Bluffton Diamond Sports baseball and softball registration for 2023 is now available. Registration must be completed online HERE.

The registration fee is $60, with discounts for families registering multiple players.

The registration deadline is February 12. Additional questions can be emailed to [email protected].

The following field reports from Ohio Division of Wildlife Officers were released on January 24:

Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two

State Wildlife Officer Jason Porinchok, assigned to Putnam County, received a picture from a local resident of an invertebrate found in a private pond. After some consultation and research, the invertebrate was found to be a freshwater jellyfish. Originating from China, these animals have found their way to Ohio via fish stockings, aquatic plants, and waterfowl. They are not known to cause harm to humans or the environment and are not considered an invasive species.

Bluffton Middle School has announced the following honor roll for the 2nd quarter of the 2022-2023 school year. By our count, there are 173 students on the list.

All A Honor Roll

6th Grade: Colton Aller, Kohen Anderson, Madison Coonfare, Micah DeMarco, Jack Eiden, Gabriel Foster, Leah Granger, Georgia Hagen, Leah Hoffman, Morgan Martini, Colton McGuire, Elyse Montel, Siren Morris, Bracyn Oglesbee, Adalynn Rettig, Samantha Ruller, Brody Schneck, Carter Steinmetz, Madelyn Sterrett, Tessa Tarplee, Hailey Utendorf, Camden Verb, Cole Weissling, Kaydence Welch

Janet Kay Foley, age 88 of Morristown, TN, passed away on January 24, 2023 at Erwin Health Care Center. Her life's quote was, “My spiritual bag is packed”, knowing that when she left this earth she would run into the arms of Jesus. Despite struggling with vascular dementia, Janet never lost her love for people, greeting everyone with her infectious smile. She touched both staff and residents at Erwin, where she was known as “Miss Sunshine.” God used her to be a blessing to so many! 

Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main, has postponed A Gathering of Readers until Sat., March 25 at 11:00 a.m.

Sip a hot drink and share your 2 most favorite and 2 least favorite books that you read or listened to in 2022.

Register to share your titles; everyone will receive a printed list of all titles on the day of the program. Email Tanya Augsburger at [email protected]/

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

In Spain, tapa or tapas are small plates or small bites of food. Spaniards often eat their dinners later in the evening, so they will have tapas as small snacks to hold them over until food is served. Tapa would be similar to an appetizer in the United States.

There are three different types of tapas. The first is cocas de picar and is considered finger food to nibble such as nuts or olives. The second is pinchos, which requires utensils like a toothpick or skewer. Cazuelas is the third type of tapas served as a small dish of food in sauce.

So, why am I discussing tapas? I will be providing some small bites of information published in recent medical journals about some healthy habits for 2023. Some of these tips might be a good solution if your resolutions are not going quite as planned.

Main St. and College Ave. safety draws public comment and questions; police officers recognized with awards by peers and Chief of Police

By Andy Chappell-Dick

The January 23 meeting of the Bluffton Council was chaired by Council President Jerry Cupples. Mayor Rich Johnson is still recovering from back surgery. The agenda seemed brief, but the handful of citizens present indicated that pedestrian safety would be raised during public comment. (Council packet with agenda and supporting docuements.)

Amanda Jane (Rayl) Markley, age 43, of Lima, left this life at 1:58 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at her home with the love of her family by her side.

She was born October 7, 1979, in Lima to Charles D. Rayl and Jane Laura (Staley) Rayl. Her mother survives in Lafayette and her father and stepmother, Janice Rayl survive in Lima. On June 18, 2005, she married her longtime friend, Aaron G. Markley who also survives.

Marlene Rae Tidyman, age 80, of McCook, NE entered the joy of the Lord in Heaven on Monday, January 23, 2023 at the Community Hospital in McCook.

Marlene was born January 17, 1943, in Bluffton, OH, the daughter of Leland and Martha (Bucher) Basinger. Along with a twin sister, Marlene was one of three siblings.  She attended school in Bluffton, graduating from high school in 1961.