Special to the Times Vedette
Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Shane Martinson reported a vehicle vs. deer accident occurring on Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. on Highway 44. Katelyn Irene Olive, 33, of Guthrie Center was driving a 2017 Nissan Rogue S westbound on Highway 44 and struck a deer, causing an estimated $1,800 in damage to the Nissan.
Special to the Times Vedette
Guthrie County Deputy Todd Thorn reported a vehicle vs. deer accident occurring on Jan. 22 at 12:37 p.m. on Highway 44. Denis Ray James, 73, of Guthrie Center, was driving a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Touring van eastbound on Highway 44 and collided with a deer, causing an estimated $4,000 in damage to the van.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
From now through Feb. 11, Guthrie County State Bank (GCSB) is sponsoring a Souper Bowl event. Everyone is asked to consider donating cans of soup at either GCSB location (Panora or Guthrie Center) or at Hometown Foods (Panora or Guthrie Center). GCSB will then match all donations with everything going to help New Opportunities feed those in need.
A freewill donation fundraiser will be held 5-8 p.m. on Jan. 28 at the Panora Community Center (115 W. Main St.) to raise money for the Stark’s Performance Horses riders going to compete in the Color Breed Congress event in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A variety of homemade soups and fresh baked items will be available.
At 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 2, Republican caucuses will be held as follows:
The Guthrie County Hospital Foundation and Auxiliary will host bingo on three Thursday evenings in February. The events will be held at the Guthrie Center Activity Center (209 State St.) on Feb. 5, 19 and 26. Each evening, a freewill donation meal will be served 4:45-6 p.m., with bingo from 6-8 p.m.
On Friday, Feb. 13, the Adair Chamber of Commerce will host the event to raise funds for Chuckwagon Days. The event will run from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Community Center (308 Stuart St.) in Adair. Cost is $40 pre-sale and $50 at the door. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be available. BYOB, and a limited amount of free beer will be available.
The Guthrie County Arts Council will host its 10th annual “An Evening Out” event on Friday, Feb. 13. Tickets are $40 each and can be purchased at Art on State in Guthrie Center. Only 100 tickets will be sold. The evening will begin with wine and chocolate tasting at Art on State, 5-6 p.m., followed by dinner at the Guthrie Center Activity Center (209 State St.) at 6:15 p.m. A raffle and entertainment by Dale Menning & the Stardusters will follow 7-9 p.m. Attendees are welcome to bring their own beverages or purchase wine at Art on State.
American Legion Auxiliary 124 will hold Saturday night bingo at the Guthrie Center Activity Center (209 State St.) on Feb. 28 and March 28. A freewill donation dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. with bingo starting at 7 p.m.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
On Saturday, Jan. 24, more than 50 ACGC students traveled to Creston High School to compete at the District Large Group Speech Contest. Thirteen of the 15 entries will advance to State Large Group Speech Contest on Saturday, Feb. 7 at Valley High School in West Des Moines.
Earning Division I ratings and advancing to State:
Earning Division II ratings:
The ACGC Large Group Speech Team is coached by Manda Thomas and Kelsey Dinkla.
ACGC welcomes the public to the Large Group Speech Showcase on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the ACGC High School Auditorium. Freewill donation goodies will be provided by PEO.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The regular meeting of the Panora City Council on Jan. 26 was led by Brian Dorsett in Mayor Curt Thornberry’s absence.
Paramedic and maintenance supervisor Alex Olson addressed the council regarding possible action on the 2010 PL Custom E450 ambulance vehicle, which he said is only a secondary vehicle and is rarely used.
“It had some very large mechanical issues a couple of years ago,” Olson said. “Since then, we’ve added everything up since we fixed it that time. We’ve put another 36 (thousand dollars) into it, and it’s been used on maybe three calls in the last four years.”
Olson also said the crew doesn’t have enough staff to realistically use this backup vehicle on any regular basis, and he described its current status as “a glorified paper weight.” Olson suggested selling the vehicle but keeping any usable equipment from it. He and John Delavergne estimated the department would save nearly $5,000 in annual costs if the vehicle was sold.
The council voted to sell the ambulance.
In other news, City Administrator Lisa Grossman described a situation involving apartments in town that have the water shut offs inside the individual apartments, which creates a challenge if the city needs to turn water off for unpaid bills. She summarized the city’s options in such cases. After discussion, the council chose to table to matter to allow time to look into the best solution.
The next regular meeting is set for Monday, Feb. 9 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#).