All Bluffton Icon News

  • /

Joyce Carolyn LaRue, 85, of Benton Ridge, peacefully left us to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Monday, February 17, 2025, at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Katy, Texas.

Joyce was born on February 11, 1940, in Ada, Ohio, to John and Cecile (Baughman) Collins and on August 9, 1959, married her sweetheart, William “Bill” LaRue.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, her brothers Earl, Edward and John Collins, her sisters Betty Rodabaugh, Ellen Price, Mildred Price, Carol Coons, and Patricia “Miss” Collins.

  • /

The Bluffton High School wrestling team will compete in the OHSAA D3 Sectional Meet on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. at Van Buren High School.

Doors open for spectators at 9:15 a.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.ohsaa.org/tickets/

Prices are $5 for students (K-12) $8 Adults Cash tickets may be purchased at the door, same prices.

  • /

At 7 p.m. on Friday, February 21, the Bluffton High School boys basketball team will host the OHSAA D6 Sectional Tournament Game vs. Wayne Trace.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://www.ohsaa.org/tickets/

Prices are $5 for students (K-12) $8 Adults. Cash-only tickets are available at the gate. Season passes and reserved seats are not valid for tournament basketball.

  • /

By Paula Pyzik Scott

The February 14 breakfast meeting of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce spotlighted the following local businesses in addition to member announcements.

Luvu A Latte, 851 State Route 103, provided breakfast of biscuits and gravy and donut-fruit skewers.

Breakfast sponsor Stratton Greenhouses and Roots by Strattons introduced the 2025 Bluffton Beautification program, which provides and maintains flower pots and hanging baskets in the downtown area. Susie Stratton and Dan Stratton detailed the work that goes into the project, including over 200 hours of labor and 30,000 gallons of water. The Strattons explained a new wrap-around basket liner for the suspended flower that will require less watering and help deal with coconut-fiber liner delivery challenges.

Visit Roots by Strattons, 111 S Main St., for information on sponsorship opportunities or submit the sponsorship form HERE.

PROGRAM

Derek Dukes, who co-owns Southgate Lanes with Brandon Falk, provided a program on how that business has changed since they purchased it in 2020.

READ MORE

  • /

The Bluffton Schools Music Booster's Chicken BBQ is Friday, March 21. Meal tickets can now be purchased at the Middle School office or online at https://givebutter.com/9yz7ip/

Bubba C's BBQ will be served.

That evening free entertainment will be provided by music students in grades 4-12 in Band, Choir and Strings.

  • /

By Mark Badertscher and Randall Reeder

Don’t miss this year’s Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference March 11-12, 2025, (Tuesday-Wednesday) at Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio. Connect with other great farmers and CCAs, experience new ideas, and increase your net income. 

The theme is “Getting More from Less.” Cutting costs is key following a year where corn and soybean yields were reduced for many farmers. And crop prices are barely breakeven. We don’t know what the weather will be in 2025, but commodity prices are projected to stay low.

READ MORE

Pages