This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 5th, 2021.

Later in the program, we will hear from Brett Voorhies, President of the Indiana American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, about a report which shows an increase of workplace fatalities in Indiana. More coming up in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment hosted and produced by Richard Fish. That’s coming up in the bottom half of our show.

But first, your local news brief:

Monroe County is seeing a 50 percent decrease in COVID related hospitalizations as the vaccination percentages are continuing to rise. The test positivity rate is also consistently low, with about 1% of the population testing positive. However, the death rate has remained the same. You can get your vaccine by going to ourshot.in.gov, dialing 211 or by going to one of Indiana's Area Agencies on Aging.

This morning around 10:30 a.m., a man was found dead in his vehicle in the parking lot at Wheeler Mission according to an email sent by Bloomington Police Department Captain Ryan Pedigo. Pedigo said there were no signs of injury or foul play.

Yesterday evening the Bloomington City Council voted down a proposed amendment to reject the city Plan Commission’s recommendation to allow duplexes in locations previously reserved for single-family homes. The proposal has drawn controversy from many members of the Bloomington community, bringing in many of them to oppose the recommendation. Tonight, the city council will discuss more about the subject starting at 6:30 p.m.

Bloomington City Council Special Session 

The Bloomington City Council met for a special session on May 4th to continue the discussion of duplexes in the Unified Development Ordinance. The special session picked up where last week’s meeting left off, with public comment on a proposed amendment that would disallow duplexes in Residential Zones 1 through 3. Resident Tom Shafer expressed concern that allowing duplexes in certain residential zones goes against Bloomington’s comprehensive plan.

Councilmember Steve Volan argued that City Planning staff had been following the letter of the plan. He said the focus on one sentence of one policy has been at the expense of the rest of the plan.

Councilmember Dave Rollo referenced that more people spoke against duplexes than in support of them during public comment. Councilmember Ron Smith suggested this showed that duplexes were against the will of Bloomington’s constituents. Councilmember Isabel Piedmont-Smith refuted this, saying she had not heard from her constituents.

Councilmembers voted against the amendment 4 to 5, with councilmembers Rollo, Sue Sgambelluri, Susan Sandberg and Smith voting yes. Councilmembers will present another amendment to the ordinance at the May 5th regular City Council meeting.

Monroe County Board of Health 

The Monroe County Board of Health discussed local COVID-19 regulations at their May 4th meeting. Health Administrator Penny Caudill suggested that the Board of Health meet more than once a month to discuss changes to coronavirus regulations. She said meeting more often may be necessary if Indiana Legislation passed a bill that would force county commissioners to approve local health measures.

During the meeting, County Counsel Margie Rice broke news that Governor Eric Holcomb had vetoed the bill. Chairperson Kay Leach brought up difficulties in educating residents on changes to COVID-19 restrictions. Caudill identified that as the biggest issue when making incremental changes to restrictions.

Board members voted to keep current regulations in place. The regulations will be reviewed again at the next Board of Health meeting.