crisis has had devastating effects on Indiana. In the last decade, roughly 4,000 Indiana residents have died from opioids. There are now more Hoosier deaths from drug overdoses than car accidents. Between 2003 and 2018, opioid misuse has cost Indiana an estimated total of $43.3 billion.
Opioid abuse remains a critical issue in Indiana. Those struggling with addiction can call the Indiana Addiction Hotline at 800-662-HELP.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Katrine Bruner, Robert Robinson and Jake Jacobson, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
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 Jake Jacobson.
