February 2022

Pirates compete in D-III event March 4-5 at Troy

By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School wrestling team finished a solid fifth at the 14-team Div. III sectional tournament hosted by Van Buren on February 26.

Six Pirates recorded top four finishes to qualify for the district meet next weekend.

Pirate senior Kaden Basil captured the 175 lbs. bracket title with a 3-0 record and two pins. In the title bout, he won a 9-0 decision over Liberty-Benton's Gavin Gillig to improve his record to a sparkling 34-5 this season.

By Ami Orr, MD, Blanchard Valley Pediatrics

The mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been felt by nearly everyone in our community. During the past two years, the Family Resource Center of Northwest Ohio has seen a 21 percent increase in adult mental health evaluations and a seven percent increase in pediatric mental health evaluations. Forty percent of local adults have reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. Nationwide, up to one-third of adults with mental health diagnoses have been unable to access adequate mental health support during the pandemic. These effects are not limited to those suffering from mental illnesses. Large percentages of those caring for people with mental illnesses are also suffering from symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. Burnout amongst first responders and essential personnel is endemic. 

By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School boys basketball team stymied Bath 43-32 in a low-scoring Div. III sectional final at Miller City Friday night.

The Pirates led 12-10 after the first quarter, but then fell behind 18-17 at halftime. They limited Bath to just 22 points over the final 24 minutes. 

Bluffton splashed three triples in the third stanza as they doubled their first half output and forged in front 34-30 heading to the final quarter.

The League of Women Voters of the Lima Area has announced that Dr. Perry Bush will speak on how the Constitution continues to create a path to Democracy in a 7 p.m. event on Monday, February 28.

He will speak in the main lecture hall on the first floor of Centennial Hall on the campus of Bluffton University.

 

 

On Thursday, February 24, Bluffton High School junior Riley Verb advanced in two events at the 2022 Ohio State High School Division II Swimming and Diving Championships at C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton, OH.

Verb advances to the B finals races on Friday February 25.

He swam the 200 yard IM (individual medley) in 2:00.26 and the 100 yard breaststroke in 1:00.57.

Times for all preliminary swimmers in these events are below.

Bills will be received the week of March 7

The Village of Bluffton has issued the following notice:

Dear Bluffton Utility Customer,

This letter serves as notice of a significant change to the billing cycle for the Bluffton utility bill you receive each month.  The billing cycle is being adjusted to reflect water usage for each calendar month of the year, opposed to the current method that combines usage from the mid-point of each month.

This will result in a NEW DUE DATE for utility bills that will begin in March of 2022.      

By Matt M. Stutz

The Pandora-Gilboa High School boys basketball team hit the tournament trail Wednesday evening February 23, in a Van Wert Semi-final match-up against Miller City.  P-G used a huge fourth quarter run, turning a tight game into a comfortable 53-42 tournament win. P-G also won the regular season match-up with Miller City. 

UPDATED Memorial service will take place at 3 p.m. on March 5.

Dorcas MacKay Brenner passed away on the evening of February 22, 2022 at Willow Ridge in Bluffton, OH.

Dorcas was born in Tulsa, OK on February 7, 1931. She was the daughter of the late Charles Walker MacKay and Margaret Torrey MacKay. She graduated from South Side High School in Fort Wayne, IN. She was a 1953 graduate of The College of Wooster with a BA degree in piano and vocal performance.

The 2022 Spring Sport player parent meeting with Bluffton High School Athletic Director Alex Hanna is now available to view at https://youtu.be/idZcJ1RXvDI . (Length 4:27.)

Spring sports include:

Track, coached by Jason Diller

Baseball, coached by K.C. Krendl

Softball, coached by John Edinger

Boys Tennis, coached by Dave Roby

Junior High Track, coached by Brady Bogart

The Village of Bluffton has issed the following Public Hearing Notification:

Notice of a Public Hearing before Village Council on March 28, 2022 at 7:15 p.m. on the third floor of the Town Hall at 154 N. Main St. in Bluffton, OH.

The Public Hearing will involve the following recommendations from the Village of Bluffton Planning Commission:

  • Change the established zoning district for parcel number 28-0212-01-013-000 from R-I Residential to R-II Residential.
  • Conditional approval of the Overall Development Plan for the Chestnut Lane subdivision.

Pages