Here is a look back at 2025 in photo. These are some of the moments that defined 2025 in Columbus and Bartholomew County.
The Republic was there to cover important moments from natural disasters to high profile court cases. We covered important local events from the county fair to the annual cheer fund delivery. We documented food insecurity in the county. We brought you coverage from notable sporting events from the Mill Race Marathon to Columbus North-Columbus East rivalry weeks to an elementary cheerleading competition. The photo gallery below is just a sample of some of the best images from the stories that mattered.
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Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Trees are being removed from the riverbank near Upland Columbus Pump House to make way for the riverfront project, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025 in Columbus, Indiana.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Oaklynn Larrison stops by Kate and Kirsten Russell’s station for some candy during the Pumpkins and Props Halloween event at the Columbus Municipal Airport in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
IU Columbus’ Damontae Thompson, left, dribbles past East/West University’s David Hood during a college basketball game in the Circle K Fieldhouse in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Volunteer Rosa Deal helps clients outside the Love Chapel Food Pantry in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
The City of Columbus’ Christmas Tree is lowered into position at Columbus City Hall in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. The aging Blue Spruce was donated to the city by Beverly Perry.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Love Chapel Volunteer Scheduler Patra Crane, in tie-dye, delivers a shopping cart full of food to a client at the Love Chapel Food Pantry in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus North’s Mridula Muthukumaran competes in women’s 200 yard individual medley during a swim meet between Columbus North and Franklin at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Volunteers Ari Carr, from left, Kaydence Carr and Bailey Dill pack a gift box during a public boxing event for the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund at the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund building in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
CSA Lincoln cheerleaders celebrate with their trophy after winning first place in the annaul Elementary Athletic League Cheer Day competition at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. CSA Lincoln took first place, Rockcreek took second place and Clifty Creek took third in the competition.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Fake snow falls on spectators during the annual Festival of Lights Parade in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Nicky Bokelman passes by his twin brother Malachi as he takes a spin in his Go Baby Go project vehicle at Columbus City Hall in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Dec. 8, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Adeline Allen reacts to seeing a fire truck carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at her house to deliver her giftbox from the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Adeline Allen receives her gifts from the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Desiree Allen smiles as she watches her daughter Adeline play with some of the toys she received from the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Cookie Koons reacts when she finds out she is receiving a handmade quilt and pillow case with pillow from Sew Crazy’s Quilts 4 Kids at The Salvation Army’s Booth Manor in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus North’s Ava Wilson, left, and Addy Wheatley lock arms during player introductions before a basketball game between rival schools Columbus North and Columbus East at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Snow billows in the air as a woman crosses Third Street in downtown Columbus, Ind., Monday, January 6, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
People have fun in the snow on Lantern Lane in Columbus, Ind., Monday, January 6, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus North’s Asher Ratliff, top, puts a cross face on Jennings County’s Darrell Hicks in a wrestling match between the two schools at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus North’s Miley McClellan, right, gestures like she’s putting a crown on teammate Hadassah Hurt’s head during player introductions for a basketball game between Columbus North and Silver Creek at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, January. 22, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Katie Kolcun, with Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators, listens to Hope the groundhog give her weather prediction during the annual Groundhog Day ceremony on the Hope Town Square in Hope, Ind., Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. Hope the groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Protesters march through downtown Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. Protesters marched to show opposition to President Donald Trump and Indiana Gov. Mike Braun’s policies.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Robbie Perez waits to be sentenced for shooting his brother George Perez Jr. and three-year-old nephew Kingston in the temporary circuit courtroom in the Bartholomew County Court Services Center in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. Perez was sentenced to 16 years for the shooting of his brother and 16 years for the shooting of his nephew both to be served consecutively for a total of 32 years. Both victims survived the shootings.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
