{"id":1467,"date":"2021-11-24T10:35:39","date_gmt":"2021-11-24T10:35:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bloomingtonnews.online\/?p=1467"},"modified":"2021-12-02T03:45:06","modified_gmt":"2021-12-02T03:45:06","slug":"local-news-headlines-november-24-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bloomingtonnews.online\/?p=1467","title":{"rendered":"Local News Headlines: November 24, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Soil Samples Do Not Indicate Actionable Lead Levels after Controlled Burn
<\/strong>Soil samples taken from properties where debris was most heavily dispersed after the November 5th<\/sup> controlled burn by the Bloomington Fire Department do not contain levels of lead exceeding Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) limits for residential or direct contact exposure, and are in keeping with IDEM\u2019s survey of background lead concentrations in Indiana soil. Samples were collected by VET Environmental Engineering (VET) and tested at an independent laboratory. None of the samples exceeded 200 parts per million (ppm) for lead. IDEM requires action to be taken if lead levels exceed 400 ppm. Once all of the test results have been received, the City of Bloomington plans on releasing a comprehensive written report to include the test results for review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The environmental remediation consultants advise that residents in the affected area<\/a> may rake leaves to the edge of their property for vacuum collection by the City. The City expects results this week from samples taken from leaf piles around the area to ensure the leaves are within normal parameters for disposal at a landfill. In an abundance of caution, the City \u00a0of Bloomington will not compost these leaves as per usual practice. Households in the affected area participating in the 1,000 Households Who Mulch initiative (whose homes are designated with a \u201cProud Pilot Participant\u201d sign) may rake leaves to the curb for collection as well.\u00a0\u00a0If any visible paint flakes are found, they may be disposed of in the normal household trash.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blood samples collected from firefighters who were operating at the controlled burn were tested for elevated lead levels. Results will be shared with the public when available and testing extended to community members. BFD firefighters are being trained to offer this testing through a continued partnership with the Monroe County Health Department. VET and Environmental Assurance Company, Inc. (EACI) worked with the City to evaluate and\/or remediate a total of 111 properties.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The controlled burn at 1213 South High Street was undertaken as a training exercise for the BFD after being approved by IDEM<\/a>. This exercise resulted in 94 Bloomington firefighters, many of them hired over the past few years, gaining invaluable experience. Bloomington Fire Chief Jason Moore has been in communication with the director of the Indiana Fire & Public Safety Academy and IDEM officials to ensure that lessons learned from this controlled burn are openly discussed in an effort to inform future approval processes or guidance to the state\u2019s fire departments.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More information about the City\u2019s actions to respond to the effects of the controlled burn is available at bloomington.in.gov\/bfdburninfo<\/a> or by contacting Bloomington Fire Chief Jason Moore at FireChief@bloomington.in.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IU Bloomington senior one of 32 U.S. students named a Rhodes Scholar<\/strong>
Indiana University senior Elvin N. Irihamye, who has played a key role in published brain research and demonstrated a passion for helping others through nonprofit work and student government roles, is one of 32 U.S. students chosen as a Rhodes Scholar. In October, he will go to the United Kingdom on the renowned scholarship to study at the University of Oxford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Herman B Wells Scholar and a neuroscience major, Irihamye is the 19th student in IU history to be named a Rhodes Scholar. He plans to pursue a Master of Science in translational health sciences and a Master of Science in evidence-based social intervention at Oxford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Born in North Carolina and a resident of Sammamish, Washington, Irihamye has a love of natural science and a desire to translate the scientific method into applied purposes. He is a co-author of three scientific papers in peer-reviewed publications relating to cancer chemotherapy treatments. Research on potential therapeutics for auditory-related chemotherapy side effects was published in Neurotoxicity Research. His research also has been published in the journals Nature and Cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest and most renowned award for international study, created in 1902 by the will of Cecil Rhodes, a British philanthropist and African colonial pioneer. A Rhodes Scholarship provides all expenses for at least two years of study at Oxford. The total value of the scholarship is about $75,000 per year. This year, more than 2,300 students began the application process, and 826 were endorsed by 247 different colleges and universities. 32 US Students were accepted this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upcoming activities at Monroe Lake<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second Annual Monroe Lake Holiday Hiking Challenge, November 25-28th<\/sup><\/span>
Monroe Lake challenges you to forget about shopping and holiday stress\u2026 spend your time outside instead, exploring the beauty of the outdoors along our trails! The Holiday Hiking Challenge consists of hiking ALL of Monroe Lake\u2019s trails and completing the challenge activities! Each of our trails will have at least one challenge station where you will need to complete the posted activity and take a photo to document it. Everyone who completes the challenge and submits their photo set by the deadline will be entered into the prize drawing!

The Monroe Lake Holiday Hiking Challenge Guide, which includes special marked trail maps and the website to submit your photo set, will be posted on the Facebook Event page (no FB account needed to view!) in the evening on Wednesday, Nov. 24:\u00a0bit.ly\/2021-monroe-hike-challenge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

9th<\/sup>\u00a0Annual First Day Trail Run and Walk, January 1, 2022 at 3:30pm (Fairfax SRA)<\/span>
This is an untimed,\u00a0non-competitive\u00a0run\/walk through the forests and fields at Fairfax SRA! Runners and walkers can choose from a 3.7 mile, 2.9 mile, or 1.3 mile course. Proceeds support events, exhibits, and interpretation at Monroe Lake!<\/p>\n\n\n\n