February 2024

  • /

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church's Wednesday evening Lenten service will be at 7:00 p.m. on February 21. Pastor Bob Krueger from Immanuel Lutheran Church, Findlay, will be the guest pastor.

  • /

By Andrius Giedraitis, MD
Blanchard Valley Pain Management

Spinal stenosis is a debilitating condition that affects many individuals, particularly as we age. Spinal stenosis involves the narrowing of spaces within the spine, causing compression onto the spinal cord and/or nerves coming from the spinal cord that go to muscles throughout your body. This narrowing can occur in most parts of the spine but is most common in the lower back (lumbar spine), where it can significantly impact a person's function and quality of life.

The spine consists of vertebrae (made of bone) stacked upon one another. These vertebrae have a hollow space that holds and protects the spinal cord and nerve roots called the spinal canal. In spinal stenosis, the open spaces between the vertebrae within the spine narrow, placing pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. 

  • /

Maurice Broaddus, a writer, community organizer and teacher, will share, “Journey of an Afrofuturist,” during Bluffton’s English Festival Forum at 11 a.m. on Feb. 27 in Yoder Recital Hall.

  • /

By Cory Reynolds

HARROD__In a battle of two teams streaking in opposite directions, the visiting Bluffton girls basketball team got off to a strong start but eventually lost to local rival Allen East 58-33 Thursday night, February 15.

  • /

Blanchard Valley Hospital, a division of Blanchard Valley Health System, has been reverified as a Level III trauma center by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. BVH received three additional ACS recognitions pertaining to surgical quality, cancer treatment, and its commitment to continually improving trauma care. 

  • /

The following eight land transfers took place in the Bluffton Exempted Village School District in December 2023 as reported on the websites of Allen County Auditor Rachael S. Gilroy and Hancock County Auditor Charity A. Rauschenberg.

Address - Sale Date - Sale Price - Land Use 

Commercial

105 E ELM ST - 1/8/2024 - $90,000 - Office bldgs - 1 & 2 stories

N MAIN ST - 1/5/2024 - $454,000 - Commercial garages

311 N MAIN ST - 1/5/2024 - $454,000 - Other commercial structures

319 N MAIN ST - 1/5/2024 - $454,000 - Other retail structures

320 N MAIN ST - 1/2/2024 - $146,000 - Other commercial housing

Residential

243 E ELM ST - 1/30/2024 - $169,500 - Single family Dwlg

585 HARMON RD - 1/23/2024 - $79,900 - Single family Dwlg

129 WESTLAND DR - 1/18/2024 - $315,000 - Single family Dwlg

END

  • /

Starting in fall 2024, Bluffton University students will have the opportunity to major in environmental science. Housed in the department of health sciences, natural sciences and mathematics, the program will provide students a broader understanding of the natural and built worlds around them through classes in biology, chemistry, geology, and soil, water and climate sciences. 

  • /

The Bluffton High School student of the month for January 2024 is Alissa Beck, daughter of Monica and Andrew Beck. Alissa is a senior with a 3.938 GPA.

Beck is a member of the Drama Club, Show Choir, Chamber Choir and BHS Marching Band-Color Guard, where she was the captain the past two years as well as secretary.

She also received Academic Letter awards her 10th-12th grade years.  Alissa volunteers as a classroom helper at Bluffton Elementary School. She is a member of her church youth group and also volunteers for the Awanas Club at church.

She enjoys reading, crafts and board or card games in her spare time.

  • /

Additional photos follow this article.

By Paula Pyzik Scott

This week members of the Lima Symphony Orchestra treated children at Bluffton Public Library to an entertaining Symphony Storytime.

  • /

By Karen L. Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU Healthwise Team 

Celine Dion released the single My Heart Will Go On as part of the Titanic movie sound track in November of 1997.  The song hit the top of the charts in 25 countries and was the best-selling single in 1998.  The song dominated the 1999 Grammy Awards and won an Academy Award.  

Celine is known for her powerful voice with strong technical skills.  She recently has suspended all shows due to her developing a rare disease known as stiff-person syndrome.  It was announced in January of 2024 that Amazon MGM Studios will be releasing a documentary about this topic titled I Am: Celine Dion. 

Pages