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Dominic Francis honored in memorial service

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On the morning of April 8, an estimated 2,000 mourners came to pay their respects to Dominic M. “Dom” Francis, 42, a Bluffton police officer who was killed in the line of duty on March 31. Family, friends, colleagues and Cory-Rawson students gathered at Bluffton University’s Sommer Center to remember and mourn Francis, while the larger community of first responders from Ohio and beyond paid tribute to one who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the public.

Prior to the service, Allen County Sheriff Matthew Treglia held a press conference on questions regarding the day’s events. The investigation of Francis’s death was not addressed. News teams from across the state were present and the service was livestreamed at https://boxcast.tv/channel/jgei2o5q5rjqiprrxqm3.

Second annual Read-a-thon

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The second annual Read-a-thon at Ada Elementary School has been a wild romp benefitting Deb’s Dogs. The school goal is $5,000.

To motivate students and teachers, principal Tim Closson volunteered to dress up on April 1 in a wild ensemble selected by the students. Each grade level chose an item for him to wear. If they didn’t reach their reading goal, he would not have worn that special item.

Kindergarten: Hat (or as it turned out, a crown)

First grade: Crazy shirt

Second grade: Cape

Third grade: Tie

Fourth grade: Carry something around (a purse that conveniently held his walkie-talkie)

Fifth grade: Crazy pants

 

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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.

"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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In honor of the life and legacy of Bluffton Police Officer Dominic Francis, Governor DeWine has ordered that flags of the United States and the State of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Allen and Hancock counties, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower. Flags shall remain lowered until sunset on the day of his funeral.

All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.

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