TUESDAY, DEC. 10, 2024

Guthrie County Supervisors vote to engage with counsel regarding hazardous pipeline issue

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the Dec. 10 regular weekly meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, discussion was held regarding the option of engaging with Tim Whipple of Ahlers & Cooney for legal representation in the matter of hazardous liquid pipeline permits and regulations. The letter of engagement has been received from the Ahlers & Cooney firm.

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Guthrie Center City Council sets 2025 employee salary increases

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the Dec. 9 regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, the topic with the most discussion was pay increases for city staff. Council members and department heads discussed the advantages of setting a specific dollar amount for increases versus a percentage. Over time, percentage increases will increase the gaps between newer and long-term employee wages, they said. On the other hand, increases using an across-the-board dollar amount, over time, decreases the comparative incentive and reward for long-term employees.

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Panora City Council sets committees for 2025

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular meeting of the Panora City Council on Dec. 9, the councilmembers reviewed various dates related to budgeting for the upcoming fiscal year. Also listed were the updated council committee assignments, which include:

• Electric: Tom Flanery, Mark Sheeder
• Public Safety/EMS Advisory: Brian Dorsett, Blake Michelsen
• Public Works: Tom Flanery, Mark Sheeder
• Water & Sewer: Roger Dorr, Blake Michelsen
• Community Center/Vets/Parks: Blake Michelsen, Mark Sheeder
• Finance: Brian Dorsett, Roger Dorr\
• Personnel: Brian Dorsett, Roger Dorr

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By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Each year in December, the Guthrie Center Volunteer Fire Department selects officers for the upcoming year. The 2025 officers are as follows:

• Fire Chief, Cory Campbell
• 1st Assistant Chief, Brady Langgaard
• 2nd Assistant Chief, Derek Betts
• President, Brandon Schreiber
• Vice President, Brandon Peterson
• Sergeant at Arms, Justin Downing
• Chief of Police, Cameron Hester
• Secretary/Treasurer, Erica Finster (not pictured)

By Susan Thompson | Times Vedette

Spring-like temperatures this past Sunday resulted in good participation in the annual holiday tour of homes sponsored by Women for Panora’s Future (WFPF).

A total of $2,000 was raised through sales of both tour and raffle tickets. This matched the amount raised in 2023 with both years representing the most money ever raised by the home tour. Four homes and two businesses opened their doors to guests this year.

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Guthrie County Hospital outperforms budget

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Dec. 2 regular monthly meeting of the Guthrie County Hospital Board, the trustees reviewed budgetary data showing overall positive results.

According to CEO Chris Stipe, “Bottom line, we are outperforming our budget by more than half a million dollars thru October. Our bottom line after four months of the fiscal year is $1.1 million, compared to a budgeted $586,000. This includes contributions to the Foundation, tax proceeds and 340B proceeds. Cash continues to be strong with days cash on hand at 216.”

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Area Christmas Eve services

Special to the Times Vedette

ADAIR:
First Presbyterian Church – 5 p.m.
405 Audubon St.
United Methodist Church – 5 p.m.
404 Cass St.

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Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards discuss steps to consolidation

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Dec. 2, the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards met jointly for a work session to discuss proposed consolidation of the two districts into one.

Superintendent Josh Rasmussen said he had consulted with Ahlers & Cooney (legal counsel for the districts), the Iowa Department of Education, and Heartland AEA for guidance on the process for reorganization of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center School Districts. The boards discussed the timeline and the petition that will need to be completed before an official election can be scheduled.

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Panora businesses to hold holiday open houses

Special to the Times Vedette

A number of Panora businesses have holiday open houses scheduled for Friday, Dec. 13 and will offer specials and/or provide goodies. Those listed so far include: 

• Restore Wellness Studio, 102 S.E. 13th, 2-6 p.m., pop-up businesses in the group space, grazing boards and holiday punch
• Reshape Fitness Studio, 102 S.E. 13th, 2-6 p.m., pop-up businesses in the group space, grazing boards and holiday punch
• Exit Realty, 108 E. Main St., 1-4 p.m., cookies and hot chocolate
• Sunset Realty, 218 W. Main St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., cookies and drinks
• Panorama Daycare Center, 1301 E. Church St., 5-7 p.m., tours and refreshments, cookies and hot cocoa bar
• Iowa Trust and Savings Bank, 120 E. Main St., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., cookies candy and drinks
• Guthrie County State Bank, 505 E. Main St., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Panora Chamber hosting multiple upcoming events

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Panora Chamber of Commerce encourages the public to take note of several upcoming events.

• The Chamber is holding a membership drive for 2025. Any renewing or new memberships are encouraged to join by Jan. 15 so all members can be listed and displayed at the Feb. 1 Community Celebration Gala.
• Bingo Night at Lakeside Village (2067 Highway 4 in Panora) will be Thursday, Dec. 12 from 6-9 p.m.
• Holiday Business Open Houses will be on Friday, Dec. 13.
• Santa’s Workshop will be Saturday, Dec. 14 from 8:30-11 a.m. at the Panora Community Center, 115 W. Main St. A freewill offering pancake breakfast will be held, along with cookie decorating and other crafts.
• The Community Celebration Gala will be Saturday, Feb. 1. Individual tickets will be sold for $60 per person. Sponsorships are available at $250, $500 or $1,000.

