By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the March 24 meeting of the Panora City Council, the councilmembers discussed setting a date and fees for the annual citywide cleanup. The council voted to set the fee at $29 with additional fees for certain specific items. The date will be Friday, June 13. More information on sign-up and fees will be forthcoming.

A public hearing was held regarding the city’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget. No citizens attended, and the council reported hearing no specific input from citizens, so the hearing was promptly closed, and the council then voted to approve the budget as proposed.

City Administrator Lisa Grossman addressed the council regarding the proposed Resolution 25-13, approving a local match for the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program for the Panora Utility Resiliency Project.

“This is in regards to the grant that would put electric utilities underground,” Grossman said. “The federal government has all but canceled the ‘Bricks’ program, so what the State has decided is to run this under their Hazard Mitigation program, so we’re going to submit all the paperwork under that program.”

Grossman also pointed out that the city’s matching funds would actually be lower under the Hazard Mitigation program. The council approved the plan.

Grossman read aloud a brief written request from Mary Dorsett for the city to consider designating Halloween as the official date for trick-or-treating each year. No action was taken at this time.

The next regular meeting of the council will be Monday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m. The public is welcome. Interested persons may attend in person or electronically by visiting the website https://meet.goto.com/cityofpanora or by phone 1-312-757-3121 (Access Code 295-099-701, Audio PIN 220#).

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the April 14 meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, citizen Dennis Ludwig, 301 Main St., voiced his frustration over what he views as inequitable treatment regarding compliance issues.

“I’m just sick and tired of every time, I’m always the one getting hit on these things,” Ludwig said.

Ludwig went on to point out several other properties he believes are in violation of the city’s compliance ordinance, including some councilmembers, but he feels that he is being singled out.

“I’ve got three years of pictures of stuff,” Ludwig said.

After heated discussion, Mayor Mike Herbert asked to calm the conversation.

“You made your point; we get it,” Herbert said. “I understand.”

Herbert also pointed out that this spring, as usual, the city has many properties on the list to address with compliance issues.

Compliance Officer Wes Clark pointed out that any properties that are not in compliance can be submitted for review.

In other news, City Clerk Kris Arrasmith shared an update on the Cameron Flats project. 

“On a good note, we have one of the townhomes at Cameron Flats sold, and I have three people very interested,” she said.

A public hearing was opened regarding the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget. No citizens spoke, and no council members said they had heard input from citizens, so the hearing was promptly closed and the council approved Resolution 2025-07 to approve the budget.

County Supervisor Steve Smith spoke to the council to explain the county’s “letter to intervene” regarding the Summit CO2 pipeline issue. He explained that the purpose of the letter is to assure the county gets “a seat at the table” for discussions on the issue.

The next regular meeting of the council will be Monday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

Photos by Betty Cooper | Special to the Times Vedette

The 2025 Panorama Junior/Senior High School Prom was held Saturday, April 12 starting with the Grand March at the Panorama High School Auditorium. Dinner was held at 6 p.m. at the Panorama High School Atrium with the dance following at The Port. The After Prom activities were held at the high school.

Special to the Times Vedette

A total of 7 players participated on April 11. Bill Sheeder got a 16, Dan Webb got a 20, and Dave Richter got  a 16 and a 20.

On April 14, Wayne Nickel, Allen Pierce, Joanne Zieser and Dan Webb each got a 16. Robert Klever got a 17, and Dennis Betts got a 24. 

The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library on Mondays at 8 a.m., at the New Homestead independent living rec room at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays and at 1 p.m. on Fridays. Organizers say there is always room for more, and they will be glad to teach you how to play. They play for quarters on Wednesday and Friday.