This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, December 17th, 2020.

Later in the program, Kelsey Kauffman, details how the various Indiana Department of Correction protocols are seeding COVID-19 outbreaks in facilities across Indiana.

In addition, Kauffman reads a letter from a prisoner, who describes the stress of being isolated in a cell with a potentially infectious cellmate as “something from a horror movie”. This excerpt from our public affairs program, Kite Line, is coming up in today’s feature report.

Also in the next half hour, the Monroe County Community School Corporation announced that schools moved into Phase Red during the December 15th school board meeting.

Local Headlines:

MCCSC School Board

Assistant Superintendent Doctor Andrea Mobley reported schools moved into phase red operation during the December 15th Monroe County Community School Board meeting. This means all students are utilizing online learning. Mobley said the MCCSC metrics committee will meet on December 30th to determine the learning model for when students return from winter break on January 4th.

Mobley mentioned most COVID-19 transmission is still seen outside of school.

IU Health Physicians James Laughlin and Scot Moore presented COVID-19 related data during the meeting. Laughlin reiterated Mobley’s report of lower COVID rates in schools.

Moore stated he also believes the transmission rate in schools is about zero. He presented data on a week by week basis of COVID cases present in Monroe County Schools.

Moore said school positivity rates have remained low throughout the county wide spike in cases. He reported zero pediatric admissions to the IU Health Hospital for COVID-19 infected children. However, he reported on an increase of mental health visits.

Board member Sue Wanzer stated both students choosing in person school options and the online option care about public safety. She said sending a child to school can be a safe decision. The next regular MCCSC board meeting will be January 26th at 6 p.m.

Bloomington City Council 

During their December 16th meeting, Bloomington City Council approved a mixed- use student housing rezone request in replacement of the Brownstone Terrace development. A new student living development will be built, called the Standard. The Standard will be a five to six story set of three buildings, with four hundred and thirty three apartments for rent. However, the Plan Commission must still approve the site plan.

Council member Dave Rollo brought up concerns about demolishing the existing 40-year-old development. He questioned Senior Zoning Planner Eric Greulich and Landmark Development Representative Aaron Stange about the new developments’ longevity.

Landmark Properties reported the development will get National Green Building Standard Silver certification.

Landmark properties also plan to offer one unit of their building to a city police officer, free of rent. Stange reported past developments with in-house officers saw success in deterring crime. Council members expressed support for the officer unit, due to a lack of city officers living within city limits. However, resident Nathan Muechler expressed some concern during public comment.

Council member Isabel Piedmont-Smith responded to Muechler’s comment.

Stange mentioned one third of development units would be affordable housing, majority of which are single rooms. The development will also include a commercial space on the ground floor.

Council members approved the rezone on an eight to one vote with council member Steve Volan voting against. Construction is projected to begin in July of 2021 and be complete in August 20...