By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Saturday, May 18, hundreds of riders are expected to participate in the second annual Red, White & Blue Cruise through Guthrie County. The event is a fundraiser and honors all veterans and active members of military service.

Robyn Van Zee, president of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 124, provided information on the event and how it came to be.

“The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 124 had this crazy idea back in 2021. We had gone on an Eastern Iowa Honor Flights ride out of Central City,” Van Zee said. “We knew we wanted to do it, too.”

The local group decided to create such an event in Guthrie County to raise funds for veterans and active services members, as well as for local charitable organizations.

“We really had no idea where to start. We pulled our boots up and got to work, and last year was a huge success. It far exceeded our expectations,” Van Zee said. “We were so mind-blown last year, we decided we have to do this again.”

With the profits the American Legion Auxiliary made from Red, White & Blue Cruise in 2023, Unit No. 124 was able to donate more than $7,000 to a variety of local causes and organizations, including three Merit Awards to graduating ACGC seniors, veteran transportation, Little Charger Early Learning Center, Guthrie County Relay for Life, Iowa Service Dogs, Veterans’ Day breakfast, and meal programs at Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center schools.

Van Zee said the ride will happen much as it did last year but with a few additions and improvements.

“We are starting a poker run this year,” Van Zee said.

Registration costs for the event are $25 per person. Those who choose to participate in the poker run will pay an additional $20 and then will receive poker cards at the various stops on the day’s agenda, which include Shootout Saloon in Dexter, Ruby’s Pub & Grill in Stuart, Short’s Place in Menlo, Casey Creamery and Tin Lizzies Sports Bar in Casey, and Blue Goose Tavern in Adair. At the end of the ride, the best poker hand will win cash.

“There will be one prize of $250. The rest of the money that is made from all of the poker run participants will go to the Brushy Creek Honor Flight program,” Van Zee said.

Another addition is that during registration, breakfast will be available, provided on site by the Main Street Guthrie Center organization, to raise funds for their program. The menu will include pizza and cinnamon rolls.

Van Dee explained that the day’s events will begin and end at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds, 408 W. State St. in Guthrie Center, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. The ride will start around 10 a.m. All vehicles are welcomed, and participants can choose whether to travel on paved roads or gravel.

“There’s no specific route.  People can go any which direction,” Van Zee said. “Rain or shine, we ride.”

Upon the completion of the ride, the band Ghost Riderz will play at the fairgrounds.

“That is open to the public. Bring lawn chairs. And Los Altos food truck will be there,” Van Zee said.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the regular meeting of the Panora City Council on May 13, City Administrator Lisa Grossman explained that the city can receive up to three “speed feedback” signs at no initial cost to the city. The solar-powered equipment is expected to cost around $8,000, and the entire initial cost would be covered through a grant program. Police Chief Matt Reising said such feedback signs can be an effective means of addressing speed concerns.

Mayor Curt Thornberry shared DOT data about the average daily number of vehicles heading into and out of town on the main routes, and he said peak numbers during the summer would likely be higher.

Grossman said the equipment would become the property of the city, and it would then be up to the city to cover any repairs or maintenance, but she added there is a five-year warranty. Chief Reising responded to a question about potential recalibration of the equipment. He said that since the equipment will not be used to issue citations, no recalibration is expected to be needed.

The council voted unanimously to submit the application for up to three speed feedback signs to help reduce speeding in city limits.

Council member Roger Dorr brought up a concern regarding the city’s “nuisance” ordinance.

“Is there anything we can do to tighten that ordinance up a little bit?” he asked.

Dorr mentioned residential properties that are not in compliance with the ordinance regarding mowing of grass, and he said some downtown buildings have had crumbling brick pieces fall onto the sidewalks.

Grossman said the city has a process for addressing the residential issues, which is often broadly implemented soon after citywide cleanup. Regarding downtown commercial buildings, Grossman said the best path would be to ask Planning and Zoning to look into any concerns.

A public hearing on the proposed FY 2023-2024 budget will be held in conjunction with the next regular council meeting, which will be on Tuesday, May 28 due to the Memorial Day holiday. The public is welcome.