First responders work to resuscitate the motorist of a vehicle that crashed into a retention pond at the intersection of Kenholt Drive and Indianapolis Road near Applied Laboratories, Inc., in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus East Monica McMahon is The Republic Girls Wrestler of the Year. She is pictured in the wrestling room at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus firefighter George Hilderbrand III works the scene of a warehouse fire on Scott Drive in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Jill England, owner of Jill’s Downtown Diner, walks through the kitchen of her restaurant in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. England recently announced that the landlord has decided not to renew lease for Jill’s Downtown Diner and the restaurant will be forced to close until they can move to a new location.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus North student Leyton Hottell drinks a cream soda in a speakeasy at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. Chad Russell, an AP US history and world history teacher, built a speakeasy in the basement of the high school to teach an immersive history lesson on the 1920s and prohibition in the United States.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Greg Lewis gets a last minute costume check from his wife Nancy before his presidential portrayal of former US president Martin Van Buren for a group of students in the Southside Academic Challenge program at Southside Elementary School in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. Lewis dressed up as Van Buren to teach an interactive history lesson about the former president to a group of fourth, fifth and sixth graders.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
The old Musillami’s Drive-In off State Road 11 in Columbus, Indiana is under demolition, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus East’s Keaton Lawson, in white, leaps between Columbus North’s Caleb Ferguson, left, and Garrett Long to shoot a layup during an IHSAA sectional basketball game at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, March 4, 2025. East defeated their rivals 64-41 to advance to the next round.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
George Hoffman III takes a moment before his oral argument on behalf of Jay Foyst in the case of Ross Graham Thomas v. Joseph Foyst in front of the Indiana Supreme Court at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Nathan Schiefer, from left, Drew Schiefer and Nick Cruser survey damaged silos on the Arnholt family farm after a suspected tornado in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Conner Arnholt surveys damage done to his home and farm by a suspected tornado in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, March 20, 2025. Thunderstorms hit Bartholomew County late Wednesday night and caused damage across the county.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Deana Blackwood steps over the rubble of a barn as she helps her daughter Morgan Arnholt search for her missing cats after a suspected tornado hit the Arnholt’s farm in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, March 20, 2025. Thunderstorms hit Bartholomew County late Wednesday night and caused damage across the county.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Shianna Golding loads food from the Love Chapel Food Pantry into the trunk of her car as volunteers unload a food delivery to the the food pantry from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Love Chapel Food Pantry in Columbus, Ind., Monday, March 31, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Bystanders get photos of the water level of East Fork White River at the Robert N. Stewart Bridge in Columbus, Ind.,, April 6, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Members of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office and the Columbus Township Fire Department rescue Terry Turner and his dog Ringo from their home off 400 S near Southern Crossing in Columbus, Ind., April 6, 2025. Turner and Ringo had become stranded in their home due to rising flood waters. First responders used an air boat to rescue them.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
A group of unhoused people is rescued from rising flood waters off Water Street in Columbus, Ind., April 6, 2025. First responders rescued 12 people and four pets from a camp off Water Street.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
A view of the ongoing flooding of East Fork White River on State Road 11 looking toward Garden City from the State Road 46 and State Road 11 overpass in Columbus, Ind., Monday, April 7, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Diane Tobias fills out paperwork with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security for disaster assistance at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center in the Doug Otto United Way Center in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, May 1, 2025. Structures on the Tobias’ property near Southern Crossing were damage by the March 19th tornado. The outreach center was opened up in response to the emergency declaration from the tornado that stuck the country in March.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Former Indiana governor Mitch Daniels participates in a fireside chat during the Kirr, Marbach & Company 50th anniversary party at The Commons in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Clifty Creek student Kolton Williams navigates an obstacle during the Young Champions Day field day event at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus North senior Jennifer Martinez looks through a window as she wait for the start of her commencement ceremony at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, May 24, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
An Eastern screech named Soren is perched on the hand of Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators volunteer Shawn Tyler as Tyler leads an educational session during tour of Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators in Hope, Ind., Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Cousins Cash Screeton, left, and Colt Henry take part in the Lil Wranglers portion of the 4-H Goat Show during the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, June 21, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Mark Kreder competes in the bareback riding portion of the Three Bar J Rodeo during the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ind., Monday, June 23, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Kyanne Casey waits to compete in the Three Bar J Rodeo during the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ind., Monday, June 23, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
