[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6241592,"mediaKeyId","3255362-eb36e4b0321741efa9f3188392a0a0ce","parentId",3255362,"title","County health update: COVID visits edge up while hospitalizations decline; county announces outreach, food drive and local community wins","audioSeconds",783,"startMs",92000,"endMs",875000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3255362-eb36e4b0321741efa9f3188392a0a0ce&start=92&end=875","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3255362-eb36e4b0321741efa9f3188392a0a0ce/thumbnail_92000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6241592/Monroe-County/Indiana/County-health-update-COVID-visits-edge-up-while-hospitalizations-decline-county-announces-outreach-food-drive-and-local-community-wins","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241592-bed140753b5a4ba241f7d794c7f66b10/orig.mp4?Expires=1774833344&Signature=kMeRbzeXNuxZQzzA457eQLDWIIIqPkYYXe-WDfzdbtUhQQDk5nYNvhwugT9yZJJ4JX1dza9NTHMG9e1yT5zGmZ-OGpOrsjMUpuMoc9vxt7Lf32gAxrgsK~ugfTbdSWiJIaeXs4rQVJ81GzGig1pJu1XeWkWiZCAC1X91lUS9idkB~egKFBjmAviAhZA2rwQ0yuVOP20J7It1gjz6hwEvAG~5QdwjaoY1C-J-Z~mkn3UAKQ7lJZJYn9uYBcxz~LjDIXY~a0Vpz9Lz7hWGoqbUXDZXssTmtzlZR2N3FiRrx5dh4UA~egcfAsJ86AUCI2UktOPw~GwqUGlrhTeKwLYeQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Monroe County IN","date","2025-05-09T13:42:57Z","article","Monroe County public health staff told county commissioners on May 8 that emergency visits for COVID-like illness had risen slightly as of May 6, but hospital admissions and wastewater concentrations were continuing to fall.

“As of May 6, emergency visits for COVID-like illness have still increased slightly, but hospital admissions and wastewater concentrations are continuing to decrease. Flu activity is still minimal. As always, our public health clinic has vaccines available for all ages,” Miss Kelly, a public health staff member, said. She gave a clinic phone number on the record: (812) 353-3244.

Commissioners used their closing remarks to promote county outreach and community programs. The board encouraged residents to sign up for the county resident alert system on the county website (co.monroe.in.us), noted office hours held six times each month via Teams, and reminded residents of the Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger food drive on Saturday, May 10. “Last year, more than 36,000 pounds of food were collected,” the chair said; the chair also remarked that about one in five local residents are food insecure.

County leaders said the Bloomington Foundation is managing a rural repair program for homeowners with urgent repair needs and encouraged residents to contact their trustee for limited funds. The county also announced a blood drive May 8 from 1 to 6 p.m. at IVTEC (rooms C130A and C130B); the Red Cross website was given as the sign-up location.

Commissioner Madera highlighted Bloomington High School South students who won a national Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition and received a $100,000 technology prize package plus $25,000 to develop a sustainable venture for a device called Storm Shield designed to protect hearing aids during athletics and improve inclusion for athletes with hearing loss.

