Good afternoon. This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, March 25th, 2020.

Coming up in today’s feature report, we have an interview with the owner of Vance Music about the future of his business in the coming months. Also coming up in the next half hour, Middle Way House talks about the increase of domestic violence when school is not in session. But first, your local headlines.

These are the Covid-19 numbers in Indiana as of March 25th at 11:59 p.m. This broadcast was recorded at around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday (Indiana State Department of Health).

The Indiana State Department of Health reported four cases of COVID-19 in Monroe County as of 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.

State health department reports the total number of positive cases jumped to 477 people, as the number of those tested increased to at least 3,300 people. So far, there are 14 reported deaths in Indiana.

The Monroe County Health Department reported a limited number of students and faculty at Edgewood High School came into contact with an individual who tested positive for coronavirus.

According to a Richland Bean Blossom Community School Corporation press release, the Monroe County Health Department is in the process of contacting these people. The county health department says it will follow up with those involved to decide when they can be released from isolation.

The health department is in the middle of conducting contact tracing to determine others who might have come into contact with the individual.

So far, 4 total cases are confirmed in Monroe County.

Photo courtesy of the Limestone Post.

The Bloomington Utilities Service Board opened bids for the Dillman Road Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade. During their March 20th meeting, Mike Hicks said three bids were received. He discussed bid dates with board member Jeff Ehman.

The next Utilities Service Board meeting will be held on March 30th. 

Photo courtesy of USA Today.

Governor Eric Holcomb discussed Covid-19 at a press conference at noon Monday. He declared a Stay-at-Home executive order for non-essential business operations. This will last from March 25th to Arpil 7th. The executive order allows for essential business to remain open.  If not followed, he said the state will suspend food and beverage licenses.

For more on the story, we turn to Assistant News Director Sydney Foreman, reporting from home.

Photo courtesy of Bloomington Transit.

Bloomington Transit will now provide free fare rides to all customers riding any fixed route. According to a city press release free rides began on Tuesday, March 24th. Any passengers riding the bus must enter through the rear doors to avoid coming within six feet of the Bloomington Transit driver. However, anyone needing wheelchair or mobility device accessibility may continue to enter through the front bus entrance. 

Additionally, Bloomigton transit is "disinfecting fixed route and BT Access vehicles on a nightly basis using special equipment." B-T has also closed it’s Downtown Transit Center doors to the public, but will be providing public portable restrooms. 

Bloomington Transit Service Plans past March 29th will be announced at a later date.

Remote Reports:

United Way of Monroe County partnered with a variety of organizations to provide emergency relief. WFHB Correspondent Alex Dederer has more.

The College Board will allow high school students to take AP Exams online. WFHB Correspondent Katrine Bruner provides an update on the future of AP Courses.

6 people died after a car drove off the road in Laurel, Indiana. For more on the tragedy, we turn to WFHB Correspondent Braydyn Lents.