All Bluffton Icon News

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?

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.

Parking on streets returns to normal

FROM BLUFFTON POLICE ON FACEBOOK__Thank you to everyone that followed the snow emergency procedures this week that allowed the Village Public Works Department to clear streets from the snowfall this past weekend. As of [Wednesday, January 28], all parking is able to return to normal throughout the village.

We also ask that if you have a fire hydrant on your property, please make sure the snow is cleared from around it so the fire department is able to locate and access it in the case of an emergency.

MEDIA RELEASE__The West Central Association of REALTORS announced its annual award recipients during its recent Inauguration and Awards Banquet.

The Rookie of the Year Award was awarded to Zac Kohli with Superior Plus Realtors, honoring exceptional achievement and promise demonstrated early in their real estate career.

The REALTOR® of the Year Award was presented to Lauren Girardot with At Home Realty, recognizing outstanding professionalism, leadership, and dedication to the real estate industry and the community.

MEDIA RELEASE__Bluffton University students Emily Jones ‘26, Logan Daugherty ‘27, Jordyn Garmatter ‘26 and Cami Hazelton ‘26 will present a Cross-Cultural Experience Forum at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, in Yoder Recital Hall. 

The students will reflect on their semester-long cross-cultural experiences in Washington, D.C., London and Athens, discussing academic learning, cultural engagement and personal growth. 

The Forum is free and open to the public. 

By Karen Kier
Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

A digital ecosystem is defined as a compilation of digital media, including television, social media, video games, the Internet and interactive assistants. Interactive assistants are AI-powered software or systems that help people complete tasks, provide information, or automate actions. This can include Siri, Google Assistant and Microsoft Copilot. 

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