A group of 4-H’ers play cornhole in the barn during the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Drew Gatewood, left, and Scott Decker launch Gatewood’s model rocket in the 4-H Rocket Demonstration during the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair at the Bartholomew County 4-h Fairground in Columbus, Ind., Friday, June 27, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Bailey Carter watches fireworks light up the sky during the the QMIX Musical Fireworks celebration at AirPark Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, July 3, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Tito Heredia drops a barbell loaded with weights to the mat during a weightlifting session at Tipton Lakes Athletic Club in Columbus, Ind., Friday, July 11, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Tito Heredia rubs a chalk-like substance into his hands for better grip during a weightlifting session at Tipton Lakes Athletic Club in Columbus, Ind., Friday, July 11, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Former Columbus Township trustee Ben Jackson exits the back of a Bartholomew County Sheriff’s cruiser for his initial hearing at the Bartholomew County Courthouse in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Jackson is accused of stealing and misusing public funds to cover the more than $1.12 million in expenses he racked up on Columbus Township’s credit cards. Jackson has been charged with 17 felonies ranging from theft to official misconduct as well as a misdemeanor charge for theft.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Amy Laker’s Corgi named Moon peers through the posts that support the banister at the Heritage Fund building in downtown Columbus, Ind., Thursday, July 24, 2025. Moon is Heritage Fund’s “office co-org-i-nator.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Competitors navigate an obstacle during the annual Tough Mudder at Ceraland in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Rachel Hunt leads a group of school goers across 7th Street on the first day of school for the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus North’s Manuel Valle celebrates after scoring Columbus North’s opening goal in a match against cross town rival Columbus East at the BCSC Soccer Complex in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. North defeated East by a score of 2-0.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Former Columbus East football coach Bob Gaddis holds hands with his wife Karen as he waves to Columbus East fans during a ceremony to name the Columbus East High School football stadium, Bob Gaddis Stadium at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. Gaddis is the winningest coach in the history of Columbus East football program.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus East quarterback Kyson Villarreal (7) throws the ball to avoid being sacked by Columbus North’s Myles Bruckner, left, and Jaiden Newland during a football game in Bob Gaddis Stadium at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus North’s Morgan Knapp goes airborne after a tackle by Columbus East’s Mykel Jones during a football game in Bob Gaddis Stadium at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus North’s Parker Elmore, in white, makes a catch while covered by Columbus East’s Dallas Dykstra during a football game in Bob Gaddis Stadium at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Scott Jennings moves a stack of totes at Brighter Days Emergency Housing shelter in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Volunteer Millie Maier carries a bucket and a piece of cardboard as she and other volunteers help paint a mural of Dancing C’s on the side of the LHP building next to the Bartholomew County Historical Society for the United Way’s Day of Service in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
A runner grabs water from a hydration station on Third Street during the Mill Race Marathon in downtown Columbus, Ind., Sept. 27, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Catalina Contreras and her daughter Ximena motivate runners on Third Street during the Mill Race Marathon in downtown Columbus, Ind., Sept. 27, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Lilly Schoentrup wears an inflatable dinosaur costume as she watches runners cross the finish line during the Mill Race Marathon in downtown Columbus, Ind., Sept. 27, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
CSA Fodrea kindergartner Liam Pruitt performs a jumping jack while wearing police body armor during Famliy School Partners 29th annual Touch-a-Truck event at Clifty Park in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Columbus East senior Saya Hauser poses with a painting that will be for sale at an exhibit for her senior project, the Kintsugi Project, that will raise money for a legal fund to provide grants for low income families facing custody related legal fees. She is pictured at The Republic, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025 in Columbus, Indiana. Hauser, a survivor of domestic violence herself, came up with the project after she watched her mother spend tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees as she was fighting for sole custody of Hauser. The exhibit is from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, October 6th at The Office of Downtown Development in Columbus.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Stacey Meier, left, and Kaylee Mattingly tickle each other’s noses with their origami butterflies during the annual Great Girls, Wonderful Women luncheon at Foundation for Youth in Columbus, Ind., Oct. 9, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Raeana King’s hands are full during Ethnic Expo in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Oct. 10, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
The Indiana Sentinels celebrate after scoring a goal during a hockey game between the Indiana Sentinels and the Topeka Scarecrows at the Hamilton Center and Ice Arena in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. The Sentinels lost to the Scarecrows by a score of 6-1. The game marked the start of the inaugural season for the Sentinels.





