2 members to be appointed to Yale City Council on Jan. 4

Jan 3, 2024 | News

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Two current vacancies on the Yale City Council are to be filled by appointment. The city accepted letters of interest through Dec. 29. The appointments are set to be made during a special meeting of the council on Jan. 4 at 5 p.m. Those appointed will be scheduled to serve until seats are filled through election by voters in the November 2025 election. The public is welcome at any city council meetings other than occasional special closed sessions.

Supervisors accept bids for Guthrie County pasture and farm

Jan 3, 2024 | News

JD Kuster appointed chair with Maggie Armstrong to serve as vice chair.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Dec. 27, the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular session. The supervisors opened and reviewed seven bids for the Transfer Station pasture and four bids for the County Farm. In each case, the supervisors accepted the highest bid. The board accepted a bid from Kelly Kopaska for $140 per acre for the Transfer Station pasture. The supervisors accepted a bid for the County Farm from Jake and Paige Anderson for $54,848.88. 

The Board also heard from County Engineer Josh Sebern about the funding agreement between Guthrie County and Iowa DOT for the Bridge Repair Project BHOS-CO39(99) – 5N-39.

“Because it is federal funds, the Iowa DOT is the administrator, and we contract with them that we will abide by all regulations,” Sebern said. This agreement was motioned and passed. 

Becky Benton of State Street Insurance addressed the supervisors about the Iowa Communities Assurance Pool (ICAP) renewal. She discussed the many ways that coverage is changing statewide and the reasons. The board voted to approve the renewal as presented.

The supervisors met on Jan. 2 to decide a variety of annual appointments to various boards. JD Kuster was appointed chair of the Board of Supervisors with Maggie Armstrong to serve as vice chair. The supervisors chose to keep the regular weekly meeting schedule on Tuesdays at 9 a.m.

IT Director Brian Hoffman addressed the board about a proposed upgrade to the Public Health door access system. He said the system would be cloud-based, and the total cost would be $10,691, but a grant would pay $10,000 of that, so the county’s cost would be only $691. The supervisors approved the upgrade.

Panora Library offers adult reading challenge 

Jan 3, 2024 | News

A small prize will be given for reading milestones along the way.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Panora Public Library is holding an adult reading challenge Jan. 15 through Mar. 15. During that time, registered readers will be encouraged to “spread their wings” by reading books from the nine categories selected. A small prize will be given for reading milestones along the way. The challenge includes books in nine categories, including:

  • a book about womanhood
  • a book with red on the cover
  • a romantic book
  • an award-winning book
  • a book you’ve been putting off
  • a book you bought for a bargain
  • a book from last year
  • a book about war
  • a childhood favorite

To register, call 641-755-2529 or ask library staff.

Welcome to the digital Times Vedette

Jan 3, 2024 | Publisher's Column

I received a note last week from Steve Delaney, the former publisher of the Times Vedette and the person I bought the newspaper from 18 months ago. He has had special interest in what we are doing with our digital editions and has been supportive. Steve also shared a comment about my column from the Dec. 21 edition that addressed the change. “Change is something you are given at a convenience store,” Steve wrote. “What you are doing with the newspaper is evolving, not changing.” That’s a great point and a great introduction to our first edition of the Times Vedette digital newsletter. Thank you, Steve.

If you are a subscriber to our Daily Umbrella email newsletter, you have a general idea of what we plan to do with this version. The concept is the same, but the content is localized, as you will see here. Government meetings coverage. Obituaries. High school sports. Sheriff’s reports. Club news. Feature photos. Library news. Movie reviews. Yester Years. And more to come. Much more. This is just the beginning.

This newsletter will certainly evolve with new content and information to best suit your needs. We are learning as we go, so please be patient with us, and don’t hesitate to send me your ideas and feedback. I welcome it.

With that in mind, moving forward, you can expect to receive this email during the lunch hour each Tuesday and Friday. This will allow us to cover the Monday night and Tuesday morning government meetings in our Tuesday editions, and the Thursday meetings and sporting events on Friday.

Email, much like most all digital efforts, comes with its share of challenges since not everyone uses the same software or hardware or has the same level of technological skills. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

If you know of others who you think would appreciate this email newsletter, please forward this on to them and encourage them to sign up for their own free issues at www.gctimesnews.com.

Have a great week, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@dmcityview.com
641-755-2115

Randall Laverne Nickel

Jan 3, 2024 | Obituaries

Randall Laverne Nickel, affectionately known as Randy to his friends and family, passed away peacefully in his hometown of Guthrie Center after a courageous battle with cancer. Born to Oliver and Laura Nickel, Randy was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend who left an indelible mark on the hearts of those he touched. Randy’s journey began in Guthrie Center where he was born and raised, and where he attended Guthrie Center High School with the class of 1971. His sense of duty and patriotism led him to join the Marine Corps in 1970, where he started his career during the evacuation of the Vietnam War. Over the years, Randy’s exceptional leadership and dedication saw him rise through the ranks, taking on roles such as Ammunition Tech, Drill Instructor, Company Gunnery Sergeant and, eventually, retiring as a Company First Sergeant in 1990 in Quantico, Virginia.

After a distinguished military career, Randy continued to serve his country as a security manager, special police officer and firearms instructor for the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. His commitment to public safety was unwavering, and he approached his work with the same passion and integrity that he did in the Marines.

In 2005, Randy’s love for his roots brought him back to Guthrie Center, where he became a self-employed carpenter. His craftsmanship and attention to detail were evident in his work restoring historic buildings, contributing significantly to the communities revitalization. His efforts did not go unnoticed, as he was honored with the Main Street Guthrie Center Volunteer of the Year award in April 2018, presented by the Governor in recognition of his dedication to his hometown. Randy was not only a committed serviceman and community advocate but also a successful businessman. Alongside his loving wife Kathleen, he opened a business in 2011, which further demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit and his desire to give back to the place he called home.

Randy’s life was rich with interests and hobbies. He had a passion for restoring old trucks, a testament to his mechanical ingenuity and creative vision. He was also a true master of all trades, a skill he applied to every facet of his life. His two goldendoodles, Rifle and Remmington, were a source of joy and companionship, and his adventurous spirit was matched by his courageous and passionate approach to life.

Randy’s legacy is carried on by his loving wife, Kathleen Nickel; his children, Andria Nickel of Hobe Sound, Florida, Gwen Nickel of Guthrie Center, and Randy (Billie) Lueder, Bridget (Walter) Oba, Beverly (Shanna) Lueder of Oahu, Hawaii, and April (Joseph) Hansman of Waukee. His grandchildren, Layla Greene Devonne Bell, Reef Alban, Tehya Lueder, Randi Lueder, Reese Lueder, Autumn Boyd, Ellamae Boyd and Tate Hansman will miss his guidance and warmth. He is also survived by his brother, Clayton (Lineen) Nickel, and sisters, Della Rutherford and Debbie Waits, as well as many extended relatives and close friends who will cherish his memory. Preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Laura Nickel, and brothers-in-law, Bill Rutherford and Mark D. Waits, Randy’s spirit will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him. His adventurous nature, courageous heart and passionate soul will remain a guiding light for all who loved him.

As we bid farewell to a remarkable man, we remember Randy’s life not with sorrow but with gratitude for the time we shared and the lessons he taught us. His legacy will live on through the lives he touched, the community he helped build, and the memories etched in the hearts of his family and friends. Rest in peace, Randy, your journey was one of honor, love and unwavering commitment, and you will be deeply missed.

Services were Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Twigg Funeral Home in Guthrie Center with visitation one hour prior to services. Inurnment immediately followed memorial services at Seeley Township Cemetery.