After four and a half incredible years, it’s time for me to step away as Director of the Ada Area Chamber of Commerce.
When I accepted this role, I never imagined just how much it would shape my life. Together, we grew events, strengthened community engagement, built new partnerships, celebrated local businesses, and created opportunities to showcase everything that makes Ada such a special place. Watching our community continue to grow has been one of the greatest privileges of my career.
By Paula Pyzik Scott
Ada Icon and Bluffton Icon owner-editor
Covering township meetings has languished at the top of my to-do list for several years. I am always ready to talk with individuals who are interested and available to work as freelance reporters for local public meetings.
To fill the reporter gap, I am looking for individuals who would like to attend monthly township trustee meetings and record the audio on a cell phone. The Icons cover Liberty Township in Hardin County, Orange Township in Hancock County and Richland Township in Allen County.
FROM FACEBOOK__The Ada Police Department in partnership with the Village of Ada will host a National Night Out celebration from 6-9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5. This free family event includes food, pool admission and door prize drawings. FACEBOOK EVENT
KENTON – The Ada Gators summer swim team finished sixth at the annual two-day, eight-team West Ohio Aquatic League championship meet in Kenton on Friday and Saturday, July 10-11.
The Gator boys finished in a solid fourth place, while the Ada girls ended up eighth following the second day of competition.
The Frogs of Findlay won the overall league championship with 2,674 points, followed by second-place Westside (2,593). The Gators compiled 940 combined points to finish just ahead of seventh-place Kenton by 17.5 points, with Van Wert a distant eighth (468).
By David Barnes, MD
Medical Director, Palliative Care; Bridge Home Health & Hospice
When someone is living with a serious illness, the focus of medical care often extends beyond treating the disease itself. Managing symptoms, maintaining comfort, and supporting emotional well-being become just as important. During these times, terms like palliative care and hospice care are often mentioned. While the two share many similarities, they are not the same. Understanding the differences can help patients and families make informed decisions and access the right support at the right time.
FROM FACEBOOK__Ohio health departments are issuing an outbreak notice for Cyclospora, a parasite that can cause an intestinal infection. Cases are on the rise in our area, according to Allen, Hardin and Hancock county agencies.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Symptoms usually appear 2-14 days after exposure and can last for several days to weeks.
Watery diarrhea
Stomach cramps
Nausea
Low-grade fever
Fatigue
If you have these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider or go to urgent care, and stay home while ill.
KENTON__The Ada summer swim team stands sixth after day one of the annual eight-team West Ohio Aquatic League championship meet in Kenton on Friday, July 10.
The Gator boys are in fourth place, while the Ada girls are eighth following the first day of competition.
Findlay led the combined standings after day one with 1,316 points, followed by Westside. The Gators scored 435 combined boys/girls points on day one.
The Westside boys led with 797 points, with Findlay second at 601.5. The Ada boys tallied 342 points.
Elizabeth “Liz” Topping, age 72, of Bellefontaine, passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2026 at Mary Rutan Hospital, Bellefontaine.
Liz was born on December 20, 1953 in Kenton, Ohio to Tommy and Osie (Bailey) Reffitt.
On March 14, 1998 Liz married Paul R. Topping and he survives in Bellefontaine. Also surviving is her son, Christopher (Rita) Hale of Alger; grandson, Sean (Brooke) Hale; great grandson, Jackson; two brothers: Benny Ray and Tommy (Jo) Reffitt; and sister, Minnie Moore.
