Guthrie County Times Vedette

TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2025

Best of Guthrie County poll returns

People clearly want to know who and what local residents feel are the “best.” It is why they search on the internet and read customer reviews. But, unfortunately, those results are often skewed by scammers and firms that assist with “reputation management.”

So, how does one truly know who or what is the best locally? We created a way to uncover those answers last year with our Best of Guthrie County poll, and we are pleased to bring it to you again.

Yes, it is round 2 of this fun competition, and, as I stated last year, it is important to note that the winners are not based on our opinions but are the results of the votes of our readers. That is an important distinction the naysayers often miss.

The poll and its categories will certainly change in years to come, but our second effort is much like our first. You will once again have 82 categories to vote in. Best pizza. Best pastor. Best park. You get the idea. Simply fill in the blanks in one category or all 82.

The poll will be promoted in our publications, emails, social media and mailers to encourage widespread participation throughout the county. Please take the time to vote and share the link with your family, neighbors, co-workers and anyone in Guthrie County and encourage them to do the same. Last year, a total of 471 votes were cast in this poll, and we hope to exceed that this year.

We make voting incredibly easy. You can choose to vote in just one category, or you can vote in all 82. But, just like the political elections, once you submit your choices, you can’t go back. In case you are wondering, we catch the cheaters who try to vote more than once and throw those votes out, so don’t even try. Click here for the poll rules and the link to vote.

I thank you in advance for voting and for helping us to recognize the people, places, businesses and events that make Guthrie County so great.

Thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707

Guthrie County Supervisors deny change to bereavement policy

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the April 8 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, the supervisors returned to consideration of changing the bereavement policy to allow bereavement leave for part-time employees. Supervisor Mike Dickson voiced his opposition.

“I don’t agree with that. This conversation has come up in the past, and part-time employees can work around that with their schedules,” Dickson said.
Brian Johnson voiced agreement with Dickson, and the supervisors voted 3-1 to deny the proposed change with Maggie Armstrong as the sole vote to oppose the denial. Supervisor JD Kuster was absent.

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Casey City Council hears utility bills dispute

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Clerk’s Report portion of the April 7 Casey City Council meeting, City Clerk Gwen Blass updated the council regarding two disputed utility billing accounts.

“Last month, we had a gentleman that came into our office and stated that he was Dave Kuster’s attorney, and that they were going to sue the city for all the utility bills that Dave Kuster has, and that he also represented Lucas Jensen, and that he’s also getting utility bills for a property that he doesn’t own anymore,” Blass said. “I explained to him that Lucas Jensen’s bill is a past due bill from when he lived there, and that the utility bills on Dave Kuster are sewer line bills, sewer charges for properties that he never shut off the sewer line for.”

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	ACGC Prom

	Photos by Mallory Quick and Mark Reno \| Special to the Times Vedette The ACGC Prom was held April 5 at the high school with the Grand March kicking off the festivities at 5 p.m.

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	GCH Foundation holds Handbags and Bingo event

	Photos by Jolene Goodman \| Times Vedette The Guthrie County Hospital Foundation held the Third Annual Handbags and Bingo Event on Friday, April 4 at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds Event Center. The event sold out again this year. This year’s theme was “Cowgirl Round Up.”

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Lake Panorama Realty holds customer appreciation event

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

Lake Panorama Realty held a customer appreciation event on Friday, March 28 at The Captain's Pick at the Lake Panorama National Conference Center. Pictured are Lake Panorama Realty owners Dee and Kane Powell.

	Christensen named new Valley High School principal

	Special to the Times Vedette Shane Christensen, Ed.D., current principal at Indian Hills Junior High, has been named the next principal at Valley High School. Christensen is originally from Guthrie Center. Christensen will begin his new role July 1, 2025, pending approval by the West Des Moines Community Schools Board of Education at its regular meeting April 14. [...]

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	Carstens steps down as Landus CEO

	Special to the Times Vedette Landus announced that Matt Carstens is stepping down as president and chief executive officer, effective last Friday. The Board of Directors extended its gratitude to Carstens for his leadership and commitment to innovation during his five-year tenure. Landus Board Chairman Matt Chambers took on the role of acting CEO, effective Friday, with an interim CEO to be named within the next week. [...]

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Panorama Junior/Senior High School Prom activities

Special to the Times Vedette

The 2025 Panorama Junior/Senior High School Prom will be Saturday, April 12 with the following events scheduled:

2 p.m. Optional professional photos, Betty Cooper Photography at The Port. Sign-up is encouraged in the office.
4:30 p.m. Grand March, Panorama High School Auditorium
5:30 p.m. All Class Picture, Panorama High School Auditorium
6 p.m. Dinner, Panorama High School Atrium
6-10 p.m. Dance, The Port
11 p.m. - 2 a.m. After Prom, Panorama High School. Doors open at 10:45 p.m. and locked at 11:15 p.m.

Cribbage results from April 4 and April 7

Special to the Times Vedette

A total of 10 players participated on April 4. Clint Malbon and Allen Pierce each got 16, Bob Batschelet got two 16s, Sandy Rumelhart got two 16s and a 17, and Kathy Feilmeier got a 17.

A total of 13 players participated on April 7. Kathy Feilmeier and Sandy Rumelhart each got a 16, and Dennis Betts brought in an 18.

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	Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

	Special to the Times Vedette Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time. “Each spring brings a renewed sense of optimism for the growing season ahead,” Secretary Naig said. “The initial weather outlooks for the first half of April are leaning warmer and drier, which will make farmers eager to get the planters rolling as soon as field conditions are ready. Thankfully, the drought situation across Iowa is improved compared to last year because of the more active weather pattern we experienced throughout March.” [...]

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More than 110 calls this week including Guthrie County Deputy responding to a report of a dog bite in rural Casey; Guthrie County Deputy attempting to locate a vehicle in rural Adair due to an iPhone crash notification; and Guthrie County Deputy responding to a vehicle in the ditch on Chestnut Road.

3-31-25

2:38 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of suspicious activity in Bayard
7:45 a.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in Stuart
8:17 a.m. Panora Police performed a case follow-up
10:27 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve civil papers in rural Redfield
10:28 a.m. Stuart Fire and Ambulance responded to a fire in Stuart

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	Panthers bounce back with 7-2 win over West Central Valley

	By Cyote Williams \| Times Vedette After a forfeit saw the Panorama girls soccer team (1-2) start its season 0-2, the Panthers bounced back in a big way over West Central Valley (0-2) on Friday, April 4. Of Panorama’s seven goals, six were scored by Morgan Crees. The impressive performance puts Crees one goal away from the century mark for her career. The other goal was scored by Shay Lemke. Ashley Crees provided the team’s lone assist. Panorama will have the chance to get to .500 on Thursday, April 10 against East Sac County (1-1). Panorama has won five straight against the Raiders, two of which came last season. Panorama won the games 8-1 and 9-0. PICTURED: No. 10 Morgan Crees puts in a crunching tackle against West Central Valley. Crees scored six times in the 7-2 win on Monday, April 4. Photo by Betty Cooper

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