By Rich Wicks

Polling locations for the upcoming June 4 Primary elections are as follows, according to information provided by Guthrie County Auditor Dani Fink.

Bayard Precinct

Bayard Community Center – 400 Main St., Bayard

Highland, Orange, Seely (part of) and Union Townships and Cities of Bayard and Coon Rapids

Casey Precinct

Casey Community Building – 502 Antique Drive, Casey

Baker, Bear Grove, Beaver (part of), Grant and Thompson Townships and Cities of Adair and Casey      

Guthrie Center Precinct

Christian Church Fellowship Hall – 103 N. Fourth St., Guthrie Center

Jackson and Valley Townships and City of Guthrie Center

Panora Precinct

Veteran’s Auditorium – 115 W. Main St., Panora

Cass (part of) Township and City of Panora

Stuart Precinct

Congregational Church – 224 N. Division St., Stuart

Beaver (part of), Penn and Stuart Townships and Cities of Menlo and Stuart         

Yale Precinct

Yale Community Building – 206 N. Main St., Yale

Cass (part of), Dodge, Richland, Seely (part of) and Victory Townships and Cities of Bagley, Jamaica and Yale

Voters can also use the following link to find their polling place:

 https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the monthly meeting of the Guthrie County Hospital Board of Trustees, the trustees heard an update on a fall prevention project from Danielle Lauzon, Clinical Safety and Quality Coordinator. She explained that each clinical department has been working on a goal to help with fall prevention, and that, overall, falls are down from 15 the previous fiscal year, to four so far this fiscal year.

“Even dietary had a project,” Lauzon said. “They put on the trays of patients identified as a fall risk, and it’s a little sticker that says ‘Call, don’t fall.’ ”

CEO Chris Stipe praised the efforts.

“It’s wonderful teamwork, and it’s working,” he said.

Stipe later explained that the hospital needs to select an auditing firm to complete the hospital’s annual audits, since the previous firm has chosen to no longer perform audits on hospitals. The trustees voted to select the firm of Eide Bailly.

Hospital Foundation Director Dennis Flanery told of the foundation’s upcoming events, including the July 9 golf tournament and the 5K color run and bingo on June 1. He added that there will be matching funds given to help with tornado recovery in Greenfield. Flanery also told of teddy bears and first aid kits that the foundation is giving out to help patients and raise awareness of the hospital’s services.

Chief Nursing Officer Sandy Atkinson shared the challenges in getting nursing shifts filled. The trustees discussed options, including offering more pay incentives for current staff to pick up shifts and increasing incentives to help get more nurses hired.

The next regular meeting of the trustees will be June 27. The public is welcome. For information on how to participate in the meeting, visit www.guthriecountyhospital.org.

Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, Zoey Hambleton and Gov. Kim Reynolds.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Two area students, Zoey Hambleton of Panorama Schools and Emerson Van Meter of ACGC, were honored by Gov. Kim Reynolds during the April 28 Governor’s Scholar Recognition ceremony at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. The event is sponsored by the Iowa Farm Bureau Foundation and honored 424 high school seniors from across the state.

Each high school was asked to designate the senior with the highest academic ranking through the first seven semesters of seniors’ high school years. Each of the 424 seniors were asked to name a “most influential teacher.” Hambleton named Anne Masters, while Van Meter named Jennifer Hartwig.

Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, Emerson Van Meter and Gov. Kim Reynolds.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the May 21 regular meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, a public hearing was held regarding the county’s fiscal year 2023/2024 proposed budget amendment. County Auditor Dani Fink provided updated budgetary data. No members of the general public spoke during the hearing.

Supervisor Steve Smith said departments may have to tighten their belts to get through the current fiscal year without exceeding the budgeted expenditures.

“Some things are needs. Some things are ‘I wish I could,’ ” Smith said.

Following the public hearing, the supervisors unanimously approved the budget amendment as proposed.

Becky Benton (State Street Insurance) spoke to the supervisors about insurance and insurance premiums. Regarding the Fiscal Year 2024 Municipalities Workers’ Compensation Association (IMWCA) renewal, she mentioned that, overall, Workers Comp insurance rates are finally coming back down.

Board Chair JD Kuster mentioned he received an email about a possible grant the county could use for work on railroad crossing. He will meet with County Engineer Josh Sebern to consider if the county should pursue it.

As part of the consent agenda, the supervisors approved a payroll change for Cindi Fox (dispatcher), who qualifies for a six-month increase. Her hourly wage will increase from $20 to $26.92. The supervisors also approved a liquor license renewal for The Port.

The next regular meeting of the supervisors will be Tuesday, May 28. The public is welcome. Attendees may participate in person or by calling 323-792-6123 and inputting conference ID 547029216#.