By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

The Panorama boys track and field team made improvement strides at the Ram Early Bird meet on Friday, April 5.

Several Panther athletes found themselves on the podium. Braylon Dawes took home the gold in the high jump, Noah Poldberg earned bronze in the 800- and 3200-meter runs, and Ashton Hutchins also took home a bronze medal for his effort in the 200-meter dash.

“From a team perspective, this was the best overall performance we have had in my time here,” said head coach Bruce Dahlhauser. “Everybody on our team stepped up and chipped in to score in nearly every event of the night.”

The celebrations from teammates cheering on their teammate’s performances did not go unnoticed by Dahlhauser.

“Our kids were supporting each other and celebrating successes no matter how big or small they were. As coaches, we are extremely proud of the way we represented Panorama on Friday. Our kids deserve all of the credit as they continue to build this program up,” Dahlhauser said.

FULL PANORAMA RESULTS

 

100-meter dash:

• Ashton Hutchins placed fourth in 12.07
• Jaysen Stagg placed 28^th in 14.02
• Bryce Dawes placed 29^th in 14.03

4×100 meter relay:

• Panorama placed ninth in 49.11

110-meter hurdles:

• Austin Wagner placed ninth in 19.35

Shuttle hurdle:

• Panorama placed seventh in 1:15.95

200-meter dash:

• Ashton Hutchins placed third in 24.26
• Bryce Dawes placed 29^th in 29.21
• Jaysen Stagg placed 30^th in 29.28

4×200 meter relay:

• Panorama placed seventh in 1:43.77

400-meter dash:

• Gabe Wagner placed 15^th in 1:00.66
• Cooper Jordan placed 24^th in 1:10.47

4×400 meter relay:

• Panorama placed sixth in 3:53.53

400-meter hurdles:

• Syler Shaffer placed fourth in 1:01.13
• Dylan Donovan placed 15^th in 1:13.61

800-meter run:

• Noah Poldberg placed third in 2:12.36
• Laytyn Ashworth placed fifth in 2:13.51
• Aden Rochhotz placed 20^th in 2:35.63
• Gryffin Burchfield placed 22^nd in 2:38.01

4×800 meter relay:

• Panorama placed eight in 11:00.83

800-meter medley:

• Panorama A placed seventh in 1:46.00
• Panorama B placed 14^th in 1:54.81

1600-meter run:

• Zach Hayden placed 18^th in 5:55.30

3200-meter run:

• Noah Poldberg finished third in 10:46.72

 

Distance medley:

• Panorama placed fifth in 3:59.45

 

Discus:

• Cristian Monrroy-Nunez placed sixth throwing 110-10
• Dean Gordon placed 21^st throwing 80-00

High jump:

• Braylon Dawes placed first jumping 6-02.00

Shot put:

• Cristian Monrroy-Nunez placed ninth throwing 39-02.50
• Dean Gordon placed 16^th throwing 34-06.00
• Gage Thorn placed 27^th throwing 26-06.00

The Guthrie County Arts Council currently has about 130 members and roughly 30 contributing artists, with most from Guthrie County.

By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times

Most every community strives to foster an environment in which the arts are celebrated and where residents and visitors have plentiful opportunities to experience art. Art on State is the name of the storefront operated in downtown Guthrie Center by the Guthrie County Arts Council, and it is working to excel in that effort.

“It is a retail outlet for artists to sell their creations,” volunteer Ruth Owen said. “It’s staffed by volunteers and supported by the Guthrie Center Development group.”

Debbie Menning, another volunteer, pointed out how this arrangement benefits the various artists.

“Rather than artists having to, every weekend, pack up their art and go to a show somewhere, it’s kind of like a 12-month art show,” Menning said. “Their work is consigned, and we have no paid employees except one student intern.” 

The Guthrie County Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The overhead and other expenses are paid through a $35 annual membership fee and the consignment revenues at the store.

Menning pointed out that the store has a “Kids Corner,” in which the artwork of elementary students is displayed. The store also offers coffee and treats for art lovers to enjoy while browsing the displays, which include paintings, pottery, candies, soaps, baskets, furniture, honey and more.

“I would like to get some of the high school students’ art here, too, because they do amazing work,” Owen said.

Phyllis Wakefield, who also volunteers at Art on State, told of a significant achievement by the Arts Council. 

