The West Central Ohio Rural Planning Organization is releasing its DRAFT 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan for public comment HERE. A link to the Long Range Transportation Plan, as well as a survey, will be available for review beginning October 23 - November 13.
Did a legendary sports figure once appear in a Bluffton school? The answer is yes. I know because I sat behind him at a basketball game in our gym. His name is Rufus Brassell. He was originally from Lima. In the late 1970s he moved his family to the Bluffton area to live. His kids went to Bluffton schools.He was a Lima legend in two ways. This column is his story.
Rufus was born in Mississippi to Freeman and Carrie Ward Brassell, Jr. They moved to Lima. Rufus had no siblings.He attended South High School and graduated from Lima Senior High School in 1963.
He became interested in boxing while in junior high. He liked it and became very skilled. ▶︎
BLUFFTON __ The third time was a charm. For the third season in a row, the Bluffton girls soccer team hosted rival Riverdale in district play at Steinmetz Field.
Robert Edward Renner, 80, of Brookhaven, MS, and formerly of Columbus Grove and Bluffton, OH, passed away on September 26, 2024. He was born on September 28, 1943 in Lima, OH to Wilbur and Eleanor Renner, who preceded him in death. ▶︎
5:30 p.m. on November 7 at Pandora United Methodist Church
Veterans living in the Pandora-Gilboa School District are invited to the Annual Veterans Day Banquet at the Pandora United Methodist Church fellowship hall, 108 E. Washington St. on Rt 12. ▶︎
The Bluffton Lions Club newsletter provides a month-to-month look at the who, what, when and where of this local service club.
On September 28, Bluffton Lions helping with roadside clean-up were president Jackie Bourassa, Mark Bourassa, Cindy Lee, Dwain Hall, Mark Minnig, Clair Winebar and committee chair Andrew Rager. ▶︎
By Casey Heilman
Allen Soil and Water Conservation District
The cooler weather has arrived and many homeowners around the county are raking up leaves, cutting back perennials, and just generally prepping yards, and gardens for the long winter ahead. But what few people realize is that caring for the soil should be a part of the autumn yard routine.
Soil testing is especially essential if fertilizer is used. Over-fertilizing is so easy to do that many don’t give it much thought when applying it. Excess fertilizer is washed into our rivers and streams every time it rains. From there it causes algae problems, robs oxygen from the water, and is a leading contributor of poor water quality. One way to combat over fertilizing to only apply what is needed and testing the soil helps to establish that proper amount. ▶︎
COLUMBUS GROVE __ Two Bluffton High School cross country runners have qualified for regional competition. Senior Levi Fenzl and Senior June Essinger both advance to postseason competition.
Boys Cross Country
Senior Levi Fenzl finished sixth in a field of 144 runners at the Div. III district boys cross country meet at Columbus Grove Saturday.
Fenzl’s sixth-place finish in a time of 16:23.13 qualified him for the regional meet next weekend. The top 24 finishers made it to regionals.
