This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 21st, 2021

Later in the program, WFHB Assistant News Director Jake Jacobson speaks with Mayor John Hamilton on community issues in today’s edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor.

Today’s questions revolve around flooding over the weekend in Bloomington. More coming up in today’s feature reports.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Liz Mitchell, a producer from Bring It On, filed a report from the Bloomington Juneteenth celebration on Saturday. More in today’s headlines.

But first, your local news brief:

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – JUNE 18: Kirkwood is covered in water between Grant and Dunn after a flash flood Friday night, which left a large portion of downtown flooded. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)

Bloomington was beset by widespread flooding during a severe thunderstorm Friday night. Downtown Bloomington was submerged in several feet of standing water. One man, Colton Booe, was found dead near Clear Creek Sunday morning by a search party of family and friends, after being last seen driving into rapid floodwaters. An autopsy will take place today. Nearly 2,000 Bloomington residents lost power, and the Bloomington fire department conducted 17 water rescues. Up to 8 inches of rainwater were estimated to have fallen.

Residents suffering from the aftereffects of the flooding have access to a wide range of resources. Red Cross Disaster Relief, located at 1600 W 3rd Street, can be reached at 888-684-1441. The Monroe County Emergency office, reachable at 812-349-2546, is currently working on applying for a Small Business Administration Disaster Declaration, which would provide relief for uninsured damages to small businesses. Residents can also reach out via email to Community Organizations Active in Disaster for Monroe County, at [email protected].

The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department has recommended reallowing vehicle traffic on the road running through Lower Cascades Park. The road was closed to vehicle traffic fifteen months ago in order to provide a safe route to the park for pedestrians and bicycle commuters, and experiment with the traffic effects of such a closure. However, following community feedback and concerns over accessibility, the Parks and Recreation Department recommended reopening the road to vehicle traffic, discussing a range of alternatives to increase pedestrian accessibility. These proposals can be found on the City of Bloomington website at bloomington.in.gov.

COVID-19 Press Conference 

Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton announced that, after 4 consecutive weeks without any positive cases, one city employee had tested positive for COVID-19 last week. At the June 18th Coronavirus Press Conference, he talked about how Indiana is behind the national average of vaccinated residents.

Monroe County Commissioner Penny Githens talked about the Eviction Moratorium. She pointed out that the moratorium ends at the end of June and that Monroe County has resources for residents who need more help.

The next Coronavirus Press Conference will be on June 25th.

Bloomington’s Juneteenth Celebration at Switchyard Park

Photo courtesy of City of Bloomington.

On Saturday, Bloomington hosted a Juneteenth celebration at Switchyard Park.

Juneteenth commemorates the date the last group of those who had been enslaved in the United States were informed of their freedom.

Originating in Galveston, Texas, Juneteenth is now celebrated each year on the anniversary of the June 19th announcement by Union Army General Gordon Granger, declaring freedom from slavery in Texas. The news broke in Texas two-and-a-half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in...