Below is a selection of photos of from 2023 in and around Columbus.
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Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus North wrestlers Lilly Breedlove, left, and Arabella Fortino pose for a photo at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. Breedlove and Fortino have qualified to compete in the girls wrestling state finals on Friday.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus North’s Drew Schiefer, in white, fights for a heavily contested rebound with Mooresville’s Gavin Rogers (3) and Wes Reeves (11) during a basketball game at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Registered Behavioral Technician Chelsea Smith, from left, and Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. Autism Coordinator Amber Wolf watch Ben Wyrick, an autistic fifth grader at Rockcreek, interact with a robot named Milo that is designed to help children on the autism spectrum learn social skills at Rockcreek Elementary School in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Kate, in pink, and Emmy DeJarnett sled down the hill at Mill Race Park in Columbus, Ind., Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Demolition work begins on the Irwin Block building in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. The building was heavily damaged by a fire in December 2022 and deemed unsalvageable.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Kylee Waggoner holds a sign that says Stop Asian Hate at the Rally in Support of the Asian American Community event at Columbus City Hall in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Former Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation superintendent John Quick poses for a photo with pair of Columbus North and Columbus East themed Converse Chuck Taylor shoes and about a dozen IHSAA state championship rings at his home in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Quick has been selected as an inductee into the BCSC Hall of Fame this year.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Half of the Irwin Block building has been demolished in downtown Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Ebony Ash looks at the local Black History Month exhibit highlighting Bartholomew County’s Black heritage at The Commons in downtown Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. Paulette Roberts and Brenda Pitts curated the exhibit.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Beth White, with UTOPIA Wildlife Rehabilitators, reacts after Hope United Methodist Pastor Ed Cottrell reveals that Hope the groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter during the annual Groundhog Day ceremony in Hope, Ind., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Nancy Mathis, left, and Markel Andrews put foil over a warmer full of grilled cheese sandwiches on Grilled Cheese Thursday at St. Peter’s Lutheran School in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. Every Thursday high school students in Bartholomew County can stop by St. Peters for free grilled cheese sandwiches. Columbus East senior Ashlynn Waddle is putting together a fundraiser for the program by organizing a concert by Christian musician Colton Dixon.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic David Lennart, from left, Columbus Regional Health vice president of strategic facility planning and operations, Columbus Regional Health President and CEO Jim Bickel, Mary Ferdon, executive director of administration and community development, and Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop pose for a photo after taking part in a wall smashing, groundbreaking ceremony at NexusPark in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Zoey Burris uses a dental mirror to examine the teeth of her t-rex dental patient during a “Dress Like a Dentist” event at Busy Bees Academy in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. The Bartholomew County Health Department put on the event to promote good dental hygiene and what to expect during a dentist appointment.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus North’s Nate Enneking exits the locker room before an IHSAA boys sectional basketball game between Columbus North and Franklin Community at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop listens to Columbus City Council President Grace Kestler welcome guests to the annual State of the City address at The Commons in Columbus, Ind., Monday, March 6, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Josh Whittymore tosses Holi gulal as ABC Stewart students celebrate Holi at ABC Stewart School in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, March 8, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Actor Noah Emmerich, right, and actor Imogen Hall return to their marks while shooting a scene for The Ice Cream Man movie in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, March 15, 2023. The production team needed a location that looked like a vintage 1940s ice cream parlor for the movie. The movie focuses on the story of German-Jewish refugee Ersnt Cahn who co-owned an ice cream shop in Amsterdam with Alfred Kohn during the Second World War. The ice cream shop was raided in 1941 by the Nazi SS and Cahn and Kohn were taken prisoner. Cahn was executed and Kohn died in Auschwitz in 1945.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Republican mayoral candidates Milo Smith, left, and Mary Ferdon, right, talk with John Foster before Foster moderates a mayoral candidate forum hosted by the Bartholomew County Republican Ladies League in the Red Room at the Bartholomew County Public Library in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Pauline Stillabower touches up her hair before posing for pictures for a story about celebrating her 100th birthday at Belmont at Tipton Lakes nursing home in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, March 23, 2023. Stillabower turns 100 years old on March 30.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic A view of the circulation desk and non-fiction stacks as work on replacing tile flooring continues at the Bartholomew County Public Library in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus North German language student Ivy Davidson, left, reacts as Jan Steude of Loehne, Germany, is informed by Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop that he is sitting in the mayor’s chair at the Columbus City Council table during a visit by students from Loehne to Columbus, Ind., Thursday, March 30, 2023. Loehne is Columbus’ sister city in Germany.