This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, October 8th, 2025.

In today’s newscast, Bloomington police arrested a 26-year-old man in connection with a recent murder at the intersection of West Howe Street and Morton Street. More in today’s headlines:

Also coming up in the next half hour, “Don’t Drop Till You Shop” on Better Beware – your weekly-consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News. More following today’s feature.

Bloomington Police Charge 26-Year-Old for Recent Murder

The Bloomington Bloomington Police Department arrested Stephen Dixon II, a 26-year-old man, for the fatal shooting of a 29-year-old man following a dispute. The shooting occurred at the intersection of West Howe Street and Morton Street on September 26th.

The victim was a 29-year-old man named Shawn Sullivan. The police report described him as transient, and said that he died from a gunshot wound to the upper torso.

According to the police report, witnesses said Sullivan threw a bicycle at a dark colored car, in response to the car speeding past them. A man, now presumed to be Dixon, exited the car and shot Sullivan.

Officers say Dixon was arrested and taken into custody without incident. He was found with a loaded 9 mm handgun. Kaila Simms, a 30-year-old was also arrested and listed as an accomplice.

Mayor Kerry Thomson says that the suspect has been booked into the Monroe County Jail and is facing several felony charges. The mayor took to her social media to address the recent arrest.

Charges for Dixon include murder, unlawful carrying of a handgun and criminal recklessness. Charges brought against Simms include neglect of a dependent.

Surveillance footage linked a dark-colored Volkswagen Passat to both the homicide and an earlier shooting that took place on September 22nd.

Police say that tips from the public led to the arrest of Dixon and Simms. It’s important to note that the charges are accusations and both suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

Ellettsville Plan Commission Approves Voluntary Annexation Request

The Ellettsville Plan Commission met on October 2nd. The commission heard a petition for voluntary annexation of three parcels of land. Town Planner Denise Line presented the annexation case on behalf of petitioners Michael and Megan Ripley.

Plan Commissioner David Drake clarified that this is for annexing the property from the county into the town limits.

Community Member Jim Perry asked for clarification on the zoning designation. Line responded saying that Monroe County and the Town of Ellettsville classify zoning terms differently.

Local Resident Richard Dillman asked about who will maintain McNeely Street, the town’s plans for future annexation and how this would impact the tax rate for the property.

The plan commission approved the voluntary annexation by a unanimous vote. The next meeting of the Ellettsville Plan Commission will take place on November 6th.

Monroe County Commissioners Approve Environmental Contracts, Convention Center Agreement

The Monroe County Commissioners met on Thursday October 2nd . The meeting started with department updates, including information that COVID-19 is currently trending down locally. Dr. John Baeten spoke to the commissioners about the Indiana Geographic Information Sowing Enriched and Enhanced Data Sets Grant.

Baeten has been awarded the funds for the grant already and received approval from the commissioners unanimously. Commissioner Jody Madeira moved to approve the Convention Center Management Agreement.

The commissioners approved the agreement unanimously.

The board then heard two agreements with VET Environmental Engineering. The first agenda item included a dehumidifier installation and long-term stewardship plan at the County Justice Building. The total amount of the contract was for $44,067.65.

Commissioners’ Administrator Angie Purdie presented the contract, explaining that this was in response to mold contamination at the building.

The commissioners approved the contract by a unanimous vote.

The second agreement with VET Environmental Engineering included ongoing mold inspection, targeted remediation and sampling. The contract was for about $135,000 dollars per year.

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners will meet again on Thursday, October 9th .

Feature Report:

Up next, we feature an interview with Andrew King of RecycleForce. In this feature report, you’ll hear more from Andrew and our team in a broader story piece about recycling and misconceptions surrounding it. For more, we turn to Environmental Correspondents Max Jancich and Ashton Harper. This is Part I of an ongoing interview series originally broadcast on our environmental public affairs show, Eco Report, which airs each Friday at 5 p.m.

Now it’s time for “Don’t Drop Till You Shop” on Better Beware – your weekly-consumer watchdog segment on the WFHB Local News.

Credits: