Bloomington Police investigate stabbing
On January 11, 2023, at approximately 4:45 p.m., officers with the Bloomington Police Department responded to a report of an assault that had just occurred on a Bloomington Transit bus. The assault reportedly occurred when the bus stopped at the intersection of W 4th Street and the B-Line Trail. A witness that had been on the bus at the time the assault occurred followed the suspect on foot and provided responding officers with updated locations of the suspect until officers arrived in the area and detained the woman.
Investigators made contact with the victim, an 18-year-old woman from Carmel, and requested that an ambulance respond to the scene, as the victim’s head was bleeding. The victim was then transported to an area hospital for treatment of her injuries. The victim reported to investigators that she had been riding the Bloomington Transit bus and had stood up to exit the bus on 4th Street at the B-Line Trail. She said that as she was standing and waiting for the bus doors to open, another passenger on the bus began to strike her repeatedly in the head, which resulted in immediate pain. The suspect also exited the bus and began to walk towards Kirkwood Avenue.
The suspect was identified as Billie R. Davis (56, Bloomington). Davis was originally transported to the Monroe County Jail and booked in for the charge of Battery, level 5 felony. However, once the victim’s wounds had been cleaned at the hospital, it was determined that the victim had multiple stab wounds to her head. Investigators were able to access camera footage from inside the bus which captured the assault. The footage showed that the suspect and victim had no interactions prior to the suspect stabbing the victim multiple times in the head as the victim waited for the bus doors to open.
Billie Davis was then re-interviewed by investigators at the Monroe County Jail. At the conclusion of the interview, her charge was amended to Attempted Murder, level 1 felony.
Anyone who witnessed the assault, or thinks they may have further information, is asked to call Detective Rob Shrake at (812)349-3352.
Bloomington’s Mayor Hamilton establishes 501(c)3 organization to manage development projects
Mayor John Hamilton announced the activation of a new 501c3 nonprofit corporation to advance several initiatives in the interests of the community, especially related to Bloomington in three areas – arts, technology/jobs, and housing. A memo and draft bylaws and conflicts policy shared with members of the City Council can be found here: https://bton.in/l3303
The organization falls within the plans of the Mayor to absorb the proposed convention center expansion project, avoiding collaboration with Monroe County Government, although his adminstration claims it is simply the best path to manage projects such as the Buskirk-Chumley Theater and the Waldron Arts Center, the Trades District, the planned federal EDA-funded Tech Center, and major housing opportunities in the new downtown Hopewell neighborhood.
Currently, maintenance of these projects has been spread across City of Bloomington departments.
Mayor Hamilton believes that activating a nonprofit is the best path to realizing the full public value of these projects without detracting from the important core work of city departments. Although, many City, County, and community leaders have publicly disagreed with his findings, and have questioned his motives.
Hamilton’s next steps will include appointing and convening the CBCI board members and working with City Council in the coming weeks and months to explore funding options and potential property transfers.
Jim Murphy announces retirement from CFC Properties
Cook Group announced that Jim Murphy will be retiring from his role as President of CFC Properties in May 2023, after 35 years of service. Jim began his career in 1987 when he joined CFC as a construction manager. At that time, CFC was deeply involved with revitalization efforts in downtown Bloomington, including the renovation of Fountain Square and the Grant Street Inn. Jim excelled in this position and was named Vice President in 1991. Shortly thereafter in 1993, Jim was promoted to president.
During his career, Jim not only managed operations of all our commercial and residential properties, the Grant Street Inn and Yoho General Store, but he also played a critical role in several major Cook projects. These included the restoration of the French Lick Springs and West Baden Hotels, the expansion of the Monroe County History Center, the renovation of the Showers building, the remodel of the Cook Family Health Center building and The Kirkwood.
Outside of his day-to-day work, Jim was also an active participant and held leadership positions on a variety of boards and committees, including but not limited to the Downtown Bloomington Inc., Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, Bloomington Hospital Foundation, Bloomington Parks Foundation, the Indiana Apartment Association and the Monroe County YMCA.
As Murphy begins his transition to retirement, Ron Walker will take over leadership responsibilities for CFC Properties. Ron joined CFC in 2014 as the Vice resident of commercial real estate. A short time later, he moved into the role of Vice President of operations. In this role, he directed commercial and residential operations, as well as CFC’s marketing and IT divisions.
In 2021, while continuing his role of Vice President of CFC, Ron was named president of Workforce Housing LLC to facilitate the development of workforce housing for Cook employees in communities across south-central Indiana. As President of CFC, Ron will be responsible for providing corporate leadership and directing all business operations of the company.
This Week in Hoosier History
1942 – The Von Trapp Family Singers were on stage at the English Theater on the Circle in Indianapolis. Baron Von Trapp introduced his wife Maria and seven of their ten children who were on the tour. The family sang many old songs from their Austrian homeland. The Indianapolis Star said the program was “pleasantly nostalgic of the days when large families gathered around the home organ on winter’s nights.”
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