April 2023

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By Paula Scott

On Friday, March 31, a select number of Ada High School sophomores, juniors and seniors participated in a 117-year-old tradition known as Interclass. As a judge at this much-heralded event, it was both new and news for me as the Icon editor. Having seen the excitement generated by other Ada Schools competitions–the spelling bee, powder puff football and new powder buff volleyball–I expected the energy level to be high and class spirit to be palpable.

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What has changed and what has stayed the same about the Ada High School Interclass Competition? Check out the details provided in the 1923 Purple and Gold yearbook HERE, via the Ada Public Library online archive.

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The Hardin County Sheriff's Office is investigating a crash that claimed the life of an Ada man on Sunday afternoon, April 9. 

Hardin County Central Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call at 3:29 p.m. reporting the crash at 775 Township Road 30, Ada where Blake R. Williams of that address had backed his pickup truck onto the roadway and was struck by a motorcycle driven by Timothy James (TJ) Griffin of Ada.

Griffin was transported by ambulance to Lima Memorial Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. 

The crash remains under investigation. 

Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Ada Police Department, Ada Liberty EMS, the Ada Liberty Fire Department and Osborn's Towing.

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FOREST--Rex Russell Kellogg, 84, of Forest, OH, passed away Sat, April 1, 2023. Rex was born July 3, 1938 to Max and Edith (Beach) Kellogg. He was married to the love of his life, Mary Martha Best Ream, deceased. Rex is survived by a step-daughter and son-in-law whom he considered his own daughter and son, Tim and Carrie (Ream) Woodruff, Ada OH, step-son Jerry Ream, Elwood IN. granddaughter Britney (Kyle) Ricker, grandson John (Kyleigh) Woodruff, 3 great-grandkids: Riley and Abby Ricker, and Teddy Woodruff. Rex was preceded in death by his brother Kenneth (Marjorie "Midge" Sprang) Kellogg. He had 3 nephews: Curtis (Connie) Kellogg, Randy (Kelly) Kellogg and Scott Kellogg and 1 niece Janette Shocklee. And devoted friends: Don and Lynne and the Whitten family.

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By Cort Reynolds

The streaking Ada High School softball team took two from visiting Arlington in a non-conference doubleheader to stay undefeated on a sunny but cool Saturday afternoon at the park on April 8.

The unbeaten Bulldogs improved to 7-0 overall with the twinbill sweep to author the best start in program history. The Red Devil girls dropped to 1-4 with the defeats.

Sophomore ace Jenna Bassitt pitched Ada to both victories. She hurled a one-hit shutout in the 2-0 opener, and pitched most of the 18-8 nightcap victory.

“We didn’t get the bats going in the first game, but they came alive in game two,” said Ada second-year head coach Jeff Bassitt. “We have already surpassed last year’s win total (five).”

The opener was scoreless until the fourth inning as Bassitt struck out the Red Devil side in both the first and third frames, and the Ada bats were quiet.

The Bulldogs broke on top when junior slugger Daicy Robinson reached on an error, with freshman catcher Marley Bulerin replacing as a pinch runner.

Senior Kayla Wince then smoked a triple over the center fielder’s head to plate Bulerin with the first run of the game.

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Andrew James Rettig, of Ada, peacefully passed away on December 23, 2022.  He was the son of John Rettig and Rose Ann Zachariah Wallace.

Andy is survived by his children: Wyatt Rettig, and Samantha “Sami” Rettig; parents: John and Kay Rettig; brothers: Tony, Kelly (Kandi), Scott (Stefanie), Matt (Jolene); and girlfriend, Kristen Crouch.  Andy is also survived by nieces: Jessica and Eliza; nephews: Tony II, Johnathan, and Charles; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

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By Cort Reynolds

The Ada varsity baseball team lost 14-2 to powerhouse Lincolnview in the Northwest Conference opener Thursday evening, April 6, at Ada Park.

The second-ranked Lancers trailed upset-minded Ada 2-1 after three innings, but blew the game open with an eight-run fourth frame.

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By Cort Reynolds

The Ada High School softball team recorded its most important regular season win since 2018, by decisively defeating two-time defending league champion Lincolnview 12-5 in the Northwest Conference opener at the Ada Park on a chilly Thursday evening, April 6.

The undefeated Bulldogs improved to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in the NWC with the historic victory. The Lancers dropped to 2-3 and 0-1 in the NWC after the defeat.

“We had a total team effort,” said Ada second-year head coach Jeff Bassitt. “Jenna (Bassitt) settled down and came on strong after the first inning.

“It took a team effort to beat a team like Lincolnview,” he added. “Our hitting, pitching and defense were good. It was a nice win against a good team.”

The Lancers jumped in front with three runs in the top of the first inning, but Ada responded with a big four-run home half of the first to establish control and build confidence.

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By Cort Reynolds

SPENCERVILLE – The Ada High School track and field teams competed at the annual eight-team Bearcat Relays in Spencerville Thursday, April 6.

Fort Loramie won the girls team title, with Ada finishing eighth. Columbus Grove captured first in the boys standings, while Ada came in seventh.

The Bulldog girls quartet of Kayleiana Cooper-Bolden, Anna Conley, Kennedy Jones and Ashley Hevlin took first in the 4 x 100 meter relay throwers.

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Student crossing signs on Main St. - Firefighters’ convention request - Preparations for municipal pool season -  Police manual updates process - Coffee with a Cop on April 19

By Paula Scott

On April 4 the Ada Council held a regular meeting with all councilors and village officials present.

LEGISLATION
Among items of legislation that were passed was permission for Wilson Football Factory to rezone land from residential to industrial. This item was passed by emergency on its third reading, allowing the company to begin construction this month. All legislation passed unanimously and is listed on in the photo below. The complete packet is HERE.

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