This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, August 12th, 2021.

Later in the program, we have the latest edition of Prescription for Healthcare - a monthly segment dedicated to increasing the understanding of healthcare issues for the WFHB listening community through interviews with and commentary from medical and community experts. That’s coming up in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Emily McCoy provides a rundown of the latest in Indiana news and politics during our segment, the Statehouse Roundup. More following today’s headlines.

Local News Brief

By Robert Robinson

The City of Bloomington has begun excavation work at Lower Cascades Park, as part of their Streambank Stabilization and Trail Construction project. This project will include installing new storm drains, road resurfacing, and refurbishing the stream bank walls. A new paved trail and boardwalk leading to the waterfall will also be installed.

A tract of land along I-69 to the north of Bloomington that was up for annexation has been removed from consideration, after pushback from residents and city council members. Residents, among other concerns, feared an increase in their property taxes, and some council members expressed skepticism about the viability of the land for development. Annexation will continue for other slated areas, as the city of Bloomington seeks to keep its municipal services at pace with urban development.

Monroe County’s universal mask mandate remains in effect, after being reinstated last week. Monroe County’s vaccination rate remains at roughly 60%. Indiana University-Bloomington has also reinstated their universal mask mandate for the upcoming academic year, with the rate of vaccination among students and faculty currently at 85%.

Bloomington City Council

By Jake Jacobson 

On August 11th, the Bloomington City Council reconvened to continue its August 6th public meeting on annexation. Monroe County Commissioner Lee Jones talked about the county jail. She said the county would need financial support to make the changes necessary to reduce the prison population, and that annexation would take away a large chunk of those funds.

Resident Pamela Tier-Snyder showed concern over public safety. She wondered how an allegedly understaffed Bloomington Police Department could provide better service than what the Sheriff’s Department already provides.

Resident Kyleen Crane commented on the economic effect of annexation. She said she opposes annexation because it may reduce funding for county schools and libraries.

Council members officially closed the public hearing. The City Council motioned to meet for a special session on August 31st for first readings and amendments for the annexation ordinances.

Monroe County Commissioners

By Jake Jacobson

Monroe County Commissioners talked about health order enforcement at their August 11th meeting. County Attorney Jeff Cockerill presented a contract with a security company to help enforce the county’s emergency health order. He said the county would be hiring the same company they hired to help enforce the last Coronavirus-related health order.

Bloomington Chamber of Commerce representative Jim Shelton expressed support for the contract. He said having a company handle enforcement and education takes those burdens away from regular employees.

Commissioners ratified the contract unanimously.

Monroe County Stormwater Management Board 

By Jake Jacobson

The Monroe County Stormwater Management Board considered additional funding for the Lake Monroe Water Fund. At the August 11th meeting,