This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, October 26th, 2020.

Later in the program, we will hear from Molly Weiler, an avid listener and supporter of WFHB News. That testimonial is coming later in the show.

Also coming up in the next half hour, A Few Minutes with the Mayor – our weekly segment where we talk to Mayor John Hamilton about local issues.

Your Local Headlines:

15th City of Bloomington Employees Test Positive for Coronavirus

A Bloomington Fire Department employee tested positive for coronavirus.

According to a city press release, the employee began to experience symptoms on Saturday – then tested positive on Sunday.

The city said its internal contact tracing, conducted by the CDC and the Indiana State Department of Health, determined that no co-workers were placed at risk of exposure to Covid-19.

The latest positive test means at least 15 city workers have tested positive for coronavirus.

COVID-19 Press Conference

Monroe county Health Administrator Penny Caudill said a positivity rate increase was detected. She spoke during the October 23rd COVID-19 press conference.

However, Caudill stated a 10 percent positivity rate is present in most surrounding counties. She mentioned travel over county lines could carry the virus. She said most transmission occurs in social gatherings.

Caudill also reiterated the importance of flu vaccinations. President of Indiana University Health South Central Region Brian Shockney described a restriction in hospital visitor policies.

Shockney reminded the community to regularly clean or dispose of their face coverings.

Democrat Alyssa Bailey Out-Raises GOP Candidate Jeff Ellington 

The Indiana Political Action Committee for education gave a total of $35,000 to support Alyssa Bailey, Democratic nominee for Indiana House District 62.

During the most recent finance reporting period, the teachers’ political action committee gave $22,500 to Bailey’s campaign. This led to Bailey out-raising her GOP opponent.

Bailey, a veteran and a special education teacher, is looking to challenge incumbent Jeff Ellington, a Republican from Bloomington.

The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce interviewed both candidates for the statehouse district in its Elect Connect series.

Bailey said she decided to run because she feels rural communities are not properly represented at the statehouse.

“I’m running to give us a voice,” said Bailey.

Jeff Ellington, current House District 62 representative, said his experience as a former county councilman guides his tenure as state legislator. He said he wants to listen to the community to hear their concerns.

“Independents, Democrats and Republicans alike have to came to me,” he said, “to say ‘we need some help.'”

The House District 62 race is on the ballot for the 2020 general election. Election Day is November 3rd, but early voting is already underway at the Monroe County Election Central at 401 West 7th Street, Suite 100.

More than a million Hoosiers have voted early. That means more people have already voted than during the entire 2016 general election.

City of Bloomington Board of Public Safety 

Bloomington Police Department Captain Scott Oldham presented the last two pillars of the 21st Century Report during the October 21st Bloomington Board of Public Safety meeting. Oldham reviewed officer Training, Education, Wellness, Safety. He spoke about community involvement in training.

Oldham said all officers receive continuous and specialized training. He mentioned BPD requires crisis intervention training.

Oldham mentioned officers are trained to work cross culturally and with LGBTQ individuals. He said officers must remain physically and mentally sound. He said officers are required to carry first aid kits and wear seatbelts.