TUESDAY, FEB. 25, 2025

Supervisors discuss ways to trim expenses

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, the supervisors had lengthy discussion regarding the upcoming fiscal year budget. The main topic was seeking ways to trim expenses.

County Auditor Dani Fink summarized the information she provided on the proposed budget.

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Panora City Council discusses budget, sets hearing

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the Feb. 24 meeting of the Panora City Council, the councilmembers discussed the proposed budget and set a public hearing on the matter for Monday, March 24 at 5:30 p.m., immediately prior to the regular council meeting on that date.

The council voted unanimously to approve a 3% pay increase for all city employees.

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Guthrie Center City Council lowers speed limits on Bluff and School streets

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the Feb. 24 meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, the second reading of the proposed ordinance to lower the speed limit on Bluff Street and School Street from 35 mph to 25 mph was held. No councilmember indicated hearing significant feedback against the proposed change.

Councilmember Garold Thomas said he is in favor of the change, for safety reasons, especially for Bluff Street.

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By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

Few people can truly understand the emotions of a mother watching her child compete on a wrestling mat, unless you are one — or you have sat next to one.

Being in the bleachers is one thing. Being matside is quite another. We have been fortunate to have Betty Cooper shooting the high school wrestling matches this year, including those of her son, Joel, who wrestled in the state tournament for Panorama High School this past week.

Betty is pictured here giving and receiving a big hug from Joel after his last match at Wells Fargo Arena.

“I made incredible memories that I will always hold dear to me,” Betty told me.

And her photos have provided incredible memories for the wrestlers and fans, too.

Thank you, Betty!

Special to the Times Vedette

Chris Arganbright of the Bryton Insurance Agency in Panora delivered a $26,676 check to City of Panora Administrator Lisa Grossman. This is an Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) safety group dividend paid back by participating in the EMC Insurance Companies insurance program for cities. Total dividends returned to participating municipal utilities for 2024 were $7.3 million. The IAMU insurance program is in its 41st year. It is unique in that it returns money to its members for their diligent efforts in safety and reducing losses.

Birthday coffee and cake for Phyllis Wakefield on Feb. 27

Special to the Times Vedette

Phyllis Wakefield will be celebrating her 95th birthday on Monday, March 3. Art on State/Guthrie County Arts Council will be having a coffee and cake for her on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. Bring her a card or just stop in to give her well wishes. Art on State is located at 320 State St. in Guthrie Center.

Jamaica Library to hold membership drive

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to noon, the public is invited to come to the library to enjoy a light breakfast and join the Friends of the Jamaica Library. A $5 yearly membership will pay for programming for all ages, special events and services to benefit the community.

The Jamaica Public Library is located at 316 Main St. in Jamaica.

Cribbage results from Feb. 21 and Feb. 24

Special to the Times Vedette

A total of 10 players participated on Feb. 21. Alan Pierce, Jim Carico and Deb Kiefer had 16. Clint Malbon went ahead with a 20 and 24.

A total of nine players participated on Feb. 24. Rhonda Titus got the high score of 34. Wayne Nickel got a 16.

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More than 85 calls this week including Guthrie County Deputy checking on a suspicious vehicle in rural Casey; Guthrie County Deputies responding to a harassment complaint in Guthrie Center; and Guthrie County Deputies conducting a traffic stop in rural Bagley and arresting one individual.

2-17-25

• 7:22 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy picked up a prisoner in Adams County

• 9:19 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Bayard

• 9:37 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to an alarm in Guthrie Center

• 3:02 p.m. Stuart Police assisted a motorist

• 3:15 p.m. Panora Police responded to a traffic complaint

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By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

Joel Cooper (285) was the last remaining Panorama wrestler heading into Friday, Feb. 21, at the IHSAA state wrestling tournament in Des Moines. Cooper lost to Jacob Bishop of Hinton in the consolation fourth round, 3-0.

PICTURED: Joel Cooper (285) competed in the consolation fourth round at the IHSAA state wrestling tournament on Friday, Feb. 21. Photo by Betty Cooper

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

Gavin Sloss (126) was the final Charger competing at the IHSAA state wrestling tournament heading into the second to last day of the competition on Friday, Feb. 21. Sloss lost by decision, 4-2, against Blake Irvine of Don Bosco in the consolation fourth round.

PICTURED: Gavin Sloss (126) competed in the consolation fourth round at the IHSAA state wrestling tournament on Friday, Feb. 21. Photo by Betty Cooper

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

No. 5 ACGC (21-2) 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. Besides Ramsey, the Wolves’ scoring options are limited. ACGC, on the other hand, has four players averaging double digits: Jathan South at 19.1 ppg, Noah Kading at 14 ppg, Payton Policky at 13.9 ppg and Joe Crawford at 11.9 ppg. 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 crop of seniors were featured in that game. As sophomores, South scored 14 points, Policky grabbed six rebounds and Kading dished out six assists.

PICTURED: No. 2 Joe Crawford and No. 3 Jathan South rise up to protect the rim against Audubon on Thursday, Feb. 20. Photo by Mark Reno

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

The No. 13 ACGC girls basketball team defeated Central Decatur (14-9) at home on Friday, Feb. 21, to advance to the Class 2A Region 1 championship game. ACGC took an early 22-9 lead by the end of the first quarter and did not look back. Four Chargers reached double digit scoring in the game. Shay Lemke led with 16 points, adding five assists, four rebounds and four steals. Karli Kautzky scored 15 points with three steals. Becca Little and Camdyn Richter scored 11 points each. Little nearly had a double-double with nine steals. Richter was close behind with seven steals. ACGC’s defense was a huge factor in the win.

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PICTURED: No. 14 Shay Lemke attempts a floater in the lane against Earlham on Feb. 18. Photo by Mark Reno

More than just books

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

Library lovers, while many of you are lovers of fiction, it probably is also good to read up on current events and nonfiction occasionally. For example, you might want to take a few minutes and read a couple of the proposed bills that, if passed, will impact the way our public libraries operate in Iowa.

These bills are presently at the subcommittee stage. HF284 and SF238 are companion bills in the House and the Senate that are focused on taking away Enrich Iowa funding for libraries that pay dues to organizations that engage in advocacy work — such as the Iowa Library Association.

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ACGC High School lunch menu

ACGC Pre-K - Junior High lunch menu

Panorama school lunch menus

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.

From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, Feb. 6, 1975

LIONS PORTION. Wayne Clark of Guthrie Center, district governor of the Iowa Lions Club, displays a portion of more than 200 eyeglasses collected in a week by Guthrie Center Lions. The glasses will be given to preserve eyesight of deprived persons in the U. S. and around the world. Glasses can be deposited at the bank, Iowa Electric or the newspapers.

By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, February 2025

Donna Benton of Guthrie Center likes to collect things, and one item is particularly meaningful.

“As you can see, I am a collector, and I do like to decorate for the seasons. But the cardinal collection actually started a long time ago. My mom passed away in 1998, and, after that, occasionally my sister and I would share something cardinal, like at Christmas time or whatever. She always said that, if you see a cardinal, that means an angel is near,” Benton said. “So, over the years, I started collecting cardinals from there.”

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Can Brad Sherman defeat Kim Reynolds in the Republican primary race for governor of Iowa?

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