October 2024

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The Pandora-Gilboa High School has announced the 2024 Rocket Homecoming Court (photo below):

Front Row: Kya Hixon, Alexis Wentz, Luciana Hovest, Lauren Teders, Evelyn Moyers, Allison Suter

Back Row: Landen Moore, Andrew Miller, Lane Lee, Tyler Pugh, Breydon Ferguson, Logan Lehman

The Homecoming Ceremony and Crowning of King/Queen will take place on Friday, October 18 at 6:20 p.m.

The P-G Homecoming Dance is Saturday, October 19.

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By Liz Gordon-Hancock

Guests at the October 11 breakfast meeting of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce enjoyed breakfast prepared by the Twisted Whisk Café and sponsored by the Chamber.

CHAMBER REPORT

BACC Director Jim Enneking introduced two new chamber members:

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By Cort Reynolds

Six Bluffton High School volleyball players were named to the All-Northwest Conference squads, including three seniors on the first team, in voting recently conducted by the league coaches.

Setter Gracie Yarnell, outside hitter Ayla Grandey and libero/defensive specialist Avery Talavinia were all named first team all-league.

The 5-8 Yarnell dished out 637 assists, made 202 digs and added 49 kills. She also served 24 aces.

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Glendora “Pinky” Vanlue Welch, age 65, of Rawson, has peacefully passed away October 10, 2024, at Bridge Hospice Care Center, surrounded by her loving family. 

She was born in Findlay on March 16, 1959, to Glenn and Helen (Johnson) Vanlue. On April 1, 1989, Pinky married Kavin “Jake” Welch. In this marriage, they had four children, Mary, Elisha, Hanna and Joshua. 

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Bluffton store and employees to join “Our Family” business

By Paula Pyzik Scott

Community Markets of Bluffton, as part of the 49-store Fresh Encounter Inc. chain, is being acquired by the “food solutions” company SpartanNash, according to an October 14 announcement.

Based near Grand Rapids, Mich., SpartanNash is a publicly traded company that includes food wholesale and grocery retail segments. It currently operates 147 grocery stores as well as a number of pharmacies and fuel centers. Our Family is the SpartanNash flagship brand; other items are distributed via the OwnBrands suite of products.

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UPDATED on October 14

Carl David Liechty, 85, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at his residence in Bluffton. 

Carl was born in Berne, Indiana on March 25, 1939, to Oswald and Lillian (Burke) Liechty who preceded him in death. 

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Fenzl 2nd in boys race

By Cort Reynolds

VAN WERT - The Bluffton High School boys and girls cross country teams each finished fourth in the six-team Northwest Conference championship meet Saturday, October 12, at the Van Wert Reservoir course.

Pirate senior Levi Fenzl crossed the finish line second in the boys meet with a time of 16:38.3.

Columbus Grove’s Levi Bryan won the boys individual title in 16:31.2.

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Ranked 9th in Div. V 

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON __ The Bluffton High School volleyball team received the top seed at the seven-team Div. V Northwest 2 sectional at Miller City.

The Pirate team is ranked ninth in the MaxPreps Div. V Ohio polls. 

Bluffton (19-3) received a first round bye and will play the winner between third-seeded Sherwood Fairview (17-5) and seventh seed Fostoria (2-20). That match takes place on Tuesday, October 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the semifinals at Miller City.

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By Cort Reynolds

FT. LORAMIE – The Bluffton High School football team stayed undefeated with a hard-earned 42-28 victory at first-year Northwest Conference member Fort Loramie Friday evening, October 11.

The Pirates broke away from a 14-14 halftime tie with a decisive 21-7 third period outburst that spelled the difference in the outcome.

The explosive Bluffton offense authored three touchdowns of over 70 yards in the high-octane contest.

The defending league co-champion Pirates improved to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the NWC with the road win. 

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Second reading of ordinance to prohibit roosters is scheduled

The Village of Bluffton Council will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 14 on the third floor of Bluffton Town Hall with the attached preliminary agenda.

In addition to committee reports, the meeting with include the following three items of legislation:

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