You are here

Home

All Bluffton Icon News

LETTER Soil erosion rates and the cover crop option

Posted by Staff on March 7, 2024 - 6:00am

By Matt Burkholder
The Nature Conservancy 
Farmer Advocate for Conservation Coordinator 
[email protected]

Does Riley creek have to turn brown after a rainfall event?

The short answer is no. But why does it turn brown? Most farm field’s drain into lakes and streams in our community. Unfortunately last fall many farm fields were tilled bare, exposing soil to erosion. Often a fall tillage pass is done to break up the soil and reduce compaction caused by heavy machinery.  Heavy machinery will always make some compaction. The last two fall seasons were very dry; as a result I would argue there wasn’t as much compaction made as farmers think. After a tillage pass is made rain water does infiltrate into the soil quickly. Soon after that the topsoil crusts over and water infiltration begins to decline, resulting in the need for another tillage pass. As farmers and landowners it is our responsibility to reduce erosion. The annual rate of soil erosion in Ohio is approximately 2.7 tons. That is not acceptable and it doesn’t have to be this way. 

Section: 
Letters
»

A pinch of salt: Health effects

Posted by Staff on March 7, 2024 - 6:00am

By Megan Gushrowski, Pharmacist and Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist
On behalf of the ONU Healthwise Team 

If someone uses the idiom to “take it with a pinch of salt,” they are asking you to consider or evaluate a statement because one may be skeptical about the truthfulness. Others may think of a pinch of salt when it is used in cooking. However, a pinch of salt (sodium chloride) does have an impact on one’s health.  

A diet high in sodium is a known contributing factor to high blood pressure and a recent study shows it may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. A study published by the Mayo Clinic in November 2023 asked people whether they always, usually, sometimes, or never/rarely added salt to their food and then followed these people to see if they developed type 2 diabetes. 

Section: 
Health Services
»

Robert "Bob" W. Beery served in the U.S. Navy

Posted by Staff on March 6, 2024 - 9:13am

Robert "Bob" W. Beery, age 70, passed away on March 4, 2024, at 6:00 a.m. at the Shawnee Manor Nursing Home.

Section: 
Obituaries
»

Pandora-Gilboa boys basketball holds off Ottoville

Posted by Staff on March 6, 2024 - 8:50am

By Matt M. Stutz

The Pandora-Gilboa High School boys basketball tournament run will continue on to the District Finals. The #2 seed Rockets pulled out an exciting, hard fought 53-48 rematch win over #3 seed Ottoville (17-7) in the Division IV District semi-finals Tuesday, March 5 at the Elida Fieldhouse.

Section: 
Sports
»

March 5th Landspout Tornado identified in Putnam County

Posted by Staff on March 6, 2024 - 8:19am

UPDATED with statement from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

Preliminary information from the National Weather Service says that a brief landspout tornado occurred between Ottawa, OH and Leipsic, OH in Putnam County on Tuesday, March 5.

The overview notes, "The landspout was only on the ground for 1 minute, but did cause damage to a home on Road H5. The home sustained moderate loss of the roof and siding, and an attached garage also collapsed. Debris was scattered northeast of the property."

Section: 
Regional news
»

BHS String Orchestra earns Superior in March adjudicated event

Posted by Staff on March 6, 2024 - 6:00am

The Bluffton High School String Orchestra earned a Superior rating at OMEA (Ohio Music Education Association) state orchestra adjudicated event held at Perrysburg High School on March 1.

The orchestra performed in class C playing "Arlington Sketches" by Elliot Del Borgo, "If Thou be Near" G. H. Stozel/arr by Carrie Lane Grueselle and "Echelon" by Katherine Griesinger. The orchestra is under the direction of Rachael E. Lewis. 

Students in the orchestra: Theo Andreas, Ben Hartzler, Cole Bowers, Avery Kinn, Zoe Shank, Maia Gearing, Liliana Liberato, Ethan Hoffman, Aaron Unashick, Lauren Bowers, Ellie Harzler, Claire Phillips, Eva McBrien, Katie Bauman, Sadie Combs, Daphne Johnston, Emma Miller, Leo Gearing, Emmitt Kidd, Leah Shadle, Laney Kiene.

END

Section: 
People
»

Pages