This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, August 5th, 2021.

Later in the program, Human Rights Activist Vauhxx Booker condemned felony charges against him related to a racist incident at Lake Monroe over one year ago.

Also coming up in the next half hour, the Bloomington City Council presented ordinances for the annexation of 8 areas in Monroe County. During the meeting, several county residents spoke out against the city’s proposed annexation of roughly 10,000 acres of county land.

But first, your local news brief:

In an effort to reduce the still ongoing spread of the COVID-19 virus, Monroe County will begin requiring face masks for all residents regardless of vaccination status while inside public spaces. The order began today at 8a.m. and will last until September 30th, when it can then either be repealed or extended. The order was approved Wednesday by the Monroe County Board of Commissioners on a 3-0 vote. All businesses and places open to the public must also post signage at front entrances stating that face masks are required. Monroe County Health Department administrator Penny Caudill explained that the state is acting now before we become an orange or red status state, and added that the delta variant, which is more contagious, is a big factor this time. Exceptions for the requirement were listed by the county, which includes children two and under, those hearing or speaking impaired, people who are incarcerated and those sitting down at a restaurant or bar. Updated today by the New York Times, Monroe County is showing 20 cases per day right now which is an 82% increase from two weeks ago. Only 52% of the county fully vaccinated. Patients hospitalized by covid-19 have increased by 59% since two weeks ago and there have been 2 deaths in the last two weeks.

The Monroe County Community School Corporation welcomed back students in-person yesterday. MCCSC elementary schools had open houses on Tuesday, with an online option as well for virtual students by choice. The corporation has information posted on “COVID-19 re-entry plan adjustments for 2021-2022," however these recommendations may be subject to change. No direct statements have been made yet to the public on the MCCSC’s response to the mask order. Governor Eric Holcomb made an announcement back in March of this year, that he expected Indiana schools to return to full-time in-person teaching in the fall.

The body of a 29-year-old man from Plainfield was recovered Tuesday evening from Lake Monroe. Ambachew Nigatu went missing after swimming with family members off Fairfax beach, according to a news release from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. 911 received a call at 5:40 p.m. After the call, Indiana Conservation Officers, the Monroe County Sheriff's office and the IU Hospital Bloomington EMS responded. Nigatu’s body was found at 6:50 in 6 feet of water. He was unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene, according to a news release. Both beachers at Fairfax and Paynetown had been closed due to flooding but just opened this past Monday.

Bloomington City Council

The August 4th Bloomington City Council Meeting started as a hybrid meeting, with several council members attending in-person. However, out of respect for the health and safety of attendees, council member Matt Flaherty moved to recess the meeting and pick back up over zoom. He apologized to those attending in-person, saying the City Council could not have changed the meeting without making the motion at the meeting.

The City Council voted unanimously to recess and reconvene for its regular session on Zoom.

After the recess, council member Jim Sims presented the ordinances for annexation of 8 areas in Monroe County. He talked about the history of the ordinances, which were first presented back in 2017.

Resident Mark Farrell spoke in opposition of annexation.