| | You’re so vain, you probably think this column is about you
They are called vanity plates for a reason, or at least that is what the license plates our eyes are drawn to are commonly referred to as. The Iowa Department of Transportation calls them Specialty and Personalized Plates. That sounds less vain.
From what I can tell, there are about 30 basic options for specialty license plates in the state of Iowa, ranging from the Black Out Design, to Breast Cancer Awareness, to Ducks Unlimited. If you are affiliated with the military, you may want to choose from another 24 military service plates. And if you are a proud alumni, you can select from 31 Iowa college and university options. If those 85 are not specialized enough for you, feel free to file for an assortment of numbers and letters that may tickle your fancy. Some of you remember when we had one option.
How much do these plates cost? According to the Iowa DOT, the plate fees range from $25 to $60 with annual registration fees.
What can you put on a personalized license plate? Well, it may consist of up to seven characters and numbers and must have at least two characters.
Maybe more importantly, what can’t you put on a personalized license plate? No punctuation marks. No denoting a government agency. No display of characters that are sexual in connotation. No characters suggesting profane, obscene or inflammatory words or phrases, or those contrary to public policy. No characters or words defined in dictionaries as a term of vulgarity, contempt, prejudice, hostility, insult, or racial or ethnic degradation. No characters considered to be offensive. No characters that conflict with the regular license numbering system. No swear words. No references to illegal substances or criminal acts. No foreign words falling in any of these categories. And you cannot use all numbers.
Whew. That’s a lot to consider, and that’s probably why I have never ordered one of these plates. It’s not about vanity, really. If we are being honest, we are all vain, at least to some degree. These license plates are more like a tattoo for our vehicles, only not permanent. I can’t think of anything I am willing to pay for to have inked on my skin or my vehicle, and I certainly don't want to draw more attention to my driving. Call me boring. Call me cheap. Just don’t call in my license plate number. I prefer to keep some things private.
Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@gctimesnews.com
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| | Supervisors hear secondary roads budget plan
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the Feb. 20 regular meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, County Engineer Josh Sebern showed a budget presentation regarding Secondary Roads and Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management (IRVM).
Sebern told of the various supplies and equipment needs, as well as road/culvert/bridge projects planned.
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 | | | ‘Parents Just Don’t Understand’ | | | | | | | | Special to the Times Vedette
Remember when your parents taught you how to drive? Remember when Mom took you shopping for new clothes? How about the family vacations when you were stuck in the backseat with your siblings? The ACGC Junior High Drama Department, under the direction of Megan Farnsworth and Heather Schmeling, is proud to present “Parents Just Don’t Understand” on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the junior high gym on the A-C campus. Join in for a collection of hilarious scenes that families will recognize.
PICTURED: The cast and crew of the performance. Front row: Hudson Seeck, Jaxen Knobbe, Sophie Young and Hayden Clarke. Back row: Aiden Edwards, Chase Tunink, Khloe Riley and Charli Lehman. Not pictured: Niya Fees, Sarah Jones-Stubbs and Ember Miller. | |
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 | | | 18th annual state archery tournament begins Feb. 28 | | | | | | | | From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
An estimated 2,200 students from more than 140 schools from across Iowa will be in the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center (Bullseye) and the 4H Building (3D) at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines from Feb. 28 to March 2 to participate in the 18th Annual National Archery in the Schools Program State Tournament. This is the largest youth archery tournament in Iowa.
Iowa student participation in the National Archery in the Schools Program has grown each year beginning from scratch in 2006 to now more than 4,800 participants in 2025.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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| | Legislative Coffee March 1
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The public is invited to attend a community coffee on Saturday, March 1 at 8 a.m. at the Guthrie County Farm Bureau, 203 N. Fourth St., Guthrie Center.
Iowa Senator Jesse Green and Iowa Representative Carter Nordman will be on hand to talk about recent bills, legislation in the works and to answer questions. | |
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| | Puzzles, Pies and Pints
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The Guthrie Activity Center is hosting a unique fundraiser event on Saturday, March 8.
Four-person teams will race to complete a 300-piece jigsaw puzzle, eat a large pizza, and drink 12 pints of preferred beverage (including alcoholic or non-alcoholic). The first team to finish wins a prize.
The event will begin with social time at 5:30 p.m., and the contest kicks off at 6 p.m. The entry fee for a four-person team is $120. Register at Guthrie County State Bank. Registration closes Feb. 28. | |
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| | Iowa PBS presents the 2025 IGHSAU Girls State Basketball Championships
Special to the Times Vedette
Don't miss any of the girls state basketball action! As Iowa girls battle to get their tickets punched to the state tournament, Iowa PBS is preparing for live coverage of the championship games.
The statewide network’s commitment to girls high school sports coverage continues as teams from across the state take to the court for the IGHSAU Girls State Basketball Championships. Coverage of each class’ title game will take place Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8, live from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Each game will be broadcast on statewide Iowa PBS and livestreamed on YouTube and iowapbs.org.
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| | Bagley United Methodist Church to hold supper March 17
Special to the Times Vedette
Bagley United Methodist Church will be holding a supper on Monday, March 17 in the church basement from 5-7 p.m. There will be a free will offering. Menu is scalloped potatoes and ham, green beans and bars. Bagley United Methodist Church is located at 401 Main St. in Bagley. | |
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| | Cribbage results from Feb. 19
Special to the Times Vedette
Cribbage scores on Feb. 19 included Wayne Nickel with a 17 and a 20, Dennis Betts and Lela Swartz each with a 16, Dick Ellis with a 20, and Rhonda Titus with a 24.
