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Yale flips for pancakes, courtesy of Farmers State Bank

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Farmers State Bank sponsored a free pancake breakfast at the Yale Community Building on Saturday morning, March 7. The event has been a tradition for 35 years, held annually on the first Saturday in March. The event generally draws a crowd of 225 to 250 from Yale and the surrounding communities.

The pancake breakfast was the place to be in Yale Saturday morning.

Dig in.

Roger Burchfield goes through the line for breakfast.

John Wilson, Jordan Carstens and Doug Hemphill take a breather from serving.

Darren White of Chris Cakes flips pancakes.

Upcoming events in the area

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Fish fry Fridays at Café on the Hill

Through Lent, Café on the Hill (2003 State St. in Guthrie Center) will have an all-you-can-eat fish fry every Friday from 5-8 p.m. Other options are available for those not interested in fish.

Bingo March 12 in Guthrie Center

On Thursday, March 12, the Guthrie County Hospital Foundation and Auxiliary welcomes everyone to eat and play bingo at the Guthrie Center Activity Center (209 State St.). The meal will be served 4:45-6 p.m. with bingo 6-8 p.m.

Adair fish fry March 13

Saint John’s Catholic Church in Adair will hold a fish fry from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 13. Cost is $15 per person, dine-in or drive-thru. Enter the alley behind the church hall (501 Adair St.) from the west. The meal will include freshly fried breaded fish and shrimp, cole slaw, potatoes, dessert and drink.

Celebrate Guthrie Center March 13

Everyone is welcome to attend Celebrate Guthrie Center on Friday, March 13 at the Guthrie Activity Center, 209 State St. Social hour begins at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. by Cabbage Rose. Hear updates on a variety of local organizations and events, including RAGBRAI, the hospital’s construction project, Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce, Guthrie Center Library, ACGC Schools, and more. Reservations are required and cost $20 per person. Reservations may be made at Guthrie County State Bank, Peoples Bank, and Panora Fiber in Guthrie Center.

Panora Knights of Columbus Fish Dinner March 13

The Panora Knights of Columbus Council No. 11242 will be having a fish dinner on Friday, March 13 from 5-7 p.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 N. First St. in Panora. The menu includes hand-breaded fish, baked potato or tator tots, coleslaw, lemonade, tea or water, and dessert. Cost is $12 for adults and $6 for kids 8 and younger. 

Farm Toy Show in Adair March 14

The 36th annual West Central Iowa Farm Toy Show will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the ACGC Junior High gym, 3384 Indigo Ave., Adair. Organizers expect 70-plus tables. Admission is $3 per person. Kids younger than 12 are free with an adult. The event is sponsored by Adair Fire and Rescue. Lunch will be available from the ACGC senior class.

Cribbage in Adair March 14

The Blue Goose Tavern, 307 Audubon St. in Adair, welcomes everyone to come play cribbage on the afternoon of Saturday, March 14. Doors open for registration at 3 p.m. with the games to begin at 3:30 p.m. There is a $10 buy-in per player. Participants are encouraged to bring a snack to share.

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.

Spaghetti and Bingo in Casey March 14

The Casey Service Club invites everyone to its Saint Patrick’s Day event. On Saturday, March 14, a freewill spaghetti supper will begin at 5 p.m., followed by bingo at 6:30 p.m.

Omelets in Yale March 15

On Sunday, March 15, beginning at 8 a.m., the Yale Community Club fundraiser breakfast will be held at the Yale Community Building. Omelets will be made-to-order by the YJB TTT group. Yummy’s Donuts will also be served. Admission cost is a freewill donation.

Jamaica Library comes to Yale March 18

On Wednesday, March 18, 1-3 p.m., staff from the Jamaica Library will be at the Yale Community Building for a “mobile library” event. There will be books for all ages, kids’ crafts, and snacks. Stop in, have fun and learn something.

Boys/Girls Club of Adair annual fundraiser March 21

On Saturday, March 21, the Boys and Girls Club of Adair will host a “Lights, Camera, Auction” fundraiser event at the Adair Fire Hall (505 Fifth St.). There will be a sirloin tip dinner, live and silent auctions, we well as cash games and a cash bar. Tickets cost $50 each. Doors will open at 5 p.m. with the meal scheduled 5:30-6:30 p.m. More information is available at www.bgcadair.org.

Legislative coffees March 21 and April 11

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).

Plant swap and propagation workshop March 26

Guthrie County ISU Extension and Outreach will hold a plant swap and plant propagation event. The event will be at the Panorama High School greenhouse beginning at 6 p.m. Cost is $15 per person at the time of the event. Register beforehand at the extension office, 212 State St. in Guthrie Center or by calling 641-747-2276.

