All Bluffton Icon News

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By Cort Reynolds

OTTAWA__The Pirate swim teams swept a five-team home meet at the Putnam County YMCA in Ottawa on Thursday, January 29.

The Bluffton boys won with 92.5 points, while the Pirate girls finished first with 92. The Pirates won the combined meet easily over second-place Ada, 184.5-106.5.

The Ada girls scored 56 points to come in second, and the Ada boys also ended up second with 50.5 points.

Pirate senior ace Jenna Downey touched first in two races. Sophomore Kari Diller also captured two individual first-place finishes.

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Officers standing from left to right: Ryan Burke (Hancock Co.), Jason Porinchok (Putnam Co.), Troy Reimund (Wildlife Officer Supervisor), Austin Dickinson (Defiance Co.), Levi Farley (Paulding Co.); kneeling: Craig Barr (Allen Co.)

FROM FACEBOOK__From a caller stating “something just seemed strange in the whole situation” to forfeiting 235 antlers.

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By Cort Reynolds

SPENCERVILLE__In a battle for second place in the Northwest Conference, the visiting Bluffton High School girls basketball team was overcome late by Spencerville 35-33 on Thursday, January 29.

The Pirates had rallied to seize a 27-23 lead heading to the fourth quarter. But the Bearcats responded with a 12-6 fourth-period comeback to win by two.

Spencerville led 13-10 after the first period of play. The Bearcats led 19-16 at halftime. Bluffton then surged ahead behind an 11-4 third stanza.

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FROM FACEBOOK__Cold and Flu season is in full swing. Staying informed is one of the best ways to keep yourself and others healthy. Check the Hancock Public Health dashboard to stay informed.

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Firsts, forgottens and floods

By Paula Pyzik Scott
Bluffton Icon and Ada Icon editor

At the last meeting of the Bluffton Ohio Historical Society, we were treated to a show of old photographs. Many revealed dramatic changes to downtown Bluffton architecture, quizzing each other, "do you know where that is?" The experience has me wondering, what is the oldest house within the village limits? The oldest commercial building?

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James Robert Shapter, age 80, went to Heaven at 12:40 p.m. on January 26, 2026, at home with his loved ones.  He was born April 22, 1945, in Cleveland, OH to Alan Richard “Jimmy” and Barbara Jane Hamilton-Shapter.  

He is survived by his mother, who lived with him, his wife Betty Moore-Cognion Shapter, his son John (LeAnn) Shapter, his grandson Ryan James Shapter, stepdaughter Susan Beth Cognion of Chesapeake, VA., brothers-in-law Roger A. Moore of Sun City, AZ., David J. (Angela) Moore of Beachgrove, TN., and sister-in-law Janet L. Spencer of Clarksville, TN.

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