Icons cover breaking news, sports, obituaries during Summer Break week

During the week of June 29-July 5, the Bluffton Icon and Ada Icon will be in a summer break mode with reduced content. I'll be "taking inventory" and covering public meetings, as well as responding to phone calls to 567-400-4266 and emails to [email protected]. For those who are on the road during this 4th of July week, happy and safe travels! -- Paula Scott, editor.

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP__On July 1, 2025, at approximately 3:02 p.m., the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to a report of a crash on I-75 near Beaverdam, Ohio in Allen County. 

Donald Eckler, age 82, from Lincolnton, North Carolina was driving a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado southbound in the northbound lanes of I-75. Mr. Eckler hit a 2022 Mercedes- Benz Sprinter van head on. The Mercedes-Benz was driven by Yazan Aljayousi, age 22, from Dearborn, Michigan.

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__ The Bluffton Sardines summer swim team hosted and won a West Ohio Aquatic League triangular meet with Ada and Shawnee on Monday evening, June 30.

The host Sardines won the boys meet decisively. They dunked Shawnee 382-96 and drowned the Ada boys, 328-151. The Gator males beat Shawnee, 243.5 to 144.5.

The Bluffton girls defeated Shawnee Tides, 293-211. Shawnee then beat the Ada females, 312-115.5. The Sardine girls hammered the Gator girls, 418-85.