This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, July 12th, 2021.

Later in the program, we have the latest edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor - where WFHB Assistant News Director Jake Jacobson interviews Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton on issues in our community. More coming up in the bottom half of tonight’s program.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Covid-19 cases are trending upward across the US - and Indiana is no exception. WFHB Correspondent Tilly Robinson has more following today’s headlines.

But first, your local news brief:

A new Monroe County History Center director was announced last Tuesday - Daniel Schlegel, Jr., who immediately stepped into the role. The next upcoming event at the History Center , located on East Sixth Street, will be “Black Authors Speak,” on Saturday July 17th from 5 pm - 7 pm. During this event, writers of all ages will share their stories through short performances on an outdoor venue.

Since this Friday you can find yourself driving under art on Jordan Avenue. Students at IU created a Black Lives Matter mural on the popular street. Joa’Quinn Griffin, a participant in the mural said , “We wanted to give representation to groups on campus that you don’t see support for. This mural can make you feel safe, like you’re in a partnership.” The placement of the mural was intentional - with the street being named after David Starr Jordan - an avid supporter of eugenics and vocal about many racist beliefs. This mural is only the first of many art projects IU students plan on displaying across campus.

IU on-campus fraternity Acacia has been suspended due to hazing and endangering others. This comes not soon after their placement onto cease and desist April 15th. The Administrative Conference Panel will propose a suspension length and the Dean of Students will make a final decision for the fraternity.

Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission 

The Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission discussed plans to reuse the Johnson’s Creamery Building at it’s July 8th meeting. Director of Development at Peerless Development Joe Patrick presented plans to redevelop sections of the Johnson’s Creamery Building in downtown Bloomington. He said they would be working on sections added to the main building, which have not aged well.

Patrick said parts of the façade that face the B-Line were not very pedestrian-friendly. He said tearing down and rebuilding this part of the Creamery Building would improve that experience. Commissioner Sam DeSollar agreed that some parts of the building should come down, but that parts of the façade facing the B-Line were indicative of the building’s history.

Commissioner Duncan Campbell showed concern about removing one third of a historically preserved site. He said tearing down the boiler room of the Creamery and replacing it with a business is a betrayal of its historical status.

The next scheduled meeting of the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission is July 22nd.

Inmates Allege Cruel and Unusual Punishment at Indiana Prison

Photo courtesy of the Kokomo Tribune.

Several inmates sued the Miami Correctional Facility alleging inhumane living conditions at the Indiana prison.

The lawsuits, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, claim the inmates were held in isolation in completely dark cells for 23 hours a day and have suffered dangerous electric shocks from live wires, cuts from broken glass and vulnerability to extreme cold due to broken windows.

According to a release from ACLU Indiana, one man says he was injured when a one-hundred-pound light fixture fell striking him in the head. Furthermore, inmates claim that prison officials deliberately neglected to respond to complaints or make basic repairs,