COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Administrative Resources association (ARa) recently announced its 2026 Board of Directors Executive Committee, ushering in a new year of collaboration and regional impact.
Bedford Mayor Sam Craig has been named President of ARa for 2026. Joining him on the Executive Committee are North Vernon Mayor Shawn Gerkin (Vice President), Batesville Mayor John Irrgang (Treasurer), and Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon (Secretary).
The newly appointed officers bring a strong track record of public service and regional partnership to their roles. As President, Mayor Craig will continue the strategic development of the organization and advance initiatives aimed at supporting member communities and strengthening the region.
Outgoing President, Greensburg Mayor Josh Marsh, reflected on his time in leadership, stating, “It has been an honor to serve the ARa members and our region. I look forward to continuing to watch the impact we make for all our member communities.”
ARa remains focused on securing resources for its members, fostering collaboration across the region, and delivering meaningful results in 2026 and beyond.
For more information about ARa and its initiatives, visit www.aracities.org.
COLUMBUS, Ind. - Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation's (BCSC) third annual Educator Signing Day is Tuesday morning, May 5, in the Clarence E. Robbins Auditorium at Columbus East High School.
EDINBURGH/COLUMBUS, Ind. - IHG Hotels and Resorts (IHG), with nearly 7,000 global properties across 21 brands, has honored Holiday Inn Express & Suites Columbus/Edinburgh and its team with a 2025 Torchbearer Award.
SEYMOUR, Ind. - Seymour Main Street presents "Crossroads Acoustic Fest," a boutique music festival with world-class musicians and intimate performances in downtown Seymour on Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25.
INDIANAPOLIS - Youhuang Xiang (“Xiang”), 32, formerly a post-doctoral researcher at Indiana University and a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, has been sentenced to more than four months in prison, a $500 fine, and one year of supervised release, after pleading guilty to smuggling biologic materials into the United States from China.
FRANKLIN, Ind. - UPDATE- 10 p.m. -Johnson County Fire crews are continuing to extinguish hot spots. Crews will remain on scene for an extended period of time.