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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| | Dogs in the spotlight
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Is your dog one of a kind? In the March issues of Guthrie Center Times and Panora Times, we’ll share some local dog tales. So, if you’ve got a doggone great pet, email rich@gctimesnews.com so your story can be considered. | |
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| | DMACC announces 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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 | | | Cooper wrestles at state tournament today | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The IHSAA boys state wrestling tournament began on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Five Panorama wrestlers qualified: Landon Kirtley (138), Will Knapp (150), Gabe Wagner (157), Blake Schwartz (165) and Joel Cooper (285). Besides Cooper, the other Panorama boys’ seasons have ended in the consolation bracket. Cooper wrestles Jacob Bishop of Hinton today and can still finish as high as third. 1A third round consolation matches begin at 1:30 p.m. Tickets for the state meet are available for purchase HERE. Streaming information can be found at www.ihssn.com.
PICTURED: Joel Cooper (285) will compete against Cooper wrestles Jacob Bishop of Hinton today, Feb. 21. Photo by Betty Cooper | | | | | | | | See the full results and photos | |
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 | | | Panthers’ season ends in regionals at Westwood, 51-32 | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The Panorama girls basketball (12-11) season ended at Westwood (17-4) on Tuesday, Feb. 18, in the second round of the Class 2A Region 3 playoffs. The Panthers were down by nine points by the end of the first quarter but battled back to go into halftime down six. Westwood extended its lead to seven by the end of the third. Panorama struggled in the fourth quarter, when Westwood had its best period of the game.
PICTURED: Morgan Crees rises up for the layup in a game earlier this season. Photo by Betty Cooper | |
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 | | | Sloss lone Charger entering day three of state wrestling tournament | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
Six ACGC wrestlers traveled to the IHSAA boys state wrestling tournament, which began on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Gavin Sloss (126), Ryder Cline (144), Angel Martinez (165), Jackson Pfrang (175), Carter Richter (190) and Jack Sheeder (285) all qualified for the state meet. Sloss is the only one still competing heading into matches today. He will face Blake Irvine of Don Bosco. Sloss can finish as high as third place. 1A third round consolation matches begin at 1:30 p.m. Tickets for the state meet are available for purchase HERE. Streaming information can be found at www.ihssn.com.
PICTURED: Gavin Sloss (126) will compete against Blake Irvine of Don Bosco at the IHSAA boys state wrestling tournament today, Feb. 21. Photo by Betty Cooper | | | | | | | | See the full results and photos | |
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 | | | Dominant first half pushes ACGC over Earlham in regionals, 60-40; Chargers host Central Decatur tonight in semifinals | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The No. 13 ACGC girls basketball (21-1) team had an excellent first half that led to a home playoff win over Earlham (12-11) on Tuesday, Feb. 18. ACGC went into the break leading 40-16, giving the team enough cushion to cruise to the victory despite being outscored by Earlham in the second half. Camdyn Richter’s 19-point, 11-rebound double-double was key for the Chargers. Shay Lemke with 12 points and Meranda Gruber with 10 points joined her in double figures. The win sends ACGC into the Class 2A Region 1 semifinals at home against Central Decatur (14-8), tonight, Friday, Feb. 21. Central Decatur is led by Breegan Lindsey: in points with 10.5 and rebounds with 8.3. The winner of this game will play against the winner of Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont and Pleasantville to become regional champion.
PICTURED: No. 1 Stella Largent, pictured in a game earlier this season, is averaging 10.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game for ACGC this season. Photo by Mark Reno | |
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 | | | No. 5 ACGC advances to district championship with win over Audubon, 57-32 | | | | | | | | By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The No. 5 ACGC boys basketball team (21-2) defeated Audubon (11-12) at home in the 1A-8 substate quarterfinals. ACGC jumped out to a 14-8 lead by the end of the first quarter and didn’t look back. The win sends ACGC into the 1A-8 substate semifinals with a chance to win their district. ACGC will face IKM-Manning (12-11) on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at Audubon Community School. IKM-Manning will look to its leading scorer, Ben Ramsey, if they hope to pull off the upset. Ramsey is averaging 21.7 points per game. These two teams have only played three times since 2010. ACGC came away victorious in the most recent game in 2023, 78-64. ACGC’s current leading scorer, Jathan South, scored 14 points in that game as a sophomore.
PICTURED: No. 1 Tommy Skram guards the Exira-EHK defender during ACGC's 78-45 win on Feb. 17. Photo by Mark Reno | |
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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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 | | | 20 years ago | | | | | | | | From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, Feb. 23, 2005
THE TOPIC IS TOURISM. Bike trails advocate and former Des Moines Register columnist Chuck Offenburger was the guest speaker last week at a meeting of the Panora Development Group PRIDE. He encouraged the organization to focus economic development efforts on the Raccoon River Valley Trail, which runs through the town and is used by some 60,000-100,000 persons annually. | | | | | | | | See more Yester Years | |
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 | | | Lake Panorama couple faces challenges, remains grateful | | | | | | | | By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times, February 2025
We all know people who are so upbeat every time you see them, you wonder what they add to their morning coffee. When you meet a married couple and both partners have that same demeanor, you wonder even more.
Such is the case with Tim and Coop Rickert, who have been Lake Panorama property owners since the fall of 2015.
[...] | | | | | | | | Read the full story | |
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| | Can Brad Sherman defeat Kim Reynolds in the Republican primary race for governor of Iowa?
Submit your answers at the bottom of our website at gctimesnews.com | |
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