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Pump up the tires

Feb 9, 2024 | Publisher's Column

With the BRR Bicycle Ride last Saturday, many people are thinking about cycling again — and not just the hardcore riders. A bit of warm weather gets most all of us thinking it is springtime, at least until a February blizzard brings us back to reality. 

Even so, it does feel like it is bicycle-riding weather, at least that is what my wife, Jolene, tells me. She has been an avid cyclist in years past and wants to get those tires rolling again — and she wants me to join her. 

We have the bicycles. We own the gear. We know the paths. But we have differing views of what bicycling is. 

I spent most of my childhood on the seat of my bicycles. I rode them to the swimming pool, to the little league games and to my friends’ homes. My bikes were nothing special, but they were my sources of transportation — and freedom — and riding was so easy. Jump on and start pedaling. I still have that mindset.

Jolene, on the other hand, sees bicycling as a form of exercise with many steps to the process. First, she has to dress in the full uniform with spandex shorts, bicycling shirts, gloves and pedal-locking shoes. Then there are the water bottles (yes, plural) that must be filled with just the right amount of ice and water and placed securely in the metal bottle holders (yes, plural). And then she must air up the tires (every time she rides) to the exact pressure. She then adjusts the seat, cleans the biking sunglasses, straps on one of the assortment of helmets (yes, plural), and she is almost ready to go.

And me? I am sitting on my bike patiently waiting for the right time to ask if she is ready. And, of course, there is no right time to ever ask if she is ready. She will tell me when she is ready. After nearly 30 years of marriage, I am still learning.

It may be a few more months, but on the trails we will go. We hope to see you there. If you need water, just ask Jolene. She will have a spare bottle. 

Thanks for reading.

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

Yester Years

Feb 9, 2024 | Yester Years

10 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie County Vedette, Jan. 30, 2014

GUY POWELL AWARD. At Thursday’s Midwest Partnership annual meeting at Lake Panorama, Dale Grotjohn of Panora, right, was named winner of the Guy Powell Award. It recognizes excellence in leadership and passion for economic development in Midwest Partnership’s 4-county region. Also pictured is Andy Randol, Panora Telco manager, who nominated Grotjohn. Active in a number of activities and organizations through the years, Grotjohn now serves on the TELCO and Lake Panorama RIZ boards.

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20 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, Jan. 28, 2004

LONGEVITY AWARDS. Four volunteers with the Guthrie Center Fire Department were cited at the annual firemen’s banquet for their many years of service. Gary McCool, left, and Bob Secoy, not present, received 15 year awards. David Webber, second from left, was honored for 20 years. Jim Griffith, being congratulated by program chairman Jason Carroll, right, received a ring for his 35 years as a firefighter.

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30 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, Jan. 26, 1994

COOKIE BAKER. No, that’s not her name, just her hobby. Virginia Arrasmith of Guthrie Center likes to bake cookies for her family, especially her 13 grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.

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40 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie County Vedette, Jan. 26, 1984

EXCUSE, PLEASE. Mike Donahey tries to avoid a collision with teammate Brad Pote, who won this rebounding battle at Menlo Saturday. At left is Kent Patterson.

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50 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrian, Jan. 28, 1974

IN THE MIDDLE. Kris Heiland, P-L forward, is caught in a defensive squeeze as Adair-Casey Guards, Emgarten and Lundy, right, do their best to keep her from the basket.

Guthrie County Supervisors continue to seek ways to develop county EMS plan

Feb 6, 2024 | News

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Feb. 6 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, the main topics of discussion were the ongoing efforts and challenges to find a countywide EMS services plan. Guthrie County Health Director Jotham Arber shared the status of proposals and negotiations.

“The only way to push forward here is to get a proposal and then to start working on it,” Arber said. “We’ve gone around about and we’ve done all kinds of things… It’s going to take a collaborative effort.”

Supervisor Brian Johnson voiced a concern about the timeline. He said if there is anything that will need to be on the ballots in the November election, the process needs to start moving soon.

“I would propose we set up a smaller committee,” said Johnson. “We have some really talented people in this county. If we get the right people at the table — and it being five or seven at the max —  we can try to put together a proposal to work with the cities to move forward. Because otherwise, I don’t see any way that we can be successful at the ballot box. It’s getting awful late.”

Supervisor Mike Dickson voiced a concern that a smaller committee might be perceived as not having representation from all interested areas and organizations. No formal action was taken on the issue at this time.

Other news

Brian Hoffman provided an update on the Information Technology (IT) department. He discussed the option of paying for a five-year license extension on both the Verkada door and Verkada panic system that were recently installed. The cost of these extensions would be $2,217 and $2,060. After discussion, the supervisors voted unanimously to purchase the extended licensing.

