By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Monday, May 26, a ceremony was held outside the Guthrie County Courthouse to honor military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. A crowd of more than 100 listened to the ACGC band and heard speakers talk about the meaning of Memorial Day.

Veterans’ banners are displayed along State Street.

Band Director Kyra Babcock plays “Taps.”

Legion members salute the flag.

A patriotic scene at the courthouse.

American Legion members participate in the ceremony.

Heavy machinery is needed for the airport’s apron project.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Those driving between Guthrie Center and Panora have likely noticed construction machinery at the Guthrie County Regional Airport. Matt Pearey, airport board chair, provided details on what’s happening at the airport.

“The current construction project is the re-paving of the airport apron,” Pearey said. “The timeline, weather permitting, is to have the project completed by the end of July.”

An airport’s apron (also known as the ramp or tarmac) is the area where aircraft can be parked, loaded and unloaded, and serviced.

The total cost of the project, including design and construction, is expected to be around $1.6 million. Pearey explained why the project was needed.

“It began as just fixing the existing ramp, as that concrete was getting to a point where it could be hazardous for smaller aircraft,” he said. “We are actually extending the ramp area further to the south to move the fuel pump station.”

The project is 90% grant-funded, with the airport receiving three federal grants through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).