Good afternoon. This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, December 8th, 2020.

Later in the program, The Board of Park Commissioners met at 4 p.m. to vote on a policy that would ban tents in city parks during day-time hours. The policy is expected to impact the homeless community in Bloomington. Our correspondent Aaron Comforty has more in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent offers some commentary on the environmental stories you might have missed in 2020.

But first, your local news brief:

5,457 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Indiana on Monday, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.  There were 124 newly reported deaths. Locally, Monroe County saw 104 new confirmed cases yesterday while Lawrence County reported 34. Brown County reported four new cases.

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Four employees of the Bloomington Fire Department have tested positive for COVID-19. According to a press release from the City of Bloomington, the four employees were not identified as close contacts of one another. 

With today’s announcement, Bloomington has had 40 city employees test positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic in March 24 of those positives have come since November 2nd.

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The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners will meet electronically this afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m. During the public hearing, the board will vote to approve changes to Special Use Policy #13040.

These changes would ban the use of, “camping structures and makeshift structures,” in city parks and properties during the day. These structures, of course, serve as protection against the elements for Bloomington residents who are experiencing homelessness.

The meeting will be public, and Bloomington residents are encouraged to attend and share their thoughts on the proposal. A video copy of the meeting will be available on Community Access Television Services on Wednesday.

The Bloomington Utilities Service Board

The Bloomington Utilities Service Board discussed a donation program for the Lake Monroe Water Steering Committee. Director of Utilities Vick Kelson spoke during their December 7th meeting.

Kelson said donations would be used for watershed restorations and upkeep. He mentioned the donations would become part of each resident’s water bill.

Kelson reported a similar program is used by the city Parks Department. Board member Amanda Burnham questioned Attorney Chris Wheeler how long the program would run.

Board members agreed to table the resolution until a January meeting.

Bloomington Redevelopment Commission

The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission discussed a recommendation to keep the Kohr Building on the Old IU Health Bloomington Hospital site. Project Manager Kelly Boatman spoke about Kohr building repurposing during their December 7th meeting.

Economic and Sustainable Development Director Alex Crowley said the Kohr building could support up to 50 office suites. He also mentioned a potential adaptive use for residential space.

Deputy Mayor Mick Renneisen said a decision to either keep or demolish the building must be made by December 31st of this year. He mentioned a decision to keep the building could be reconsidered in 2022, after site redevelopment construction has begun. Commissioners unanimously approve the recommendation to keep the building.

Senator Mike Braun Refuses to Accept 2020 Election Results

U.S. Senator Mike Braun is refusing to accept the results of the 2020 presidential election.

The Indiana GOP Senator said that he will be ready to “turn the page” on December 14th - when electors from the electoral college are scheduled to vote for the president a...