By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During a special meeting of the Guthrie County board of supervisors at 7 p.m. on July 10, the only agenda item was discussion of the proposed countywide EMS plan. Representatives were on hand from various townships, EMS services and city government.

Board Chair J.D. Kuster explained a map that was posted showing the areas of coverage.

“If you look at the board up there,… down on the right hand side would be orange, and Stuart is covering that area. The yellow, we’re looking at the Adair Ambulance covering that. And the blue would be Panora proposing to cover that,” Kuster said.

Some township residents in attendance asked about the proposed tax and what it would fund. It was explained that the proposed tax would be a countywide tax aimed at providing countywide service as equitably as the supervisors can design it.

Supervisor Steve Smith explained the thinking behind the plan.

“We all live where we live… but you’re not in a glass bubble. You travel, you go places. You have relatives someplace. You have to go shop someplace else,” Smith said. “Hopefully, there will be better coverage for everybody. You’re getting a broader spectrum of coverage for everybody, not just where you live.”

Supervisor Brian Johnson added that a countywide EMS plan would also make Guthrie County more attractive to businesses that may consider opening in the county.

Supervisor Maggie Armstrong shared her opinion that Guthrie County has a unique opportunity in this matter.

“I don’t know if there’s any other county that’s doing what we’re doing, because we have strong services already,” Armstrong said. “This is just a way to make it a little more equal or be more equitable for the more rural areas…that’s our goal.”

No formal decisions were reached, and the meeting adjourned after approximately one hour.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The City of Bagley is looking to fill two vacancies created by recent resignations, according to Mayor Glen Foresman.

“Unfortunately, the city clerk we recently hired resigned, stating the position was not a good fit,” Foresman said. “City Councilmember Lexee Bonus also resigned.”

Both position vacancies have been published in an effort to encourage applicants, and Foresman stated that the City has received interest in each position. Foresman noted that the council seat requires residency in Bagley, but the city clerk position does not.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Casey Fun Days celebration is this weekend. Stacey Wedemeyer, president of the Casey Service Club, explained that the celebration is a longstanding tradition in Casey and that some new additions have been added to the schedule.

“It’s been going on for many years, as long as I can remember,” Wedemeyer said. “The new stuff that we have going on are food trucks. Friday night, we have Los Altos food truck from Stuart, and we have wine slushies, and we have boys and girls club doing dinner downtown. That’s all happening on Friday night. On Saturday, we have wine slushies again, and we have Chick Fil-A and Kate’s Kookies.”

2024 Casey Fun Days schedule of events

Friday Night Downtown Bash July 12

• Bags tournament: Sign-up starts at 6 p.m., tournament begins at 7 p.m.
• Live music by Acoustic Roads – Mandi Michelle and Jeremy Williams, 6-9 p.m.
• Casey Service Club Beer Garden open and food trucks parked downtown
• Burnin’ Sensations 9-midnight at Tin Lizzie’s

Saturday July 13

• 7-10 a.m.: Pancake Breakfast to benefit Tori’s Angels
• 7:30 a.m.: Casey Stampede 1-mile run/walk
• 8 a.m.: Casey Stampede 5K run/walk
• 8:30 a.m.: Bake Sale
• 9:30 a.m.: Kids Parade
• 9:45 a.m.: Little Miss and Mister Casey Contest (preschool to 6 years old)
• 10 a.m.: Distinguished Service Award and Citizen of the Year
• 10:30 a.m.: Big Parade
• 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Methodist Church Lunch
• 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Casey Historical Society and Museum open house
• noon – 1:30 p.m.: Casey Boys Classic Car & Tractor Show
• noon – 4 p.m.: City Park Kids Activities
• 1-2 p.m.: Antique Show
• 2 p.m.: Cake Walk
• 2 p.m.: First-ever 3-on-3 basketball tournament
• 3 p.m.: Magician
• 1-4 p.m. James Biehn at Tin Lizzie’s
• 9-midnight Last Train to Juarez at Tin Lizzie’s

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the July 9 regular meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, the supervisors discussed next steps in the process of working on a countywide plan for EMS service. A meeting is set for July 10 at 7 p.m. at the courthouse with representatives expected from each applicable EMS service (Stuart, Adair and Panora).

There was discussion as to whether the supervisors could (or should) let each township make an individual choice as to which EMS service they would prefer to contract with. Supervisor Maggie Armstrong voiced a concern.

“What I’m concerned about is that we’d end up with a 15-person commission again, to try to make a decision, and I don’t think that’s really what we want, moving forward,” Armstrong said.

The consensus was to hold the meeting on July 10 and see what direction things go.

The supervisors discussed agenda item No. 5 (“Request for Public Records-Robert Rehkemper”).

“I think everybody has seen the letter, so I make a motion to direct the County Attorney and Sheriff’s department to supply the necessary records for that request,” Supervisor Mike Dickson said.

“I spoke with the Sheriff yesterday and made that recommendation to him,” Supervisor JD Kuster said.

There was discussion that this request falls under Chapter 22 regarding what information can be provided and the timeline of such. The supervisors unanimously voted to approve Dickson’s motion.

County IT Administrator Brian Hoffman addressed the supervisors about a password keeper program.

“We’ve had quite a few requests over the past months, with the increased volume of internet access for different vendors and websites and all that we subscribe to,” Hoffman said. “There are all kinds of potential vulnerabilities that we’re trying to eliminate. So, we’re not adding anything new. We’re taking this and integrating it into our technology that we already have in existence.”

Hoffman said with roughly 60 users expected, the plan would cost approximately $2,000 for a year. He added that this represents a 53% discount but said the discount may not be permanent. The supervisors unanimously approved using the program Hoffman proposed.

The next regular meeting of the supervisors will be Tuesday, July 16. The public is welcome. Attendees may participate in person or by calling 323-792-6123 and inputting conference ID 547029216#.