January 2023

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Should Bluffton install a traffic light at Main and College? Do you yield to pedestrians?

A January 10 accident on Main St. near College Ave. has village residents talking about long-standing concerns regarding traffic and pedestrian safety at this location. The police report has not yet been released, but preliminary information indicates that a youth was struck by a vehicle and then transported by EMS to Lima Memorial Hospital. It is expected to take several days for a report to be filed by the Bluffton Police Department.

The incident has reheated anxiety that has simmered since the traffic signal at Main St. and College was removed in 2009. Those most affected are the children who attend the schools on one side of Main and use the Bluffton Public Library and school sports facilities on the other side.

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Those interested in attending the presentation should register by contacting the Bluffton Public Library at 419-358-5016.

“Before we were Pirates,” the story of Bluffton sports teams and fans before 1929 is the topic of a presentation by Fred Steiner at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 23, at the Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main St.

The Pirate did not become the school mascot until 1929. Prior to that the school had no mascot. This presentation is about the earliest teams in the history of the. The origin of the mascot will also be explained. 

“If you can imagine in 1893 jumping on a railroad box car, riding to Lima and back to watch a Bluffton baseball team play a Lima team, then this lecture is for you,” says Steiner. 

“You do not need to be a sports fan to appreciate this presentation,” he notes. “The talk will include many stories like the railroad box ride to Lima.” 

The presentation includes stories about Bluffton teams as early as 1893 and photos of both girls and boys athletic teams as early as 1900. 

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Head coach Todd Boblitt wins 200th game

By Cort Reynolds

The visiting Bluffton High School boys basketball team defeated Leipsic 73-64 in a Northwest Conference battle Friday night, January 13.

The Pirates led 19-15 after the first period, and extended their margin to 39-30 at halftime. 

The Vikings cut their deficit to 53-49 heading to the fourth period.

But in the final stanza, the Pirates prevailed 20-15 to win by nine.

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Lima-Allen County Safe Community Coalition reports that there was one fatal traffic crash during December on Allen County roads.

A total of 15 fatalities occured in Allen County in 2022. In 2021, there was a total of 25 fatalities.

The attached chart shows impaired driving and restaint data for the 2022 fatal crashes.

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The Bluffton Lions Club is seeking nominees for the 2022 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 6, 2023. 

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HIgh Five Fridays featured on Toledo news; Pat and Rick Shaner return as substitute teachers; Bakery Bingo is back

The first Bluffton Board of Education meeting for 2023 was held on January 11 in the Elementary Media Center, where several guests gathered to address the board.

The first order of business, however, was to reorganize the board for the upcoming year:

Brad Dailey was elected as board president and Wes Klinger was elected as vice president. 

Standing authorizations were made for the treasurer and superintendent.

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By Matt M. Stutz

The Pandora-Gilboa High School boys basketball team got back on the winning track Friday evening Jan. 13 and remained unbeaten in the Blanchard Valley Conference. The Rockets jumped ahead early and never looked back, overwhelming the Vanlue Wildcats by a final of 78-31.

After one quarter, P-G had a slim 14-10 lead. The second quarter was the back breaker for the Wildcats. The Rockets exploded for 32 points, taking a 46-20 lead into halftime.  

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By Sherrie Schreck, RRT
Pulmonary Rehab, Blanchard Valley Hospital

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Cheryl S. Martin, 76, of Ottawa passed away January 13, 2023 at Putnam Heritage Assisted Living in Ottawa. 

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton. 

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted with Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.

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By Cort Reynolds

Playing at home, the Bluffton High School girls basketball team gave league-leading Leipsic all it could handle before losing 51-49 in a Northwest Conference battle Thursday evening.

Bluffton fell to 9-5 overall and 1-3 in the NWC with their first home loss in eight games. The Viking girls improved to 14-1 and 5-0 in the NWC to stay a half-game ahead of 4-0 Delphos Jefferson atop the league standings.

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