Did you snooze or read the Icon's Bluffton news during July 2023?

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5. What international tournament was featured at a Steinmetz Field watch party? (two words)

As part of its commitment to not just treat, but also prevent, disease, Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) offers individual counseling and education for community members who wish to quit smoking.

The Tobacco Cessation Program at Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine of Northwest Ohio, 1900 S Main St., Findlay, takes an evidence-based team approach tailored to each smoker’s individual needs. The dedicated team of “quit specialists” provides resources, education, medication support, accountability and encouragement for each step of the journey.

Different tools may work for different people, and some smokers may want guidance finding the right approach for them.

Thomas E. “Tucker” Lott, a consultant, storyteller, investor and mentor from Kansas City, Mo., will be the featured speaker at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29 in Yoder Recital Hall as Bluffton University welcomes the class of 2027 during its Opening Convocation.

The Village of Bluffton has scheduled an Airport Commission meeting on Tuesday, August 22 at 2:30 p.m.

The meeting will be at the Bluffton Airport, 1080 Navajo Dr.

By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School football team kicked off its 2023 season with a dominating 42-7 win over visiting Ben Logan Friday night at Harmon Field.

The Pirates racked up 21 points in each of the first two quarters to build a commanding 42-0 lead, and won going away.

Junior Landen Worcester scored three rushing touchdowns and ran for 125 yards to pace the Pirate offense.

The Pirates out-gained the Raiders 368-139 in total offense.

Worcester put Bluffton ahead early with TD runs of 11 and one yards in the first period to provide a 14-0 lead.

Braeden Jordan then hauled in a 41-yard TD pass from Garret Bogart. Kyle Basil booted his third straight extra point to extend the margin to 21-0 after one quarter.

State Route 103/Jefferson Street between County Line Road and Commerce Lane in the village of Bluffton will have lane restrictions and shoulder work beginning Monday, Aug. 14 for approximately 120 days for construction of a shared-use path.

Comments about the project can be posted on the project webpage: PID 111220

About the project:

Construct a shared-use path along the south side of State Route 103/Jefferson Street from County Line Road to the intersection of Dave’s Way, crossing State Route 103 at the intersection, and continuing on the north side of State Route 103 to the intersection of Commerce Lane. The work includes storm improvements, a sidewalk extension, lighting, and other roadway safety improvements. 

By Matthew Nienberg, PA-C
Physician Assistant, Blanchard Valley Pain Management

Do you have achy hips, a stiff neck, back pain or swollen knees? If any of these things sound familiar to you, you could be one of the millions of people in the U.S. who have symptomatic arthritis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 58.5 million people have been diagnosed by a healthcare provider with some form of arthritis.  

In 2016, 25.7 million people, or about 44% of people with diagnosed arthritis, reported activity limitations due to the arthritis. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of work-related disability.

Arthritis, at its most basic level, involves inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. Many conditions can cause arthritis, but the most prevalent is osteoarthritis (OA). This type of arthritis is generally referred to as degenerative or, in other words, wear and tear on a joint. This type of arthritis generally develops very slowly over time as the cartilage within the joint breaks down.