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Sherry Stark, left, gets a hug from Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop as he presents her with the Sagamore of the Wabash Award during the grand opening ceremony for the 1821 Trail in downtown Columbus, Ind., Thursday, April 6, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Sayi Kadam, left, and Anaya Chogale react to a science experiment during a robotics and coding STEM night presented by Cummins at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, April 13, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Susan Crussel, left, helps Ruby McKinney try on a dress at Gold Nugget in Hope, Ind., Monday, May 1, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Local artist Kimberly Free as she talks about the artwork she creates in her studio apartment in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Republican candidates for Columbus Mayor Milo Smith and Mary Ferdon shake hands as Smith concedes the race to Ferdon during the Bartholomew County Republican Party election results watch party at Hotel Indigo in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Prom goers Kieradyn Wright, left, and Jake Simpson cuddle up on a bench before prom outside The Commons in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 6, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Sisters Haley, left, and Hermione Robinson, of Columbus East, walk past The Commons before BCSC Prom in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 6, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Students hit the dance floor during BCSC Prom at The Commons in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 6, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Schmitt Elementary student Simon Smitley competes in the 25-meter dash during Special Olympics Young Athletes field day at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, May 10, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic A Columbus police officer searches for evidence after four people were shot on the basketball court at Lincoln Park in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Poster maker Roger McFadyen pauses before answering a question during an interview at his home in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Steve Norman is joined by his daughter Sierra for a second annual softball fundraiser in his honor at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Norman was seriously injured in May 2022 when he was struck by a pickup truck on I-70 in Indianapolis. He was the deputy chief of the Columbus Police Department when he was struck by the vehicle.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Kai Ash plays corn hole during the Juneteenth celebration in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, June 17, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic A view of the low water level Columbus Youth Camp lake in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Youth camp official noticed seepage from the dam and drained 15-feet of water from the lake.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Sofia Koons braces with her hand as she gets low in a turn during a training session with Olympian Lin Lin Sun at Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, June 22, 2023. The Full Throttle Speed Skating Team hosted a training clinic by Sun who won a gold medal for China in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Sam Harden takes part in the Lil’ Wranglers Swine Show during the Bartholomew County Fair at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ind., Monday, June 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Bucky McAlpine competes in the bareback riding portion of the Three Bar J Rodeo during the Bartholomew County Fair at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ind., Monday, June 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Shirtless spectators dance during a break in the Three Bar J Rodeo during the Bartholomew County Fair at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ind., Monday, June 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic A rodeo competition is silhouetted against the sky during the team roping portion of the Three Bar J Rodeo during the Bartholomew County Fair at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ind., Monday, June 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Scott Decker, left, helps Alex Kerkhof launch his model rocket for the 4-H Rocket Demonstration during the Bartholomew County Fair at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ind., Friday, June 30, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Anell Trinidad, from left, Nadia Espejel and Kayla Moguel take a selfie during the QMIX Musical Fireworks celebration for Independence Day in front of the Columbus Learning Center in Columbus, Ind., Friday, June 30, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic The Lemonade Bros. Jacob, left, and Jonathan Jones pose for a photo at their stand outside the Walmart on Merchant Mile in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, July 5, 2023. The Lemonade Bros. partnered with Walmart to help raise money for their fundraiser for Riley Hospital for Children.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Volunteer Autumne Burton clean a window on a door to The Crump Theatre during Toyota’s 3rd annual Lift the Community Day in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, July 6, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Terry Milligan poses for a photo with the 1974 Super Beetle he is restoring at his home in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Sherry Yeaton stands in what is left of her and her husband’s bedroom as she looks for salvageable items at their home in Columbus, Ind., Monday, July 17, 2023. The Yeaton’s home caught fire and burned down June 22, 2023. They were out of town on vacation when fire occurred.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Country Squire Lakes property manager and receiver Mike Miller talks about the work he has overseen to clean of the blighted community outside of North Vernon, Ind., Thursday, July 27, 2023. The pictures on the walls are of hundreds of blighted homes and mobile homes that have been cleared from lots since he took receivership of the community roughly seven years ago.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Mark Jones, director of Columbus Parks and Recreation, walks through the Circle K Fieldhouse at NexusPark in Columbus, Ind., Friday, July 28. 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Amy Owens, of Indianapolis, navigates an obstacle during the Tough Mudder at Ceraland in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, July 29, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Luke Hunter throws a football at a hole in a net during the inaugural fall sports season kickoff event at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus North senior Caylyn Pruitt laughs while decorating cake pops she made at her home in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. Pruitt took an interest in baking during the pandemic. She launched her home-based baking business in December 2021.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Republican Joseph Jay Foyst listens to the ruling by the Bartholomew County Election Board during a hearing over a challenge to his candidacy for Columbus City Council District 6 in the Bartholomew County Clerk’s Office at the Bartholomew County Courthouse in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. Bartholomew County Democratic Party Chair Ross Thomas’s challenge asserted that the Bartholomew County Republican Party had not filed the paperwork for Foyst’s candidacy on time. The board upheld the challenge and Foyst will be removed from the ballot.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Boxer Elsa Li poses for a photo wearing some of her boxing gear in the studio at The Republic in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Li, a freshman at Columbus North, recently won the 2023 USA Boxing Women’s Championship in the 119-pound weight class.