This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, May 17th, 2021.

Later in the program, we have the latest edition of A Few Minutes with the Mayor - a weekly segment where Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton answers listener-posed questions on community issues. That’s coming up in today’s feature reports.

Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Robert Robinson gives an update on Monroe County’s Covid-19 guidelines, while Correspondent Cynthia Roberts-Hall covers a protest in Indianapolis over the weekend.

But first, your local news brief:

Photo courtesy of University of Michigan.

By Katherine Patterson

COVID cases in Monroe County have had a 33% decrease in the past two weeks with 37% of the population getting vaccinated. Although the CDC announced that fully vaccinated people are able to interact indoors and outdoors without a mask, the vaccination percentage has only increased 3% in the past 10 days.

This past Friday the Central Indiana Presbytery voted to bring formal charges against Dan Herron, after the Indiana Daily Student released an investigative piece about accusations made against Herron on May 6th. The CIP will suspend Herron from his “official functions” - taking away his ability to serve or preach.

Many graduating seniors at Indiana University had their information stolen as the University required students to receive their cap and gowns from Herff Jones who had a data breach. Students have needed to freeze their bank accounts, order new credit and debit cards because of the incident, however, Harff Jones in a statement last Wednesday claimed to have hired a cyber security firm to investigate the incident.

Monroe County Ends Mask Mandate and Gathering Restrictions

By Robert Robinson

Monroe County officials announced Friday that COVID-19 mask and gathering restrictions will be rescinded on Monday, May 17th.

The rescissions, which come from the Monroe County Health Department and Mayor John Hamilton respectively, come in the wake of declining COVID-19 cases and increased rates of vaccination.

At Friday’s press conference, Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill described the Health Department’s decision.

Monroe County had 62 cases per 100,000 residents and 1.36% test positivity rate over the past week, and reported similar numbers the week before. These statistics place Monroe County in the Indiana Department of Health’s blue category on Monday.

Caudill also announced the lifting of the Health Department’s 50-person gathering limit.

Mayor John Hamilton’s 15-person gathering limit was rescinded in an executive order later in the day. At the press conference, Hamilton offered national context to Health Administrator Caudill’s announcement.

However, the announcement was couched in caution. Unvaccinated and immunocompromised residents are still advised to wear masks indoors and in crowded settings.

Administrator Caudill also noted that, as was the case before the mask mandate, businesses can still require mask usage in their establishments.

Masks will still be required on federal property, COVID testing sites, and in healthcare facilities. Indiana University facilities will also continue to require masks in the immediate future.

The announcement comes after a year of COVID-related restrictions and several months of mandatory masking. While emphasizing caution, officials noted that the rescissions are an important milestone, due in large part to responsible mask usage and vaccination.

Eligible Monroe County residents are encouraged to schedule a time to receive the vaccine or make use of walk-in appointments where they are available. As of last Monday, this includes all residents aged twelve or older.