For more information on any of these events, visit www.panorachamber.org or the Chamber Facebook page.

Santa coming to Jamaica and Bagley on Saturday

Special to the Times Vedette

Santa Claus will be making the trek to the Jamaica Fire Station, 509 Railway St., on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. to hear from all the boys and girls.

Santa will then visit the Bagley Fire Station, 201 Main St., on the same day at 5 p.m.

Bring your lists!

Guthrie Center Wonderland Craft Fair will be held Saturday

Special to the Times Vedette

The Guthrie Center Wonderland Craft Fair is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14 at The Guthrie County Fairgrounds, 408 W. State St. in Guthrie Center, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate the holidays with a free will donation lunch including walking tacos and dessert. Enjoy taking pictures with Santa from noon to 2 p.m. A variety of crafts such as candles, quilts, handmade ornaments, tumblers, jewelry, wooden crafts, and more will be offered.

Experience holiday fun all around Guthrie County

Special to the Times Vedette

Many holiday traditions and events are upcoming in the Guthrie County area. Here is a partial listing:

Saturday, Dec. 14
Santa’s Workshop at Panora

• 8:30-11 a.m.: Freewill offering pancake breakfast
• 9-10:30 a.m.: Camp Candycane crafts

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The Great Santa Send Off in Guthrie Center on Christmas Eve

Special to the Times Vedette

The Guthrie Center Fire Department is bringing back the Great Santa Send Off on Christmas Eve starting at 6 p.m. The fire department will bring Santa on a parade route starting at 6 p.m. at the fire station. Santa will then make a loop through the lighted city park and through the streets of Guthrie Center. Those who may not be on the parade route, or live outside of Guthrie Center, can park in the swimming pool parking lot and give Santa a big wave as he passes by.

LPA alerts members to ‘probable outbreak’ of bird flu in goose population

Special to the Times Vedette

On Dec. 9, the Lake Panorama Association (LPA) notified its members of a probable outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu) in the local goose population.

The email bulletin stated, “While the situation is unfortunate, we appreciate your support in helping us manage it. If you find a dead goose, please double-bag the carcass and dispose of it in the trash. Always wear gloves while handling dead birds and avoid direct contact. It is also important to keep dead birds and carcasses away from pets to prevent potential health risks. LPA, nor the DNR (Department of Natural Resources), has the staff or capacity to dispose of all the birds that may succumb to this virus. Members are not obligated to dispose of the birds, as nature will eventually take its course.”

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Cribbage results from Dec. 6 and Dec. 9

Special to the Times Vedette

On Friday, Dec. 6, a total of 10 players participated.

• Bob Batschelet - 16
• Bill Sheeder - 17
• Chet Vaughan - 16
• Robert Klever - 16
• Alan Pierce - 16
• Kathy Fielmeyer - 16
• Sandy Rumelhart - 16
• Dave Richter - 16
• Dan Webb - 24

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More than 100 calls this week including Guthrie County Deputy and Stuart Police assisting Iowa State Patrol with a pursuit; Guthrie County Deputy responding to a report of suspicious activity in rural Dexter; and Guthrie County Deputy performing a welfare check after multiple abandoned 911 calls in rural Panora.

12-2-24

• 9:17 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy provided a notification in Casey

• 11:14 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a theft

• 12:03 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Guthrie Center

• 12:25 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served civil papers in Guthrie Center

• 2:49 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in Guthrie Center

• 3:45 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a complaint from Bayard

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By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

Panorama boys basketball (1-2) lost its home matchup with Madrid (3-0), 75-42, on Friday, Dec. 6. AJ Draper had a solid game for Panorama despite the final score. Draper led the team in points with 11, rebounds with 7, assists with 3 and steals with 2. Jaxson Stauffer joined Draper in double figures with 10 points.

PICTURED: No. 2 AJ Draper soars for the layup. Draper had a team-high 11 points against Madrid on Friday, Dec. 6. Photo by Betty Cooper

Panorama drops game against Greene County, 61-45

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

Panorama boys basketball (1-3) lost at home to Greene County yesterday, Dec. 9, 61-45.

Panorama to face Earlham away from home tonight

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

Panorama boys basketball (1-3) will travel to Earlham (2-0) tonight, Dec. 11. Earlham won last year’s contest, 56-53. The Panthers will be looking to bounce back after back-to-back losses. Earlham has won both of its first two games by double digits.

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

Panorama girls basketball (4-0) defeated Madrid (2-2) at home to continue its early-season winning streak on Friday, Dec. 6. Morgan Crees continued to lead the team in scoring and earned herself a double-double in the process. Crees scored 17 points, going a perfect 6/6 from the free-throw line with 10 rebounds and five steals. Arilyan Steenblock had a double-double on the night as well. She scored 11 points and collected 10 rebounds. Freshman Ruth Fett flirted with a double-double as well, contributing nine points and eight rebounds to the Panthers’ win. Panorama’s next game is tonight, Dec. 10, away from home against Earlham (1-1).