“One of the biggest things that we did was the Freedom Rock. I had read in the paper about an artist who was doing a rock in every county in Iowa… but you had to pay him $1,000 to hold your spot,” Wakefield said. “We didn’t have $1,000, but we got it.”

The Guthrie County Arts Council currently has about 130 members and roughly 30 contributing artists, with most from Guthrie County. The current storefront, 320 State St., has been in use for the past seven years.

“We always welcome new artists and new volunteers and new members,” Wakefield said. “And you don’t have to be an artist to be a member.” 

Residents wanting to participate must sign up and prepay $27.50 per household at City Hall by June 7.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the April 8 regular meeting of the Panora City Council, the councilmembers formally approved plans for the 2024 citywide cleanup, which is scheduled for Monday, June 10. Resolution 24-14 was unanimously approved, which spells out the guidelines for the event.

All residents wanting to participate must sign up and prepay at City Hall by Friday, June 7. The basic fee is $27.50 per household. Beginning June 10, items are to be placed at the end of the property’s driveway or on the curb for pickup.

A number of specialty items are allowed at additional cost and only with a prepaid sticker. These include appliances, computers, TVs, other electronics, vehicle tires and rims. A detailed cost listing is available at City Hall.

Items not accepted include vehicles, paint, chemicals, yard waste and construction material.

The city council approved the police department to order a 2024 Dodge Durango PPV from Stew Hansen Dodge at a listed price of $38,580. The vehicle cost will be paid from the FY 2024-2025 budget.

Councilmember Mark Sheeder asked about additional costs for the new vehicle. City Administrator Lisa Grossman said the list price is only for the vehicle, and various equipment will need to be purchased and installed. She added that the city will sell the old cruiser.

“Does some of the equipment from his cruiser come out and go into the new vehicle?” asked Sheeder.

Grossman said as much of the current equipment as possible will be transferred from the old cruiser into the new vehicle.

Grossman also updated the council on expected timeline for finishing up the Jackson Street project. She said the estimated starting date is April 9.

“They’ll start to do driveways and grinding and fixing the concrete issues…we’re looking at probably asphalt toward the end of the month,” Grossman said.

A public hearing was set regarding the city’s proposed FY 2024-2025 budget. The hearing will be at 5:30 p.m. on April 22, immediately prior to the next council meeting. The public is welcome at all meetings other than occasional special closed meetings as allowed by law.

Event to be held around Father’s Day in June and coordinated by city staff.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Prior to the regular Guthrie Center City Council meeting on April 8, a public hearing was held regarding the proposed property tax levy for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. No members of the general public were in attendance, so the hearing was closed.

During the regular meeting of the city council, a public hearing was scheduled for Monday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. regarding the city’s 2024-2025 proposed budget. On that evening, the regular council meeting will follow the public hearing.

City Clerk Kris Arrasmith explained that many complaints were voiced from citizens last year when Guthrie Center did not have citywide garage sales. She said the Chamber of Commerce is not leading the event anymore, but city staff have chosen to take over the event, at least for this year. She said the event will be held as usual around Father’s Day in June, and that maps will be posted as the event date draws closer. More information will be announced when details are finalized.

Arrasmith also informed the council of something they might hear questions about.

“April is always the big month on our utility side where we do our public awareness mailing that we are required by the State to do. Utility bills will come out this month in an envelope. It will have all of our public awareness things,” said Arrasmith.

Arrasmith added that information about budget billing will also be included.

As part of the consent agenda, a building/fence permit was approved for 204 S. 5^th St. (Scroggins). The permit allows an addition to the dwelling, plus a small metal shed.

The next regular meeting of the council will be Monday, April 22. The public is welcome at all meetings other than occasional special closed meetings as allowed by law.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Friday, April 12, the Celebrate Guthrie Center event will be held at the Guthrie Activity Center, 209 State St. in Guthrie Center. The event begins with social hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m., catered by Cabbage Rose.

Attendees will hear updates from a variety of local organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, ACGC Schools, City of Guthrie Center, Main Street Guthrie Center, Guthrie Center Area Development, Little Charger ELC, GC Hospital, MJB Library, and the All School Reunion.

Tickets are $20 per person and can be obtained at Guthrie County State Bank, People’s Bank, and Panora Fiber in Guthrie Center.