Watch this property. The house will disappear this year.
Bluffton’s school board announced the purchase of this residence on North Lawn Avenue owned by John R. Skelly, formerly of Bluffton. The purchase price was $110,000. In recent years the house served as a rental property.
According to Greg Denecker, Bluffton superintendent, the house will eventually be razed to expand the elementary playground.
“Our intention is to make this property a green space in the playground,” he told The Icon.
Bluffton native Jack Huber of Troy was hired as the new Bluffton village administrator earlier this month during a special council meeting.
Huber's first day on the job is Thursday. A public reception for Huber is from 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, in the town hall.
His salary will be $60,000 annually during a six-month probationary period. Following the probationary period council can consider a recommendation from the mayor for a salary increase up to an additional $5,000 per year.
Bluffton’s newest sign will carry our oldest year.
The village has contracted with Kohli and Kaliher Associates of Lima to provide the Ohio Department of Transportation with details, drawings and notes for a new sign on the Bentley Road – Interstate 75 overpass.
Cast in cement, the sign will read: “BLUFFTON est. 1861.”
According to the Lima firm, the letters will be formed into the concrete parapets (walls) and will be painted to stand out from the wall.
The price for this project is not to exceed $5,000. The formation of the sign might be in place by August.
Bluffton council has set several committee meetings. Those follow:
Wednesday, July 5, street and alley committee, 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 6, State Route 103 corridor study, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, July 10, public hearing on 2018 village budget, 8:15 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 14, public hearing on sidewalk connectivity, 8:15 p.m.
Bicycle riders planning to participate in the third annual Bluffton Ride to Remember bike ride in July can save money by registering by July 1. The ride takes place Saturday, July 8.
Registration through July 1 is $20 for an individual, $15 for the second family member and $5 for each additional family member. After July 1 registration is an additional $5 per category.
The Ride supports bike and pedestrian path construction in Bluffton. The ride starts and ends at Bluffton Family Recreation, 215 Snider Road, Bluffton. A mass start for bikers is at 8 a.m.
First National Bank is in the process of designing a new website to launch in late September 2017.
According to Brendon Matthews of the bank, "Our mission is to improve lives through community banking and we want our website to reflect our commitment to local families, businesses and agriculture. We’re looking for your help and support by submitting local photos to be inlcuded throughout our website."
Adam James Schattschneider, 51, died June 26, 2017, at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima. Adam was born March 24, 1966, in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, to Donald and Marion (Mistelske) Schattschneider.
Adam received his bachelor’s degree from University of Minnesota - Duluth, his Master's of Music from Indiana University - Bloomington and his Doctor of Music in Woodwind Pedagogy from Indiana University - Bloomington. Adam was a professor of music at Bluffton University. He was a member of English Lutheran Church in Bluffton.
Douglas Parkins, 77, died Monday, June 26, 2017, at Lost Creek Care Center in Lima. He was born Sept. 27, 1939, in McComb to William and Katherine Parkins who preceded him in death.
Douglas graduated from Beaverdam High School and was a maintenance man at Ex-Cello in Bluffton for many years. He was an avid outdoors-man and hunter.
The Bluffton police department was involved in the recent investigation of Dr. James A. Gideon, M.D., Bluffton rheumatology and internal medicine physician, Ryan Burkholder, police chief, confirmed to the Icon on Monday.
Burkholder said that State Medical Board of Ohio contact the police department shortly after it began the investigation of Dr. Gideon involving sexual misconduct with patients.
