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Applications are being accepted for the 2025-2026 Hancock Youth Leadership (HYL) program. Affiliated with the Findlay•Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, HYL is an investment in the future of Findlay and Hancock County. Its purpose is to enhance knowledge and develop leadership skills in a select group of high school students, motivating them to become positive role models, active and committed to their civic responsibilities.

Ryn Wolfe Farmer, Deputy Director of Crime Victim Services, will provide a program for Bluffton Lions Club members at noon on Tuesday, February 18 on the third floor of Bluffton Town Hall.

The meeting is open to the public.

Farmer currently serves as the Deputy Director at Crime Victim Services and previously served in the role as Director of Day One managing staff and programming for survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking.

She received a bachelor’s degree in social work from Taylor University and a Master of Social Work degree from Baylor University.

Ryn has experience working alongside systemically oppressed populations including immigrant communities, communities impacted by poverty, communities of color and the intersections between. Ryn has a deep concern for recognizing the humanity in others and fighting for human rights and brings that perspective to working with victims of crime.

By Cort Reynolds

ELIDA - The visiting Bluffton High Schoolboys basketball team defeated non-league rival Elida 49-44 on February 11.

The Pirates improved to 13-7 overall as they snapped a three-game losing skid. Elida fell to 11-7 after the loss.

The Pirates led 14-13 after the first period. After an 11-6 second stanza, Bluffton stretched their lead to 25-18 at halftime.

Elida captured the third period 16-11 to pull within 36-34 heading into the final quarter. 

By Betsi Werling

Bluffton Exempted Village Schools Board of Education met on Monday, February 10. Action included financial and staffing decisions. 

The Board approved additional funding for Teacher Professional Development in the amount of $5,000. 

In Contracts, Assignments and Resignations: 

  • Karna Marquart completed her training and is now approved for 7.5 hour days as an Educational Aide. 
  • Gianna Mallaro is completing her teaching assignment in Guidance Counseling with Mr. Utendorf. 
  • Substitute teachers were approved. 

The Board approved a resolution for work with All Temp Refrigeration to replace the chiller in the Middle School. It is 26 years old and when it needs repairs, it is becoming more costly. It is time to replace it. 

The Board approved the OHSAA membership for the 2025-2026 academic year for the Middle School and High School to participate in the Ohio High School Athletic Association. 

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Bluffton University will host a Reader’s Theatre, “I Have Not Forsaken the Word of God, ” at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, in College Hall’s Ramseyer Auditorium. 

The production is directed by Dr. Melissa Friesen, Mary Nord Ignat and Joseph Ignat professor of theatre and communication at Bluffton University, and is based on testimony of Jacques d’Auchy from “Martyrs Mirror.” 

All undergraduate degree-seeking students with at least a half-time load of graded courses whose GPA for the period is no lower than 3.6 are named to the Bluffton University Dean’s List. Students on the Dean’s List whose cumulative GPA, as based on 20 semester hours, is no lower than 3.75 will be indicated as receiving distinction for continued high achievement. 

The following students have been named to the Bluffton University Dean’s List with distinction: 

Jacob Arndt, Marion, Ohio

Chloei Barnett, Wapakoneta, Ohio

Dominic Barry, Brooklyn, Ohio

Matthew Becher, Fishers, Ind.

Marissa Blake, Hilliard, Ohio

Trinity Borgman, Orient, Ohio

Kaden Bowman, Hilliard, Ohio

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