Hancock County Taps – Honoring Those Who Served, a new local program with the goal of ensuring a live rendition of Taps at Hancock County military funerals, is actively seeking local musicians to help honor local veterans. The program represents a collaboration between the Hancock Leadership Class of ’23, the Hancock County Veteran Services Office, and Hancock County Taps founder Carl Hayslett.
Field reports from Ohio Division of Wildlife officers
Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two
In February, State Wildlife Officer Nathan Kaufmann, assigned to Richland County, and K-9 Officer May attended a Junior Naturalist Program event at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary. A group of 12- to 18-year-old students with an interest in the outdoors attended. Officer Kaufmann spoke about his background and his experience with natural resources jobs. He also talked about other career options within the Ohio Division of Wildlife and gave an overview of the K-9 programs. After the talk, K-9 Officer May demonstrated her ability to assist in poaching cases by locating hidden ginseng.
"Blooming flowers, graduations, fishing derbies, Memorial Day weekend. There is a lot to like about May. May this month bring you warm sunshine and happiness," opens the May 2023 Golden Age News, published monthly by the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center.
The newsletter is a monthly reminder of the activities and resources available at 132 N. Main St. Among special opportunities this month:
Election Day is Tuesday, May 2, 2023 and Bluffton voters have several local ballot items to consider. In Village of Bluffton voting precincts A, B and C, the following questions and issues will appear on ballots:
Two proposed tax levy renewals for Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District
A proposed Gas Aggregation resolution
Precinct B ballots will include
Local Liquor Option (a D-6 permit for alcohol sales on Sunday for the restaurant at 133 N. Main St., Luke’s Bar and Grill a.k.a. Kira’s Flipside Grill).
No candidates will appear on the May 2 primary ballot. Valid filers for mayor and council will be nominated to the general election in November.
AT THE POLLS
Polls are open from 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.. The postmark deadline for absentee ballots in May 1 and the deadline to return absentee ballots in person to the county board of elections is 7:30 p.m. on May 2. (Note: 601 N. Main St. is still a Bluffton polling place.)
Voters are now required to show an Ohio or federally-issued photo ID when voting in person. If you do not have a state-issued photo ID, you can now get a free state ID from your local BMV.
The following construction projects have and will continue to impact Bluffton. ODOT District 1 has announced these details, noting that all outlined work is weather permitting.
State Route 103 (Bentley Road) between Main St. and Harmon Rd. in the village of Bluffton closed on Feb. 24 for approximately 64 days for reconstruction and waterline installation. Reopening is anticipated on or near May 5.
