This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021.

Later in the program, we'll turn to WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty, for an interview with Claire Frohman and Frankie Figeuroa. They are the founders of Fauna, a new Bloomington-based skin care company, which aims to make local, sustainable, and healthy skin care products. Stay tuned to hear Part One of the interview.

Also coming up in the next half hour, the Indiana State Department of Health announced earlier today that Hoosiers ages 60 and older are now eligible to receive a Covid-19. More in today’s headlines.

But first, your local news brief:

 COVID-19 cases continue to trend down, with 716 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Indiana on Monday.

According to the Indiana State Department of Health, Brown, Lawrence, and Monroe counties all reported single-digit positive cases yesterday.

As of this morning, Hoosiers ages 60 to 64 are now eligible to sign up and receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 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.

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The City of Bloomington announced yesterday the names of three women who will be honored in March. The three women will receive awards at Bloomington’s virtual Women’s History Month Celebration event on March 24.

Penny Caudill, the current Monroe County Health Department administrator, will receive the Woman of the Year award.

Cathleen Weber, who served as director of IU Health Bloomington Hospital Alzheimer’s Resource Center and has worked at IU Health Bloomington as a social worker since 2003, will receive the Toby Strout Lifetime Contribution Award.

Finally, Abby Ang will receive the Emerging Leader Award for her many organizer roles, which include founding the Monroe County Area Mutual Aid group and the anti-white supremacy group No Space for Hate.

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Today, February 23rd, is the last day 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.

City Council Public Safety Committee CAPS Interviews 

The Bloomington City Council Public Safety Committee held interviews for Community Advisory on Public Safety Commission members during their February 22nd meeting. Council member Isabel-Piedmont Smith spoke about the commission’s role.

Interviewee Jonathan mentioned he has lived in Bloomington for 10 years. He spoke about why he applied to the Commission.

Jonathan stated he works with a native Haida people in an Alaskan village through community development, grant writing and economic development. Interviewee Nejla Routsong said she has resided in Bloomington for 25 years.

Routsong stated she has a particular interest in housing issues. Interviewee Nicole Johnson spoke about the priority topics she would bring to the commission.

Johnson mentioned she looked forward to working with many voices in the community. Interviewee Alexander Mann spoke about his qualifications for the commission.

Mann mentioned he has also worked with local community kitchens and has become familiar with the diversity of Bloomington’s vulnerable population.

State Vaccine Update: Ages 60+ Now Eligible for the Covid-19 ...