The Ada and Bluffton Icons are now members of the Ohio News Media Association (ONMA), according to Fred Steiner, Icon owner.

The Icons are one of the very first web-based-only community news sources to be accepted into membership.

Steiner said that several years ago the association, then known as the Ohio Newspaper Association, did not accept non-print members. With the name change the association has broaden its membership coverage.

“We are excited to be accepted into membership as we bring what we think is a groundbreaking news style to the association,” he said. “The ONMA membership represents acceptance of the Icons as viable news organization in Ohio."

ONMA is a state trade association, which represents all of Ohio’s daily newspapers and weekly newspapers, which qualify for periodicals class mail privileges.

ONMA administers a full program of member services that include: government relations and lobbying, publications, seminars and employee training, legal assistance, group insurance, and advertising services.