This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, September 7th, 2022.

Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Attorney ​​Jeremiah Frei-Pearson about a lawsuit against the ride-share company Lyft over its alleged lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles, or WAVs. More in today’s Disabulletin.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Various and Sundry Scams on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.

But first, the WFHB Local News Brief:

7 new cases of monkeypox were reported in Indiana according to the state health department. That brings the state’s total to 179 cases.

Last week, the Indiana State Department of Health launched a new dashboard for the monkeypox virus, showing the number of cases broken down by age group, gender, ethnicity, race and public health district.

For more information, you can visit monkeypox.health.in.gov.

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Police have arrested a man in a sexual assault case after photographs of the suspect were released to the media seeking public assistance.

An 18-year-old woman reported she was assaulted at the Morton Street parking garage after 10 p.m. on Thursday, September 1st, according to a BPD press release.

On Wednesday, September 7th, police arrested Andre J. Hardy, a 27-year-old man from Joliet, Illinois. Hardy was charged with rape, criminal confinement and sexual battery.

Hardy was transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility in Joliet where he awaits extradition to Monroe County.

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Bloomington residents have reported a foul taste and smell of the city’s tap water. The main reservoir for Bloomington and Monroe County is Lake Monroe, which is a common source for recreational activities for members of the Bloomington community.

Earlier this year, WFHB Correspondent Kai Fitzgerald spoke with Sarah Powers, a liminal scientist at Indiana University, who said the foul taste and smell of the water is the result of increased algae blooms in Lake Monroe.

According to the Bloomington Utilities Department, the current taste and odor of the water is not a public health risk.

Residents who have further questions can contact CBU’s water quality team. The 24-hour line is 812-339-1444 or customers can send an alert through the UReport system at bloomington.in.gov/ureport.

Monroe County Election Board

A banner reads, "Vote Here Today," at 401 W 7th Street, Suite 100 (Young).

At the Monroe County Election Board meeting on September 1st, Monroe County Election Supervisor Karen Wheeler brought up a concern with the amount of time it takes to communicate with late CFA-4 filers. Wheeler proposed the board considers a new system to curb any confusion moving forward.

County Clerk Nicole Browne agreed with Wheeler, and explained why she was concerned with accepting written filing appeals.

Board Member Donovan Garletts suggested they establish clear expectations before the next election.

Browne added that the reason the CFA-4 meetings are held in person is to ensure the candidates take the forms seriously.

Board President Shruti Rana supported Browne’s opinion that they are being too accommodating by accepting written comments.

Browne said that reaching out to individuals was a courtesy not a requirement.

Rana shared what she thinks they should do moving forward.

The board agreed they would revisit the procedure to ensure it is clear what their expectations are before the next election.

The next time the board meets will be on October 6th.

Feature Report:

In today’s Disabulletin,