By Lainey Oswalt, Student Pharmacist, and Karen Kier, Pharmacist
ONU Healthwise Pharmacy
A Pew Research Center study found 90% of U.S. adults use smartphones, which translates to 293 million people. This number has more than doubled since 2011. The study recorded a 97% use of smartphones by adults age 18 to 29 years old. The Pew research reported that 15% of adults are smartphone dependent, meaning they do not subscribe to high-speed internet, but rely on their phones.
5 Pirate boys on 1st team All-NWC soccer; 11 earn All-NWC notice
By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School boys soccer team placed five players on the Northwest Conference first team in voting recently conducted by the league coaches.
Pirate senior Isaiah Kohli was named the 2025 NWC Player of the Year as well.
He led Bluffton to a 3-0 NWC mark and a 5-9-3 overall record this fall. The Pirates are 49-0-0 all-time in league play with 11 NWC titles in 11 seasons.
MEDIA RELEASE__Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) has launched online mammogram scheduling including services available at Bluffton Hospital.
This new digital feature allows patients to book mammogram appointments directly through the BVHS website, selecting the date, time, and location that best fit their schedule.
A screening mammogram can detect breast cancer in its earliest stages, when it’s most treatable. With BVHS’s new online scheduling system, patients can easily arrange their screening in minutes, helping ensure early detection doesn’t wait for a phone call.
Mehaffie named Coach of the Year, 9 players earn all-league notice
By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON__The Northwest Conference champion Bluffton High School girls soccer team placed four senior standouts on the 2025 all-league first team in voting recently conducted by the conference coaches.
The Pirates claimed the league title with a 6-0 record.
Bluffton mentor Jamie Mehaffie was also named NWC Coach of the Year by his peers.
BLUFFTON__The Northwest Conference runner-up Bluffton High School volleyball team placed two standouts on the 2025 all-league first team in voting recently conducted by the conference coaches.
The Pirates finished second in the NWC with a 6-1 record, and are 15-7 overall.
Bluffton 6-0 senior hitter Kendall Stackhouse was named first team All-NWC, as was versatile junior Karlie Lora. Stackhouse leads Bluffton with 278 kills. The 6-1 Lora has hammered 220 kills, made 48 blocks and hustled up 144 digs.
