Bartholomew County News from Thursday, January 8th, 2026

COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Alisha Roberts State Farm Insurance Agency has launched “Protect Those Who Protect Us,” a new community initiative pledging $1,000 each month to support a local volunteer fire department.

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) reminds Hoosiers that the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) runs now through March 31.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – The wave of retirees from the Columbus Fire Department (CFD) continues. CFD congratulates Firefighter Jeff Otte on his retirement after 21 years of dedicated service.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Columbus Regional Health (CRH) released the following statement on Tuesday afternoon regarding vaccinations and the protection they provide.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) has announced that firefighter Dan Bates has retired.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Mental Health Matters Bartholomew County, NAMI of South Central Indiana, and CRH Healthy Communities present a month-long Book Read Series beginning in early January.

Financial Advisor Troy J. Forman, of Forman Investment Services, 2635 Foxpointe Dr, was recently named a member of the Raymond James Financial Services Executive Council II.

Sign-up for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) 2026 Pre-K classes has begun.

Franklin College has selected five students to serve as Pulliam Fellows during the 2025-26 academic year.