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Amber Alert update allows for more information

COLUMBUS__The Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee has announced a recent change to how the public will receive notifications when Ohio’s AMBER Alert system is activated. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs)--emergency messages that are broadcast to enabled mobile devices--are now capable of transmitting 360-character text messages in addition to the traditional 90-character text messages. This change is due to increased technology by both wireless carriers and wireless device manufacturers.

Traditional 90-character messages are limited to including basic vehicle information and notification for device users to check local media outlets for additional details. The increase in characters allows public safety officials to provide more in-depth details on the suspect(s), victim(s), vehicle(s), and other urgent information when an AMBER Alert is activated. Furthermore, the changes enable a URL that redirects the device user to Ohio’s AMBER Alert website or other social media for additional information. Once redirected, the user will be able to see all information regarding the AMBER Alert as well as any available photos.

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AI and creative writing to be explored at Bluffton Colloquium

Tobias Buckell, instructor of English, will share, “Can Artificial Intelligence Write Decent Creative Fiction?” during Bluffton University’s spring 2024 Colloquium series. 

The presentation is free and open to the public at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2, in Centennial Hall’s Stutzman Lecture Hall. 

GROB Systems provides plans, target date for East Building expansion

GROB Systems, Inc., which broke ground in December 2023 on a 135,000 sq. ft. expansion project, has announced the new building will add approximately 35% more space for production and shipping to the existing 400,000 sq. ft. U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility in Bluffton, Ohio. 

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February 2024 arts and events at Bluffton University

Bluffton University provides many artistic and cultural events to supplement learning in the classroom. The following February 2024 are open to the public and are free unless otherwise noted. See the university calendar for a full semester listing. 

Hook: Drug advertising

By Karen L. Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU Healthwise Team 

In 1991, the film Hook directed by Steven Spielberg was released. The film was the sequel to the 1911 novel Peter & Wendy. The movie starred Robin Williams as Peter Pan, Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook, and Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell. Jimmy Buffett and David Crosby made cameo appearances as pirates in the movie. 

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History of Radio and Watercolor Painting CLEO courses announced

First Mennonite Church of Bluffton has announced two courses to be part of its CLEO (Continued Learning Elder Organization) program for spring 2024. You are invtied to "Come to Learn, Stay for Community." Courses are free; materials fees may apply.

The History of Radio, moderated by Tim Schumacher. Radio was the first instant mass communication invention. The course will explore:

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