Ada's latest news

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MAY 6 MEDIA RELEASE__On May 5, 2026 at approximately 1:55 P.M., officers were dispatched to the campus of Ohio Northern University following a reported bomb threat that was made to their campus via phone.

In a coordinated effort between university administrative staff, ONU Public Safety, and multiple area law enforcement agencies, the entire campus was evacuated and cleared as a precautionary measure. 

Following a thorough sweep of the grounds and facilities, the campus was deemed safe and officially reopened at 5:41 p.m.

The safety of our community remains our highest priority.

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Jan Elaine Williams, age 81, of Lima, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Lima Memorial Health System with her family by her side.

Jan was born on March 5, 1945, in Bluffton, Ohio, to the late Robert Chester and M. Imogene (Weaver) Long. On October 30, 1993, Jan married Glen Williams. She was previously married to Barney Wilson.

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By Kara Hampton
Mother of an ONU senior who will genuinely miss spending time in Ada after she graduates next weekend

My daughter is an ONU student, and hence a 4-year member of your community. You have welcomed her into your churches, schools (she works with the Polar Buddies program), grocery store, restaurants and more.

Yesterday, you took care of her and the entire ONU community when someone played havoc with their sense of peace and security by sending a bomb threat.

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With balmy days alternating with plenty of rain, the grass is really growing in Northwest Ohio. The Village of Ada enforces a code requiring grass and weeds to be maintained at a height no longer than six inches. Some 48 violation notices have been issued this spring.

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On Tuesday, May 5, the Village of Ada Council met for a regular session with Mayor Dave Retterer presiding. Discussions and business conducted included:

  • Police Chief commended law enforcement agencies on ONU bomb threat response
  • Village Administrator Amanda Sears presented her letter of resignation
  • Resident Kevin Wagner objected to the handling of a trespass notice and questioned four minimum water bills for a former council member

The council packet is on the Village of Ada website. No legislative action was taken during the meeting.

ADA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief Alec Cooper reported on department activities earlier in the day, when a bomb threat was made to Ohio Northern University. He was proud of the work done by multiple agencies in evacuating and searching the campus. He noted that with the smaller size of the Hardin County population, “We don’t have a ton of cops, but at the same time, when something needs done, we get it done.”

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Linda S. Mason, age 78, of Wheeling, West Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at her son’s home with her family by her side.

Linda was born on December 4, 1947, in Wheeling, WV, to Frank and Virginia (Duff) Harvath.

Linda is survived by her son, Wayne “JR” (Linda) Mason, Jr. of Ada; five grandchildren: Breana Mason, Mercedes Mason, Canyon Mason, Brooke Walter and Abby (Nathan) Luchini; seven great grandchildren; and two sisters: Debbie (Sid) Kunz and Susie Pelley, all of Wheeling, WV.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Brandon Mason, brother, Johnny Harvath and two sisters: Shirley McConaughey and Sondra Harvath.

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