| | Duck and cover
Duck and cover may sound like a country music duo, but it’s not. At least I don’t think so. Those three words were a technique used in air raid drills that many of you who attended public schools in the 1950s and 1960s may recall. It was part of a preparation for U.S. citizens to survive being bombed by the Soviet Union.
Students were instructed to get under their school desks or get on their knees and cover their heads. Mandatory drills were in place to have kids practice the technique, handouts were sent home with students, and President Kennedy was telling Americans to build nuclear fallout shelters in their backyards. Congress allocated $169 million to identify suitable public buildings, erect fallout shelter signs on them, and stock them with supplies. It was a time of immense fear about something we were told was deadly and imminent, and even the silliest of precautionary efforts that were promoted by the government were taken seriously.
The nuclear fallout shelters were to be stocked with water (at least one gallon of water per person, per day), canned food and a supply of potassium iodide tablets to help protect from cancer caused by radioactive fallout. We now know these shelters would have been mostly useless in cities that were attacked and of limited benefit in outlying areas. What were the survivors to do when they eventually had to leave the shelter after five days or 30 days or whatever the nightly news said and be exposed to the nuclear fallout? OK, so maybe all the details weren’t pieced together to survive a nuclear attack. They still aren’t, at least not for us commoners. But in the 1960s, President Kennedy was attempting to persuade the Soviet Union that we were prepared and indestructible. Do you think Khrushchev was convinced?
I was too young for the duck and cover drill. The practice, along with the stocking and use of nuclear fallout shelters, had mostly disappeared by the 1970s when I was in elementary school. But those nuclear fallout shelter signs with the three yellow triangles in a black circle were still posted, and my friends and I often wondered what they were for. A few of these signs can still be seen in banks, hotels, libraries, post offices, schools and hospitals. The fear of nuclear war subsided in the 1970s but reared its ugly head again in the 1980s. The threat will likely always be imminent, as long as war-mongering humans are on this planet. We tend to be slow learners — and, at times, a bit naive. Duck and cover.
Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707 | |
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| | Supervisors move forward with draft for surveying permit ordinance
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the Feb. 11 regular meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, discussion was held regarding the draft of a surveying permit ordinance. County Engineer Josh Sebern stated the ordinance would be applicable for situations such as the Summit pipeline and other similar situations. He noted that surveyors are often unable to find a marker at one spot, so they may need to survey at another spot, and possibly on another landowner’s property, to accurately complete a survey.
Supervisor Maggie Armstrong shared her perspective
“The question is, how do we work within Iowa Code to secure an ordinance that we can then enforce within Guthrie County so that it holds what we need it to hold,” Armstrong said.
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| | Panora approves grant for water plant backup
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
At the Feb. 10 meeting of the Panora City Council, City Administrator Lisa Grossman provided details about a Subaward Agreement with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for the Renewable Energy Mobile Microgrid Project.
“This is the $414,500 grant that we were awarded. We are responsible for 15%, so it’s about $70,000 or a little less than that,” Grossman said.
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| | Guthrie Center City Council addresses speed concerns
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
At the Feb. 10 meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, traffic speed was the main topic. The council held the first reading of the proposed Ordinance 2025-02, “Amend Chapter 63, Subsection 63.04- Adjust speed limits on School Street and Bluff Street…” The ordinance would decrease the speed limit on each street from 35 mph to 25 mph. The council unanimously approved the first reading.
The council discussed installing digital speed signage on three spots for traffic entering Guthrie Center (North Highway 25, South Highway 25 and West Highway 44).
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| | Multiple car burglary and thefts reported at Diamondhead Lake
Special to the Times Vedette
The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reported multiple car burglary and theft reports, involving stolen wallets, cash and debit/credit cards at Diamondhead Lake occurring on Feb. 4.
The Sheriff’s Office received home security footage of the suspects and the vehicle and also lifted fingerprints off one of the victims’ vehicles, presumed to be that of one of the suspects.
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| | Faith Bible Church free community meal is Feb. 19
Special to the Times Vedette
The Faith Bible Church free community meal will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. All are welcome. The menu includes chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes, smothered green beans, dinner rolls and angel food cake with strawberries.
Faith Bible Church is located at 2096 Highway 4 in Panora. | |
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| | Cribbage results from Feb. 10
Special to the Times Vedette
A total of 12 players participated on Feb. 10. Kathy Feilmeier and Bill Sheeder each got a 20. Rhonda Titus, Clint Malbon and Allen Pierce each got a 16.
The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library on Mondays at 8 a.m., at the New Homestead independent living rec room at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays, and at the Guthrie Center Activity Center at 1 p.m. on Fridays. Organizers say there is always room for more, and they will be glad to teach you how to play. They play for quarters on Wednesday and Friday. | |
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| | Our apologies to Curtis Nickel
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
We owe an apology to Curtis Nickel for stating his last name incorrectly in a story about him in the Feb. 7 edition of the Times Vedette. The story has been updated. | |
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| | Ruby I. Krakau | | | | | | | | 1932-2025
Ruby Iola Krakau, 92, of Guthrie Center, daughter of Albert and Florence (Nelson) Clausen, was born May 8, 1932, in Cass County. She passed away Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at the New Homestead in Guthrie Center.
