August 2022

By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School tennis team lost 4-1 to Wapakoneta in a match at the Ohio Northern University courts Wednesday evening, August 24.

The defeat dropped the Lady Pirate record to 1-4-1 this season.

Juniors Brooke Camper and Caitlyn Couch teamed up at first doubles to provide a Bluffton victory.

The tandem won by a 6-0, 6-2 score.

Wapak captured the other four matches in straight sets.

Bluffton plays at Fostoria Monday, August 24.

By Karen Kier, Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

We learn early in school to find credible sources when writing a paper. Many may remember encyclopedias or going to the library to read a book to take notes.  We have become a society of instant gratification with Google or asking Siri or Alexa for an answer.  

Each week, I research the published, peer-reviewed literature to find the most reliable evidence about health and medicine. Recently, I was told there is no need to read published newsletters or newspapers because they can just get their answers from Google.  When you search Google for Google search algorithms and misinformation, amazingly you will find some pretty sound criticism of the accuracy of the results.  Is this our most credible source of information?

Officer swearing in • Scarecrow decorating Security pay rates • School resource officer MOU • Medication disposal retry • Commemoration committee formed

By Andy Chappell-Dick

The following article provides a summary of the Village of Bluffton regular council meeting; the packet with additional details is attached HERE.

At the Monday, August 22 Bluffton council meeting, Mayor Richard Johnson announced the finalization of a committee to address the creation of a Safety Services commemoration.

The committee was conceived in the discussions this past spring regarding how to memorialize fallen Bluffton Police Officer Dominic Francis.

Added to their task is formalizing the recognition of first responders more broadly, in particular those who have died in the line of duty but also those who have dedicated their lives to this form of public service.

At the August 22 Bluffton council meeting, EMS chief Jan Basinger requested a meeting with the Safety Services Committee to discuss growing needs in the EMS Department. Chief Jon Kinn asked to be present at that meeting, to address the same topic for the Fire Department. 

A meeting is set for today, August 24, at noon.

Here's the youth track clinic invitation from Bluffton Family Recreation:

Come and join coach Madalynn, a current Bluffton University track athlete.

Participants will learn the basic fundamentals of track in a fun and positive atmosphere. This program is designed for those ages 7-12.

Cost is $30 for members and $60 for non members

You'll need to bring:

By Cort Reynolds

Bluffton High School dropped a tough 3-2 girls tennis match at Bath Tuesday evening, August 23.

The close defeat dropped the Lady Pirate record to 1-3-1 this season.

Pirate freshman Hannah Nieman won at third singles 6-2, 6-4 to provide the only Bluffton singles victory.

The second doubles tandem of sophomores Brooklyn Moser and Kaleigh Coffman also triumphed by a 6-2, 6-4 count.

Bluffton plays Wapakoneta, another WBL rival, at the Ohio Northern University tennis courts Wednesday, August 24.

By Cort Reynolds

WAPAKONETA⎯On August 23, the visiting Bluffton High School girls soccer team shut out Wapakoneta 4-0 to win its season opener handily.

Sami Scoles scored in the 29th and 58th minutes to pace the Pirate girls to victory.

Karson Hauenstein started the scoring with a goal in the seventh minute. Allison Diller netted the final Pirate goal in the 76th minute. 

Hauenstein doled out two assists, to Scoles and Diller. Ella Armstrong added an assist on the first Scoles goal.

The following letter from Greg Denecker, superintendent of the Bluffton Exempted Village Schools, can also be found in a newsletter mailed to Bluffton residents. On Wednesday, August 24, students are invited to meet their teachers; they go back to school on Monday, August 29.

Enrollment • New staff members • School security • Senior citizen breakfasts • Financial report • Professional development • Permanent improvements

We are looking forward to the 2022-2023 school year and to welcoming over 1200 students into our district on the first day of school. Our enrollment numbers have stayed very consistent over the past 25 years, which is a real tribute to our community and staff because many schools in our region have lost considerable enrollment in that same time frame.

By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School golf team split a Northwest Connference tri-match at Pike Run Golf Course on Monday, August 22.

The Pirates lost their first-place league showdown to Leipsic 173-181, but finished ahead of Crestview 173-207.

Vikings Brevin Brandt and Nick Schroeder shared match medalist honors with a round of 40. First-place Leipsic improved to 7-0 in the NWC with the wins.

Bluffton is 5-2 in league play. Crestview fell to 0-5 in the NWC with the losses.

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