A rash of thefts and burglaries in Bluffton since early June is changing some of our small-town lifestyle patterns.
Those changes have caused residents, who haven't done so in the past, to start locking house doors, car doors and outbuilding doors.
According to Bluffton Police Chief Ryan Burkholder, “The uptick in crime is disconcerting to residents and police,” indicating that a growing drug problem is a reality in Bluffton.
Burkholder says the Bluffton police are as proactive as the force can be as a result of the situation.
The Icon spotted this plate in the Sommer Center parting lot. You'll see it on a a right red Dodge pickup. With a little imagination, we think this plate belongs to Steve Yarnell, university volleyball coach.
Ryan Burkholder, a member of the Bluffton police department since 2004, was named chief in a unanimous vote following a council executive session on Monday. The motion did not include salary information.
The new chief replacess Rick Skilliter who retired earlier this fall. Burkholder, a sergeant in the department, was interim chief following Skilliter’s retirement.
Chief Burkholder is the first Bluffton native to serve a police chief in several decades. The most recent being William "Kaiser" Gaiffe, who served in the 1960s and 1970s.
Bluffton University is the sponsor and host of the free Friday morning, Nov. 11, Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast in the third floor of the Bluffton town hall.
Following breakfast is a free Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs Friday Workshop for small business owners on human resources.
• Breakfast 7 to 7:30 a.m.
• Chamber meeting 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
BCE Friday Workshop - following breakfast
Bluffton, Beaverdam and Richland Township voters with Republicans outnumber Democrats 2 to 1, support the GOP candidate in each local precinct, on Nov. 8, according to unofficial reporting by the Allen County board of elections.
