June 2026

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By Paula Pyzik Scott

Do Bluffton Icon readers feel connected to the community and will Bluffton Icon readers take the time to take a poll? Those were the questions to be answered by our May 28 poll.

Only four of the 83 votes cast said "not connected at all" and 83 responses were "very" or "somewhat" connected.

Have a question you'd like to present to Icon readers? Email [email protected].

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MEDIA RELEASE__Today, on what would have been her 48th birthday, a new community-focused nonprofit organization has officially launched in Northwest Ohio to honor the legacy of a local warrior. 

Loving Laura’s Curls, co-founded by Josh Huffman and Vanessa Wilson, is a dedicated wig donation and gifting mission designed to bring confidence, dignity and a smile to women navigating a cancer diagnosis. The organization collects gently used wigs, which are then personally cleaned, sanitized and professionally refreshed to be gifted entirely free of charge to local fighters in need. 

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By Marlena Ballinger / VIDEO by Zac Kohli (linked below)

On a beautiful evening in Bluffton, area families gathered on June 19 for a drone show celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Held at Harmon Field after the annual Festival of Wheels, few knew quite what to expect at Bluffton’s very first drone show.

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Diamond Sports request additional field, may neighbors paint pickleball courts on the street?

By Betsi Werling

Mayor Rich Johnson conducted the June 22 Village of Bluffton council meeting, which had no legislation on the agenda. There were wide-ranging discussions including recreation, residential and business property developments, and public event permits.

PARKS AND RECREATION

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Tuesday, June 23, 2026

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FROM FACEBOOK__Interstate 75 northbound at State Route 103 (143 MM) at the village of Bluffton is restricted to the left lane Tuesday-Friday, June 23-26, for bridge deck repairs.

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MEDIA RELEASE__The Bluffton Police Department has shared the following guidance for E-bikes, bicycles and E-scooters to help promoted the safety of riders and others.

BICYCLE: A device propelled solely by human power.
E-BIKE: A bicycle with an electric motor of 750 watts or less that meets the criteria in the Ohio Revised Code.
E-SCOOTER: A device with handlebars and two or more wheels designed to be stood upon and propelled by an electric motor.

GENERAL SAFETY

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FROM BSC HAPPENINGS__On Monday, June 29 at 10 a.m. a Safe Driving Tips for Mature Drivers and Car-Fit will be offered at the Bluffton Senior Center.

The Safe Driving Course will teach how to protect yourself and others while on the road. This course will include ideas on how to stay agile to drive longer, warning signs that a person might have a higher risk of endangering themselves, how to know if cutting back on driving is the right choice and more. Details will be given on alternative transportation options, including how to use the RTA bus system.

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Chad Alan Shepler, of Jenera, Ohio, was welcomed into the arms of the Lord Tuesday, June 16, 2026. He was born on August 3, 1995, in Fremont, Ohio, to surviving parents, Tammy (Ivan) Spallinger (Lunsford) and Todd Shepler. 

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By Kayla Chapman, APRN-CNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Physicians Plus Urgent Care

Drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death in the United States, especially among young children, and it can happen quickly and silently. Children between the ages of 1 and 5 are at the highest risk of drowning, often due to inadequate supervision around swimming pools, bathtubs, lakes, or even small containers of water. Adult drownings can also occur, and are commonly seen in rivers, lakes, and oceans, with alcohol playing a major contributing role. 

Fatal drownings occur in six stages. First, the swimmer will struggle to keep their airway clear of the water, leading to panic and exhaustion. Once the swimmer goes underwater, they’ll attempt to hold their breath, but eventually they will gasp for air.

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