All Bluffton Icon News

By Cort Reynolds

COLUMBUS – Bluffton High School sophomore Mason Shank wrestled well in the Ohio Div. III state tournament at the Schottenstein Center on the campus of Ohio State University Friday, March 7.

The Pirate heavyweight posted a 1-1 record on the day to stay alive for day two of the double-elimination tournament with a season mark of 41-10. 

In the first round of the 285 lbs. bracket Friday, Shank met the top seed in his quarter of the 16-man draw, undefeated Dalton senior Cohen Riggenbach.

Shank narrowly lost by a close 2-1 decision to fall into the consolation bracket. 

In his first match there, he pinned Nelsonville-York junior Will Odenbach in a tiebreaker after the seven-minute bout was tied following overtime.

Competition resumes Saturday morning at the Schottenstein Center.

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Women in Bluffton are celebrating March 8 as International Women's Day with the slogan #BossBabes. This collage celebrates women who run business in Bluffton including L-R) Suzann Bauman, Wendy Chappell-Dick, Marlena Ballinger, Lisa Rains, Liz Gordon-Hancock, Joyce Daniels, Sam Garrett, Kelly Blackburn, Nancy Corle, Makayla and Kim Suter, Lisa Wenger, Cassady and Rosanna Bockrath, Hannah Warwick and Melinda Bowden.

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine made the following appointments on March 7:

Allen W. Behnke of Lima (Allen Co.) has been reappointed to the State Emergency Response Commission for a term beginning March 7, 2025, and ending January 13, 2027.

Kathryn Wolfe Farmer of Bluffton (Allen Co.) has been reappointed to the Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee for a term beginning March 7, 2025, and ending February 6, 2027.

By Lindsey Buddelmeyer, Leadership Education & Training Specialist

Falls are a common cause of injury, particularly for seniors. As we discussed in a previous column, the two primary reasons for falls are a decrease in strength and balance; and environmental factors. We previously focused on preventing falls outside your home. In this column, we will focus on preventing falls inside your home.

As we age, our balance, strength, and visual acuity naturally decline. According to the National Institute on Aging, common visual changes for older adults include struggling to see up close, difficulty with distinguishing colors, and needing additional time to adjust to changing levels of light. Certain conditions also contribute to a higher likelihood of falling. Let’s examine the inside of your home, determine if there are any unsafe spaces, and find strategies or modifications to make your home safer.  READ MORE

The 2nd Midweek Lent service at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jenera will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12.

The reading is Luke 22:1-38. The sermon, by Pastor Kurtis Friemuth, Peace Lutheran Church, Deshler, is based on Psalm 51:5 under the theme "Revealing our Sinful Nature." The hymns are "Come to Calvary's Holy Mountain, Just as I am, Without One Plea, and By Grace I'm Saved."

From Bluffton Exempted Village Schools alert system
March 7, 2025

Bluffton Schools was notified this afternoon that a HS student tested positive for Chickenpox. The last time the student was at school was on Feb. 27.

The Allen County Health Department wanted us to share this information with you.

Please see the links below for information about Chickenpox and a link to the Allen County Health Department. 

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