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Upcoming events in the area

Feb 24, 2026 | Events

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Guthrie County Hospital Bingo Feb. 26

The Guthrie County Hospital Auxiliary and Foundation will host bingo from 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Guthrie Center Activity Center (209 State St.).

Ham Balls for Baseballs?

Thursday, Feb. 26, The New Homestead and the ACGC baseball team will co-host a dinner at the Guthrie Center Activity Center, 209 State St. For $13, enjoy ham balls, corn, cheesy potatoes, roll, dessert and drink from 4:45-6 p.m. Proceeds will help The New Homestead purchase furniture. A portion of the proceeds will also support the ACGC baseball team. Then, stay to play bingo from 6-8 p.m. Bingo proceeds will support the Guthrie County Hospital Auxiliary and Foundation.

Free Bingo at Lakeside Village Feb. 26

Adults and kids are invited to a free bingo event at Lakeside Village (2067 Highway 4, Panora) from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26. Food, prizes and fun for everyone.

Legion bingo Feb. 28 and March 28

American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 124 will hold Saturday bingo on Feb. 28 and March 28 at the Guthrie Center Activity Center, 209 State St. A freewill donation dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. with bingo starting at 7 p.m.

Legislative coffees

State Senator Jesse Green and State Representative Carter Nordman welcome the public to their upcoming legislative coffee events to voice concerns and hear legislative updates. The next events are Saturday, March 21, 9-10 a.m. at Guthrie County Farm Bureau (203 North Fourth St. in Guthrie Center) and Saturday, April 11, 9-10 a.m. at Guthrie County Farm Bureau (203 North Fourth St. in Guthrie Center).

Puzzles, Pies and Pints March 14

The Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce is again holding the popular “Puzzles, Pies and Pints” fundraiser event at the Guthrie Activity Center (209 State St.). On Saturday, March 14, teams of four will compete to see which team can most quickly put together a 300-piece jigsaw puzzle while also finishing a large pizza and 12 beverages. Cost is $120 per team, with registration available on the Chamber’s Facebook page. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., and the competition begins at 6 p.m. Cash bar and side games will be available for purchase.

Plan ahead for Stem Fest

Guthrie County Extension and Outreach will hold Stem Fest 2026 on Saturday, March 28 from 9 a.m. to noon at Panorama Elementary School (401 Panther Drive, Panora). The event is targeted to kids in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Handbags and Bingo April 10

The Guthrie County Hospital Foundation’s annual “Handbags and Bingo” event will be held Friday, April 10 at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds Event Center. Social hour will begin at 4:45 p.m. with dinner at 5:45 p.m., followed by bingo and games. Tickets can be purchased from the hospital website.

Jean Bireline 

Feb 24, 2026 | Obituaries

1940-2026

Jean Bireline, age 85 of Adair, died on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Exira Care Center in Exira. She was born Jean Annette Noland on March 16, 1940, at the Adair Hospital to Charles and Dora (Hall) Noland. She grew up on a farm south of Adair and attended schools in the Adair area and in 1957, was crowned the first ever FFA Sweetheart at the Adair High School. She would marry her high school sweetheart, James (Jim) Bireline on Nov. 23, 1957. Jean and Jim lived on the Bireline family farm in the “little house,” where they farmed in partnership with Jim’s parents for many years. In 1970 they moved to the “big house” where Jim and Jean raised their family and took over the farming operation. In addition to growing row crops, they fed and finished cattle for decades. Although Jean loved the cattle business, she complained that the feedlot was too close to the house and spent hours “swatting flies” to keep her home pristine as always. She and Jim remained on the family farm until a few years ago when they sold their home in the country to next-generation Birelines — Alex and Emma. The Bireline family farm will be a Heritage family farm in 2027, carrying on its proud family farming tradition.

Jean was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church until it closed, hosting Sunday noon family meals at her home after church for many years. She is currently a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Adair. Her passion was her family and the farm. She worked alongside Jim in the fields — disking, field-cultivating, chopping hay, driving tractors and grain carts, and combining. Son, Steve, claimed she was “one of the best grain cart operators around.” Later in life, she loved preparing meals and snacks to take to the field during spring planting and fall harvest. The Bireline farmers were amongst the few who “put on weight” during their busy season because Jean fed them so well.

