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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 12th, 2021.
Later in the program, we have the latest edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor – where WFHB Assistant News Director Jake Jacobson interviews Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton on issues in our community. More coming up in the bottom half of tonight’s program.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Covid-19 cases are trending upward across the US – and Indiana is no exception. WFHB Correspondent Tilly Robinson has more following today’s headlines.
But first, your local news brief:
A new Monroe County History Center director was announced last Tuesday – Daniel Schlegel, Jr., who immediately stepped into the role. The next upcoming event at the History Center , located on East Sixth Street, will be “Black Authors Speak,” on Saturday July 17th from 5 pm – 7 pm. During this event, writers of all ages will share their stories through short performances on an outdoor venue.
Since this Friday you can find yourself driving under art on Jordan Avenue. Students at IU created a Black Lives Matter mural on the popular street. Joa’Quinn Griffin, a participant in the mural said , “We wanted to give representation to groups on campus that you don’t see support for. This mural can make you feel safe, like you’re in a partnership.” The placement of the mural was intentional – with the street being named after David Starr Jordan – an avid supporter of eugenics and vocal about many racist beliefs. This mural is only the first of many art projects IU students plan on displaying across campus.
IU on-campus fraternity Acacia has been suspended due to hazing and endangering others. This comes not soon after their placement onto cease and desist April 15th. The Administrative Conference Panel will propose a suspension length and the Dean of Students will make a final decision for the fraternity.
Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission
The Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission discussed plans to reuse the Johnson’s Creamery Building at it’s July 8th meeting. Director of Development at Peerless Development Joe Patrick presented plans to redevelop sections of the Johnson’s Creamery Building in downtown Bloomington. He said they would be working on sections added to the main building, which have not aged well.
Patrick said parts of the façade that face the B-Line were not very pedestrian-friendly. He said tearing down and rebuilding this part of the Creamery Building would improve that experience. Commissioner Sam DeSollar agreed that some parts of the building should come down, but that parts of the façade facing the B-Line were indicative of the building’s history.
Commissioner Duncan Campbell showed concern about removing one third of a historically preserved site. He said tearing down the boiler room of the Creamery and replacing it with a business is a betrayal of its historical status.
The next scheduled meeting of the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission is July 22nd.
Inmates Allege Cruel and Unusual Punishment at Indiana Prison
Several inmates sued the Miami Correctional Facility alleging inhumane living conditions at the Indiana prison.
The lawsuits, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, claim the inmates were held in isolation in completely dark cells for 23 hours a day and have suffered dangerous electric shocks from live wires, cuts from broken glass and vulnerability to extreme cold due to broken windows.
According to a release from ACLU Indiana, one man says he was injured when a one-hundred-pound light fixture fell striking him in the head. Furthermore, inmates claim that prison officials deliberately neglected to respond to complaints or make basic repairs, while withholding medical attention when required.
ACLU Indiana says they’re suing on the grounds of cruel and unusual punishment. WFHB News reached out to the Indiana Department of Correction but were unable to hear back prior to this broadcast.
Ellettsville Plan Commission
The Ellettsville Plan Commission discussed rezoning part of West State Road 46 at its July 8th meeting. Lynn Coyne presented a plan to rezone part of 3888 West State Road 46 from Commercial 3 zone to a Planned Unit Development on behalf of the petitioner. He said The Ridge Group decided to request a rezone so the plan would go before the residents of Ellettsville. Coyne clarified that they could already build apartments by-right in a C-3 zone if they were above a business.
Commissioner Pat Wesolowski showed concern about the amount of traffic generated. He suggested the peak hour numbers were misleading. Coyne said that by not requiring commercial space, The Ridge Group was significantly reducing traffic.
Resident Nick Brehl said he appreciated that the apartments would not be over businesses. He noted traffic will already be increasing due to 3 other proposed businesses in the area.
Commissioner Wesolowski motioned to send the plan back to the Ellettsville Town Council with no recommendation. Commissioners approved the motion 5 to 2, with Commissioners Terry Baker and Dan Swafford objecting.
Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Board of Directors
The Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Board of Directors discussed updates to the Solid Waste Management plans at its July 8th meeting. Board member Isabel Piedmont-Smith discussed changes she made to language in the mission plan. She was surprised that the statement was the Solid Waste Management District’s mission statement verbatim.
Board member Cheryl Munson identified the importance of involving the Citizen Action Committee in the revision of the plan. She added that the deadline for community members to submit comments on the plan is July 29th. The plan will be further discussed at the Solid Waste Management District Executive Committee meeting on August 2nd.
Covid-19 cases are trending upward in Indiana – with causes ranging from the Delta variant to unvaccinated populations. WFHB Correspondent Tilly Robinson has that story.
Covid-19 Cases Trending Upward in Indiana – Variants and the Unvaccinated
42 states saw an increase in Covid-19 cases between last week and the week before, and Indiana is no exception.
According to the latest Indiana State Department of Health Covid-19 update, from July 9th, Indiana’s Covid-19 positivity rate rose to 3.2% last week from its 2.1% low in June. Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box explained that new Covid-19 variants account for much of this uptick.
“We have seen an increase in the Delta variant that originated in India,” said Dr. Box.
The Delta variant accounted for nearly 56% of Covid-19 tests sequenced between June 11 and July 8.
Dr. Box emphasized the risks posed by Covid-19 variants.
“These mutations of the virus have been shown to be more infectious, more easily transmitted and to potentially cause more severe illness than the original strain,” said Box.
Across the four long-term care facilities that have seen outbreaks, at least 27 residents and staff have been infected, and at least 7 residents have died. Most of these cases were among unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals.
Dr. Box explained that breakthrough infections among fully vaccinated individuals are very rare.
“The number of breakthrough cases statewide remains very small in comparison to the number of the people who are fully vaccinated,” she said.
Dr. Lindsay Weaver, Indiana’s Chief Medical Officer, explained that 2.9 million Hoosiers have been vaccinated, but obstacles remain.
“We continue to see gaps in vaccine uptake – both by age and by geography,” said Weaver.
Especially as Covid-19 variants continue to spread, Dr. Weaver underscored the importance of getting the vaccine.
“The vaccine is still the most effective tool that we have to protect the people we love,” she said.
According to the New York Times interactive Covid-19 tracker, local vaccination rates exceed the state average of 43%, but 49% of Monroe County residents remain unvaccinated. For more information on the Covid-19 vaccine, Dr. Weaver encourages Hoosiers to visit the CDC website and ourshot.in.gov.
Feature Report:
Now it’s time for A Few Minutes with the Mayor – a weekly segment where we pose questions to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton about issues in the community. In today’s segment, WFHB Assistant News Director interviews Mayor Hamilton on the local response to Covid-19. We turn to Jake Jacobson for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Katherine Patterson, Kade Young, Tilly Robinson and Jake Jacobson, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Jake Jacobson.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
