February 2026

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Happy Monday, Blufftonites! Here are BlufftonIcon.com's top stories from the week that was, February 2-8. For a chronological look Icon content, visit blufftonicon.com/archive. 

FEBRUARY 2

Multiple fire departments respond to blaze in downtown Ada, Feb. 2

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MEDIA RELEASE__The Bluffton High School vocal ensembler One Voice will be participating in Ohio Has Talent at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 28.

The event is presented by CHP Home Care & Hospice as an annual fundraising event that showcases performers from across the region.

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By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School girls basketball team was seeded fifth in the tough eight-team Div. V Northwest District 2 drawing held on Sunday, February 8.

The Pirate girls (11-10) will play at third seed Archbold (17-4) on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. in one sectional final.

The winner faces the victor of the tough battle between fourth seed Paulding (19-2) and second seed Delta (16-4) on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. in Defiance at the district semifinals.

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March 16-17 at Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main St.

MEDIA RELEASE__Calling all cake decorators!  Come showcase your sugar-crafting talents in the America 250 in Bluffton, Ohio Cake Decorating Exposition.

The theme is “The Thirteen Colonies,” and this edible-art event is a chance for old and young, professional and home bakers alike to let their creativity go wild!  The exposition and auction will be hosted at the Bluffton Public Library on March 16 and 17. 

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PHOTOS by Matt DeRitter / CLICK to enlarge gallery

By Olivia Maag

Bundled-up chocolate lovers trooped down Bluffton’s Main St. with bright red Explore Bluffton tote bags to participate in a Valentine’s trick-or-treat. All 150 event tickets sold, allowing individuals to pop into 21 participating locations to do a little shopping or visiting and enjoy a unique piece of chocolate along the way.

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Meet the Bluffton Icon's newest advertiser: A & L All Fired Up Ceramics,  2619 North Main Street, Findlay, 419-429-9937.

This ceramic shop offers bisque, acrylic paint, and glazing. You may paint in the studio, take projects home, or book a party. A & L also ships ceramics.

Thanks to our advertisers, the Bluffton Icon is free with no login and no story limit!

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MEDIA RELEASE__Bluffton High School has issued the following honor roll for the 2nd Quarter of 2025-26, including grades 9 through 12.

9th Grade – All A
Kohen Anderson, Evie Boyles, Madison Coonfare, JoAnn Daignault, Micah DeMarco, Marissa Dennis, Jack Eiden, Max Fritsch, Austin Ginther, Leah Granger, Lukas Green, Joshua Hartman, Leah Hoffman, Caleb Kantner, Elijah Lewis, Morgan Martini, Jori Mast, Kaelyn McCrory, Elyse Montel, Siren Morris, Kaden Niekamp, Bracyn Oglesbee, Atticus Prothro, Adalynn Rettig, Samantha Ruller, Carter Steinmetz, Tessa Tarplee, Anya Thomason, Hailey Utendorf, Camden Verb, Cole Weissling, Kaydence Welch

10th Grade – All A
Owen Armstrong, Mallory Blackburn, Peighton Bowers, Owen Brauen, Toby Clevidence, Julia Dawdy, Willow Derstine, Phoebe Edwards-Leeper, Xandra Gatchel, Lane Ginther, Micah Lemley, Maelee Miller, Liam Moore, Alexis Mummert, Ezra Nygaard, Elizabeth Phillips, Isabella Recker, Natalie Richards, Ella Roby, Lyla Schneck, Brooks Schwarz, Adalee Weyer, Peyton Worcester

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By Cort Reynolds

LIBERTY CENTER - The visiting Bluffton High School boys basketball team started very slowly and rallied in the second half, only to lose 40-29 to non-conference foe Liberty Center on Saturday, February 7.

LC jumped ahead 14-2 after the opening period. Bluffton bounced back to score 11 points in the second quarter, yet trailed 28-13 at halftime.

The Pirates authored a 13-4 third period to creep within 32-26 heading into the fourth period.  

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By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__Tournament host Bluffton finished second in the Northwest Conference bowling tournament at Southgate Lanes on Friday night, February 6.

Pirates Elana Navarro, Charlotte Kidd, Emmit Kidd and Elijah Nye finished on the all-tournament team by posting top-five finishes.

BOYS RESULTS
The Pirate boys were first in the four-team league tournament after the first two qualifying rounds with 3,165 total pins. 

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Bowlus named boys MVP

By Cort Reynolds

MARGARETTA__The Bluffton High School swim teams competed well in the Polar Bear Winter Classic Invitational Saturday, February 7 at Margaretta.

The Pirate boys and girls teams each finished third in the PBWC Margaretta Invite.

Bluffton senior Jackson Bowlus was named the boys meet MVP. He touched first in the 50-yard butterfly and in the 25 freestyle sprint races. He also anchored the winning 200 free relay.

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