Majestic moments
Special to the Times Vedette
Photographer Betty Cooper captured these elk images on Sunday at Twin Oaks Elk Farm, 1959 Grant Ave., northwest of Guthrie Center.
Supervisors agree on plans to address bridge engineering work
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
County Engineer Josh Sebern provided an update on the Secondary Roads department to the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. He described two options for meeting the county’s need for engineering work related to the many bridge projects on the horizon. Sebern said the county receives approximately $1 million annually in federal funds for road/bridge projects.
“One would be hiring a professional consultant, which I’ve gotten a quote for. Or advertise, hire and promote from within two positions,” Sebern said.
Sebern also suggested purchasing a drone for bridge review/inspection.
The consensus of the supervisors was to pursue Sebern’s plan to hire from within and to purchase a drone.
Facility Manager Brandon Thompson presented an update on his department. According to Thompson, summer weather and storms have kept his crew busy.
“We’ve been cleaning out the storm sewer inlets; there’s been a lot of debris,” Thompson said. “We’re going to be working on parking lot stripe painting once we get some dry days.”
Supervisor Brian Johnson asked if Thompson still finds 100,000 miles to be a good rule of thumb for when to replace vehicles. Thompson said yes because trade-in values fall more steeply after that milestone is reached.
The supervisors discussed the severe weather policy. The supervisors agreed that the board will make decisions about closing facilities during severe weather events and will consult with applicable departmental staff as feasible.
As part of the consent agenda, the supervisors approved two fireworks permits, for Mark Blomquist and for Rich Boals. Also approved in the consent agenda were the hiring of Mckenzie Laughery as full-time Administrative Assistant in the Sherif’s Department ($55,000 annually), and Synthia McCaughey as full-time Administrative Support Specialist in the Public Health Department ($25 hourly).
The supervisors meet regularly on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend in person or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#.
So Much More Than Books
By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
“Amazon is doing four days of deals. Walmart is doing six. Target said let’s make it a week. The library? We’ve been serving 100% off every single day. No promo codes. No shipping delays. No buyer’s remorse. Just books, movies, internet, events and air conditioning. Totally free. All year long.” This Facebook meme stirred something in me.
I have long considered libraries the physical manifestation of the First Amendment and the great equalizer in our nation. Throughout history, books have been regarded as luxuries that only the wealthy can access, but because of America’s public library system, this is not the case.
Libraries offer free access to ideas, ensuring freedom of thought and speech. Public libraries allow all people in America to access print and digital materials for free.
Every resident of Guthrie Center can afford a library card because library cards are free. If you have an ID, you can get a library card. And if you have a library card, you can access the world. Not only can you borrow materials from our shelves, thanks to our SILO program, which enables us to share resources with many other libraries around the state, but we often obtain requested material that our library might not own.
Our library allows digital access to everyone. We have computers, tablets and Wi-Fi hotspots available for checkout. If you have a device but no Wi-Fi at your home, the library has free Wi-Fi. With your library card and a cell phone or tablet, you can download an app called Libby that allows free access to thousands of ebooks and audiobooks, as well as digital copies of magazines to borrow.
Our website offers links to digital resources, including Mometrix eLibrary, digital newspaper archives, DOT practice tests, educational resources and government and legal resources.
Additionally, the library provides activities, clubs and programs for all ages. The library is a source for information and ideas, but it is also a safe place to gather. The library is a great spot for play dates and an after-school hangout. It is a place for teens to work on homework or meet up with friends. Adults often find it a comfortable and relaxing spot to spend some time reading a magazine, putting together a puzzle or gathering with friends.
Thanks to people like Benjamin Franklin who is credited with starting the first book-borrowing library in the U.S. and Andrew Carnegie who used his vast fortune from his steel business to build thousands of libraries in the U.S. and around the world, knowledge and resources in the U.S. don’t just belong to people who have the money to purchase them. Public libraries allow all of us to read the latest best-sellers, acquire the most expensive magazines or access digital resources.
One of the programs that our library is providing for our community this week includes the Guthrie STEM Lab on Wednesday, July 16, at 4 p.m. This tween/teen program will be building rubber band race cars. Those who intend to participate are encouraged to go online and pre-register.
