This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 25th, 2021.

Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Benedict Jones spoke with Pat East, Executive Director for the Dimension Mill, a coworking space and business incubator here in Bloomington. Part I aired last week, and today you will hear Part II in the bottom half of our program.

Also coming up in the next half hour, WFHB Correspondent Max Campbell reported on the “Free Palestine” rally at the Monroe County Courthouse on Saturday. More coming up in today’s feature reports.

But first, your local news brief

Photo courtesy of University of Michigan.

14,646 tests were administered in the last 30 days bringing the total to 10,347,677 COVID tests administered in Indiana. Indiana has had 525 new COVID-19 cases and 12 new deaths since yesterday.

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Nearly 4,000 people have already signed a petition against the campus vaccination mandate put in place by Indiana University. Announced this past Friday, the mandate requires all returning and new students, faculty, and staff to have the COVID-19 vaccine by August 15th. Those unvaccinated will lose access to Canvas CrimsonCards and on-campus activities and will have their class registration revoked. One staff member explained that there was no notice of this requirement beforehand for returning students and employees. A spokesperson from IU stated that more details will be released in the next coming days.

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Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb will be in Israel this week to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other high level officials. Holcomb explained that many Hoosiers and Hoosier businesses have led him to desire a stronger “Israel-Indiana bond” and there was no hesitation when he was invited to go. Holcomb and Netanyahu met once before in 2018, when the Governor led Hoosier public officials and business executives to Israel for an economic development trip. The trip is fully funded by Image Indiana Inc. Gov. Holcomb is expected to return to Indiana on Thursday. 

Bloomington Utilities Service Board 

The Bloomington Utilities Service Board honored the life of a former City of Bloomington Utilities employee at its May 24th meeting. Transmission and Distribution Director Brandon Prince presented a resolution to gift a fire hydrant to the family of CBU employee Mark Raper, who passed away May 15th. He talked about how CBU employees wanted to do something special in Raper’s memory.

Assistant City Attorney Chris Wheeler recognized that the fire hydrant could be declared surplus and gifted to the family if it has no market value. Prince confirmed that to be true. Board members approved the resolution unanimously.

Ellettsville Town Council 

At its May 24th meeting, the Ellettsville Town Council discussed using a water tank as a business sign. Town Manager Mike Farmer presented a request to add a 220 square foot banner to the KeHE water tank to help advertise their business. He said this would put KeHE over its allowed signage limit but would like to make an exception because KeHE is the largest building in town.

Councilmember Scott Oldham challenged the signage ordinance. He questioned Planning Director Kevin Tolloty whether this conversation would be happening if KeHE just painted on the water tank instead.

Farmer suggested they waive the fee to take the signage request to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Councilmembers did not motion to do so.

Feature Reports:

Photo taken outside of Monroe County Courthouse 5/22/21

On Saturday, more than 200 protesters gathered at the Monroe County Courthouse for the “Free Palestine Rally.