Jean and Jim were avid Adair-Casey Bombers fans. They attended countless sporting events and other activities — enthusiastically cheering on their children and grandchildren. Jean was the family historian. She compiled every article and picture for every grandchild and lovingly created a scrapbook chronicling their school years, which she gifted to each of them at high school graduation.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, James Bireline; parents, Charles and Dora Noland; parents-in-law, Art and Emma Bireline; brother, Rex Noland; sisters-in-law, Connie Noland and Marilyn Chesnut; brothers-in-law, Neil Lundy and Ray Chesnut; niece, Melodie Rubel; great-nephew, Aaron Rubel; and great-niece, Stacey Carney.

She is survived by her sister, Sandra Lundy; children, Steve Bireline and wife, Tammy, Linda Mackrill and husband, Kurk, and Lori Westergaard, all of Adair; grandchildren, Wes and Jenny Mackrill of Waukee, Jason Huss and Amanda Bireline of Casey, Tracy Mackrill, Marcus and Stef (Bireline) Fagan, Chris and Tessa Bireline, Andrew and Rebecca Mackrill, all of Adair; Brett and Taylor Westergaard of Casey, Alex and Emma Bireline of Adair, Brett and Brenna (Westergaard) Trecker of Roselle, and Connor Westergaard of Ankeny. She is also survived by great-grandchildren, Cydney Shriver and husband, Eric, of Harlan; Saige Huss and fiancée, Dustin Engel, of Avoca; Hauper and Sayer Bireline-Huss of Casey; Monroe, Nixon and Lettie Fagan, Reu and Beau Bireline, Banks and Benson Bireline, all of Adair, Blaire Trecker of Roselle and Hank Westergaard of Casey; great-great-grandchildren, Ezra and Enzo Shriver and Reini Engel; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Jean was about to welcome two more great-grandchildren into the Bireline fold.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Adair with burial following at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery north Adar. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, from 5 p.m. till 7 p.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Adair with the family present.

Memorials can be made in her name and will be designated at a later date and can be left or mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

More than just books

Feb 24, 2026 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette 

One of the strengths of the Mary J. Barnett Library is the Friends of the Guthrie Center  Library, which provides support to the library in many forms. This volunteer group has been active since the mid 1990s and played a vital role in the construction of the building that currently houses the library. Currently, the group is embarking on a membership drive.  

Friends of the Guthrie Center Library president Diane Flannery explains the mission and the way your membership helps in the following paragraphs.  

“The Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library has always been more than just books — it’s a gathering space, a learning hub, and a cornerstone of our community. From children’s programs and summer reading to special events and expanded resources, your library continues to grow because of the support of people like you. 

The Friends of the Guthrie Center Library invite you to become a member and help us continue enriching our community. For just $25 in annual dues, your membership directly supports:

  • Educational programs for all ages
  • Special events and community outreach
  • New books, materials and resources
  • Improvements that make our library welcoming and vibrant

Every membership makes a difference, and, together, we can ensure our library remains a thriving space for generations to come. Joining is easy and your support truly matters. Thank you for believing in the power of libraries.”

As the Friends’ president points out, membership is easy. You can contact Diane Flanery or reach out to the MJB Library. Your $25 annual membership dues go directly to fund library programs, materials and community events. Friends will accept cash, a check made to Friends of the GC Library, or Venmo to @FriendsofGCLIbrary. Additional donations are also always welcome. 

Members can choose to be active members who participate in meetings, events and fundraising or supporting members who primarily support through dues.

Become a Friend of the GC Library before March 31, 2026, and be entered into a drawing for a gift basket valued at roughly $100.  

It’s impossible to put a price tag on the value of the Friends of the Library Group. Their generosity and contributions of money, time, knowledge and resources contribute to the success of the MJB Library and are crucial to its operations. Don’t miss your chance to make a difference to our community by joining Friends of the Guthrie Center Library.

Remember that MJB Library has many on-going events for all ages. Monday from 9-11 a.m., cribbage players of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in weekly cribbage games at the library’s Taylor Meeting room.  

On Mondays, Craft and Connect meets from 4-6 p.m. Crafters of all ages and backgrounds are invited to bring a project and work while visiting with other creative people in the Taylor Meeting Room.  

Bridge classes are each Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. On the third Thursday of each month, cardmaking class meets from 9 to 11 a.m. to create handmade greeting cards while the Cookbook Club meets that evening at 6:30 p.m. to sample and discuss cookbooks. 