Ruby graduated from Exira High School in 1950. On Oct. 22, 1950, she was united in marriage to Floyd Mervin Krakau in Brayton. To this union, five children were born. Ruby and Floyd spent almost 73 loving years together. They made their home in Grand Junction until moving to Guthrie Center in 1959.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full obituary | |
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| | DMACC fall semester president’s list
Special to the Times Vedette
Des Moines Area Community College President Rob Denson recently released the names of students eligible for the Fall Semester President’s List. To be eligible, a student must have completed a minimum of six credits and earned a 4.0 grade point average for that semester
- Those recognized from the area include:
- Presley Buttler, Agribusiness, Guthrie Center
- Karla Crawley, Computer Information Systems, Guthrie Center
- Xander Crawley, Computer Information Systems, Guthrie Center
- Melany Demello, Business Administration, Guthrie Center
- Jackson Sloss, Accounting Specialist, Guthrie Center
- Lindsay LaFreniere, Patient Access Specialist, Panora
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| | More than 100 calls this week including Guthrie County Deputy providing court room security at Guthrie County Courthouse; Guthrie County Deputies attempting to serve civil papers and locate a wanted individual in rural Bayard; and YJB Fire and Panora Ambulance responding to a grass fire in rural Bagley.
2-3-25
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2:12 a.m. Stuart Rescue responded to a medical call in Stuart
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2:30 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Redfield
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5:10 a.m. Panora Ambulance and Guthrie County Sheriff and Deputy responded to a medical call in Yale
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6:40 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a car vs deer accident in rural Guthrie Center
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8:15 a.m. Guthrie County Sheriff and Deputies responded to a complaint of a suspicious person in Casey
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 | | | Panorama prepares for 1A District 4 tournament on Saturday | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The Panorama boys wrestling team will compete at the IHSAA 1A District 4 tournament on Saturday, Feb. 15 at Interstate 35 High School. Panorama will compete against Earlham, Logan-Magnolia, Interstate 35, AHSTW, Central Decatur, Woodbine, Martensdale-St Marys, Southeast Warren and Wayne. The champion and runner-up from each weight class will advance to the state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Feb. 19-22.
PICTURED: Gabe Wagner in a match earlier this season. Photo by Betty Cooper | |
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 | | | Panorama falls to Des Moines Christian, 65-35 | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
Panorama girls basketball (10-10) traveled to No. 10 Des Moines Christian (17-3) on Friday, Feb. 7. Faith Recker led the Panthers in points with 10. Morgan Crees was close behind with nine. Crees and Kelsey Laabs led the team in rebounds with six each. Crees also led in assists with four. Panorama will travel to Ogden (1-20) tonight, Tuesday, Feb. 11. Panorama won a low-scoring game between the two in early January, 34-30. It won’t be the only time the Panthers and Bulldogs face each other this week. Panorama will host Ogden on Saturday, Feb. 15 for the Class 2A Region 3 playoffs.
PICTURED: No. 3 Lydia Lleshi defends the perimeter against Ankeny Christian. Photo by Betty Cooper | |
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 | | | Panthers drop game against Des Moines Christian, 80-24 | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The Panorama boys basketball team (3-17) played an away game against Des Moines Christian (14-5) on Friday, Feb. 7. Latyn Ashworth led the team in scoring with 10 points. Brayden Prescott and Noah Poldberg led the team in rebounds with four each. Reilan Boecker led in assists with three. Panorama travels to Ogden (7-13) tonight, Tuesday, Feb. 11. Ogden won a close game between the two earlier this season, 56-52. After that, the postseason begins for Panorama. On Monday, Feb. 17, Panorama will travel to face Southeast Valley in the 2A Substate 8 District 15 bracket.
PICTURED: No. 40 Noah Poldberg directs the defense in a game earlier this season. Photo by Betty Cooper | |
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 | | | No. 4 Chargers dominate West Central Valley, 79-49 | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The No. 4 ACGC boys basketball team (16-1) made easy work of their WCAC opponent, West Central Valley (5-15) while at home on Tuesday, Feb. 4. Jathan South led the Chargers in scoring with 21 points. Three of his teammates joined him in double figures. Noah Kading and Joe Crawford scored 16 points each. Payton Policky scored 12 while adding a game-high 15 rebounds to get the double-double. Kading led in assists with eight.
