Good evening. Welcome to the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, April 15, 2020.

In today's feature reports, WFHB News Director Kade Young talks to Marsha Lovejoy, global manager of communications for Cook Medical about what the company is doing in light of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Also coming up in the next half hour, our weekly consumer watchdog program, Better Beware, hosted and produced by Richard Fish.

But first, your local headlines:

During a Bloomington City COVID-19 Press Conference on April 10th, County Commissioner Julie Thomas said childcare is needed for essential workers. She said information for caretakers can be found at co.Monroe.in.us.

President of Indiana University Health Brian Shockney said IU health is the first heath entity to release health data. He said the hospital will release a data update every Monday to all media and partners.

Schockney said 376 IU Hospital employees have been quarantined. He said of the 376, 232 have returned from work as of April 10th. Emergency Management Director Allison Moore said the state has begun to record all negative COVID-19 test results.

During the conference Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton said local empty facilities are being looked at to house the homeless population. Mayor Hamilton said a local hotel could possibly provide isolation space for those experiencing symptoms.

Photo Courtesy of CDC.

Up next, WFHB Correspondent Jasmine White reports from home on the latest state news amidst the coronavirus pandemic. We turn to Jasmine White for more on the story.

The CDC has now launched a COVID-19 self-checker. The self-checker is used to help people to determine whether to seek professional medical attention and what kind to seek. If in need, please visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

For those who may not be able to afford healthcare or are not able to get treatment, in Sellerburg, IN (1/4 locations) free testing is offered as a form of drive thru. The Department of Health set up 4 testing sites Monday morning.

The sites are open to the public; however, the department of health wants to reserve kits for essential workers. Officials also say those who want to be tested must bring state ID’s and documentation of place of employment that can include your work badge.

Upon arrival, the patient will stay inside the vehicle until the registration form is filled out. They'll then move forward to the testing table and can get their results within about three days. Testing will continue Monday-Friday 9a.m-6p.m.

Other locations include Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, and Evansville. As always, remember to stay safe and continue to protect yourself.

Photo Courtesy of the City of Bloomington.

Bloomington Redevelopment Commission discussed an Inspection Agreement for Switchyard Park during their April ninth meeting. Operations Director Dave Williams said project completion is behind schedule.

Williams said the Weddle Brothers Construction contract called for substantial completion in November 2019. He said only seasonal planting should have been needed in spring 2020.

Williams said Weddle Brothers Construction has paid liquidated damages since November. Council member Donald Griffin asked Williams if the liquidations would cover the extended inspection costs.

Williams said damages are collecting 2 thousand dollars per day and the inspection costs are about 232 thousand dollars. Council members unanimously approved the inspection agreement.

 

WFHB news correspondent Alex Dederer reports on the updates of the Schooner Creek Farm’s February lawsuit against the city of Bloomington.

BLOOMINGTON – Mayor John Hamilton denies Brown County’s Schooner Cr...