The Beaverdam Bunch 4-H club held it's election of the 2022 year on March 28. Gavin Kruse will serve as president of The Beverdam Bunch 4-H Club for the 2022 year.
The other new officers for this year are Vice-President Braeden Ackerman, Secretary Carly Hannum, Treasurer Addie Businger, News Reporter Matthew Piehl, Health Officer Will Steiner, Safety Officer Payton Camper, and Recreation Leaders Gabe Foster and Jonathan McKanna.
The following article from January 2019 was published on the occasion of Dominic Francis being named 2018 Officer of the Year by the Bluffton Police Department. We are repeating it on the occasion of his death in the line of duty on March 31, 2022.
“This officer makes work enjoyable.” That's how Bluffton police chief, Ryan Burkholder describes Dominic Francis.
Bluffton police selected Francis as their “officer of the year,” for 2018, according to Burkholder.
The events of March 31–including the pursuit and arrest of three suspects who drove across Ohio at speeds up to 140 miles per hour and who struck and killed Bluffton Police officer Dominic Francis–have gripped the greater Bluffton area.
They have also attracted attention across Ohio, the midwest, and the nation, bringing messages of condolence and support from near and far, including from Mayor of Bluffton Richard Johnson:
In honor of the life and legacy of Bluffton Police Officer Dominic Francis, Governor DeWine has ordered that flags of the United States and the State of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Allen and Hancock counties, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower. Flags shall remain lowered until sunset on the day of his funeral.
All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.
Awards have been announced for the ArtSpace 70th Annual Spring Show. Sally Windle, Executive Director for ArtSpace/Lima released the following winning artists and their entries.
Best of Show – Jo Bonifas, Spencerville – Organic Table Series – Forged Steel First Place Award – Tim Wharton – Shipwreck – Sculpture
Second Place Award – Kelly Massillo – Queen of Hearts - Acrylic
Third Place Award – Barbara Ward - Organized Whimsy #2, State 2 - Acrylic on Canvas
Bruce Chesser Award - Robert Minto - Small Container (Fred) - Stoneware Farmer
The Bluffton High School student of the month for February 2021 is Eli Okuley, son of Bruce & Carole Okuley of Bluffton. Eli is a senior and has a 4.000 GPA.
Okuley is a member of the Bluffton Marching, Jazz, Pep, and Concert bands. He is involved in many activities including the Allen County Junior Fair Board, Bunny Booster 4-H Club, The ARBA, The OSDRC and is a Buckeye Boys State alumni.