The board also noted a previously continued agenda item relating to a storage unit contract had been dropped because goods are now stored on county property, removing the need for that contract. The board adjourned with its next meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. May 15 so commissioners could attend the Peace Officers Memorial event at City Hall.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monroe County Commissioners, May 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Monroe County public health reported a slight rise in COVID-like emergency visits but falling hospital admissions and wastewater concentrations; county leaders highlighted vaccine availability, a May 10 food drive, a rural repair program, a blood drive and local high school students winning a national STEM prize.","taxTitle","Monroe County, Indiana","taxId",3534,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241596,"County Signs Yearly Contract for Signal Repairs; Rates Set at $425 per Intersection or $250 per Hour",65,585000,650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3255362-eb36e4b0321741efa9f3188392a0a0ce&start=585&end=650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3255362-eb36e4b0321741efa9f3188392a0a0ce/thumbnail_585000.jpg","/articles/6241596/Monroe-County/Indiana/County-Signs-Yearly-Contract-for-Signal-Repairs-Rates-Set-at-425-per-Intersection-or-250-per-Hour","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241596-ec571b0c54e243db2c9e44e0aa37c361/orig.mp4?Expires=1774833344&Signature=HcT0XISblgpb~98pcv-16lV~fZMXbYNzEIcxaoj8S26mHCjV-eu2W6EUXgpBlXcDqOQKV5F-Nowaiy~iCivokdCa67GEkzoWNgrHm9xPNKN428YynoApiCoXQCfPcFGDTNsFNuSaIjkPOxhPImBRn2lv7pTlkDkQCdqMURlH1z1gwJpOrWBCQgNcj2fNU1aNBc~SCCQu~HTLAyjEAkdcBg5WeTiCrWVSx5fsuttQFLNcRYAhvj7g7mT1mXeaRD1Qcc1s~3REwQxE-YTRRHqp9VG0Hp4w-q97i25iWW1iefE6v7TX2x979Fn3409bN4ocUkMlQREyjForcnN2-S6unQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe County commissioners unanimously approved a one-year agreement with Signal Construction on May 8 to provide routine inspections and emergency repairs for traffic signals.

The agreement sets unit rates at $425 per intersection and $250 per hour for on-call repairs. County staff said the contract supports annual inspections and immediate response to deficiencies or damage, and that the county uses the same vendor on an on-call basis for incidents.

“We have a year contract with Signal Construction. We’ve used this company for a few years now. We do annual inspections on our traffic signals to make sure our equipment is up and running and satisfies all the credentials for a traffic signal,” County Highway Department staff member Miss Ridge said. Ridge said the county highway fund covers overhead hawk signals at the two trail crossings and the parks department uses the vendor for crash-related repairs.

The contract is funded from motor vehicle highway restricted, county general and parks nonreverting funds (listed as fund numbers 1173, 11178 and 1179 on the agenda). Commissioners approved the motion by roll call, 3-0.

County commissioners said they value such standing contracts because they allow departments to respond immediately to emergencies without awaiting separate appropriations.","Monroe County approved a one-year contract with Signal Construction for routine and emergency traffic-signal repairs, with unit rates of $425 per intersection or $250 per hour; county highway and parks funds will be used depending on the location.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241601,"Commissioners Approve $647,669 Bridge-Inspection Contract, 80% Federal Funding",63,456000,519000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3255362-eb36e4b0321741efa9f3188392a0a0ce&start=456&end=519","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3255362-eb36e4b0321741efa9f3188392a0a0ce/thumbnail_456000.jpg","/articles/6241601/Monroe-County/Indiana/Commissioners-Approve-647669-Bridge-Inspection-Contract-80-Federal-Funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241601-031d5a052587a51358578e5f4a2d19c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1774833344&Signature=Rf-sMcNkqyfwoVXRbXdz9QDO4M9Bo22n415sHuLJn3ws~moEUKKGpuiQC6Gp~IXc4IlprgdobvQMRKDfQohMbLqT1jtcL8sf9Bnn0q7OsiBfJXtQEs1W5LP28O7QsbNc4DWA2iYqTeDBnm9R-yOUSWeO2Dv7TEjWS91gAFguhuDmHpn2OY0MlqS6YxsHNqUtfNh-rTwK9WJ-lD98DfuS2v8m07igWX8sAzy6ufykDa7RWb7z4ZxOcO88Kg0VWBVSl5fL3PEgGg0A4AHhmMP8CFcRB8Ng-ftcVI94sNVANrYOTQtTeKlUcrF9Pv2T7jTPj~ObF--R92tMManjMQr32A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Monroe County Board of Commissioners on May 8 approved a four-year contract with Aegis BLN USA Inc. for countywide bridge inspections covering fiscal years 2026–2029.

County staff said state and federal requirements mandate a four-year inspection cycle for bridges and that the county issued a request for proposals scored by three department reviewers. The Indiana Department of Transportation reviewed the procurement paperwork and certified the selection.

“The RFPs were scored by three individuals in the department, and then MDOT went over our paperwork to make sure that we were certified with our selection,” County Highway Department staff member Miss Ridge said. Ridge told commissioners the inspections are funded 80% with federal funds and 20% with local funds and that the program is reimbursable.

