So far we've dodged the flooding bullet
SUNDAY - 8:30 A.M. UPDATE
Suddenly it's winter again. The warm temperatures that melted all the snow last week melted again themselves. On Saturday evening snow started falling. Water on the Riley has receded from Saturday's high marks. As viewers go out today check where the snow stops along the creek bank to observe the highest flood level.
SATURDAY - 8:30 P.M. UPDATE
While the flow of water on the Riley is fast, all bridges are open to traffic. East College Avenue is completely passable. Water is slowing creeping into the old baseball diamond on lower Marbeck lawn at Bluffton University. The rain has turned to light snow and it continues to fall.
SATURDAY - 3:30 P.M. UPDATE
Compare this photo taken at 11:30 a.m. with the photo on the top of the home page, taken at 3:30 p.m. Both were taken near the same spot on the path between the university lagoon and the Little Riley. Click on image to enlarge.
Bluffton holds its breath as the Riley Creek slowly rises. The creek's rise is due to rain and the fact that the ground is soaked from last week's melting snow.
A quick trip around Bluffton in mid-afternoon on Saturday reveals that the 1,800 sandbags created in the past week cover doorways and basement windows of low-lying residences along the stream.
Stories Posted This Week
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- Charles “Chuck” Wendall Collins, 63, owned Eagle Press Repairs
- Dwain L. Leiber, 87, owned Leiber Garage
- Kimberly Dawn Murphy, 55, taught at Findlay City Schools
- October 21 Bluffton Schools 2-hour delay
- Kaleidoscope Farms honoring veterans, thanking current troops, Nov. 8
- Filmmaker to preview documentary exploring life beyond incarceration
- ONU mobile health clinic at Senior Center on Oct. 28
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Columbus Grove-Bluffton Rd. closure planned for up to three weeks
- Two Pirate volleyball players make 1st team All-NWC
- 3 Pirate girls 1st team All-NWC soccer
- Pirates dominate All-NWC boys soccer awards
- Local filmmaker focuses on memories made by people and places
- Bluffton Public Library: Medicare 101
- BHS artists prepare Yankee Doodle Christmas Trees for Jingle Bell Stroll
Monday, October 19, 2026
- Beavers sports roundup, October 14-18
- Ada Icon headlines, October 19
- JessExpress Travel is the Icon's newest advertiser
- Gatchel 7th in girls, Pirates 4th at NWC cross country meet
- Veterans invited to Pandora-Gilboa banquet, November 10
- October 19 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Wearable sculptures featured in exhibit On Soft Ground
- Historic depot rentals offered for meetings and parties