April 2022

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Last week Ada High School seniors spent two class periods with Ada-Liberty EMS chief Tom Miller and Mercy Health EMS coordinator Brian Anderson learning about responding to medical emergencies. The sessions emphasized that as a friend, family member, teammate, coworker or bystander they may someday be in a position to save someone's life.

The students learned when to call 911, including if they suspect a heart attack or stroke. The instructors emphasized that minutes count in these instances and that some forms of treatment begin on location by EMS crews.

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David Devier, Ph.D., attended ONU, taught there for 15 years, and lived in and around Ada for 45 years. In the following column he provides an item of "town and gown" history that fits with the theme of Founders Day, celebrated this year on April 6.

By David Devier

This is a plate from the 1902 publication "Ada and the O.N.U. The New and the Old" photo book. This plate shows H. S. Lehr standing in front of the house at 122 West Monford St, which still stands (see photo attached), that served as his first college building.

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Take a sneek peek at the Annual Athletic Boosters Reverse Raffle to be held Saturday, April 9. Doors open at 6 p.m., raffle starts at 7 p.m. All raffle basket values are $100 or more.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/bulldogathleticboosters for more views.

FEATURE PHOTO https://www.adaicon.com/feature/202204/ada-athletic-boosters-raffle-baskets

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The Icon joined Brittany Daniels’ third grade glass during their recent visit from Deb Helser–and Chug puppy Tanner–from Deb’s Dogs in Lima.

The Ada Elementary School has chosen the animal rescue organization as the beneficiary of this year’s read-a-thon fundraiser. Students will present a check to the nonprofit, but eight classes first had a chance to learn about it from Deb.

Helser brought along Tanner, one of a litter of puppies that the organization has placed in forever homes. The six-month-old Chihuahua-Pug mix made himself at home at school, sitting in laps and giving kisses to students.

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Apollo Career Center, 3325 Shawnee Road, Lima, has announced that the following students from the Ada school district have been named to the third quarter honor roll:

A Honor Roll

Morgan Dirmeyer, Aaron Robson

A/B Honor Roll

Olivia Conley, Dylan Hartman, Colton Long, Drew Long, Lauren McClain, Madison Park, Aaron Robirds

Apollo Career Center has more than 20 programs to prepare students for whatever is next after high school. Associate schools are Ada, Allen East, Bath, Bluffton, Columbus Grove, Elida, Hardin Northern, Perry, Shawnee, Spencerville and Wapakoneta.

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ONU's Kappa Alpha Theta sorority is hosting its Annual Easter Egg Hunt at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 10 at the Ada War Memorial Park.

This event is free for the whole family and the egg hunt is available for children 3 to 12 years old. There will be three age groups: Preschool (3-5 years), K-2nd Grade (6-8 years) and 3rd Grade and up (9-12 years).

There will be an Easter bunny at the event and an Easter basket prize for each age group.

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By Melinda Williams, LPCC, NCC, M.Ed, Psychiatric Center of Northwest Ohio

The past two years have been extremely difficult for most of us. First responders, healthcare workers and mental health professionals have been affected greatly, some in similar ways as the general population, yet, for some, more impacted. We are seeing significant compassion fatigue in these fields.

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The Ohio State Highway Patrol has released the identities of the three suspects arrested following an incident that killed a Bluffton Police Department officer.  The names, ages, and locations where the suspects are incarcerated are as follows: Emin Johnson, 20, incarcerated at the Hancock County Justice Center; Zachary Love, 21, incarcerated at the Hancock County Justice Center; Dante Tate, 19, incarcerated at the  Medina County Jail. 

The incident began on March 31 at approximately 2 a.m. when troopers from the Marion  Patrol Post observed a dark-colored sedan traveling at a high rate of speed on US Route 23  northbound, but were unable to make contact with the vehicle.  

"Our hearts are heavy"

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The events of March 31–including the pursuit and arrest of three suspects who drove across Ohio at speeds up to 140 miles per hour and who struck and killed Bluffton Police officer Dominic Francis–have gripped the greater Bluffton area. 

They have also attracted attention across Ohio, the midwest, and the nation, bringing messages of condolence and support from near and far, including from Mayor of Bluffton Richard Johnson:

“The people of the Bluffton community and surrounding areas are experiencing a tragedy that we many times thought, and hoped, we would not have to face.

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Effective, March 31, 2022, Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) is adjusting its visitation guidelines, based on the observed reduction of COVID-19 cases in the community, which will lessen the restrictions on visitors coming into the organization. 

BVHS is lifting visitor restrictions for non-COVID-19 patients at its acute care facilities (including Findlay and Bluffton Hospital and the Findlay Surgery Center), as well as all medical practice settings. The health system’s long-term care facilities continue to follow state and federal guidelines put into place to help ensure the safety of the residents. 

Please see the link for the health system’s updated guidelines: 

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