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic People dance under Exhibit Columbus installation InterOculus during Exhibit Columbus’ Rock the Block party on the opening weekend of Exhibit Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Andrew Copeland, from left, Ken Block and Ryan Newell, of Sister Hazel, perform for the Hospice Concert at Mill Race Park in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus Township firefighters Matthew Cooper, left, and Cody Ghuman help put up a garrison flag before a remembrance ceremony to observe the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks at Columbus City Hall in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Sept. 11, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Jennings County goalkeeper Deken Simpson, left, tips the ball away from Columbus East’s Zack Hofelich during a soccer match between Columbus East and Jennings County at the BCSC Soccer Complex in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus East’s Tyler Weller, in orange, is tackled by New Albany’s Landon Smith during a football game between Columbus East and New Albany at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Lily Garrett, left, laughs as Itzel Gonzalez is selected by her table mates to read a poem created by the everyone at the table during the annual Great Girls, Wonderful Women luncheon at Foundation for Youth in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus East assistant volleyball coach Terry Sweasy gets hugs from Columbus East volleyball players Jenna Guse, bottom left, Caroline Frost, top right, and Chloe Gilley after announcing his retirement before a volleyball match between crosstown rivals Columbus North and Columbus East at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Sept, 28, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Valentina Gutierrez gets her face painted during Fiesta Latina in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic A header by Roncalli’s Andrew Curry, right, hits Columbus NOrth’s Misaki Takemoto in the face during a sectional final soccer match between Columbus North and Roncalli at the BCSC Soccer Complex in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. North defeated Roncalli 4-2 to win the sectional title.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Members of the Columbus North soccer team celebrate beating Roncalli in a sectional final soccer match at the BCSC Soccer Complex in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. North defeated Roncalli 4-2 to win the sectional title.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus North’s Nico Gotoh (19) celebrates with his teammates after scoring his second goal in an IHSAA regional semifinal soccer match between Columbus North and Center Grove at the BCSC Soccer Complex in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. North defeated Center Grove 3-2 despite playing a man down for a majority of the match.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus North’s Asher Ratliff, right, sprints away from a tackle attempt by Terre Haute South’s Jaidyn Hoole during a football game at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus City Council District 6 candidate Joseph Jay Foyst, from left, watches as attorneys Ross Thomas and and Peter King, representing the Bartholomew County Election Board, talk after a pretrial hearing for Thomas’ lawsuit against Joseph Jay Foyst and the Bartholomew County Election Board at the Bartholomew County Courthouse in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Mary Ferdon celebrates after winning her election to become the next mayor of Columbus during the Bartholomew County Republican Party election results watch party at The Forge of 4th in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Patrons check in with workers at the Love Chapel food pantry in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Nov. 20, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic People gather outside the Love Chapel food pantry in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Nov. 20, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Capt. T.A. Smith holds a box of macaroni and cheese as members of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department deliver food from their pack a patrol car food drive to the Love Chapel Food Pantry in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Remington Fugate and his great uncle Charles Fugate play with balloons plays as Charles finalizes becoming his adoptive father in the Bartholomew County Circuit Courtroom at the Bartholomew County Courthouse in Columbus, Ind. Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Jessica Korte wears a festive outfit as she takes part in the Columbus Festival of Lights Parade with the Columbus City Band float in downtown Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Paisley Bunch smiles as she holds a rubber ducky while testing her Go Baby Go project car at the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Dec. 15, 2023. Students at Purdue Polytechnic built three cars for children with special needs and mobility issues for the Go Baby Go project. Families receiving the cars attended a reception where the children were able to test their new cars.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Novalie Fortner smiles as she tests her Go Baby Go project car at the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Dec. 15, 2023. Students at Purdue Polytechnic built three cars for children with special needs and mobility issues for the Go Baby Go project. Families receiving the cars attended a reception where the children were able to test their new cars.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Oliver Cox pets a reindeer at the Bartholomew County Historical Society Museum during the Not So Silent Night event in downtown Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus Code Enforcement officer Fred Barnett inspects the homeless camp off the People Trail behind the old REMC building off Second Street in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. The camp is located on property owned by Mariah Foods. Barnett is tasked with clearing homeless camps in the city limits with the help of the Columbus Police Department. Gutierrez and the others in camp were issued trespass warnings and given until Monday to be off the property.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus East’s Jenna Guse, right, blocks a shot by Columbus North’s Sydney Johnson during the annual crosstown rivalry game between the Columbus North and Columbus East girls basketball teams at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Liam Schrogham, left, rides in a firetruck with his grandfather, Columbus Fire Lt. Jim Miller, right, and Lt. Jay Smith, center, to help deliver gifts during Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund gift delivery day in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. Firefighters took Chuck Luedeman dressed as Santa by fire truck to deliver the first box of gifts from the Cheer Fund. Schrogham exclaimed that his friends in kindergarten will never believe the he rode in a fire truck to help Santa deliver gifts.
