This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, July 6th, 2021.

Later in the program, WFHB News speaks with freelance writer, Susan Brackney, about a video she produced voicing opposition to the City of Bloomington’s proposed annexation. More coming up in the bottom half of today’s program.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Tyson Foods recently announced that it’s recalling an estimated 8.5 million pounds of frozen, precooked chicken. Indiana is among the states included in the recall. More in today’s headlines.

But first, Katrine Bruner has today's local news brief:

Photo courtesy of University of Michigan.

Monroe County, Indiana is at a medium risk for all residents, however still high risk for unvaccinated people. According to Covid Act Now, 49.7% of the county is fully vaccinated, which is 73,732 people. Anyone 12 years or older is eligible for getting the vaccine.

The Indiana State Department of Health COVID-19 dashboard recorded 302 new positive cases and 8 new deaths over the last 30 days. Indiana’s 7-day test positivity rate is currently 2.2%.

Switchyard park has officially implemented overnight security measures by bringing in security patrols to survey the area every day from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. They are not armed, but wear body cameras and drive a vehicle for patrolling.

Recreation Services Director for the city parks department, Becky Higgins said “Our goal is to make sure the park is safe for everyone to enjoy." The city board of park commissioners had a meeting on June 23rd where they approved a contract with Marshall Security for $60,588. The guards started working a few days after. Certain city park rules have since been enforced, such as no one being allowed in the park between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. People experiencing homelessness have been told to vacate the Switchyard grounds during these prohibited hours by the security team. One of the goals of the security patrols is to reduce the number of police department calls from the park. Since July 1st, there have been 42 calls received by the Bloomington police department from the switchyard park. 40 percent of the calls were theft reports.

The new Bloomington hospital, located near the Indiana 45/46 bypass is expected to open this Fall, according to Indiana University health leaders. An IU spokesperson said the system was still moving equipment around so tours are not available yet. IU Health South Central Region President, Brian Shockney, said that the new hospital's emergency department will be twice as big as the old one and have more privacy and efficiency this way. All of the new rooms will be larger than the old hospital however will have only one patient to help prevent spread of infections. Overall there will be 364 rooms available to the public. The overall cost of the new hospital totals to about $500 million.

COVID-19 Press Conference

Photo courtesy of Community Access Television Services.

At the July 2nd Coronavirus Press Conference, Mayor John Hamilton talked about the results of a survey sent out to city employees about the COVID-19 vaccine. He revealed that most employees surveyed said they would not be willing to get the vaccine at all.

Hamilton encouraged unvaccinated Hoosiers to seek out information on the safety of the vaccines. Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill echoed that statement. She said residents who choose not to get the vaccine put those who are still ineligible to receive it at greater risk.

Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Kirk White reiterated that Coronavirus press conferences will now be held every other week. The next COVID-19 Press Conference will be on July 16th.

Indiana Included in Tyson Foods’ Recall of 8.5 Million lbs. of Frozen Chicken

Photo courtesy of the New York Times.