February 2025

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By Lindsey Buddelmeyer 
Leadership Education & Training Specialist, Blanchard Valley Health System

Did you know that one in three visits to the emergency room is due to a fall? These visits require, on average, a four-day hospital stay. They also result in some level of loss of independence and decreased quality of life. Many people who experience a fall become more afraid of the likelihood of falling, which results in them being less active and at a higher risk for nursing home placement. 

There are two primary reasons that people experience a fall. Physiological factors involve a decrease in strength and balance, while environmental factors involve our physical surroundings and play a role in whether we are able to do things independently and safely. The good news is that there are some very meaningful changes that you can make to your home and routine in order to decrease your chances of falling. You will be surprised by the home hazards that are considered dangerous or a contributing factor leading up to a fall. Take this opportunity to commit to at least one change in order to make your home safer. 

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Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main St., will host the following events and activities, February 10-14. For further details and dates, visit https://blufftonpubliclibrary.org/library-events/

Monday, February 10

  • Afternoon Arcade, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
  • Hummin' & Strummin', Song Circle 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 11

  • Hot Tea Tuesday! 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

  • Open Chess, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 12

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The following results are from January 29-February 4 of the Bluffton University 2025 athletics season:

Men's Basketball drops road contest at Manchester, 82-7

Hanover hands Men's Basketball 97-73 loss

Women's Basketball takes down Spartans 65-56 in Sommer

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By Paula Pyzik Scott

The Monday, February 10 meeting of the Village of Bluffton Council will introduce a proposed change for a Bluffton institution of longstanding and a building of even older date.

The first reading of two ordinances relate to the premises currently owned and operated by the Bluffton Sportsmen's Club on property owned by the Village of Bluffton at Buckeye Park. The first ordinance would allow for the mutual termination of the Village lease with the club. The second would establish a lease with the Bluffton Ohio Historical Society for the same building.

The building is a c.1900 train depot that was moved to the 405 N. Spring St. location in the 1980s and has been restored by the Bluffton Sportsmen's Club members. The building provides event rentals and is regularly used by American Legion Post 382, Bluffton Boy Scout troops and the Sportsmen's Club.

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By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School wrestling team decisively won a dual match over local rival Ada by a 46-12 count on February 5.

Winners by pin for the Pirates were Jett Blackburn (150 lbs.), Evan Grothause (190) and Mason Shank (heavyweight).

Pirates who won by decision were Andy Brodman (126), Hephaestion Weyer (138), Javen Crawfis (165) and Branden Cross (120).

Bluffton competes in the Northwest Conference championship meet at Allen East Saturday, February 15.

Columbus Grove nosed out AE for the league title last season, while Bluffton finished third.

Match results by weight class, with running score 

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By Matt M. Stutz

The Pandora-Gilboa High School boy’s basketball team hosted Ada on February 7 for a Blanchard Valley Conference battle. P-G fell behind early and never recovered, losing by a final of 50-21.

The Bulldogs (13-7) jumped out to an early 14-2 lead after one quarter of play. P-G woke up in quarter number two and was able to gain some momentum, outscoring Ada 11-10 and closing the gap to 24-13 heading into halftime.  

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Gerald Ray McDowell, 85, of Elizabethton, Tennessee, died at his home on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in the loving presence of his family. He was born in Allen County, Ohio, on Oct. 13, 1939. He attended Kindergarten through 12th grade at Beaverdam Public School. He then studied Architecture at the University of Cincinnati prior to a career in industrial construction. Beginning in 1960, he worked for Stedke Construction for the majority of his career, followed by Tuttle Construction prior to retiring in 2000. He was a member of the Carpenter’s Union Local 372. 

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UPDATE Bluffton plays at WBL foe Bath (8-13) in the regular season finale on Monday, Feb. 10 at 6:00 p.m.

By Cort Reynolds

COLUMBUS GROVE – The visiting Bluffton High School girls basketball team lost to Northwest Conference champion Columbus Grove 58-30 on February 6.

The Pirates trailed just 8-7 after the first period. But the Bulldogs spurted with a 17-5 second stanza to seize a 25-12 lead at halftime.

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By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School boys basketball team lost 52-42 to visiting Northwest Conference rival Columbus Grove on February 7.

The Pirates fell to 12-7 overall and 2-4 in the NWC with their third loss in a row. Columbus Grove improved to 9-7 overall and 5-1 in NWC play after the victory.

The Pirates trailed 18-12 after the first period. After a second stanza where Marek Donaldson buried two triples, Bluffton inched within 26-23 at halftime.

The Bulldogs captured the third period 13-9 to take a 39-32 advantage heading into the final quarter. 

Grove also won the fourth period 13-10 to triumph by 10. CG outscored Bluffton 26-19 in the second half.

Pirate guard Donaldson led the Pirates with 12 points on four three-point goals. Blake Sommers netted 11 markers, including five in the third quarter. Bean Ginther tallied five of his seven points in the final period.  

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Cases on the rise in hospitals, when and how to seek care

Lima area hospital and health system leaders, as well as public health officials are reporting a significant increase in flu cases across Lima and the surrounding communities. As flu season reaches peak levels, Mercy Health – Lima, Lima Memorial Health System, Allen County Public Health, Auglaize Health and Putnam County Health Departments have come together to urge the community to take preventive measures and seek appropriate care based on symptom severity to ensure the best possible health outcomes for our residents while also preventing overwhelming our health care facilities.

“As we are seeing exceptionally high cases of Influenza A and other respiratory illnesses, it’s crucial for residents to take flu symptoms seriously and seek care at the appropriate level so we are able to continue delivering the right level of care at the right time, without overloading our systems,” said Matt Owens, MD, chief clinical officer, Mercy Health - Lima. “While we are experiencing record numbers of patients across our emergency departments, urgent cares, and primary care offices, we remain committed to providing the absolute best care for our community. We appreciate your patience as you may experience longer than usual wait times during peak season.”

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