All Bluffton Icon News

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.” 

By Cort Reynolds

BATH – The visiting Bluffton High School girls basketball team beat non-conference foe Bath in a defensive struggle 36-26 Monday, February 10.

The game was postponed from Saturday due to icy road conditions.

The Pirates led 12-6 after the first period as Ayla Grandey and Macy Schaadt each scored five points. A 6-5 second stanza gave Bluffton an 18-11 lead at halftime.

Bluffton won the third period 10-7 to extend their margin to 28-18 heading to the final period of play. Both teams mustered eight points in the fourth quarter as Bath was unable to make a dent in the Pirate advantage.  

Bluffton finished the regular season 13-9 after the victory. Bath ended up 9-13 with the defeat.

Pirate senior post Grandey led Bluffton with 17 points on eight baskets and 1-1 foul shooting. She scored at least four points in all four periods.

Schaadt netted 13 points and sank the lone Pirate trifecta.

READ MORE

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. 

READ MORE

Lifelong Bluffton resident, Edward James Reichenbach, a man whose passionate love for his family was exceeded only by his love of Jesus, passed away in his sleep on February 7, 2025 at the age of 88. 

Edward was born August 16, 1936 in Bluffton to Ralph and Evelyn Reichenbach. As a family, we like to say that not too long after his birth, Ed held his first job. No one out-worked Edward Reichenbach. From lawn mowing at age 10, caring for horses, sweeping floors downtown, painting and later driving a school bus, milk delivery and coaching football, to name just a few of his jobs, he paid his way through Bluffton College where he became the first in his family to graduate (with a degree in Education). He worked and studied while all the time playing on the football team as well. Ed taught middle school in Lima before accepting the challenge to be the first State Farm insurance agent in Bluffton. A testimony to Ed's work ethic is that State Farm has the "President's Club," an annual award given to the top 50 Agents in the entire United States. Edward qualified for President's Club in the tiny community of Bluffton, outperforming agents in cities such as New York and Chicago. 

READ MORE

From Cory-Rawson Local Schools

Join Cory-Rawson Superintendent Jay Clark as we take advantage of our 1/4 mile loop of ground-floor school hallways for winter walks. Bring along ideas or questions.

The B1 door (connector between HS and Elementary School) will be open 5:30-6:30 p.m. on the following Wednesdays throughout February for walkers: 

February 12, 19, and 26.

If school activities are canceled due to weather, we will not walk that day.  Direct questions to the district office, 419-963-3415, option 3.

Sponsored by Stratton's Greenhouse / Roots By Stratton
Breakfast by Luvu A Latte 

The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly breakfast meeting on Friday, February 14. The meeting will be held on the third floor of the Town Hall.

Pages