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The Indiana Daily Student

campus student life

5 things you may have missed over winter break

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While many students left Bloomington over winter break, campus and city news carried on. Here are five important stories that took place during break. 

Monroe County Council applicants seek to fill vacant seat 

After former Monroe County Council member Cheryl Munson’s death Dec. 10, several candidates began filing their candidacy for the vacant at-large seat.  

Currently, eight candidates contend for the position. On Jan. 19, the Monroe County Democratic Central Committee Precinct representatives will hold a caucus to select one of them to fill the council seat.  

Bloomington wastewater finds flu, norovirus and other viruses 

High levels of flu, RSV, norovirus and an indicator of the virus that causes COVID-19 were detected in Bloomington wastewater Jan. 9. Traces of these viruses were found from the Dillman Road Wastewater Treatment Plant based on data from WastewaterSCAN, a program from Standford University.  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wastewater plants across Indiana were found to have high levels of several viruses in December of 2024, including influenza A, RSV and COVID-19. Recent samples from Carmel, Jeffersonville and South Bend wastewater plants based on WastewaterSCAN data all showed high levels of these viruses.  

Norovirus can cause vomiting and diarrhea and can be spread through contaminated food or water. The flu, RSV and COVID-19 have many cold-like symptoms and are all spread through contaminated people or surfaces.  

Younger children, older adults and people with pre-existing conditions are at greater risk of developing symptoms of these viruses. Developing COVID-19 symptoms can also lead to long COVID, a chronic condition that can last up to multiple years. 

IU Health, CVS and Kroger offer flu and COVID-19 vaccination shots with appointments or walk-ins. The IU Student Health Center also offers vaccinations for IU students, staff and faculty. For more places to get vaccinations, visit vaccines.gov. 

Indiana Football gained a new quarterback over the break

Over the break, quarterback Fernando Mendoza joined Indiana football from the transfer portal. Mendoza’s younger brother, Alberto, just completed his freshman season at Indiana Football. 

Mendoza spent three seasons at the University of California Berkeley starting in his freshman year in 2022. Now, Mendoza is transferring to Indiana and becoming a Hoosier.  

Before committing to IU, Mendoza was ranked the 12th best player and third best quarterback in the transfer portal.  

As sixth-year senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke is no longer eligible, Mendoza could be IU’s starting quarterback in the 2025 season. 

Public Safety Advisory issued due to “suspicious activity” 

The IU Police Department issued a public safety advisory on Jan. 11 due to two incidents targeting female students over the break.  

On Jan. 8, an unknown male with no affiliation to IU was reported taking photographs of sorority applicants. The police were able to identify him later that day and he has been banned from IU property for a year, according to the Public Safety Advisory email sent out.  

The second incident occurred Jan. 11 when a man in a black SUV offered a ride to a female IU student, falsely claiming he was with an IU ride service. He insisted the student get into his vehicle, however, she did not.  

The police issued the Public Safety Advisory for students to stay alert on campus after the break and continue to report suspicious behavior to IUPD.  

New MCCSC Superintendent Markay Winston appointed 

Markay Winston, who has been serving as interim superintendent of the Monroe County Community School Corporation since July of 2024, has taken on the position for the long term. 

During the MCCSC Board of School Trustees annual reorganizational meeting, Winston was officially appointed with unanimous approval. 

 “Thank you for the faith and trust you have placed in me to serve our most valuable community assets: our students,” Winston said during the appointment.  

April Hennessy, MCCSC board president, said there is no one better than Winston to serve the community at this time and that she is grateful to have Winston in this role. 

As superintendent, Winston plans to strengthen health and safety, creating a new five-year plan for the district and expanding early learning programs.  

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