Jotham Arber provided a budgetary review of the expected revenues and expenses for the Transfer Station budget.

The supervisors unanimously voted to appoint Brenda Dudley to the Enterprise Board.

The supervisors canceled the budgetary meeting originally scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 8.

The next meeting of the Board of Supervisors will be a regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 9 a.m. The public is welcome. Attendees may participate in person or by calling 323-792-6123 and inputting conference ID 547029216#.

Laureen Mills 

Feb 6, 2024 | Obituaries

1954-2024

Laureen (Laurie) Beth Hansen was born Jan. 9, 1954, at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Aurora, Colorado, to Harvey Dean Hansen and Sydna Alberta (Petty) Hansen. She grew up on a farm southeast of Perry. She spent an idyllic childhood playing with her brother, Brian, and her cousins, reading and riding horses.

Laurie graduated from Perry High School in 1972 and from Iowa State University in Food and Nutrition – Dietetics in 1976. She was a clinical dietitian at Iowa Lutheran Hospital, then Mercy Hospital Medical Center, becoming a certified NSP while there. She finished out her career at Iowa Heart Center in the Lipid Clinic.

In 1977, Richard Lee Mills and Laurie were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Perry. To this marriage was born Mark Lee Mills in 1983, Katherine Anne Mills in 1989, and Scott Richard Mills in 1991. Richard and Laurie spent their lives farming and raising cattle on their farm northwest of Redfield. Laurie never lost her passion for flower and vegetable gardening, traveling and riding horses. Her love of nature and all things that God created has been passed down to her children and her grandchildren. Laurie found new passions with her grandchildren like riding the Gator through the farm and pastures, picking up walnuts for Brian’s squirrels, feeding bread to the cows, reading books, planting and picking flowers, and teaching God’s Word. Most of all, her greatest passion was serving and loving others. She was a longtime member of Faith Lutheran Church in Adel.

Laurie was preceded in death by great-grandparents, Jerry and Kate Fredrichsen; grandparents, Carl and Emelia Hansen, and William and Sydna Petty; parents, Harvey and Alberta Hansen; and husband, Richard. She is survived by her children, Mark (Sarah), Katherine (Alan) Kent, and Scott (Taylor); grandchildren, Tate, Reese and Chloe Mills, Lily, Owen and Cole Kent, and Parker and Baker Mills; brother, Brian Hansen (Cindy); and many nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends.

Laurie died on Feb. 1, 2024, surrounded by her children holding her hands. She fought a long, hard battle with ovarian cancer but ultimately won that battle and joined Jesus in Heaven.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, at Faith Lutheran Church in Adel. Funeral Service will take place at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at Faith Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in the West Linn Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family and will be split between Laurie’s favorite local charities, Faith Lutheran Church, ovarian cancer research, and ataxia research, unless specified.

ACGC wins four duals at CAM 

Feb 6, 2024 | Sports

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

The Chargers won all four duals against CAM, Southwest Valley, Griswold and Nodaway Valley on Feb. 2 in Anita.

Against CAM, ACGC won with a team score of 72-12. Charger wrestlers who won their individual matches were Finn Billheimer at 106, Chase Slaybaugh at 113, Tegan Slaybaugh at 120, Gavin Sloss at 126, Ty Ganzer at 132, Tate Fever at 138, Ryder Cline at 144, Blaise Tallman at 157, Jackson Pfrang at 165, Michael Fuller at 190, Carter Richter at 215 and Payton Jacobe at 285.

ACGC beat Nodaway Valley, 54-26. ACGC wrestlers who won their matches were Finn Billheimer at 106, Tegan Slaybaugh at 120, Gavin Sloss at 126, Tate Fever at 138, Ryder Cline at 144, Morgan Nolte at 150, Jackson Pfrang at 165, Michael Fuller at 190 and Jack Sheeder at 285.

The Chargers defeated Southwest Valley, 54-27, in their closest matchup of the evening. ACGC wrestlers who won were Finn Billheimer at 106, Tegan Slaybaugh at 120, Gavin Sloss at 126, Tate Fever at 138, Ryder Cline at 144, Blaise Tallman at 157, Carter Richter at 215 and Payton Jacobe at 285.

The Chargers blanked Griswold, 81-0. ACGC wrestlers who won were Finn Billheimer at 106, Chase Slaybaugh at 113, Tegan Slaybaugh at 120, Gavin Sloss at 126, Charlie Christensen at 132, Tate Fever at 138, Ryder Cline at 144, Collin Stringham at 150, Blaise Tallman at 157, Jackson Pfrang at 165, Brandon Carlson at 175, Michael Fuller at 190, Carter Richter at 215 and Payton Jacobe at 285.