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The Bluffton Girl Scouts are having a recruitment event on August 6 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Bluffton Community Pool, 205 Snider Rd.

Anyone interested in joining Girl Scouts is welcome to come with their family to enjoy a free night at the pool. This is a family event and not for drop-off. 

Please bring a smile, a swimsuit, a towel, and a snack to share. Organizers will have information available for how to sign up for Girl Scouts.

Message from the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
You are what Girl Scouts is all about. Your dreams, ideas and ambition are our DNA. Want to shoot a movie, build a robot, speak up for what you believe in, plant a garden, help others, or change a law? We've got the tools you need. Is the world getting you down? We're not just here to lift you up, but also to guide you in growing the confidence to rise above. Whether you're climbing to the top of a tree or to the top of your class, being a Girl Scout will get you there. Because Girl Scouts isn't just another activity - it's a way of life. It's part of who you are. 

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By Paula Scott

Jacomet’s Martial Arts, which is owned and operated by Tony Jacomet, hosted Mayor Richard Johnson and members of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce for a July 28 ribbon cutting celebration at the dojo located on the basement level of 121 S. Main Street.

The space has been transformed by Jacomet into a dojo–a place for immersive martial arts learning–with padded floors and walls, as well as bleachers. Jacomet says that he’s not done, with a twinkle in his eye that suggests he has more inspiration and enthusiasm on tap.

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National Night Out is Tuesday, August 1 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Bluffton Swimming Pool. Free food, snacks, music, and more plus a chance to meet local police officers with giveaways and pictures. Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce Fireworks begin at 9:00 p.m. Tune in to Bluffton University Radio Station 96.1 FM by 9:20 p.m. for thank you messages and music to accompany the fireworks.

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UPDATE: New link for subscribing. Thanks to a reader for letting us know the first one stopped working.

The Icon got a little present today. Our email subscription service passed along the good news that in the last 30 days, 44 Icon readers have signed up for the Bluffton Icon by email.

Want to get a daily dose of Bluffton, Ohio area news in your email inbox? Subscribe HERE.

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A letter from Bluffton residents John and Jenny Pilarowski.

Our legislators in Columbus are spending our tax dollars to hold a special election on August 8, 2023 to vote on Issue 1 – to change the Constitution of Ohio.

Issue 1 would make it more difficult – nearly impossible – to bring any citizen initiative to a vote of the people. It would require signatures from 5% of all who voted in the last gubernatorial election from all 88 Ohio counties to get an initiative on the ballot and then require there to be 60% approval of all ballots cast to pass the initiative. Currently signatures from 44 counties are required plus a yes vote from 50% of all ballots voted plus one more yes ballot – a simple majority!

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By Paula Scott, Icon editor

In recent weeks, the Bluffton and Ada Icons have received letters to the editor from near and far on a variety of topics. Here are our freshly updated requirements for these submissions:

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COLUMBUS–Fall sports practices and the golf regular-season officially get underway on Monday, July 31, for member schools of the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

This week, football teams are permitted to conduct their five acclimatization days, which include two days in helmets, two days in helmets and shoulder pads, and one day in full pads with no contact. When a student-athlete has completed the five-day acclimatization period, then full contact is permitted.

FALL SPORTS SEASON CALENDARS

  • Golf: Regular-Season Begins July 31. Sectional Tournaments Begin Sept. 25.
  • Girls Tennis: Regular-Season Begins Aug. 4. Sectional Tournaments Begin Oct. 2.
  • Cross Country: Regular-Season Begins Aug. 21. District Tournaments Are Oct. 21.
  • Soccer: Regular-Season Begins Aug. 11. Sectional Tournaments Begin Oct. 16.
  • Girls Volleyball: Regular-Season Begins Aug. 18. Sectional Tournaments Begin Oct. 16.
  • Football: Regular-Season Begins Aug. 14 (first Friday is Aug. 18). Regional Playoffs Begin Oct. 27.

Complete OHSAA 2023-24 Calendars: https://www.ohsaa.org/Calendar

HEAT ILLNESS PRECAUTIONS
Student-athletes and coaches are reminded to take precautions in hot and humid weather. The greater the humidity, the more difficult it is for the body to cool itself. The air should be tested prior to a practice or competition using a wet bulb, globe, temperature index (WBGT index), which is based on the combined effects of air temperature, relative humidity, radiant heat and air movement.

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The Environmental Citizens Advisory Committee (ECAC), appointed by the Board of Health, currently has two vacancies: one for an Allen County resident and one for a Medical Doctor.ECAC meets quarterly with Ohio EPA, local chemical industries and other Allen County representatives to discuss issues such as safety, air quality and environmental issues.

Applicants for these volunteer positions should forward a cover letter/resume to: Allen County Health Commissioner, 219 E Market Street, PO Box 1503, Lima, Ohio 45802. Applications must be received no later than August 31, 2023.

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The dramatic storm that swept the area early on Saturday morning, July 29, brought a large tree down onto a mobile home in Ada's Parkview Village. Remarkably, the occupant of the unit was not sleeping in the bedroom and was unharmed. PHOTOS provided by Tasha Van Horn.

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Grave robbers were apparently seeking a valuable ring

By Fred Steiner
www.BlufftonForever.com

Grave robbers in LaFayette?

It occurred in October of 1938 and became headlines in many Ohio newspapers. This tale involves the grave in the LaFayette Cemetery of Tully Rumbaugh, a pioneer in the village who was born Aug. 6, 1875, and died Jan. 17, 1896.

One LaFayette story claimed that Rumbaugh, only 21 when he died, was buried with an expensive diamond ring. No one knows when or how that story took its roots. But, even in 1938, 42 years following his death, the story continued to spread.

The appraisal of the ring was simply described as “valuable.” Apparently, three young boys, or young men, overheard the Rumbaugh ring story being told in a LaFayette pool hall. Soon after hearing the story, but not knowing the exact location of the grave, the three took digging tools and matches and headed for the cemetery.

There they found the Rumbaugh grave. The story continues that they dug at the gravesite and after a few hours reached the top of the decayed coffin. In their exciting and no doubt frightening search of the corpse, they found a ring and took it.

Click HERE for the rest of the story.

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