Card-making club will meet on Thursday, July 17, from 9-11 a.m.; this program is led by Judi Zimmerline, who will provide all needed materials to make unique greeting cards. Participants are asked to pay a $5 fee to cover the cost of the consumable materials.
At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, Cookbook Club will meet to sample and discuss the recipes from “Every Day with Babs,” this month’s featured cookbook. To participate, stop by the library to choose a recipe and then prepare it and bring it to share with the group.
Story Hour for preschoolers and their caregivers will be on Friday, July 18, at 10 a.m. Blue is the topic of the books and crafts for the week.
The evening book club will meet again on Tuesday, July 22, at 5 p.m. to discuss James McBride’s book entitled “The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store.” If you need a copy of the book, the library has plenty available for checkout.
Cribbage and Bridge Clubs meet from 9-11 a.m. each Monday and Wednesday, respectively. There is no cost, and all are welcome regardless of skill level.
This innovative LEGO engineer created a three-dimensional rainbow.
This LEGO artist created an abstract interpretation of a rainbow.
The LEGO Mania challenge was to use LEGOs to create a rainbow. This guy nailed it.
Guthrie County Swim Club places 2nd in regular season and conference championship
Many of the Guthrie County Swim Club team members met for a post-season swim party on Sunday, July 13. Photo submitted
Special to the Times Vedette
The Guthrie County Swim Club had another successful year, placing second in both the regular season and the conference championship meet. Head Coach Dana Stein stated that the club had 109 swimmers this year, ranging from ages 5 to 18.
“It takes a strong team with great athletes and supportive parents to have the success that this team continues to have year in and year out,” Coach Stein said. “These swimmers are representing this team and community extremely well. We had been the regular season champions the past nine years and conference meet champions the past three out of four years prior to this year. This team continues to amaze me and works very hard.”
The team started practice on the Tuesday after Memorial Day and completed its season on Saturday, July 13.
Ty Thomas was the lone senior this year and has been a leader for the team for more than 12 years. Coach Stein stated that many of the younger swimmers have looked up to Ty for many years.
At the conference meet, the Guthrie County All Stars were awarded medals. All-Star means that they accumulated a certain number of points in each event throughout the season, and All-Around All-Stars accumulated at least 170 points or more throughout the season.
Guthrie County Barracuda 2025 All Stars:
- Isaac Armbecht, 25 Breast
- Graham Clark, 50 Fly
- Meranda Gruber, 50 Fly
- Addilyn Kinman, 25 Breast
- Isabella Stein, 50 Free 100 Free 100 IM
- Sophia Stein, 25 Back 25 Breast 25 Fly
- Cooper Strehle, 25 Free 50 Free
- Ty Thomas, 50 Back 50 Fly 50 Free 100 Free 100 IM
- Cordell Wolfe, 100 Free
All Around All Stars:
- Addilyn Kinman
- Isabella Stein
- Sophia Stein
- Cooper Strehle
- Ty Thomas
- Cordell Wolfe
Coaches this year were:
- Dana Stein – Head Coach
- Tricia Schreck – Assistant
- Ty Thomas – Assistant
- Easton Stringham – Assistant
- Kiera Boals – Assistant
Regular season results:
Guthrie County 410, Sac City 190
Guthrie County 288, Perry 344
Guthrie County 409, Manning 179
Guthrie County 407, Denison 177
Guthrie County 455, Coon Rapids 130
Guthrie County 362, Jefferson 256
Guthrie County 479, Glidden 109
Guthrie County 352, Carroll 255
Motorcycle rear-ends car on Highway 4
Special to the Times Vedette
Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Blake Michelsen reported a car vs. motorcycle accident occurring on July 12 at 12:08 p.m. at the intersection of 180th Street and Highway 4. Dana Scott Rutherford, 63, of Bagley, was operating a 2023 Harley FLHCS motorcycle and rear-ended a 2016 Ford Escape Titanium driven by Sarah Ann Hefel, 40, of North Liberty. The motorcycle came to rest on the east shoulder. Lynn Rae Rutherford, 70, of Bagley, was a passenger on the motorcycle and was transported via Mercy Air to Methodist Downtown. Damage to the motorcycle is estimated at $5,000. Damage to the Ford Focus is estimated at $15,000.