By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Applications are due by Jan. 31 for any organizations wishing to apply for a grant from the Guthrie County Community Foundation. As in previous years, applications may be submitted from nonprofit organizations, governmental entities and educational organizations. Dozens of local organizations received funds in 2025. Funds will help support quality of life in Guthrie County. Details can be found on the website www.guthriecountycommunityfoundation.org.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Jan. 12 regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, Compliance Officer Wes Clark shared details about a noise complaint at the property at 907 Grand St.

“There’s an ongoing neighbor dispute. It’s currently a rented property with nonstop parties, vehicles being worked on. Deputies are well aware,” Clark said. He noted that the issue may require involving the city attorney to address the issue.

Clark also noted the new garage built at 907 Prairie St. He said the structure was not built as approved.

“We had an accessory building put up that didn’t do what he said he was going to do. He put up a canvass structure. I think we’re working toward a common goal, though, of getting that resolved,” Clark said.

Beer/liquor permits were approved for Hometown Foods, Dollar General and Pine Room.

Brenda Dudley addressed the council with an annual update and funding renewal request regarding Midwest Partnership. The council voted to renew membership with Midwest Partnership.

City Administrator Kris Arrasmith shared information on an option to purchase new playground equipment for Mitchell Park. She said the new set would cost about $38,000 with half paid by a grant. She explained this would be roughly the same cost as attempting to repair the current playground set. The council agreed to pursue the option for a new set.

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular meeting of the Panora City Council on Jan. 12, the councilmembers dealt with a request from the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors. The city of Panora is one of nine entities being asked to select a representative to serve on the county EMS advisory council. Each entity is also asked to select an alternate. The Panora council selected Brian Dorsett with Roger Dorr as alternate.

The council held a public hearing on the proposed restated plan for the Panora Urban Revitalization Area. City Administrator Lisa Grossman summarized the requirements for tax abatements.

“You have to make improvements to your property over a certain percentage,” Grossman said.

Grossman noted that all residential properties in Panora are eligible to apply for tax abatements, if qualifying improvements have been made. New properties also can apply.

Brenda Dudley addressed the council with an annual update and funding renewal request regarding Midwest Partnership. She summarized the work of Midwest Partnership as “economic development for Guthrie and Adair counties.” The council approved funding for renewal of membership with Midwest Partnership.

Dudley told of a program called “Hometown Pride,” which would involve up to eight communities working together on a program in their communities.

The council reviewed and accepted the city’s fiscal year 2025 financial audit.

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, Jan. 26 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#).

Special to the Times Vedette

Lisa Carstens of Greenfield was appointed to the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Adair County extension council at its organizational meeting Jan. 5. She fills a vacancy left by Jessica Christensen who resigned from the council on Oct. 20. Carstens’ appointment will expire at the end of 2026, at which time she may choose to run in the county’s general election. 

The nine-member county extension council annually elects officers to comply with federal and state laws to aid in disseminating useful and practical information from the state’s land grant university to the people of Iowa.

Matt Mensing, Greenfield, was re-elected as chairperson. Mensing will preside at all meetings of the county extension council, have authority to call special meetings and perform duties as performed and exercised by a chairperson of a board of directors of a corporation. Greg Lilly, Greenfield, was re-elected vice chairperson. 

Matthew Rohrig, Orient, was elected secretary and has the responsibility of keeping the minutes of all county extension council meetings and signing required papers for the council.

The council re-elected Sondra Baudler, Fontanelle, to the treasurer position. The treasurer has charge of all of the funds of the county extension council; receives, deposits, pays and disburses. The treasurer ensures an accurate record of receipts and disbursements and submits reports to the county extension council.

As elected officials, the county extension council is the local governing body of ISU Extension and Outreach. The county extension council hires county staff, manages the county extension budget, and helps determine programming. In partnership with Iowa State University, the council provides educational opportunities that bring university resources to the needs of the county and region.

ISU Extension and Outreach is part of the federal Cooperative Extension Service — a network of more than 100 land-grant institutions, including Iowa State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture serving communities and counties across the United States. Every county in Iowa has an elected extension council that decides how to support ISU Extension and Outreach educational programs at the county level.

The county extension office is located at 154 Public Square, Suite C in Greenfield. To learn more about ISU Extension and Outreach in Adair County, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/adair. For more information about ISU Extension and Outreach, visit www.extension.iastate.edu.