The contract amount recorded on the agenda was $647,669.17; the agenda indicated the fund number would be determined. Commissioners approved the motion by roll call, 3-0. The county clerk recorded yes votes from Commissioners Thomas, Jones and Madera.

Aegis BLN was identified in staff remarks as the successor name for the firm formerly listed as Beam, Longest & Neff. County staff said the contract award follows federal-aid procurement procedures and will be processed as a reimbursable grant project.","Monroe County approved a four-year, $647,669.17 contract with Aegis BLN USA Inc. for countywide bridge inspections from fiscal 2026–2029; staff said the work is part of a required MDOT four‑year inspection cycle and will be reimbursed 80% by federal funds and 20% locally.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241606,"Monroe County OKs $5,500 Duke Energy Foundation Grant to Buy Emergency Trailer with IU Partnership",54,301000,355000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3255362-eb36e4b0321741efa9f3188392a0a0ce&start=301&end=355","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3255362-eb36e4b0321741efa9f3188392a0a0ce/thumbnail_301000.jpg","/articles/6241606/Monroe-County/Indiana/Monroe-County-OKs-5500-Duke-Energy-Foundation-Grant-to-Buy-Emergency-Trailer-with-IU-Partnership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241606-86b471c94c22c6adcb8a41597a95d92e/orig.mp4?Expires=1774833344&Signature=bcyP6k3aJbHJLpBEOt2Tb7iE~Elatnp63-ACfngc55fJsSQyPNN-fvITLgAUGbDOeuFeuYM~VN-uanx3RLjSF-FvH3QjVJivXAjSJLmnuUHSouPm8LdiSS9INJnEcwhS9jhfmOkyjyWhvQ2Dp2Dx5g8J4J0Xq9h8HZbYcoAfoqtUpKSBNLoNDdIMeALxnbHHR9K7tX9nPzOVJ~eSZe0XbjG47F1ksh70WTsTzwSLCNnwzyYIiQ1V9Tb--SyhpPyd14Jbllo8839JPQXiE1yMDr5wGNZRJ5rwXWC79x45fmYI2~ei1HxdGYROTEMJV490d4rtGeRti-wWspl0EAf2fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe County commissioners approved a $5,500 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation on May 8 to fund a multipurpose trailer for the county emergency management department.

The grant, listed as the Emergency Management Duke Grant, fund number 4938, will be used to buy a trailer “for communication, command, and public outreach” and will be purchased in partnership with the Indiana University emergency management team, county emergency management staff said.

The grant matters because the trailer is meant to support on-scene communications and public outreach during incidents and community events. “This is about a yearly grant that we received from Duke Energy…this year, we are teaming up with the Indiana University emergency management team, and we are going to be purchasing a multipurpose trailer that will be used for communication, command, and public outreach,” Emergency Management staff member Mr. Baker said.

Commissioners voiced support for the project as a strategic partnership. “I think this is an excellent opportunity for another strategic partnership with IU,” Commissioner Madera said. Commissioners noted the county may need a memorandum of understanding to govern shared use of the trailer; county staff said they are working on that possibility.

The motion to accept the grant passed 3-0. The county clerk called the roll; Commissioners Thomas, Jones and Madera voted yes. County staff will proceed with purchase and follow up on any interagency agreement needed for shared use.

No offsetting county General Fund appropriation was described in the meeting; the grant amount and fund number were stated on the record. The board discussed the item during public business and there was no public comment on the motion.","The Monroe County Board of Commissioners approved a $5,500 Duke Energy Foundation grant for the emergency management department to purchase a multipurpose trailer for communications, command and public outreach, in partnership with Indiana University; staff noted a memorandum of understanding may be needed for shared use.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County health update: COVID visits edge up while hospitalizations decline; county announces outreach, food drive and local community wins

County Signs Yearly Contract for Signal Repairs; Rates Set at $425 per Intersection or $250 per Hour

Commissioners Approve $647,669 Bridge-Inspection Contract, 80% Federal Funding

Monroe County OKs $5,500 Duke Energy Foundation Grant to Buy Emergency Trailer with IU Partnership