This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021.

Later in the program, Big Talk host Michael Glab speaks with Niles Arena, co-founder of Cicada Cinema - a local pop-up movie theater.

Also coming up in the next half hour, bus drivers at the Monroe County Community School Corporation say they are stretched to a breaking point over driver shortages.

Local Officials Provide Update on Covid-19 Response at Joint Press Conference

Photo courtesy of University of Michigan.

On November 19th at the Covid-19 Press Conference, Board of Health Director Penny Caudill reported that Monroe County is still in the Yellow Advisory category, and warned that Covid-19 cases and deaths have increased this month.

Caudill reminded residents that the health regulations and mask mandate are still in effect and will be until Monroe County is in the blue advisory category.

IU Health President Brian Shockney said that Influenza season started earlier this year, and asked residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

IU Chief Health Officer Aaron Carroll shared that IU’s campus has also seen a rise in Covid and flu cases, and will monitor the situation closely once students return to campus.

The next Covid-19 Press conference will be on December 7th.

Election Central Requests the First Floor in Old Johnson Hardware Building During Monroe County Commissioners Meeting

At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting with the Election Board on November 17th, Commissioner Julie Thomas said that the commissioners wanted to focus on the 2022 Elections before planning anything further out.

The Election Board has requested that the first floor in the old Johnson Hardware Building be used for Election Central in addition to the bottom floor to ensure there is enough space for voters and to house the documents and equipment securely under one roof. The location currently houses the Monroe County Community Corrections Office.

County Clerk Nicole Brown commented she felt like the commissioners weren’t willing to hear the election board's ideas.

Commissioner Thomas replied that was not her intent, and shared what the commission would like to work on.

Thomas said that normally boards bring up needs such as the amount of space needed and then they work together to find a solution rather than requesting one specific building. Commissioner Thomas said that the location the Election Board wanted was prime realty downtown, and that at least for the 2022 election, it would not be possible to meet the request of the board.

The commissioners offered the bottom floor of the Napa Auto shop and space in the North Showers Building for the board to use in addition to the space already allocated for Election Central.

Election Board President Shruti Rhana wanted clarification that the commissioners were not willing to commit to

Thomas replied that they are not able to make a commitment today for the Johnson Hardware building.

The Election Board will tour the Napa Auto Shop before the next meeting on December 2nd.

MSSC School Board: Bus Drivers Stretched to “Breaking Point” and Parents Show Concern for School Safety 

Bus drivers at the Monroe County Community School Corporation say they are stretched to a breaking point as the result of a driver shortage.

During last week’s school board meeting, MCCSC bus driver Rocky Laster apologized for long wait times when dropping off or picking up students. However, he complained that the shortage has placed an extra burden on bus drivers.

After two gun related incidents at Bloomington High School South, parents urged the board to take action on school safety.