This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, November 16th, 2020.

Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Aaron Comforty reports on the Sean Reed shooting - where Indianapolis police officers did not face charges for killing 21-year-old Reed after a grand jury decision last week. More coming up in today’s feature report.

Also in the next half hour, we have A Few Minutes with the Mayor - where we pose questions to Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton on community issues.

COVID-19 Press Conference 

President of Indiana University Health South Central Region Brian Shockney reported increasing COVID-19 hospitalizations across the region. He spoke during the November 13th COVID-19 press conference.

Shockney mentioned heightened numbers strain hospital resources. However, he said the hospital is well staffed with nurses. Shockney spoke of provided spaces for hospital workers to decompress.

Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill said the Community COVID-19 Testing Site opened on Monday November 16th. She reported the location at 640 South Morton Street.

Caudill said walk-in appointments are not accepted at this site. She encouraged the community to cooperate with contact tracers and quarantine when potentially exposed. Indiana University Assistant Vice President for Strategic Partnerships Kirk White said Indiana University will require pre-arrival COVID-19 testing for all students next semester.

Bloomington City Council Public Safety Committee

Bloomington City Council Public Safety Committee continued their discussion on an Ordinance to create a Community Advisory on Public Safety Commission during their November 12th meeting. Committee member Isabel-Piedmont-Smith said the commission was proposed in response to public concerns for safety.

Piedmont-Smith mentioned 11 members would form the commission. She clarified the City Council Public Safety Committee would review all applicants and the Council at whole would vote on appointments. She explained the commission duties.

Piedmont-Smith stated the creation of a Commission would empower people who serve over forming a Work Force or Focus Group. said the Committee would contain many demographics. Committee member Sue Sgambelluri questioned the power of a commission.

Committee member Jim Sims mentioned no minority demographics were involved in the commission creation. Community member Vauhxx Booker spoke about his support for the commission formation.

Resident Nicole Johnson stated just being heard would offer empowerment to marginalized people. Council member Susan Sandburg said multiple social service leaders already address discriminatory issues. Piedmont-Smith said the marginalized need to be heard not the social workers’. Committee members passed the Ordinance to full council to be heard on November 18th. The final committee vote was three to one vote with Piedmont-Smith voting yes and others voting to pass.

Bloomington Historical Preservation Commission

The Bloomington Historical Preservation Commission reviewed The Johnson Creamery Stack redevelopment during their November 12th meeting. Land Owner Mike Cordaro described plans for the property.

Cordaro stated the smoke stack faces deterioration and is in need of substantial repair. He said the stack is a public safety risk and suggested a full redesign. Owner Ryan Conan suggested potential new design utilizations.

Commissioner Chris Sturbaum said he would rather the original stack be unrepairable opposed to just expensive before complete redesign. Commissioner Duncan Campbell said the new tower would still require maintenance.

Sturbaum said the original Johnson Stack would enhance historical significance around the new development. He suggested a local designation to prevent demolition.