WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, October 21st, 2024.
Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin offers his weekly editorial on the WFHB Local News. More in today’s feature report.
That’s Kelli Debikey, education director at Wonderlab. Don’t call it a children’s museum – Kelli says Wonderlab empowers people from ALL generations to discover and learn. Hear more later in the show on a new episode of Activate!
But first, your daily headlines:
Bloomington City Council
During the October 16th meeting of the Bloomington City Council, the Stride Center spoke about their efforts and accomplishments over the past four years, an argument for safer streets was had, and the Deputy County Clerk position was approved.
First, Vice President of Adult and Family Services Linda Grove-Paul from the Stride Center introduced themselves to the council. She shared that the Stride Coalition was formed in 2017. Crisis on Kirkwood brought people together in order to figure out the drug overdose and housing crisis.
Their main goal is to help create solutions for these problems and found the police department to be a promising place to start. Some of these solutions include on demand resources, a place to go 24/7 and 365 days out of the year, training to address these specific issues and creating connections through follow ups with the people they help.
Grove-Paul explained that in the state of Indiana there has been zero funding for crisis services.
She says there needs to be preventative measures so individuals that could benefit from their help aren’t going into the criminal justice system.
The Stride System pushed for the federal level legislation ruling for the 988 system that allows anyone to call at any time if they are in a crisis and need help.
The Stride Center is open 24 hours a day itself. This year they are on track to having 1,900 visits in total and 84% of their visitors since they opened in 20220 have been the unhouses.
They work hard to get people back to where their support is and have found it to be very important. They were able to cultivate relationships with law enforcement and the prosecutor offices so those who would be typically taking up jail cells were instead able to receive assistance with their mental health and situation in mind.
Along with law enforcement, Stride works with the Salom Community Center, the fire department, IU Health, Valley Vista, HealthNet Bloomington Help Center, attends any housing meetings going on in Monroe and surrounding counties, and more.
If you or a loved one need help with a crisis, homelessness, or just have a question, you can call Stride at +1 (877)-463-6512.
Next, Bloomington resident, Greg Alexander, said West 15th Street’s segment along Madison Street and Maple Street is not wide enough. Saying “There is barely any room for cars to pass each other. There is also no sidewalks.”
Alexander said he was biking with his two kids as he does every morning to drop them off at school, and saw a car hit a pedestrian who had to be taken to the hospital by an ambulance.
Alexander said it was most likely terrifying for the driver too, as the road does not give much leeway for pedestrians and drivers alike. He is now scared everytime he goes to walk or bike the road and has to remind himself that these accidents are rare. He knows this segment of the road is low on the priority list but asks the council how long it will take them to get to the point of finally doing something about these types of low priorities.
Lastly, a Deputy County Clerk position was officially adopted, given the salary of $28,050 for the remainder of the year. President Isabel Piedmont-Smith said she is very happy to get the position funded. It’s something the city council had requested in order to improve the process for boards and commissions.
The Bloomington City Council will meet again on October 30th.
Monroe County Election Board
At the Election Board meeting on October 15th, County Clerk Nicole Browne gave an update on early voting numbers.
Election Supervisor Kylie Farris shared that they have received complaints that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s name is on the ballot. Farris explained that Kennedy did not rescind his candidacy in time. Farris also addressed concerns about signs in front of the Election Operations building.
Board Member John Fernandez said that stealing political signage is prohibited.
The Election Board will meet again on November 4th at 4 p.m.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, local journalist Dave Askins of the B Square Bulletin offers his weekly editorial on the WFHB Local News. Today’s edition – Askins focuses on the procedures the city council takes for appointments to city boards and commissions. For more, we turn to Dave Askins.
Wonderlab is Bloomington’s nonprofit hands-on learning center. Don’t call it a children’s museum – education director Kelli Debikey says Wonderlab empowers people from ALL generations to discover and learn. As a former schoolteacher Kelli loves going beyond rigid classroom curriculum to deliver hands-on science experiences. She’s here to tell you all about it on a new episode of Activate!, coming your way right now on the WFHB Local News.
Up next, we have some recent prison related news and announcements from our public affairs program, Kite Line. Kite Line covers prison related issues in the Midwest and beyond airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m on WFHB. We turn now to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Elyse Perry, Jasmine Wright and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Chad Carrothers and Samuel Dexter produced today’s episode of Activate!
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
