Special to the Times Vedette

The ACGC All School Reunion committee is having another planning meeting on Monday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. in the library at the high school. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Special to the Times Vedette

Restore Wellness Studio (RWS), a studio that houses multiple independent businesses, was able to give back this year through a “Coin War” with other chamber businesses. The month of October was declared collection month, and a total of $240.84 was collected and donated to Guthrie County Hospital Foundation for breast cancer advancement and treatment. Participating businesses included Tribe Boutique, Panorama Benefits, Bryton Insurance Agency and Restore Wellness Studio. RWS plans to continue a yearly give-back in October for breast cancer awareness.

Below are pictures of the participating businesses with Guthrie County Hospital Foundation Director Dennis Flannery.

Bryson Insurance Agency

Panorama Benefits

Tribe

Restore Wellness Studio

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

With winter suddenly and aggressively upon us, some residents have asked where the City of Panora puts all the snow from the streets. Panora City Administrator Lisa Grossman shared winter/snow information to address that question and others.

According to Grossman, the city piles up the snow at Water Works park, which is across from Lenon Mill Park.

In addition, she reminds residents that no cars are to park on streets or city parking (the area between curb and sidewalk) when snow is falling or 48 hours after snowfall or until plowed. She stated that if the snow is deep enough, it may be two-plus days before they can plow alleys.  

“If you need to get out sooner, you may need to hire someone to clear the snow,” she said.

For sidewalks, the city code says snow needs to be removed within 24 hours after it stops snowing.

 In order to make the most efficient use of available resources, Grossman says the city has established priorities using the assumption that the severity of a storm is not beyond the normal capabilities of the city’s snow removal resources.

“Depending on the nature of the snowstorm, deviations could occur,” she said. The established priorities are as follows:

• Arterials and business commercial alleys, first priority
• All remaining streets including cul-de-sacs, second priority
• City sidewalks and public buildings, second priority
• Parking lots, third priority
• All other alleys, fourth priority

Grossman said plowing alleys is the last priority during snow removal, and that all other priorities will be completed before snow removal will be done in the alleys. No overtime for city employees will be used to plow third and fourth priorities.

The City of Panora’s winter reminders can be found at www.cityofpanora.com/docs/snowCode.pdf.  

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

A regular meeting of the Panorama School Board was held on Jan. 8. The board discussed the North Parking Lot Improvement Project. Final plans were reviewed, and the board approved a resolution to begin seeking bids. The board plans to open bids and select a contractor during the regular meeting of the board on Feb. 12. A public hearing on the project is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 12. The project is expected to begin shortly after the current school year ends in May and is to be completed in August.

In other news, the board noted the following staff resignations for the 2023-2024 school year: Anna Kastner, (football cheer sponsor), Michele Recker (JH softball coach) and Sarah Gilge (wrestling cheer sponsor). The board noted the following resignations for the 2024-2025 school year: Laurie Behrends (early retirement), Carla Church (early retirement) and Miranda Meinecke (elementary special education teacher).

In the “Good News” portion of the meeting, the board heard that three students were selected by Wartburg College to perform in this year’s Meistersinger Honor Choir Festival on Monday, Jan. 22. They are Mary Fett (10th grade), Emme Hardisty (11th grade), and Taylin Woolheater (10th grade).

Panorama Schools will be closed for Professional Development on Feb. 12 and 26.

The next meetings of the Panorama School Board will be a work session Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting on Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Panora P.E.T.S. (Protecting Even The Strays) founder and director Kristine Jorgensen announced the closing of the organization, which has been “helping cats” since 2003. The organization has been located at 114 W. Main St. in Panora. 

“With the start of the new year, it is a good time to assess where we have been and where we are going,” Jorgensen stated in an announcement. “Over the last few months, we were in the process of realigning the shelter’s mission/focus for 2024 to lighten the load since we are primarily volunteer based. Many of us have been volunteering our time for over 10-plus years. However, some recent developments over the past week have changed our plans altogether.”

Jorgensen stated, effective immediately, Panora P.E.T.S. is closed for intake and will not be able to help any future animals in need. Additionally, she stated they will be closing their rescue completely after the cats in their care have been adopted.

“We have many, many wonderful cats and kittens needing families to love and care for them, so please continue to share our posts and if you were ever considering adopting a kitty, now just might be the ‘purrfect’ time,” she stated. 

Jorgensen offered thanks to the supporters over the years.

“We hope you will continue to support us during this difficult transition, and we are so very sorry to all the wonderful people that have adopted and supported us, but we are especially sorry for all the animals that may not get the assistance they need,” she stated.