PICTURED: Morgan Crees takes a shot at a game earlier this season. Photo by Betty Cooper

Panorama girls compete at Woodward-Granger Wrestling Invite

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

Panorama girls wrestling took to the mat during the Woodward-Granger girls wrestling invite on Friday, Dec. 6. Eleven Panorama wrestlers competed at the meet and all but one came away with points. Four Panthers had third-place finishes: Gracie Recker (155) earned falls over Alejandrina Villanueva of Southwest Valley, Ella Wilson of Woodward-Granger and Olivia Chapman of Osage. Emma Walker (170) earned falls over Claire Thompson of Boone, Kelsey Moats of Woodward-Granger and Addison Schenker of Osage.

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By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

Panorama boys wrestling competed at the Treynor Cardinal Boys Wrestling Invite on Saturday, Dec. 7. Five Panthers placed at the meet, with three winning their weight classes. Joel Cooper (285) defeated Jayden Beckman of St. Albert and Jacob Kraft of Kingsley-Pierson on his way to the first-place match, winning his matchup against RJ Dishong of Griswold by fall. Will Knapp (150) defeated Justice Garvis of Woodbine and Ethan Konye of Lawton-Bronson on his way to the first-place matchup. He would defeat Camden Johnson of Omaha Buena Vista by fall. Laine Christe also placed first, although information was not yet available. Blake Schwartz (165) defeated Noah Jedlicka of Treynor and Layne Thomas of Woodbine on his way to the first-place match. 

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PICTURED: Blake Holman at the Treynor Wrestling Invite. Photo by Betty Cooper.

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

ACGC basketball (2-0) earned a blowout win over Woodward-Granger (0-2) on Friday, Dec. 6. The Chargers were slow out of the gate, trailing by three at the end of the first quarter. That wouldn’t last long as ACGC would outscore the Hawks 29-14 in the second quarter to take a 12-point lead into halftime. ACGC would dominate the second half, leading to the 31-point win. Jathan South contributed heavily to the win. South scored 36 points while going a perfect 10/10 from the free-throw line. Three other Chargers also hit double digits in scoring, Payton Policky with 14, Noah Kading with 13 and Joe Crawford with 10. Policky had another big night on the glass, collecting 16 rebounds to earn the double-double. Kading added six assists and six steals to his point total. The Chargers will have their hot start tested against a solid Van Meter (2-0) side tonight, Dec. 10, at home. Van Meter also won both its first two games by wide margins, similar to ACGC. Also of note, ACGC has not beaten Van Meter since 2013.

PICTURED: No. 3 Jathan South defends the Woodward-Granger player at mid-court. South had a game-high 36 points and is currently averaging 25.5 points per game. Photo by Mark Reno

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

ACGC girls basketball (3-0) earned its third straight win after defeating Woodward-Granger at home on Friday, Dec. 6. ACGC spread the wealth on offense, on the boards and on defense. Camdyn Richter led with 17 points, Stella Largent scored 14, Shay Lemke added 11, Becca Littler had eight and Karli Kautzky contributed four. Three Chargers had five or more assists, Kautzky with five, Littler with six and Lemke with seven. Three Chargers had six rebounds, tied for the team high, Littler, Largent and Lemke. And six Chargers produced two or more steals.

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PICTURED: No. 32 Camdyn Richter chases the loose ball against Woodward-Granger on Dec. 6. Richter had a game-high 17 points in the ACGC win. Photo by Mark Reno

Fuller takes 2nd, ACGC competes at Dennis Field Invitational

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

ACGC boys wrestling traveled to Woodward-Granger High School to compete in the Dennis Field Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 7. Several Chargers placed at the meet. Michael Fuller (215) lost to Kane Mahler-Moreno of Woodward-Granger in the first-place match, earning him second place. Lane Stringer (150) defeated Louden Plumb of Des Moines Roosevelt by fall in the third-place match to earn third. Jackson Pfrang defeated Courage Lowah of Des Moines North-Hoover to place fifth. Blaise Tallman placed sixth by defeating Mateo Phanfil of Roosevelt. 

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ACGC High School lunch menu

ACGC Pre-K - Junior High lunch menu

Panorama schools lunch menu

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, Dec. 7, 1994

ISN'T HE SILLY? Talking to Santa Claus should be serious business, according to Alan Beattie, who isn't sure how to react to some good-natured ribbing by the jolly old man.

By Susan Thompson | Panora Times, November 2024

Scott and Trish Hart live fulltime at Lake Panorama in their home tucked into Andrew’s Cove. Trish, a photographer who specializes in celebrating outdoor scenes, snapped photos of colorful pumpkins at Deal’s Orchard near Jefferson.

Pumpkins are a symbol of the fall season, showing up in decorative displays, baked goods, special coffees and more.

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Why is E the only letter in the alphabet to get Christmas presents?

Because the rest of the letters are not-E!

When was the last time you played the board game Monopoly?

• In the last month
• In the last year
• 2-5 years ago
• More than five years ago

Submit your answers at the bottom of our website at gctimesnews.com

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