PICTURED: No. 4 Joe Crawford applies pressure at half court against West Central Valley on Tuesday, Feb. 4. Photo by Mark Reno | | | | | | | | See more photos | |
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| | No. 4 ACGC earns comeback victory over Pleasantville, 55-50
By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The No. 4 ACGC boys basketball team completed the comeback victory away from home against Pleasantville (9-10) on Friday, Feb. 7. ACGC was down by three points at the end of the first quarter and eight points at halftime. The Chargers outscored Pleasantville 17-8 in the third quarter to take a one-point lead in the final quarter where they would hold on for the narrow win. Payton Policky led the team in scoring with 17 points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds to extend his double-double streak. Jathan South, Joe Crawford and Noah Kading joined him in double figure scoring, each with 11 points.
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 | | | Kading and South selected to IBCA Academic All-State team | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
ACGC boys basketball players Noah Kading and Jathan South were selected to the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association Academic All-State team. | |
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 | | | No. 12 ACGC defeats West Central Valley, 48-30 | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The No. 12 ACGC girls basketball team (17-1) continued its winning streak with a win over West Central Valley (13-7) on Tuesday, Feb. 4. ACGC held the Wildcats to three points in the first quarter. Camdyn Richter led the team in scoring with 12 points. Stella Largent nearly earned a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds. Shay Lemke also came close to a double-double in unconventional fashion. Lemke had nine steals and eight assists.
PICTURED: No. 5 Meranda Gruber forces the WCV player into a pass on Tuesday, Feb. 4. Photo by Mark Reno | | | | | | | | See more photos | |
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| | No. 12 Chargers cruise past Pleasantville, 58-33
By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The No. 12 ACGC girls basketball team (19-1) picked up another WCAC win against Pleasantville (12-9) away from home on Friday, Feb. 7. Camdyn Richter had a big night on offense, leading the game in scoring with 23 points. Richter also grabbed eight rebounds. Shay Lemke scored 13 points. Largent once again approached double-double territory with 12 points and nine rebounds. ACGC has one more regular season game before heading into the postseason. The Chargers travel to Madrid (6-14) tonight, Tuesday, Feb. 11. After that, ACGC will face Interstate 35 or Earlham in the Class 2A Region 1 playoffs on Tuesday, Feb. 18. | |
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 | | | Chargers to compete in 1A District 9 meet next Saturday | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
ACGC boys wrestling will compete at the 1A District 9 meet at South Hamilton High School on Saturday, Feb. 15. ACGC will compete against AGWSR, South Central Calhoun, Don Bosco, Manson-NW Webster, North Tama, Ogden, Pocahontas Area, St. Edmond and host South Hamilton. The champion and runner-up from each weight class will advance to the state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Feb. 19-22.
PICTURED: ACGC's Michael Fuller (215) tries to get some leverage against his opponent at a competition earlier this season. Photo by Betty Cooper | |
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 | | | More than just books | | | | | | | | By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
February is National Library Lovers’ Month, and MJB Library is giving you plenty of reasons to love our library. Last Saturday, Guthrie Center Friends of the Library hosted their annual Trivia Night competition. Team Buzz Kill edged out Team Rolling with Mahomies (clearly, it was a rough weekend for all associated with Mahomes).
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PICTURED: We are the Champions! The Buzz Kills took the 2025 Trivia Night Championship. The team consists of, front row: Jackie Willms, Kari Laughery Bradley, Kaylie Laughery, Shaun Finnegan and Karter Laughery. Back row, Payden Willms, Daine Needham and Kevin Laughery. | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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| | Congregate Meals are served at Sneakers Café, Monday through Friday, in the Guthrie County Hospital. No meals are available on major holidays or during inclement weather. This service is available for seniors ages 60 and older. No reservation is needed. All menus follow Elderbridge-approved menus and provide at least one-third of the nutritional needs of individuals 60 and older. Menus are subject to change. For more information on these services, call 641-332-3818. | |
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 | | | 40 years ago | | | | | | | | From the archives of The Guthrie County Vedette, Feb. 14, 1985
WON’T YOU BE MINE? Tricia Turner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Turner, sifts through a rack of cards at Panora Pharmacy for the perfect Valentine. | | | | | | | | See more Yester Years | |
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 | | | Carr appreciates life and work in a small-town community | | | | | | | | New Hampton native’s path eventually led him to Guthrie County, and he now runs the State Farm Insurance agency in Guthrie Center.
By Rich Wicks | Lake Panorama Times, January 2025
An old saying states, “We end up where we’re supposed to be.” As a native of New Hampton, Robert Carr has found that to be true. Although he has moved around and lived in more urban areas, he says small-town life is what he prefers. His path eventually led him to Guthrie County, and he now runs the State Farm Insurance agency in Guthrie Center. Robert and his wife, Peg, now live at Lake Panorama.
Carr’s career path has had many stops along the way. He attended Luther College in Decorah, where he excelled on the wrestling team. While at Luther, he met Peg, and they were married in 1986.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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| | What do you think of the canceling of voter registrations of more than 180,000 Iowans on Iowa’s voting rolls after they failed to vote in a general election three times in a row?
- Good thing
- Bad thing
- Not sure
Submit your answers at the bottom of our website at gctimesnews.com | |
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