December 2023

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James Robert Reichley, 66, of rural Rawson passed away at Blanchard Valley Hospital on December 17, 2023. He was born in Bluffton, OH on November 2, 1957 to the late Robert and Irene (Rettig) Reichley. He married Debra Moneer on October 16, 2004 and she survives.

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Bluffton University has been awarded a $100,000 Protect the Planet Grant from Cenovus Energy. The grant will fund invasive-species removal and native-plant restoration at the Bluffton University Nature Preserve over a two-year period beginning in March 2024.

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Happy Holidays! The Bluffton Icon and Ada Icon will be in holiday mode from Christmas Eve on Sunday, December 24 to New Year's Day on Monday, January 1.

Content will be updated with breaking news including sports and obituaries, but our office will be closed. Please continue to send information 24/7 to [email protected] and leave messages at 567-400-4266.

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By Cort Reynolds

CAREY__The visiting Bluffton High School boys basketball team dominated non-league foe Carey 67-36 Wednesday night, December 20.

The Pirates improved to 4-1 with the decisive road win.

Carey dropped to 4-3 after the loss.   

The Pirates led 17-9 after the opening stanza on the strength of five three-point goals. Junior guard Marek Donaldson nailed two of his five trifectas in the first quarter.

Blake Sommers also drained two treys in the first period en route to eight early points. Landen Worcester drilled the other three.

Bluffton extended its lead to 32-19 at halftime. Six Pirates scored in the 15-10 second stanza. 

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The Bluffton Lions Club is seeking nominees for the 2023 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 next winner will be feted at a banquet on April 11, 2024. 

Anyone interested in making a nomination may obtain an application by contacting John Rich at 419-358-5405 or by visiting the Lions Club website at www.blufftonlions.org/ 

Nominations will be accepted until February 28, 2024, and should be returned to Bluffton Lions Club, Box 223, Bluffton, Ohio 45817.

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At the December meeting of the Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities, the appointment of Tyson J. Goings as the next Superintendent of the Board was announced.

On January 1, 2024, Goings will assume the duties of Assistant Superintendent for a transition period with the current Superintendent, and then on July 1, 2024, he will become the board's 10th Superintendent in the 57 year history of the board.

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By Cort Reynolds

DEFIANCE__The Bluffton High School girls basketball team easily won a 50-27 non-league makeup battle vs. Defiance on Tuesday night, December 19.

Pirate junior post Ayla Grandey poured in 27 points to lead all players and equal the entire Bulldog output.

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At the December 11 meeting of the Bluffton Council, the Village administration presented the following report including "done" and "to-do" lists:

2023
1. Geiger St. Water Main Replacement: Another quality project completed under budget: 15.9% under the contract price that was already 15% below the engineer's estimate.

2. Garau St. Water Main Replacement: Work has been completed. 

2024
1. Pocono Drive Utility Improvements: OPWC has approved a $240,000 loan at 0% interest over a 30-year term for the project to teplace water and sewer main lines along Pocono Drive estimated at $352,260.

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COLUMBUS__The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is seeking reports of gray foxes, river otters, black bears, and other furbearers. Reports can be submitted to the Wildlife Reporting System at www.wildohio.gov and on the HuntFish OH mobile app. Wildlife biologists use public reports to monitor populations of these secretive species.

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Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 301 North Main Street, Jenera, has announced the following Christmas Eve and Christmas day services.

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