The library hosts two book clubs each month. Members can check out the book for the month and then come to the discussion. The afternoon book club, Between the Covers, meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. Reads Well With Others Evening Book Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m.  

The March book for the afternoon club is “Too Old for This” by Samantha Downing, described as equal parts hilarious and disturbing, tells the story of a retired serial killer whose world is upset by an unexpected visitor. “Sandwich” by Catherine Newman tells the story of Rocky, a middle-aged woman sandwiched between her half-grown children and fully aging parents, who is forced to navigate her family’s past and future on the week-long multigenerational vacation while accepting that she can no longer hide secrets from the people she loves. Both books are available to be checked out.  

As part of our STEM programming for youth, LEGO Mania Day will be Wednesday, March 2 at 2 p.m. Youth of all ages are welcome. Preregistration is appreciated. 

Each Friday at 10 a.m., the library offers preschool story hour for preschoolers of all ages and their caregivers. Each  week, the youngest patrons can plan on a few stories and a craft focusing on a theme. 

Each person is invited to be involved in the future of the MJB Library by joining the Friends of the Guthrie Center Library and by being involved in the programs offered by the library. Remember, we have so much to offer — including some great new books.

Traverse hits fire hall

Feb 24, 2026 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Josh Armstrong reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on Feb. 19 at 4:55 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 44 and South First Street in Guthrie Center. Ryan Joseph Govlik, 34, of Kansas City, was driving a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse downhill on State Street toward the southwest curve and could not bring the vehicle to a stop, driving over the curb and into the corner of the fire hall building. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $1,501, and damage to the fire hall is estimated at $1,501. 

Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office Weekly Report — Feb. 16-22, 2026

Feb 24, 2026 | Guthrie County Sheriff's Report

2-16-26

  • 12:57 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of suspicious activity
  • 7:42 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Panora
  • 7:57 a.m. Stuart Police responded to an animal complaint
  • 8:17 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Panora
  • 10:40 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy and Reserve performed a welfare check in Guthrie Center
  • 11:15 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a complaint
  • 12:40 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy and Reserve and Stuart Rescue responded to a motorcycle accident in rural Casey
  • 3:05 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy and Reserve performed a welfare check in Guthrie Center
  • 4:33 p.m. Guthrie County Deputies and Reserve responded to a harassment complaint in Bayard
  • 5:52 p.m. Panora Ambulance and Guthrie County Deputies and Reserve responded to a medical call in Guthrie Center
  • 6:11 p.m. Suart Rescue Unit 2 transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Des Moines
  • 6:41 p.m. Stuart Rescue responded to a medical call in Stuart
  • 6:48 p.m. Panora Ambulance, Panora Police, and Guthrie County Deputies responded to a medical call in Panora
  • 7:43 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served a civil paper in Menlo
  • 11:08 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Fort Dodge

 

2-17-26

  • 12:10 a.m. Panora Police responded to a report of a commercial burglar alarm 
  • 6:01 a.m. Panora Police responded to a report of a hit and run 
  • 7:28 a.m. Panora Police responded to a report of a hit and run
  • 12:08 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Guthrie Center 
  • 12:47 p.m. Stuart Police performed a case follow-up 
  • 1:02 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a family situation in Guthrie Center 
  • 1:12 p.m. Panora Fire, Ambulance and Police and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a grass fire on Highway 4
  • 1:33 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in Bayard 
  • 1:55 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Mercy 
  • 2:10 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of stolen credit card 
  • 4:09 p.m. Menlo Fire, Stuart Fire and Ambulance responded to a hay fire in rural Menlo 
  • 5:01 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Panora 
  • 8:23 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital back to Panora Specialty Care
  • 10:32 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a suicidal subject on Highway 4

 

