This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 4th, 2024.

Later in the program, The Indiana Family Health Council will open up a new Title X clinic in Monroe County following the closure of Futures Family Planning Clinic. More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, “The Big Dont’s” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.

But first, your local headlines:

Bloomington Board of Public Works

The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on August 27th. The board first heard an appeal from Roto Rooter for a sidewalk closure violation.

Roto Rooter Staff Member John Fender explained that they contracted with the Hillel Center for plumbing and were the ones to file the permit with the city for the sidewalk closure, however, the Hillel Center decided to hire another contractor to do the final sidewalk cement job which left the sidewalk unfinished.

Public Works Director Adam Wason explained that they have to hold contractors responsible for incorrect sidewalk closures.

Wason asked if the City Staff had been in contact with the Hillel Center.

Engineering Field Specialist Alex Gray said that staff has communicated with the Hillel Center, and has had to monitor the progress.

The board voted to table the appeal to allow more time to speak with the Hillel Center about the issue.

The board will hear the appeal again at their next meeting on September 10th.

IFHC to Open A New Clinic Following Closure of Futures

The Indiana Family Health Council will open up a new Title X clinic in Monroe County. 

This comes after Monroe County officials closed Futures Family Planning Clinic citing issues with staff turnover. Futures Family Planning Clinic provided services such as pregnancy and birth control counseling, STD testing and treatment and a variety of family planning services.

According to the Indiana Family Planning Health Council, or IFHC, the new clinic will be called the Bloomington family Planning Center, and it will begin operating as soon as possible. Kristin Adams, president and CEO of the IFHC, said that she wanted to make sure patients had access to a Title X clinic in Monroe County. 

“Every time we have staff changeover, we know patients can fall through the cracks. We didn’t want that to happen,” said Adams. “I am bringing my infrastructure in to make sure that we can let as few people as possible lose their services.”

WFHB News also spoke with several former employees at Futures Family Planning Clinic. All the employees we interviewed said they enjoyed their work with patients and were passionate about the mission at Futures. However, the former staff expressed concern about the county health department’s role in maintaining the clinic. 

Up next, “The Big Dont’s” on Better Beware – your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. For more, we turn to host and producer Richard Fish.

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