All Bluffton Icon News

MEDIA RELEASE__Bluffton Diamond Sports has opened registration for youth baseball and softball this spring. Register online at www.bdsonline.org by February 22. 

The registration fee is $65, which includes a jersey and hat.

BASEBALL DIVISIONS

Ages 7-8 Coach Pitch Instructional League

Ages 9-10 Minor League

Ages 11-12 Jr. Pony League

SOFTBALL DIVISIONS

U8 Coach Pitch League

U10 Player Pitch League

U12 Fast Pitch League

 

Shirley Mae Hager, 88, passed away on January 13, 2026, at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton. Shirley was born August 2, 1937, in Lima to the late Marcus and Cleo (Ebling) Bales. On June 8, 1958, she married George "Samuel" Hager, and he preceded her in death on September 28, 2025. 

By Paula Pyzik Scott

Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn provided the attached 2025 Zoning Permits Summary for the village council at the December 22 regular meeting. The total dollar value of cost estimates is $12.9M with $6M in residential permits and $6.9M in commercial permits.

COMMERCIAL PROJECTS
Gerken Materials, Inc. is listed as submitting the largest project, an asphalt plant with a cost estimate of $6M. Commercial projects with estimates of at least $10K are:

MEDIA RELEASE__The Bluffton Exempted Village School District is currently accepting applications from students interested in attending the school district through open enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year. 

Students from any school district in Ohio may apply and enroll in Bluffton Schools tuition-free. Students are admitted on a full-time basis only. 

Applications are approved annually on a first-come, first-served basis and approval is subject to grade-level enrollment and educational programs.

Morning programs

Winter Storytimes (R) January 14 through February 25! Join Miss Beth for a time of stories, games, crafts, and lots of fun while developing early literacy skills! Little Ones Storytime is open to ages birth-2 and Pre-K Storytime is open to ages 3-5. When registering, please specify if your child has any food allergies, as snacks are often provided. Register in person or online

Evening programs

Family Storytimes (R) Join us the second Tuesday of each month, January - April, at 6:00 p.m. for a fun evening of stories and activities in the children's activity room. Families with children of any age are welcome. We will be meeting Jan. 13, Feb. 10, Mar. 10, and Apr. 14. Register in person or online.

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