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Summary of April 24 Bluffton Council meeting

By Andy Chappell-Dick

Even faithful readers of the Council Summary may not recall that the last meeting ended with an Executive Session. This often means that all Councilors and Administrators troop off to the small adjoining conference room, and those of us not invited to join them head home. Ohio law provides six reasons for legislatures to meet behind closed doors and they are obligated to state which one they're invoking. This time, it was "ongoing litigation."  This reporter learned only this week, upon reading the April 10 official minutes, that Council had some time later returned to regular session and voted to enter mediation in a dispute. It's a legal matter with a property owner along the S.R. 103 Pathway project and, when asked, Administrator Jesse Blackburn assured me that it would not delay the project.

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Bluffton Lions gift new bicycle for female police officers

On the morning of April 26, the Bluffton Lions Club presented the Bluffton Police Department with its first women’s police patrol bike. The presentation was made with Lions and police department representatives at Bike Crazy LLC, 127 N. Main.

Police Chief Ryan Burkholder notes that “The history of the Bluffton Police Department patrol bikes goes back to the late mid 1990s, which consisted of three men’s bikes. Over the years, the needs of the department have changed with three full-time female police officers and no bikes to fit them properly.

“Corporal Eric Rayle, Stephanie Larcom and I had a discussion when Cpl. Rayle returned back from a Police Bike Instructor course early in Spring of 2022 about moving forward with the appropriate bike for our female officers. Stephanie Larcom suggested a partnership with the Lions Club and was willing to present the idea to the Lions Club at a meeting for us. Corporal Rayle, who is a bicycle enthusiast, spent many hours researching different brands and models which would benefit our female officers. Corporal Eric Rayle found several bikes and then went to our wonderful local business, Bike Crazy, and worked with Raymond and Liz Harner on purchasing the bike through them. At the last Lions Club meeting it was approved and the Lions Club graciously covered the cost of the bike for the department. 

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A tale of two Caesars

Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar: Do you know the difference? Seventh graders Wyatt Moser, left, and Jacob Dawson, right, were prepared to tell you all about them. The April 26 Night At the Museum event at Bluffton Middle School featured many historical figures, as shown in these Jamie Nygaard photos.

Gary Allen Brown taught and coached at Bluffton High School

Gary Allen Brown, age 84, of Ada, was welcomed into the arms of his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on April 25, 2023, at Lima Memorial Health System, surrounded by his family. 

He was born on December 15, 1938, at home in Ada, Ohio to the late Russel Allen “Bud” and Ruth Marie (Klingler) Brown.  On May 27, 1961, Gary married Marsha Staley, his wife of 62 years and she survives in Ada.

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Pirate softball loss to Lincolnview

By Cort Reynolds

MIDDLE POINT—Lincolnview defeated the visiting Bluffton High School softball team 11-1 in Northwest Conference action on Monday evening, April 24.

Bluffton fell to 6-9 overall and 2-3 in NWC play with the loss. The Lancer girls improved to 9-4 overall and 4-1 in the NWC to stay third behind unbeaten Crestview (6-0 NWC) and Ada (5-0) in the conference standings.

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Pirate baseball stings Hornets, 10-0

By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School baseball team shut out visiting non-league rival Cory-Rawson 10-0 Tuesday evening, April 25.

The Pirates improved to 7-7 overall with the six-inning victory. The Hornets fell to 1-8 with the defeat.

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