MEDIA RELEASE__Malissa Takacs, international college counselor and consultant, and Bluffton University Trustee, will present a Social Work Forum titled “Beyond the Major: How Social Work Principles Shape Us All” at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, in Yoder Recital Hall.
The Bluffton alum will discuss how social work values of service, justice and human dignity inform meaningful impact across diverse careers and vocational callings.
MEDIA RELEASE__On Friday, March 20, 2026, Cory-Rawson Local Schools will conduct a comprehensive, full-day safety training intensive for all district staff. To ensure a focused and secure environment for this high-level exercise, there will be no school for students.
A unified approach to campus safety
The "Staff Safety Training Day" is a collaborative effort designed to test emergency protocols and strengthen the coordination between school personnel and local first responders. This hands-on drill is being coordinated by:
MEDIA RELEASE__A free program focusing on the upcoming release of a new history book by the Swiss Community Historical Society of Bluffton and Pandora will be presented at 2 p.m., Sunday, April 19, at the society’s Heritage Center, 8350 Bixel Road.
The 264-page book Our Swiss Story contains details of the Swiss immigrants who settled in Allen County’s Richland Township and Putnam County’s Riley Township beginning in the 1830s and 1840s.
MEDIA RELEASE__Bluffton University has announced that its Master of Social Work (MSW) program, conducted in partnership with Goshen College, has been granted initial accreditation for eight years from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Board of Accreditation.
Accreditation affirms that Bluffton’s MSW program meets rigorous national standards for curriculum, faculty qualifications, student support and field education. The designation also ensures that graduates are academically prepared to pursue professional licensure and practice in a variety of social work settings.
The Village of Bluffton council unanimously approved establishing a contract with utility rate management provider Waterworth at the Monday, March 9 regular meeting.
Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn said that the service will "insure [water and wastewater] services remain affordable. They haven’t been studied for over 10 years." Another goal is making sure there is equity for residential, commercial and industrial rates.
In minutes from the Utility Committee, it was noted that the service can provide
Paul C. Kloeppel, 79, passed away March 7, 2026, at Putnam County Ambulatory Care Center.
Paul was born August 30, 1946, in Delphos to Howard and Rita (Geise) Kloeppel, who preceded him in death. On April 30, 1967, he married Roxie (Dunlap) Kloeppel, who survives.
MEDIA RELEASE__The March meeting of the Bluffton Ohio Historical Society will be Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at The Depot in Buckeye Park.
In addition to committee updates, there will be a vote on some minor changes to BOHS bylaws and the organization will continue to plan for History Day on August 8.
At 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, the society will hold a Show 'N Tell event at the depot.
MEDIA RELEASE__Community members are invited to St. John Bible Church, 15988 Road 4, Pandora, on Good Friday, April 3. A Good Friday service will be held at 7:30 p.m.
MEDIA RELEASE__Bluffton High School proudly recognizes Elizabeth (Ellie) Hartzler as the February 2026 Student of the Month. Ellie is a senior with a 4.00 GPA. She is the daughter of Greg and Laura Hartzler of Bluffton.
An accomplished student, Ellie has been deeply involved in the performing arts throughout her high school career. She is a four-year member of the BHS flag corps and has served as team captain for the past two years. Ellie also participates in band, choir, strings and show choir, demonstrating her passion for music across multiple ensembles.
The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly breakfast meeting on Friday, March 13, 2026. Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, will provide the program.
Mihalik is the Director of the Ohio Department of Development, a state agency committed to empowering communities to succeed by investing in the people, places, and businesses of Ohio. Prior to her appointment by Governor Mike DeWine in 2019, Director Mihalik served as the 55th Mayor of the City of Findlay. Director Mihalik will speak about why collaboration matters for Ohio’s future and offer a look at the department’s priorities for the coming year.
