Special to the Times Vedette

Brian Johnson announced his bid for reelection for Guthrie County Supervisor, District 2. Johnson, a Republican, was elected as District 2 Supervisor in 2022. As a result of reapportionment, Johnson is serving a two-year term and is now seeking re-election for a full four-year term in the 2024 election. Johnson’s district includes Yale, Jamaica, Bagley, the Victory Township portion of Lake Panorama, rural areas in northeast Guthrie County, and select rural areas north and northwest of Guthrie Center. 

“Representing District 2 has been a humbling and rewarding experience,” Johnson said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent the proud communities and rural areas of this district. It was an honor serving as board chair my first year, and I’m excited to continue the important work of Guthrie County. As we begin our budget process, I will advocate for a balance between providing top-notch county services and ensuring the responsible management of property tax dollars. Voters can count on me to advocate for transparency, professionalism, and efficiency in county government.”

Johnson highlighted the designation of EMS an essential service as a top priority for the coming year.

“The issue of EMS is both important and challenging,” he said. “I believe it is our duty to submit a proposal to the voters of Guthrie County, so we can come together and implement cooperative solutions for the good of everyone. I will do my part to help ensure county government provides trusted leadership on this topic.”

Johnson said he has a great deal of pride and confidence in Guthrie County.

“Our county has great potential to not only navigate the challenges we face, but also to grow, prosper and thrive,” he said. “I will continue to be a supporter of economic development initiatives and strategic partnerships that position our communities and rural areas for future success.”

Johnson spent 12 years in education before switching careers and representing a variety of entities at the Iowa Capitol. He and his wife, JoAnn, live at Lake Panorama and are active in the Panora community. They enjoy spending time with their grandchildren, all who live in the area.

In addition to finishing a two-year term on the county supervisors board, Johnson serves on the board of Midwest Partnership; the Policy Committee of Region XII; is a member of Guthrie County 10 Squared Men; a Board Member of Panora Retirement Homes; Member of the Sons of the American Legion; a volunteer and supporter of a number of community projects; and has long relationships with a number of associations, including the Iowa Taxpayers Association and the Iowa Association of Business and Industry.

“I sincerely appreciate all the support these past two years, and respectfully ask District 2 voters for their support in the upcoming 2024 elections,” he said. “I appreciate the opportunity to represent not only District 2 but to also serve for the good of Guthrie County as a whole.”

Special to the Times Vedette

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering two opportunities to learn skills needed to hunt, field dress and cook wild turkey to adults who have little to no wild turkey hunting experience.

In central Iowa, the Learn to Hunt workshop will be held on March 12 and 19 at the Butch Olofson shooting range, near Polk City, from 6-9 p.m. In eastern Iowa, it will be held on March 30, at the Amana Sportsmans Club, near Homestead, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Participants will learn basic strategies for hunting wild turkey, including the proper equipment, where to hunt, safe shooting practices, and how to field dress, butcher and cook them.

“For those interested in the challenge of hunting wild turkey, this program provides a hands-on opportunity to learn the skills and knowledge it takes to do it all yourself,” said Jamie Cook, hunter education coordinator with the Iowa DNR.

Information about the workshops, including costs, specific locations, and registration is available online. 

For the Polk City workshop, go to http://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/Event/ViewEvent.aspx?id=2963

For the Homestead workshop, go to http://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/Event/ViewEvent.aspx?id=2947

Space is limited so early registration is encouraged.

The programs are provided through a partnership with the Iowa DNR and the National Wild Turkey Federation. It is part of a national effort to recruit, retain and reactivate hunters due to the overall decline in hunting and outdoor recreation.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular meeting of the Panora city council on Feb. 12, one of the main topics was the agreement between Panora EMS and the city of Audubon.

The council had a discussion about the Audubon Ambulance and Health Care Transportation Services Agreement. Through this agreement, Panora EMS helps Audubon by transporting patients when able. The trips often involve transporting a patient from Audubon to Omaha, although sometimes the patient is going to a different destination, such as Des Moines. 

“It’s been about 15 months since we started with Audubon, and we are having trouble maintaining staff for that,” Panora EMS Director John DeLavergne said.

DeLavergne said it appears that Panora EMS staff are less likely to pick up shifts because they do not like to go to Audubon. He added that, on average, the Audubon trips create a roughly four-hour timespan in which Panora EMS may be unable to adequately respond to local needs.

DeLavergne’s suggested to alter the agreement so that when a call came in from Audubon requesting transportation, Panora EMS would check for availability of two staff members to meet the request, and then Audubon would be promptly told whether or not Panora could respond.

The city council did not take formal action on the issue at this time, but Mayor Thornberry asked DeLavergne to reach out to Paul Topliff, chief clinical officer of Audubon County Hospital, and discuss the issue, present the proposal, and see if other options could be considered.

Susanne Gerlach of Public Financial Management, Inc. provided the council an update on the city’s finances.

City Administrator Lisa Grossman went over the proposed FY25 budget numbers with the highlight being a proposal to lower the tax levy by $0.33 from $17.38 to $17.05, which she said would be the lowest rate in more than eight years.  

The next regular meeting of the city council will be Feb. 26. Interested persons may attend in person or electronically by visiting the website https://meet.goto.com/cityofpanora or by phone 1-312-757-3121 (Access Code 295-099-701, Audio PIN 220#).

Special to the Times Vedette

With the Lenten season upon us, the fish dinner season is also underway.

The Panora St. Cecilia Knights of Columbus Council No. 11242 will be holding its fish dinner on Friday, March 1 from 5-7 p.m. in the basement of St. Cecilia Catholic Church at 220 N. 1st St. in Panora. The menu will include hand-breaded fish, baked potato or tater tots, coleslaw, lemonade, tea, water and dessert. Cost is $12 for adults and $6 for kids age 8 and younger. Carry-outs are available.

St. Mary Catholic Church in Guthrie Center is planning a fish fry, but the date is yet to be determined due to the high school basketball playoffs.

Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Bayard will not have a fish fry but will have a beef and noodle dinner sometime near Saint Patrick’s Day. Details will be announced soon. 

Special to the Times Vedette

The Guthrie Center cribbage players meet at Guthrie Center Library on Mondays at 8 a.m., at the assisted 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.

On Feb. 14, a total of 11 players participated with Jim Carico, Allen Pierce, Dennis Betts and Kathy Evans each getting a 16. Gary Evans got a 17 and R Klever came up with a 24.

They play for quarters on Wednesday and Friday. For more information, email 58chevy@netins.net.