Good afternoon. This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, December 1st, 2020.

Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty covers the future of partisan redistricting at the Statehouse in the aftermath of the 2020 election. That’s coming up in today’s feature report.

Also coming up, WFHB Correspondent Katrine Bruner reports on a virtual panel from the Environmental Resilience Institute and Concerned Scientists at IU connecting the 2020 election to big issues related to science, public health, and the environment.

But first, your local headlines:

Governor Holcomb Extends Emergency Public Health Order

Governor Eric Holcomb signed an executive order on Tuesday, which extends the emergency public health order through the end of December.

This public health order has been in place since March 6th and gives the governor authority to regulate behavior of the general public and ask for additional funding if needed. This is what gives Governor Holcomb executive power to mandate masks or limit gathering sizes.

The latest development in the state’s coronavirus policies means that Indiana will end 2020 in a state of emergency.

In November alone, the state death toll from Covid-19 nearly doubled from the previous month. At least 1,416 people died last month from the virus, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.

Indiana hospitals are also seeing a surge. On Monday, 3,460 patients were undergoing treatment for coronavirus.

Governor Holcomb’s executive order has been extended nine times, which means Indiana has been in a state of emergency for 270 days.

Thanksgiving Meals in Brown County 

On Thursday, volunteers wrapped up the 38th annual Brown County’s Community Thanksgiving Dinner by packing and delivering nearly 500 meals.

Typically anyone seeking a free meal on Thanksgiving day could sit with others at the Brown County High School and share a meal. However, due to COVID-19 meals were shared differently. This year meals were distributed through a drive through pick up line, home deliveries, and even hotel deliveries.

Thirty turkeys were cooked and distributed for the multiple meals. Many volunteers had to cook the turkeys at home in preparation for Thanksgiving to assure there would be enough prepared for delivery. According to the Brown County Democrat, “Hoosier Hills Food Bank provided 20 of the turkeys for cooking and the rest were donated.”

Other locations also donated food for the meals including, Mother’s Cupboard, Brown County IGA, The Seasons Lodge and the Artist Colony Inn, and Chef Carrie Douglas.

Each meal was also delivered with a handmade card by a local elementary student.

Library goes back to Curbside services only

Monroe County Public Library - Back to Curbside Service Only

Yesterday, November 30th, The Monroe County Public Library moved back to curbside services only. According to Communications and Marketing Manager Mandy Hussey this was decided due to the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases.

MCPL began allowing patrons inside the building in September with limited capacity and some areas remaining closed. According to an IDS report, Hussey said about 25% of their typical guest numbers were seen returning to the library in recent months. However, after the recent surge, the library does not plan to implement reopening procedures again until mid 2021.

The closure does include any use of the drive through window, and all community members must conduct checkouts with a scheduled curbside appointment. The library’s operating hours will remain unchanged.

Bloomington Board of Public Works Approves Contract for 7th Street Bike Lane

The Bloomington Board of Public works approved an inspection contract with Crossroad Engineers for the 7th Street Protected Bike Lane Proje...