This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, February 16th, 2021.

Later in the program, we'll turn to WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty, for part three of a panel discussion he hosted on the proposed zoning changes in the City's new Unified development Ordinance. The zoning changes have been the source of significant and contentious local debate. Stay tuned to hear the third part of our panel discussion series.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Monroe County is currently under a “watch” which means only essential travel is recommended. More on that in today’s headlines.

But first, we turn to Jake Jacobson for today’s local news brief:

Photo courtesy of University of Michigan.

899 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Indiana on Monday, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. There were 40 newly reported deaths. Locally, Monroe County saw 14 new confirmed cases yesterday. Lawrence County reported 7 new cases, while Brown County reported one.

The Brown County COVID vaccination site, as well as the Monroe County Convention Center Vaccination site will be closed today, due to the winter weather. Hoosiers who need to reschedule their vaccine can do so by calling 211 for assistance.

The age requirement to sign up to receive the COVID-19 vaccination from the Indiana Department of Health is now 65 years of age and older. Hoosiers who are first responders or healthcare workers can also get their vaccines. If you qualify, you can sign up online by visiting ourshot.in.gov, over the phone by calling 211 for assistance, or by contacting one of Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging.

As a result of yesterday’s snow storm, Monroe and Brown counties are currently under local travel warnings. Hoosiers living in counties under local travel warnings should refrain from all travel unless they are emergency management workers.

Lawrence County is currently under a local travel watch. According to the department of homeland security, a local advisory watch means, “conditions are threatening to the safety of the public.” Travel should be restricted to only essential travel, which includes travel to and from work as well as travel under emergency circumstances.

There are a number of Monroe County committee meetings being hosted over zoom this afternoon, including a Housing Committee meeting at 12:30 p.m., and a meeting of the Monroe County Board of Health at 4 p.m. More information on the Board of Health meeting, including a zoom link to attend, can be found on the county’s website, at co.monroe.in.us.

Monroe County is expected to experience dangerously cold weather this month. From February 8th to February 23rd, area Fire Stations will be opening their doors to serve as warming stations. These areas will not be able to offer a place to sleep, shower, or eat. However, these locations will let folks who do not have regular access to heat warm up.

The following stations will act as warming stations until February 23rd: Bloomington Fire Stations 1 and 2, the Ellettsville Fire Department Headquarters, and the Monroe Fire Protection buildings in Perry, Clear Creek, Indiana Creak, Bloomington, and Van Buren districts.

Monroe County Emergency Management Department Issues a “Watch”

Sidewalks are shoveled along Kirkwood Avenue during a "watch" in Monroe County (Young).

At 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Monroe County Emergency Management Department issued a statement that a “watch” is currently in place.

A watch means that conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. This means only essential travel is recommended.

The county emergency department says that emergency action plans should be taken by businesses, schools, government agencies and other organizations.