December 2025

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Theresa A. Greene, age 55, of McGuffey, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima. 

Theresa was born on December 24, 1970, in Sidney, Ohio, to the late Robert Bricker and Nancy (Mariner) Cannady.  Also preceding her in death is her sister. 

On March 20, 2018 Theresa married Larry C. Greene, Jr. of McGuffey. Also surviving are two sons: Alan Bricker of Bellefontaine and James Godwin of Kenton; daughter, Christina (Dustin) Stewart of Bellefontaine; five grandchildren: Samantha, Ariana, Elizabeth, Abriella and Hayden; two brothers: Terry (Donna) Bricker and Steve (Lori) Bricker; and stepmother, Arlene (Chris) Knopp. 

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Chrissobilis 4th in 2 events

By Cort Reynolds

LIMA – The Ada High School swim team competed at the annual day-long Bluffton Holiday Classic meet in the Lima YMCA on Tuesday, December 30.

The Ada boys came in a solid ninth out of 24 teams with 75 points. Bryan captured the boys championship with 317 points. Findlay came in second with 291, while Shawnee scored 235 and St. Marys 226.

The Bluffton boys ended up sixth at 163.5 points.

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By Cort Reynolds

ADA __The Ada High School girls basketball team was victimized by a big third quarter in a 70-46 loss to visiting Blanchard Valley Conference rival Arcadia on Tuesday, December 30.

The Bulldog girls were behind by only six points at intermission, but the Redskins fashioned a decisive 23-7 third period to pull away and win by 24.

Redskin Addy Colman poured in 19 of her game-high 22 points in the first half, including 12 in the second stanza, to pace the visitors to victory.

The Bulldogs dropped to 6-6 overall and 2-3 in the BVC after the home defeat.

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From BlufftonIcon.com High-speed chase on December 28 ends in Bluffton

By Paula Pyzik Scott

Early on Sunday morning, December 28, a high-speed chase ended in Bluffton with the arrest of Joshua Wesley Rainer of Fairborn, according to the Findlay Courier.

The pursuit began in Fostoria after a vehicle failed to pull over for law enforcement. The chase ended on foot in a field near Bluffton. A passenger was released.

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PHOTOS Bluffton Icon / CLICK to enlarge and view at your own pace

Canteen open including New Year's Eve and New Year's Day

By Paula Pyzik Scott

UPDATED at 5:00 p.m., December 30__High winds peeled off some large roof panels on the Ream McElroy VFW Post #3981 on Monday, December 29. Weather forecasts for the area included gusts of up to 45 miles per hour.

A crew was constructing a temporary cover at midday on Tuesday, December 30. The weather continued to be bitter cold and windy with some snow flurries.

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MEDIA RELEASE__Alger Public Library operating hours will be reduced after the first of the year. Beginning Monday, January 5, the new hours will be: Monday-Thursday, 11:00-6:00; Friday, 11:00-5:00; Saturday & Sunday, Closed.

This change is in response to reduced state revenues resulting from the recent budget cuts.

We are saddened by this and hope that this is a temporary measure, and we are sorry for the inconvenience to our patrons.

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Carolyn Rose Schaffner, age 83, of Ada, passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025, at her home.

She was born on July 4, 1942, in Alger, to the late Howard and Inise (Lee) Lawrence. Carolyn married Michael H. Schaffner, Jr., on March 20, 1977; he preceded her in death in 2004. 

Carolyn is survived by her twins: Lana Patterson and Leonard Brewer; three grandchildren: Christopher Wilde, Michael Edelen and Kevin Edelen; three great-grandchildren: Alan, Violet and Dresden; her precious moments baby, her niece, Melissa (Jaime) LeVan; five brothers and three sisters. 

Carolyn was preceded in death by her brother, Donny Lawrence, and sister, Kay Sanders.

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By Karen Kier, Pharmacist
On behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

In July of 1988, Rod Stewart released his U.S. hit called Forever Young.  The song was about missing his children growing up while he was on tour. The song was similar to Bob Dylan’s song by the same name.  Stewart released his version, sharing the royalties with Dylan. The song fared well in the United States and has become an anthem of sorts.

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MEDIA RELEASE–A fertilizer applicator certification training class is being held in Hardin County on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the Ohio State University Extension in Hardin County office in Kenton. 

The class will run from noon-3:00  p.m. The cost of the class is $30. A copy of the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, and Alfalfa will be provided. 

Anyone wishing to take the class must visit go.osu.edu/hardinanrprograms or call the Extension office at 419-674-2297 to pre-register by Thursday, January 15, 2026.

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Emma Jean McCalla, age 77, of Harrod, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima. 

Jean was born on November 17, 1946, in Kentucky to the late Naith and Fannie (Moore) Shepherd. Jean had several brothers and sisters.  On December 21, 1975, Jean married Tom Owen McCalla, and he preceded her in death on September 29, 2023.   

Jean retired from Tri Star Community Counseling, where she worked as a social worker. Jean would help anyone in need. She enjoyed traveling, especially with her husband, Tom. Jean loved her German shepherds.  

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