All Bluffton Icon News

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The Bluffton Public Library will host the following events and activities during the week of February 24-March 1. For further details and dates, visit www.blufftonpubliclibrary.org/library-events/

Monday, February 24

Hummin’ & Strummin’ Song Circle - 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 25

Hot Tea Tuesday - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Open Chess - 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

"Daisies" Acrylic Paint Class - 6 to 7 p.m.

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The Bluffton Lions Club is seeking nominees for the 2024 Citizen of the Year Award.  The award was established in 1981 to honor a person, couple, or person representing a group, who has selflessly given time, effort, and talent for the benefit of those in the Bluffton area, and whose dedication and achievements have profoundly improved the quality of life of the people in this area. 

The nominee may be living, or deceased within the last year. This year’s winner will be feted at a banquet on April 15, 2025. 

Anyone interested in making a nomination may obtain an application by contacting John Rich (419-358-5405) or visiting the Lions Club website at https://www.blufftonlions.org/citizen-year

Nominations will be accepted until February 28, 2025, and should be returned to Bluffton Lions Club, Box 223, Bluffton, Ohio 45817.

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By Cort Reynolds

VAN BUREN - The youthful Bluffton High School wrestling team won the 17-team Div. III sectional team title Saturday at Van Buren as a whopping five Pirates finished first in their respective weight classes.

Three of the Pirate champions are freshmen, while the other two are sophomores.

Bluffton claimed the crown with 175.5 points. Mohawk was second with 166, followed by Columbus Grove (136) and Carey (132).

Freshman Ronald Kaufman won the 106 lbs. title., and fellow freshman Alex Nance took first in the 113 lbs. division. Sophomore Branden Cross captured the 120 lbs. class crown.
Freshman Hephaestion Weyer took first in the 126 lbs. division. Sophomore Mason Shank dominated his competition to win the heavyweight crown.

Junior Evan Grothause took second at the 190 lbs. bracket. Senior Jett Blackburn was fourth at 150. 

A top-four finish at sectionals in any weight class confers district qualification. Thus the seven aforementioned Pirates will compete in the Div. III district meet at Rossford February 28-March 1.

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On Wednesday, February 26, a Community Coffee Klatsch will be held in the newly decorated banquet/party room at Campito Lindo, 142 N. Main Street, Bluffton.   The doors will open at 10:00 a.m. for coffee, with the actual program starting at 10:30. 

The speaker for this open gathering will be Christopher Gibbs, a Sidney area farmer who is president of the Shelby County, OH, Democrats.  Those attending will be able to purchase lunch, relax and spend time with old and new friends,  and  share  concerns about rapidly changing conditions we are facing. 

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By Cort Reynolds

CANTON – Bluffton High School junior Jackson Bowlus finished sixth at the 100-yard backstroke consolation finals in the state Div. II meet at Canton’s C.T. Branin Natatorium Friday, February 21.

Bowlus ended up 14th overall in the 100 backstroke at state with a time of 53.57 Friday night. He improved his time by .21 in the B Finals over his preliminary heat showing on Thursday.

Those who finished nine through 16 in the preliminary heats qualified for the state B or consolation Finals. One through eight advanced to the A Finals.

Bowlus took 15th amidst a field of 32 boys in the 100 backstroke preliminary heats Thursday evening. He swam a 53.78 to advance to the B or consolation Finals. 

Hamilton Ross senior Cooper Burt captured first in the 100 back A Finals with a time of 48.28. Burt also finished first in the prelims in 48.94.

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James Arden Emmert, 76, died in his home in Houston, Texas on February 17, 2025.

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