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Guthrie Center City Council gives 14 days for nuisance violation to come into compliance

Sep 9, 2025 | News

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council on Sept. 9, Mayor Mike Herbert reported on the city’s determination regarding the Ludwig/Winkleblack nuisance violation status. He said the city consulted with the city attorney for guidance. Renea Winkleblack and Dennis Ludwig Jr. have previously stated that others in the city have similar items on properties on a trailer and/or under a tarp, and those properties are not being dealt with as violations of the city ordinance.

“Keeping things in the trailer and the back of the truck, it’s our legal counsel that that is not OK,” Herbert said.

“It won’t be a change; it’ll just be further action,” Ludwig said.

The council voted 2-1 to inform the property owner of a 14-day window to bring the property into compliance with the ordinance. Garold Thomas and Ian Steensen voted in favor; Fidel Hernandez voted against.

Streets Department Director Darin Sloss was asked when the city park’s public restrooms will be closed for the year. He said likely around Oct. 1. Sloss also reported on fence repairs needed at the Little League ballfield. He said the repair would cost $3,000. The council voted 3-0 to approve the repair.

City Administrator Kris Arrasmith reported that staffing at New Opportunities has been cut back somewhat because of decreased federal funding. She said New Opportunities continues to operate, but hours may be decreased. She said that anyone coming to donate items can leave them with city staff if the New Opportunities office is closed at a particular time.

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

If in doubt, throw it out?

Sep 9, 2025 | Publisher's Column

Have you noticed how most everything seems to have an expiration date these days? Some are certainly for good reason. Meat. Dairy. Bread. I don’t want to eat or drink those things when they have gone bad. Even so, I am not sure I need a date stamp to help me out. Nature has a way of letting know when meat is rotten, milk is sour or bread is moldy. I doubt if my grandmother ever felt a need for expiration dates on her food items. 

Well, times have changed, and maybe our senses are not as good as generations prior. Maybe. If I do check the expiration date on the carton of milk, I still smell it before I decide whether to pour it on my cereal or down the drain. My olfactory seems to be working just fine. And if I am in doubt, I throw it out.

But, alas, the marketers of the world have discovered our apparent fears of consuming anything that might be considered “old.” We now have expiration dates for beer and soda and even bottled water. Yes, bottled water can expire.  

I had this discussion with some co-workers the other day. I searched up and down a bottle of water for this so-called expiration date, and I proudly showed the bottle and pointed out that it wasn’t there. An observant co-worker then succinctly showed me the fine print that my expiring eyes couldn’t see. I chugged down that bottle of water out of pure vengeance. 

OK, so maybe you agree with the need for expiration dates on bottled or canned drinks, but prepare yourself for these non-food items that we are to believe can also expire and should be replaced:

Toothbrush? Just in case you can’t tell when the bristles fall out in your mouth, the American Dental Association suggests you replace this every three to four months. 

Bath towels? Home health experts say you should replace your towels at least once every two years or when they lose their fluffiness, start to smell or stop absorbing.

Pillows or mattress? Experts recommend replacing your pillows every two years or when they begin to lose shape. And plan to buy a new mattress in six to eight years, or if you notice it is sagging, or if it begins to squeak or make other noises. If you suffer from allergies, you may want to do this even sooner.

Sunscreen? Three years. Sunscreens are required by the FDA to remain at their original strengths for at least that long. Many sunscreens now have an expiration date on the bottle.

Slippers? Six months to a year, depending on how much you wear them. They apparently may be a breeding ground for bacteria, especially if you wear them outside at all and don’t wash them. 

So, my motto of “If in doubt, throw it out” still seems to apply. Meanwhile, let me know of other products with expiration dates that I failed to mention. 

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707

Thompsons make sweet music at Raccoon Ridge

Sep 5, 2025 | News

Gary and Linda Thompson welcome friends new and old to Raccoon Ridge.

