Bluffton's mascot turtle

The Icon receives reports from time to time from hikers who frequent the path around the National Quarry.

The reports go like this: "We saw a very large snapping turtle along the path."

Those reports are true. At 7:30 a.m. on July 5 Bluffton police report a snapping turtle incident at Jefferson and Huber streets. According to Ryan Burkholder, Bluffton police chief, police respond to a turtle crossing the very busy roadway.

The turtle was identified as Ohio’s largest turtle, snapping turtle (chelydra serpentia) and this turtle weighed approximately 8 pounds.

The snapper was removed from the roadway without incident and placed back in the wildlife.