August 2026

By Lily McDorman, Student Pharmacist with Karen Kier, Pharmacist
On behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

On June 10, 1971, Marvin Gaye released his hit Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), which was the most popular song at the time to talk about the environment.  The song was on his second album, What’s Going On. The song hit #4 on the Billboard Top 100 chart and crossed over to the Adult Contemporary chart, hitting number 34. After his tragic death in 1984, Mercy Mercy Me was his third single to be listed in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002.

MEDIA RELEASE__The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has issued a reminder that Ohio's fall hunting season begins on September 1. 

As the 2026 fall seasons begin, hunters are reminded to check the current regulations for changes to season dates and daily limits. New waterfowl hunting zones take effect this year, so hunters should confirm the zone of their hunting location before the regular seasons kick off in October.

By Betsi Werling

The Village of Bluffton Council met on Monday, August 24 with Mayor Richard Johnson calling the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Reports included pickleball court funding, MHCO planning for duplexes near Willow Ridge, confirmation of unused cemetery lot ownership, long-term Village development planning, and Bluffton Airport taxilane repairs.

The meeting packet is available here.

COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION REPORTS 

FROM FACEBOOK__The Village of Beaverdam has installed an AED defbrillator for public use at its Water St. park in the corner of the shelter house.

The cabinet containing the medical device has an audible alarm that will activate when the door is opened. It has GPS tracking that will automatically notify 911 if the AED is being used.

Those who need to use the device are still encouraged to call 911.

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School girls tennis team edged visiting St. Marys 3-2 in a close match Tuesday evening, August 25.

The Pirates improved to 4-1 with the victory. The Roughriders dropped to 1-4 after the loss.

Bluffton rolled to victory in the second singles slot behind Hope Luginbill in straight sets. The Pirates also won both doubles matches.

Pirate sophomore Leah Hoffman lost a three-set thriller at third singles by a 10-8 score in the decisive tiebreaker.

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School boys soccer team hammered visiting Spencerville 10-0 in the Northwest Conference opener on Tuesday, August 25 at Steinmetz Field.

The Pirates improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the NWC after the blowout win.

The struggling Bearcats fell to 0-2-1 and 0-1 in NWC play with the lopsided loss.

Pirates Carter Steinmetz and Jaxton Morris each scored two goals to pace the onslaught.

A work in progress: Ada upcycler David Devier acquired two large 1940s garage doors without a plan for what to do with them. "They have 12 windows each, making them very interesting, he notes.

"When I brought them home, Mrs. Devier said that we could make an arbor wall for our patio.... I immediately knew that they would make a wonderful arbor wall and set to work to build them into a framed unit with a trellis-type top section." Some window panes were removed to allow vines to grow through the openings and reduce the wind load. 

By Paula Pyzik Scott / TAKE THE POLL

Can you tell from the Icons that Ada and Bluffton are located amidst the lush farmland of Northwest Ohio? On my editor's wish list is a column that helps connect village residents with the surrounding agricultural acres.

By Marlena Ballinger/Photos from Facebook

Local and regional performers are preparing for Bluffton's Play Music on the Porch Day (a.k.a. PorchFest) on August 29. This worldwide movement encourages people to spend the day outdoors, visiting with neighbors while playing or listening to music.

For a complete lineup and a map of where the bands will be playing, visit the event Facebook page.

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