On Monday, January 12, three Bluffton Council members were sworn in by Mayor Richard Johnson (L-R), Phill Talavinia (returning), Liz Gordon-Hancock (new) and Thomas Downey (new). One additional council member will need to be appointed. Interviews have been scheduled for a Tuesday, January 20, executive session.
Shirley Mae Hager, 88, passed away on January 13, 2026, at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton. Shirley was born August 2, 1937, in Lima to the late Marcus and Cleo (Ebling) Bales. On June 8, 1958, she married George "Samuel" Hager, and he preceded her in death on September 28, 2025.
Winter Storytimes (R) January 14 through February 25! Join Miss Beth for a time of stories, games, crafts, and lots of fun while developing early literacy skills! Little Ones Storytime is open to ages birth-2 and Pre-K Storytime is open to ages 3-5. When registering, please specify if your child has any food allergies, as snacks are often provided. Register in person or online.
Mixed Media Art Class: Snowflake (R)($) will be held Tue., Jan. 13 at 6:00 p.m. with Hannah Warwick of Bluffton Art Co. Come prepared to create your own mixed media snowflake using watercolor/pen/paint. Cost is $15 per person and will be taken at the door (cash only, please). Register in person or online. Open to adults, and teens and children with an accompanying adult.
Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn provided the attached 2025 Zoning Permits Summary for the village council at the December 22 regular meeting. The total dollar value of cost estimates is $12.9M with $6M in residential permits and $6.9M in commercial permits.
COMMERCIAL PROJECTS
Gerken Materials, Inc. is listed as submitting the largest project, an asphalt plant with a cost estimate of $6M. Commercial projects with estimates of at least $10K are:
A first-class letter sent by the Icon from Bluffton, Ohio to Bluffton, Ohio took four days this past week. Hand-postmarked about noon on Wednesday, January 7, the letter was received at the Icon PO Box on Saturday, January 10.
