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


Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.

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


Photo by Benedict Jones.

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.