All Bluffton Icon News

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Click to enlarge photos and view at your own pace

By Paula Pyzik Scott

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Bluffton Community Dog Park on March 14 were a time for smiles, cheers and tears. The creation of a place for dogs to run safely off leash has been highly anticipated by area dog owners. That included Bluffton teacher and heart transplant recipient Katrina Riepenhoff, who passed away after a sudden illness in 2024. Her family has become a key supporter of the dog park.

Many at the well-attended event wore green t-shirts bearing the message “Live like Katrina Riepenhoff” and “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good”--and paw prints. Also in attendance were Baxter and Tilly, Riepenhoff’s two dogs and her parents, Becky and Joe Riepenhoff.

Some half of the guests were Riepenhoff’s students at Bluffton Middle School. MORE ▶︎ 

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 COLUMBUS– The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife confirmed that 24 white-tailed deer taken during the 2024-25 hunting season tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). A total of 5,783 deer were tested. Twenty-three deer were taken by hunters in Allen, Hardin, Marion, and Wyandot counties. For the first time, a deer harvested by a hunter in Morrow County also tested positive for CWD.
 
CWD is a neurological disease that is fatal to white-tailed deer and other similar species, including mule deer, elk and moose. Once an animal is infected, there is no cure for CWD. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no strong evidence that CWD is transmissible to humans. Find more information on CWD at www.ohiodnr.gov/cwd/  READ MORE

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Alice Y. Rader, 102, of Wapakoneta, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at her home. She was born on November 12, 1922 to the late William and May Sheppard.

She was a graduate of Lima South High School. She was a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Lima and the Bluffton Senior Center. She was a past member of the Tri-Ward Boosters, Bath Blue Star Mothers and the Ohio Polka Boosters.

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March 29, 10:00 a.m.-noon Kick-off event at Bluffton Art Co., 105 E. Elm St.

The Bluffton Ohio Historical Society has announced a contest with youth and adult divisions that invites you to "reframe" Bluffton history in drawings, paintings, multi-media and photography.

A kick-off event will be held at Bluffton Art Company on Saturday, March 29 from 10 a.m.-noon. Twelve historic Bluffton photos will be on display to provide inspiration for entries.

There will be prizes for youth (18 & under) and adult winners.

Submissions must be 8.5 x 11 inches, in landscape (horizontal) orientation. Photos must be a minimum of 300 dpi.

The contest deadline is July 31, 2025.

For updates, visit the Bluffton Ohio Historical Society website, www.BlufftonForever.com or follow the society on Facebook.

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Did you know Bluffton Public Library has a mini Seed and Garden Catalog Swap going on now?

It's simple: Bring some seed packets you don't need this year, and perhaps pick up a few from the basket. Same goes for current Garden Catalogs. The library recommends marking or cutting out any personal info before adding it to the basket.

There are also some plant starts from the generous library plants growing nearby. Keep an eye our for a possible plant swap this summer.

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PHOTOS by Jamie Nygaard. (Click to enlarge) Area astronomy enthusiasts and photographers were treated to a clear view of the March 14 "blood worm moon." The moon was a dramatic red shade because of a total lunar eclipse, when the it was completely in the darkest park of the earth's shadow. Bluffton's Denny Morrison reported that his best view was at about 2:30 a.m. through the moon roof of his truck.

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