This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, February 15th, 2021.

Later in the program, we have the latest edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor - where we ask Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton listener-posed questions on community issues. That’s coming up in today’s feature reports.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have an excerpt from the February edition of the Brown County Hour. Jim Eagleman offers his view on the topic of snowflakes. More on that at the end of today’s program.

But first, your local news brief:

The City of Bloomington and its Department of Transportation have adjusted their hotly-contested zoning change proposal.

After a vibrant public comment period, where the public was split both for and against the changes, the city’s new proposal will apparently limit duplex and triplex, or plex, construction to main roads and thoroughfares.

The city announced that next week it would publish a map of the proposed changes on its website. In many cases, new plex construction would require additional levels of public review.

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Newly proposed local legislation, aimed at giving protections to people without housing who camp in city parks, will get its first reading before the Bloomington City Council on Wednesday.

The law is co-sponsored by city council members: Matt Flaherty, Isabel Piedmont-Smith, and Kate Rosenbarger. The proposed law follows local activist’s public calls to increase protections for people without housing.

Local organizations which provide services for people without housing are calling for increased cash and supply donations to help cope with extra needs and dangerous conditions caused by the winter weather.

Beacon Inc. is asking for donations of Storage totes with lids, X-Large heavy-duty trash bags, pillows and blankets, winter gloves and hand warmers, bottled water, including gallon-jugs, paper plates and bowls, plastic spoons, hot chocolate packets, 12 oz hot/cold beverage cups and permanent markers.

Hotels for Homeless is trying to raise an emergency $840 to pay for hotel rooms–local shelters are at their maximum capacity.

Local COVID-19 Joint Press Conference

 

During the February 12th Covid-19 press conference, Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton reported over the past two months the average COVID-19 related deaths per day decreased from three to zero per day. County Health Administrator Penny Caudill reminded local restaurants of the COVID-19 guidelines.

Monroe County Emergency Management Director Allison Moore mentioned the Red Cross has scheduled blood drives in Monroe County though June. She stated appointment dates could be found on the county website. IU Health South Central Region Program Director for Community Relations and Outreach Shana Gergis reported a decrease in COVID-19 inpatient numbers.

As of February 12th, Gergis mentioned IU health had administered about 22 thousand 9 hundred COVID-19 vaccinations.

Vaccine Clinics Closed Due to Inclement Weather

The Indiana State Department of Health announced that some vaccine clinics will be closed due to inclement weather.

According to ISDH, if your appointment is disrupted, you will be notified by email or phone about rescheduling. You can reschedule an appointment by calling 211.

During Friday’s local Covid-19 press conference, Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill said that if county offices are closed due to weather, vaccinations will need to be rescheduled.

"We have some plans in place in case we need to change days to keep people safe," said Caudill.

A WFHB listener called the station at 9 a.m. on Monday. The listener said she showed up for her appointment at the Monroe Co...