Special to the Times Vedette

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Iowa State Director Michael Sexton participated in a groundbreaking ceremony at the worksite for Guthrie County Hospital’s expansion and renovation on March 11. Last August, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the Department would lend the hospital $37 million through the Community Facilities Direct Loans and Guaranteed Loans program to help make the project possible.

“This critical project is going to have a direct and positive impact on the health and safety of Iowans in Guthrie County and surrounding counties,” Sexton said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rollins, USDA is making good on our commitment to infrastructure and support for healthcare in rural Iowa.”

The Community Facilities Direct Loans and Guaranteed Loans program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. The funding here will support:

• A 16,000-square-foot addition to include a behavioral health room in the ER, an MRI room, exam rooms and lab space
• Updates to the nurse call technology, new digital master and area alarm panels, and new sleep ventilators
• A fire suppression system for the ambulance garage
• Renovations to the dining hall and kitchen

USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.3 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a state office in Des Moines, along with area offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly. To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Iowa, call 515-284-4663 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia.

Sheyrl Clark, Trustee; Doris Terwilliger, Trustee; Mike Underwood, Treasurer; Dana Tews, Secretary; Doug Kent, Vice Chair; Mary Jane Carothers, Trustee; Teresa Newman, UnityPoint Health Des Moines – Director of Rural Health Resources; Chris Stipe, Guthrie County Hospital CEO

Steve Smith, GCH Foundation Vice Chair; Kim Finnegan, GCH Foundation Board Chair; Shelby Lewis; Chris Stipe, Guthrie County Hospital CEO; and Dennis Flanery, GCH Foundation Director

Mary Anderson, Chief Human Resources Officer; Brandon Johnson, Chief Financial Officer; Travis Martin, Chief Operating Officer; Tina Nourse, Chief Clinic Administrator; and Chris Stipe, Chief Executive Officer

Mike Underwood, GCH Board of Trustee; Steve Smith, GCH Foundation; Michael Sexton, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Iowa State Director; Chris Stipe, Guthrie County Hospital CEO; and Dennis Flanery, GCH Foundation Director

Special to the Times Vedette

The YJB Camping4Girls, Chapter GF (previously TTT) and the Jamaica Lions Club invite you to join the conversation about digital safety, scams and fraud on Thursday, April 2 at 7 p.m. at the Jamaica Community Building.

Scams and online fraud are on the rise, costing Americans billions each year. To help community members stay safe, Ryan Stuart, Health and Human Sciences Educator with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will lead a discussion on how to protect yourself and your family in today’s digital world.

“Digital safety is essential for everyone,” Stuart says. “This conversation will provide tools and resources to help individuals protect themselves and their families in the digital world.”

Attendees will learn how to recognize common scams, spot phishing emails, safeguard personal data and report fraud effectively. Whether you shop online, use social media or manage finances digitally, these tips can help you stay secure.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On the evening of Friday, March 13, the annual Celebrate Guthrie Center event was held at the Guthrie Center Activity Center. Following a meal catered by The Cabbage Rose, attendees heard updates from a variety of local groups and civic organizations, recognized the annual volunteer of the year, and witnessed the big reveal of the Guthrie Center RAGBRAI 2026 theme.

Representatives from organizations in the Guthrie Center community shared updates on Main Street Guthrie Center, Guthrie Center Area Development, Guthrie County Supervisors, ACGC Schools, Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce, Guthrie County Hospital, and the city of Guthrie Center.  

The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Steve Smith. His nomination letter stated: “If something’s happening in town, chances are he’s involved. If you need help, he’s the first to step up. If you’re looking for advice or guidance, he’s always ready to offer it. We could try to list everything he’s a part of, but the list would be far too long — and we’d still miss something important. Whether it’s supporting the community, the school, the church, or simply lending a hand to someone in need, he shows up. Guthrie Center is stronger because of him, and much of our success is rooted in his steady involvement and leadership. He’s an avid fan — cheering on the Chargers, Chiefs, and Hawkeyes — though we all know it was his Cyclone education that helped shape the outstanding man he is today. Most of all, he is one of Guthrie Center’s greatest champions. For all these reasons and more, we are proud to nominate Steve Smith for Volunteer of the Year.”

Smith and Jennifer Policky provided an update on plans for RAGBRAI’s overnight stay in Guthrie Center on July 20. The city expects as many as 35,000 cyclists and other visitors for the event, which will require a major effort to provide food, drink, entertainment and places to sleep or set up tents. The website wwwguthriecenterragbrai.com was listed as the hub for all event information.

Policky and Smith also unveiled the city’s theme for the RAGBRAI event, “Where the hill are we?” emphasizing the slope of the city’s streets.

Attendees of the Celebrate Guthrie Center event enjoyed a meal catered by Cabbage Rose. Photo courtesy of Main Street Guthrie Center

Dennis Flanery congratulates Steve Smith as the Volunteer of the Year. Photo courtesy of Main Street Guthrie Center

The Guthrie Center Activity Center was filled with attendees for this year’s Celebrate Guthrie Center event. Photo courtesy of Main Street Guthrie Center

Representatives from various community organizations were part of this year’s Celebrate Guthrie Center event on March 13. Photo courtesy of Main Street Guthrie Center

Jennifer Policky and Steve Smith offer details on the plans for RAGBRAI.

The theme for Guthrie Center’s RAGBRAI adventure was announced.

Diane Flanery and Dennis Flanery present the Volunteer of the Year award to Steve Smith.

Jennifer Policky unveils the theme of Guthrie Center RAGBRAI.

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

The Panora St. Cecilia Knights of Columbus Council No. 11242 held its annual fish dinner on March 13 from 5-7 p.m. in the basement of St. Cecilia Catholic Church at 220 N. First St. in Panora. Diners enjoyed hand-breaded fish, baked potato or tater tots, coleslaw, lemonade, tea, water and dessert.

Paul Wendl and Joe Weisz prepare the fish.

Terry Tausz, Dave Ryan and Deacon Dick Ziller prepare to check in the diners.

Dan Wilhelmi, Scott Hart and Mike Carey join in for a little conversation.

Jim Meyer and Robert Kidney serve the tator tots and tartar sauce.

Lynn Weisz, Dan Wilhelmi and Scott Hendricks sample the fish.

Paul Nagel brings in a pan of hot baked potatoes.

Judy Eischeid picks up a few orders to go.