By Marlena Ballinger

More than cars were on display on Friday, June 19, at Bluffton’s 58th Annual Festival of Wheels, put on by the Bluffton Lions Club.

Featured this year was a jail cell where John Dillinger was held after robbing Bluffton's Citizens National Bank in 1933. Right beside this was the 2026 best of show winner, Larry Reichenbach's 1956 Chevy Corvette. Reichenbach was among over 250 vintage car, truck, motorcycle and tractor enthusiasts displaying their prized possessions.

MEDIA RELEASE__Today, June 29, 2026 at approximately 4:10 PM. Allen County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to Meijer on Elia Road in reference to shots fired. The scene is secure, however, Meijer will be temporarily closed. No suspects are in custody at this time.

This investigation is ongoing.

Ticket sales for the America 250 in Bluffton quilt raffle are underway. Featuring patches designed, pieced and quilted by members of the Bluffton Scrap Artists club, the quilt is 91" X 103" and will fit a king-sized bed.

The tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 and can be purchased from quilt club members, as well as at the following businesses:

  • Black Lab Trading Company
  • Bluffton Senior Citizens Center
  • 1861 Wine Lounge

The quilt winner will be drawn on Saturday, November 28 at the Blaze of Lights festival.

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MEDIA RELEASE— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA) are issuing an urgent safety alert regarding the dangerously hot weather conditions impacting the state this week.

MEDIA RELEASE_The Bluffton Senior Center would like to invite you to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States by participating in our July “find a duck” scavenger hunt. There will be mini rubber ducks in USA outfits hidden in the Senior Center store every day of July.

MEDIA RELEASE__Bluffton University has redesigned its Master of Business Administration (MBA) program to make earning an advanced degree faster, more flexible and more accessible for today's working professionals.

By Paula Pyzik Scott

What brings folks to Bluffton (or keeps them here?) Check out the Icon's list of events for July 2026. 

5:00 p.m. on June 30 at Allen County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management

FROM FACEBOOK__The Allen County Hazard Mitigation Plan is being updated, and [Allen County EMA wants] to hear from you!

Chad R. Koontz, 53, passed away June 27, 2026, at his residence. Chad was born on March 1, 1973, in Bluffton, Ohio, to Dan Koontz and Judy Westrick. On March 8, 1998, he married Stefani Eckenwiler Koontz, who survives.