By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the monthly meeting of the Guthrie County Hospital’s Board of Trustees, an item was added onto the agenda for emergency consideration. CEO Chris Stipe informed the trustees that the hospital’s chemistry analyzer machine is not working properly, and a new machine needs to be purchased to replace it. He explained that the machine is used anytime lab work is being done.

 “Even if we ordered this machine today, it’s going to take a month for it to get here, so we’ve got to get this machine fixed,” Stipe said. “We need a part, and we’re trying to get it fixed.”

Stipe added that the machine is essentially at the end of its expected lifespan and has been breaking down more frequently over the past year, which then requires hospital staff to bring specimens elsewhere for analysis.

 “The lab has really been run ragged, taking specimens to Audubon or Jefferson,” Stipe said. “It’s going to keep breaking down, and it is the backbone of what we do.”

Because of the age of the machine, Stipe said it is no longer realistic to consider fixing it and using it long-term. The price of the new machine is $187,600. The trustees voted to approve purchasing the new machine.

Danielle Lauzon provided a quarterly report on the various quality measures the hospital tracks.

 “We have really good scores in our emergency department. We have been above our goal the majority of the year, and then we had a dip in December,” Lauzon said. “We had a few surveys come back that took that score down.”

Lauzon also told of February fundraising events for the hospital.

 “The hospital auxiliary will be hosting bingo again in February on Thursday nights. The meal is from 4:45-6 p.m., and bingo is from 6-8 p.m. at the Activity Center here in town,” she said.

Stipe reported strong revenue numbers for the hospital.

 “Year to date, we’re about $1 million ahead compared to budget,” Stipe said. “We’re tracking pretty good with regard to revenue.”

Foundation Director Dennis Flanery told of upcoming events in the spring and summer, including the Handbags and Bingo event on April 4 and the golf tournament on July 8.

The trustees’ next regular meeting will be Feb. 27 at 4 p.m. The public is welcome. Instructions for attending remotely are shown on the hospital’s website.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The New Homestead, along with the ACGC High School baseball team, is offering a fundraiser meal on Thursday, Feb. 6 from 4:45-6 p.m. at the Guthrie Center Community Building. Cost is $15 and includes ham balls, cheesy potatoes, green bean casserole, dinner roll, dessert and drink. All proceeds go to the ACGC Baseball program. To-go orders are also available. Following the meal, Guthrie County Hospital Auxiliary will offer bingo.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Casey Service Club is holding a chili cookoff and bingo event on Saturday, Jan. 25. Prizes will be awarded in four chili categories: spiciest, best overall, most unique, and people’s choice. Chili entries will be accepted from 4-5 p.m. with a freewill chili feed beginning at 5:30 p.m. Bingo will follow at 6:30 p.m.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Saturday, Jan. 25 from 10-11:30 a.m., the public is invited to Springbrook State Park’s campground gazebo for a “make and take” bird feeder event. Participants will make either a pine cone feeder or a coffee cup suet feeder.

Springbrook Park is located at 2437 160th Road.

Special to the Times Vedette

The force is strong with this one. Pat Moylan bundled up for a walk to Lake Panorama’s south shore on Monday of this week when temperatures were in the single digits with below-zero windchills. “It was a might breezy, but I stayed warm. Lots of layers,” Moylan said.