Gary and Linda Thompson are in the RidgeRunners band, which plays a blend of country and bluegrass music

 

By Rich Wicks | Panora Times, August 2025

Gary and Linda Thompson live on 40 acres of beautiful timberland near Nations Bridge Park in southern Guthrie County. But, instead of keeping all that beauty to themselves, they welcome others to come enjoy it with them. Gary opened Raccoon Ridge 3D Archery, and the couple later opened Raccoon Ridge Music Hall, at 3281 298th Lane. Because the Thompsons live a mile off the main road, it is a well-kept secret but definitely worth the drive.       

Linda explained that the idea for the music hall came to her from God on a sleepless night. So, the couple built and opened the music hall, which also rents out as a wedding venue or for engagement parties, graduations, fundraisers, reunions and other events. But the most commonly recurring events are the Sunday music jams and dances. The music hall includes seating for up to 200 people, sound and lighting equipment, and a full kitchen. 

“We built it in 2001, right before the Twin Towers fell,” Linda said. “He already had his archery three years before that.” 

The Thompsons now play in a band called RidgeRunners, which plays a blend of country and bluegrass music. RidgeRunners band members include Gary and Linda, Diana Wilson, Al Wilson and Mark Howard. 

Gary grew up playing music.

“I was in a high school band, playing rock and roll,” Gary said.

However, Linda was not initially musical.

“Not me. My family liked music, but nobody played it,” Linda said.

Linda explained that her introduction to playing music came at Gary’s urging. During a music jam at their place, there was a shortage of musicians, so Gary encouraged Linda to learn to play. Although Linda was initially unsure about playing in front of others, she said everyone was encouraging as she learned.

Through the fall months, the music hall maintains a schedule of Sunday afternoon dances. The schedule of bands can be seen at Raccoon Ridge Music Hall’s Facebook page. Upcoming scheduled dances include Aug. 31, Sept. 7 and Sept. 28. The Sunday events run from 2-5 p.m., and attendees are welcome to bring their own snack and beverage, and/or enjoy food provided in the kitchen. Some Sundays ask a $10 admission fee, while others ask a freewill donation. 

“We are so blessed out here, and God has done it, and that’s what we are trying to share. We’ve met so many wonderful people. They come from all over,” Linda said.

Because the Thompsons enjoy their land, music and visitors, they plan to continue what has brought fun and fellowship to so many.

“As long as we can do it, we’re going to do it,” Linda said. n

Panthers host South Hamilton tonight

Sep 5, 2025 | Sports

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

The Panorama football team (0-1) welcomes South Hamilton (0-1) onto its home turf on Friday, Sept. 5. Both teams suffered losses in week one with Panorama falling to ACGC, 40-0, and South Hamilton losing to Saint Ansgar, 59-14. Both squads will want to get back to a .500 record. These teams have faced each other twice before, splitting the series 1-1. South Hamilton won the most recent matchup, 18-15 in 2017. Panorama won the year before, 42-17.

Panorama volleyball eeks out 3-0 win over Madrid 

Sep 5, 2025 | Sports

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

The Panorama volleyball team (1-3) defeated Madrid (2-5), 3-0, for the team’s first win of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 2. While a 3-0 win looks dominant, all three of the sets were closely contested. 26-24, 25-22 and 26-24 in the Panthers’ favor. 

Panorama spread out its kills in this game with eight different players recording at least one. Gracie Recker and Ashley Crees led the Panthers with eight kills each. Hailey Hellman and Nerea Gimeno Perez tied for the team-high in assists with nine apiece. On defense, Recker and Crees again tied for a team-high, this time in blocks, with two. Elah Molloy led the team in digs with 13. Evelyn Hummel was close behind her with 10. Three Panthers tied for the team-high in aces with three each: Hellman, Perez and Hummel. Hummel also had the most successful serves, going 15/16. 

Panorama looks to carry that momentum into next week when the team faces Martensdale-St Marys (3-0) at home on Monday, Sept. 8.