All Bluffton Icon News

Dominic Francis honored in memorial service

UPDATED 7:30 a.m. April 9 with additional photos by The Lima News via AP

On the morning of April 8, an estimated 2,000 mourners came to pay their respects to Dominic M. “Dom” Francis, 42, a Bluffton police officer who was killed in the line of duty on March 31. Family, friends, colleagues and Cory-Rawson students gathered at Bluffton University’s Sommer Center to remember and mourn Francis, while the larger community of first responders from Ohio and beyond paid tribute to one who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the public.

2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 9

The Village of Beaverdam will hold a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 2:30 p.m opn April 9 to celebrate new playground equipment at the Village Park, located at the corner of Water St. and Lima St.

The Bluffton University baseball team scored in all eight innings as the Beavers hammered Ohio Northern 24-9 on a cold Thursday, April 7, playing at home at Memorial Field. Bluffton improved to 9-11 on the season, while ONU slipped to 11-11. The 24 runs equaled the school record set against Finlandia in 2015.

The Beavers trailed 3-1 heading to the bottom of the second when the home team smacked it around for a 5-3 lead. A Luke Hanson (Somerset/Sheridan) two-run single followed by a Grant Hovest (Ottawa-Ottawa-Glandorf) RBI base knock capped off the four-run frame.

Ohio expected to draw sky watchers

Community planners across Ohio are talking about getting ready for the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse that is expected to draw tourists along a "path of totality" that will stretch from Texas to Maine.

By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School baseball team lost to visiting Lima Central Catholic 8-3 Thursday evening, April 7.

The Pirates fell to 1-5 with the non-league defeat. 

Bluffton hosts Vanlue Saturday, and then they entertain Delphos Jefferson (1-5, 0-1 NWC) in the Pirate Northwest Conference opener Monday, April 11.

Jefferson lost to arch-rival Spencerville 3-2 in their league lidlifter Thursday evening. 

By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School varsity softball team won a close 3-2 battle over visiting Lima Central Catholic Thursday evening, April 7.

The Lady Pirates tallied two runs in the first frame, and added a run in the second to build a 3-0 lead.

LCC inched within 3-1 with a run in the fourth, then scored once in the sixth to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Bluffton hurler Hannah Davis made the early lead stand up and earned her first pitching win by allowing just five hits and two runs. 

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