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Geopfert leads Kansas State track team to No. 1 ranking

Feb 6, 2026 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

The Kansas State men’s track and field team, which is coached by Panora native Travis Geopfert, is ranked No. 1 in the NCAA after the second week of the indoor season, according to the USTFCCCA national poll released on Tuesday.

The men’s track team becomes the first K-State team to be ranked No. 1 in 14 years. The last was the football team in the BCS standings in November 2012.

The men moved up two spots from week one with 142.93 points. The women jumped up 19 spots to No. 15 with 60.30 points.

The Wildcats hosted the DeLoss Dodds Invitational Jan. 30-31. The team will compete again Feb. 13-14 in the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas, at the Randall Tyson Indoor Track.

 

Panorama Dance team’s Show of Shows held Sunday

Feb 6, 2026 | News

Photos by Mark Reno | Special to the Times Vedette

The 2026 Panorama Dance team’s Show of Shows was held on Sunday, Feb. 1 at Panorama High School. The program celebrated the team’s 2025-2026 competition season and highlighted the team’s talent, leadership, sportsmanship and strong community involvement. Achievements included:

  • Team earned Division I ratings in Jazz, Lyrical, and Contemporary at state
  • 2nd Place at State — Jazz
  • 2nd Place at State — Contemporary
  • 3rd Place at State — Lyrical
  • All Panorama soloists received Division I ratings, with multiple top-10 state placements

Senior Lexi Wasson was recognized immediately following the opening routine. Team awards and lettering presentations held midway through the show

Guest dancers from the West Central Valley Dance Team (WCV) included:

  • Addisyn Leonard — two-time Class IV State Champion
  • Scarlett Putney — Class IV State Runner-Up (2nd place)
  • Adalyn Weber — featured guest performer

Youth clinic group Pantopia performed. (They also appeared at several basketball halftime shows this season). The middle school dance team performed alongside the high school team.

Be a campground host at Whiterock Conservancy

Feb 6, 2026 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

Whiterock Conservancy is looking for volunteer campground hosts located near Coon Rapids for the 2026 recreational camping season. The campground hosts major responsibilities are to help register campers, provide scheduled cleaning for the restroom/shower facilities, sell firewood and provide general information to the public.

Campground hosts need to provide their own camping unit to be placed on a full hookup site provided by Whiterock Conservancy free of charge. The position is available mid-May through mid-September (dates variable with weather). Applicants should be friendly, dependable and enjoy working with people. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older and pass a background check.

Campground host applications and a complete volunteer job description are available at:

Whiterock Conservancy
1436 Highway 141
Coon Rapids, IA 50058

For more information, call 712-790-8221 x2 or email executivedirector@whiterockconservancy.org

The hustle

Feb 6, 2026 | Publisher's Column

Are you a trusting person? Or do expect the worst from seemingly everyone? The answer to that question is most likely related to the last time you were hustled, who you were hustled by, and for how much. 

My father operated a gravel and excavation company, and like most small business owners, he needed to collect payment for services. I asked him if he ever got stiffed, and if so, what he did about it. His answer was simple. He said, “Hustle me once, shame on you. Hustle me twice, shame on me.” His choice of words were a bit different, but you get the idea. 

I have lived by those words. I am generally a trusting person, but I try not to make the same mistakes with the same people twice. If I do, I have nobody to blame but myself.

The unfortunate truth is that there are a lot of hustlers out there, and we most all can become easy prey in certain situations. When we do, we become less trusting of others. That’s a learned response, much like the reason we don’t put our hands on hot coals a second time. 

This might explain why the older that people are, the more cynical they seem to be. Maybe they have been burned more. Hustled more. Cheated more. Chalk it up to experience.

But, doesn’t everyone deserve a second chance? Maybe. That’s a roll of the dice and depends on how much of a gambler a person is.

Meanwhile, the world might be a better place if we could all be a bit more trusting — at least the first time. 

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

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

Wagon Road project reviewed by Guthrie County Supervisors, detours expected

Feb 3, 2026 | News

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Feb. 3 regular meeting of the Guthrie County Supervisors included a report from County Engineer Josh Sebern regarding the planned road rehabilitation project on P28 (Wagon Road) between Panora and Stuart.

Sebern said during the project, there will be a detour at times, likely involving Monteith Road and Highway 25. When firmer schedules are known, the county will announce detour timelines and details.

“When you get this project done, hypothetical question, what about White Pole (Road)?” Supervisor Steve Smith asked.

Sebern said White Pole Road is still targeted for a project in 2028.

In other news, the supervisors appointed Keelan Woods to fill an opening on the Guthrie County Airport Authority.

Jake Anderson, county farm lease holder, addressed the supervisors about fencing needs on the property.

Brenda Dudley, on behalf of Midwest Partnership, asked the supervisors to consider a Fiscal Year 2027 financial contribution. She asked for the same amount that was allocated a year ago. Dudley summarized the projects and accomplishments of Midwest Partnership.

“You do really good work,” Supervisor Maggie Armstrong said.

No action was taken at this time on Dudley’s request.

The supervisors meet regularly on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend in person (at the courthouse) or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#