The Bluffton University women hammered away inside on the way to a 69-45 defeat of Manchester University on a Tuesday night Heartland match. Bluffton improved to 17-6 overall and 12-4 in the Heartland Conference, securing the #2 seed in the upcoming Heartland Conference Tournament in the process! Manchester fell to 7-16 and 4-10 in the HCAC.
The Northwest Conference wrestling tournament will be hosted by Bluffton High School, 106 W. College Ave., beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, February 18.
Entered in the tournament are 80 high school wrestlers and 62 junior high wrestlers. The high school tournament will be in the Bluffton High School gym, and the Junior High tournament will be in the auxillary gym.
The field includes state runner-up 285# Eli Criblez, 11, Allen East (undefeated at 34-0).
On February 12, the Black Swamp Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America held an Annual Meeting luncheon honoring recipients of the Silver Beaver award, including Mike Metzger of Bluffton.
Lane Robert Rossman, 12, passed away on February 15, 2022 at Bluffton Hospital. He was born on November 18, 2009 in Bluffton to Lynn Rossman and Jayme Luginbuhl.
Lane started his life with many hurdles. Born with an extra chromosome, better known as Down syndrome. He was a sixth grader at Bluffton Schools. In September of 2020, he was diagnosed with leukemia. While at Nationwide Children’s Hospital he became one of the favorites of the nurse and doctors. They said he was one of their easiest patients, very rarely complaining. The outpouring of support and love from the school and community has been overwhelming and appreciated more than you know.
Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) will host a special Facebook Live on Wednesday, February 16 at noon, to discuss the current state of COVID-19 in our community.
Serving as hosts of the event will be William Kose, MD, vice president of special projects and Renee Smith, MD, chief medical officer.
The event will be streamed on the health system’s Facebook page, facebook.com/BlanchardValleyHealthSystem. Community members can “like” the corporate Facebook account of BVHS and visit the page to watch live.
Debra Ann Birchnaugh, 59, passed away February 15, 2022 at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton. Debra was born April 21, 1962 in Bluffton to James and Margaret (Shinaberry) Dray. On July 11, 1986 she married Kelly Birchnaugh who preceded her in death on August 1, 2015.
Debra was a 1980 graduate of Cory-Rawson High School. She was a manager at the Dollar Tree in Lima and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and her pets.
Playing at home, the Bluffton High School boys basketball team poured in 50 points over the middle quarters to rout visiting Van Buren 86-58 in a non-conference contest Tuesday night, February 15.
The Pirates drained a dozen triples to pave the way to victory.
With the win, the Pirates improved to 18-2, while VB fell to 7-14 after the loss.
Bluffton led 13-5 after the first period before heating up. They then racked up 25 points in each of the second and third periods to build a 63-43 cushion.
A gift from a Bluffton University alumnus and his wife will allow for Bluffton Beavers football games to be played under stadium lights at Alumni Field. 1973 graduate Randy Gade and his wife Debbie made a $300,000 gift to the university for the addition of stadium lights at Salzman Stadium.
The lights will be installed over the summer with work expected to be complete by Aug. 1. Bluffton football’s Sept. 17, 2022, home opener against Adrian College is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start. A special dedication ceremony will take place during the athletic event.
