All Bluffton Icon News

Napoleon Road over I-75, Beaverdam, is now open following a bridge deck replacement, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The northbound exit ramp from I-75 to Napoleon Road is open, as well.

A crew of railroad employees worked the Bluffton rails on Nov. 8. The crew is involved in a rail tie upgrade on the line through Bluffton. Each orange car serves a particular function in the removal of spikes and eventual removal of ties and replacement with new ties. View additional photos below and watch a short video.

No change to Bluffton school board

Bluffton council, school board and Richland Township trustee winners on Nov. 7 will help chart the next four-year course for those bodies.

Bluffton council will experience the biggest change as Jerry Cupples, Mitch Kingsley and Dave Steiner – each a former council member – rejoin the six-member body. Phill Talavinia, also a winner on Tuesday, is the only candidate retaining his seat. Their four-year-terms begin on Jan. 1.

Memorial service is Monday

Betty D. Sommer, 72, died Nov. 7, 2017, at Willow Ridge - Betty House in Bluffton. 

Betty was born Nov. 27, 1944, in Crisfield, Maryland, to the late Fred and Amelia (Kurtz) Detwiler. After meeting her late husband, Willis during voluntary service work in Kenya, they married on May 22, 1976.  Willis preceded her in death on June 23, 2017.

Betty graduated from Marion High School in Marion, Maryland. She received her bachelor's degree in Social Work from Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana, and later her master's degree in Social Work from the University of Denver. 

All-HCAC release  The Bluffton University volleyball team capped off another outstanding season with two First Team All-Heartland Conference honorees in 2017. Juniors Bethany Martini (Pickerington/North) and Erin Weisgarber (Bolivar/Tuscarawas Valley) were honored by the coaches after leading Bluffton to a fifth straight HCAC tournament semi-final appearance. Senior Sydney Mohler (Lima/Central Catholic) secured Honorable Mention All-HCAC following her fourth season as Bluffton's starting libero.

Sarah Gillen, senior, is involved in many school activities

Sarah Gillen, a Bluffton High School senior, is the BHS student of the month for October.

Sarah is a member of Latin Club, show choir, chamber choir, symphonic choir, church choir, jazz band, marching band (field commander), pep band and concert band.

She has been on the swim team for 12 years and was a member of the BHS golf team this year.

After graduation she hopes to attend Bowling Green State University and major in marketing.

She carries a 3.93 grade point average and is the daughter of Jeff and Cindy Gillen of Bluffton.

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