2-18-26

  • 12:33 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a single-vehicle accident 
  • 1:53 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a commercial burglar alarm 
  • 2:46 a.m. Stuart Fire, Ambulance and Police responded to a grass fire in rural Stuart
  • 9:46 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy served civil papers in Guthrie Center 
  • 10 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted a motorist in Guthrie Center
  • 10:05 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of suspicious activity 
  • 11:03 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a driving complaint 
  • 11:12 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy transported a prisoner from Polk County Jail to Guthrie County Jail 
  • 11:16 a.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in Stuart 
  • 11:42 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy served civil papers in Bagley 
  • 12:11 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted Greenfield Police attempting to locate a subject
  • 2:10 p.m. Stuart Police responded to an animal complaint 
  • 2:41 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of suspicious activity in Jamaica 
  • 4:22 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of an attempted burglary in Jamaica 
  • 4:28 a.m. Stuart Police assisted Dallas County with a traffic stop 
  • 4:59 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in Bayard
  • 5:05 p.m. Stuart Police assisted a motorist 
  • 5:31 p.m. Stuart Ambulance and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a medical call in Casey
  • 6:41 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a theft report in Guthrie Center 
  • 7:01 p.m. Stuart Police took a theft report 
  • 7:34 p.m. Stuart Police took a theft report 

 

2-19-26

  • 1 a.m. Guthrie County Deputies and Stuart Police located a wanted individual in Stuart, the individual led them on a brief pursuit, they got the vehicle stopped and arrested one individual 
  • 2:05 a.m. Stuart Police transported one individual to the Adair County Jail
  • 8:40 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a car v deer accident in rural Coon Rapids
  • 9:41 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy and Stuart Police attempted to locate two individuals to perform a welfare check in rural Casey
  • 11:02 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Bayard
  • 12:35 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted a motorist in rural Jamaica
  • 12:58 p.m. Panora Police performed a welfare check
  • 2:55 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy followed up on a motorist assist in rural Jamaica
  • 4:02 p.m. Guthrie County Deputies assisted a motorist in rural Guthrie Center
  • 4:38 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy, Menlo Fire, Stuart Fire and Rescue responded to a single-vehicle accident in rural Menlo
  • 4:58 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a single-vehicle accident in Guthrie Center
  • 5:05 p.m. Stuart Fire and State Patrol responded to an accident on I-80
  • 5:55 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a single-vehicle accident in rural Bagley
  • 6:43 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Bayard
  • 10:25 p.m. Stuart Police performed a case follow-up 

 

2-20-26

  • 1:19 a.m. Stuart Police responded to an animal complaint 
  • 1:24 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a parking complaint 
  • 2:07 a.m. Stuart Police and Guthrie County Deputy assisted with traffic control on I-80
  • 5:54 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a suspicious person in Panora 
  • 6:41 a.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in Stuart 
  • 9:21 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a lift assist in Guthrie Center 
  • 9:53 a.m. Stuart Police took a theft report 
  • 10:27 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a welfare check in Guthrie Center 
  • 10:36 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a two-vehicle accident in Guthrie Center 
  • 10:59 a.m. Stuart Police assisted a motorist 
  • 11:07 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy transported a prisoner to Fort Dodge
  • 12:31 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in rural Guthrie Center 
  • 1:24 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Mercy 
  • 1:58 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy provided a funeral escort 
  • 2:54 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a theft report in Bayard 
  • 4:04 p.m. Panora Ambulance and Police responded to a medical call in Panora 
  • 4:41 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a scam in rural Panora 
  • 5:03 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy picked up a prisoner at Polk County Jail 
  • 5:25 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a domestic situation in rural Guthrie Center
  • 7:55 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy transported a prisoner to Guthrie County Hospital 
  • 10:01 p.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in Stuart 

 

2-21-26

  • 2:57 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted a pedestrian in Menlo 
  • 9:41 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in rural Guthrie Center 
  • 10:22 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a suspicious person in Guthrie Center 
  • 5:58 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a suspicious person on Highway 25 
  • 6:45 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a family complaint in Guthrie Center 
  • 7:08 p.m. Panora Police responded to an animal complaint
  • 7:10 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Bayard 
  • 10:53 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted a motorist in rural Bagley 
  • 11:40 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Panora 

 

2-22-26

  • 1:54 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Panora 
  • 1:57 a.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient back to Panora Specialty Care
  • 3:10 a.m. Stuart Police checked on a single vehicle accident on I-80
  • 10:22 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to an i-Phone crash alert in Guthrie Center
  • 1:32 p.m. Menlo Fire checked on a carbon monoxide alarm in rural Stuart 
  • 3:30 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy and Panora Police responded to a single vehicle accident
  • 3:37 p.m. Stuart Ambulance and Police responded to a medical call in Stuart 
  • 8:06 p.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in Menlo