Legion Bingo March 28

American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 124 will hold Saturday bingo on 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.

Pheasants/Quail Banquet March 28

The Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever annual banquet will be held Saturday, March 28 at the Yale Community Building. Doors will open at 5 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. For tickets, contact Cindy Kisting (515-339-5226) or Dan Brubaker (515-238-7875).

Stem Fest March 28

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). The event is targeted to kids in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Bagley pancake breakfast March 29

The Bagley Firefighters Association will hold a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 29 at the fire hall. The freewill donation meal includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, coffee, milk and juice.

Handbags and Bingo April 10

The Guthrie County Hospital Foundation’s annual “Handbags and Bingo” event will be Friday, April 10 at the 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’s website.

Panora City Council to amend ordinance for Lutheran Church of Hope development 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular meeting of the Panora City Council on March 9, the councilmembers considered a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding a request from Lutheran Church of Hope.

The Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment Application states, in part, “The request is submitted to allow the development of a church at 1200 E. Main St., Panora.” The area is part of a “Light Industrial District,” so a church does not meet the criteria as the ordinance currently is written. The lot is owned by Panora Fiber.

Pastor Mark Brandt addressed the council, explaining the search for an appropriate property that the church could purchase in Panora to establish a permanent church.

Mayor Curt Thornberry explained that if the council wishes to change the ordinance, there will need to be three readings and a public hearing.

Councilmember Roger Dorr stated his support for the request.

“It’s been grass for I don’t know how many years, and speaking with a member of Panora Fiber, there really hasn’t been any interest in it until now. I think it’s great for the community. This is something that will make the area attractive for other things coming in out there,” Dorr said.

Councilmember Mark Sheeder voiced agreement with Dorr’s opinion, and the council voted unanimously to begin the process of changing the ordinance as requested.

Pat Subbert addressed the council on behalf of the Lions Club, asking if the $175 fee for use of the Community Center could be lowered, since that amount eats into the good works the club performs for the community. After discussion, the council voted to lower the fee to $100 for the Lions Club.

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, March 23 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#).

Guthrie Center City Council learns about Lacey building cleanup progress, RAGBRAI planning

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the March 9 regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, Streets Department Chief Darrin Sloss shared information on the cleanup efforts at the long-vacated Lacey building on State Street.

“A little over 50 man-hours were put into it in two days; approximately 10 tons of materials were removed,” he said. Sloss added that the process went fairly smoothly.

In other news, Sloss said he will post additional “25 MPH” signage on Oak Street as previously discussed by the council.

The council voted to approve a “general agreement” with Region XII to serve as Housing Inspector for Guthrie Center.

City Administrator Kris Arrasmith provided an update on RAGBRAI planning for the July 20 event. She noted that the preliminary plan is for many of the largest groups of riders to stay overnight at the fairgrounds, although smaller groups will likely end up in many other areas. She noted that the largest group (sometimes called a “charter”) is a group of approximately 1,500 cyclists, and that charter will bring in about 17 semi-trailers. Arrasmith added that charging cyclists for staying overnight in tents on homeowner lawns and similar areas is not allowed.

A public hearing on the Fiscal Year 26-27 Property Tax Levy is set for March 23 at 6:30 p.m., immediately prior to the regular council meeting on that date. The public is welcome.

Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office Weekly Report — March 2-8, 2026

3-2-26

  • 12:23 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Guthrie Center 
  • 2:31 a.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient back to The New Homestead 
  • 8:20 a.m. Guthrie County Deputies responded to a complaint in Guthrie Center
  • 9:10 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in Casey
  • 11:55 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of a scam call
  • 1:05 p.m. Stuart Police took a theft report
  • 1:45 p.m. Panora Police responded to a complaint
  • 3:15 p.m. Panora Police responded to a complaint 
  • 3:40 p.m. Guthrie County Reserve assisted a motorist in rural Guthrie Center
  • 6:33 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted Ankeny Police Department with attempting to locate an individual
  • 8:32 p.m. Panora Police responded to a report of a suspicious person 
  • 9:35 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a welfare check in Guthrie Center 

 

3-3-26

  • 7:47 a.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in Casey
  • 8:15 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy removed debris from the roadway in rural Guthrie Center
  • 8:31 a.m. Guthrie County Reserve Deputy transported an inmate to Clarinda
  • 8:58 a.m. Guthrie County Deputies performed a welfare check in Menlo
  • 10 a.m. Guthrie County Sheriff and Deputies followed up on an investigation in Guthrie Center
  • 10:03 a.m. Panora Ambulance and Police responded to a medical call in Panora 
  • 11 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted a motorist in Casey
  • 11:17 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call at Lake Panorama 
  • 11:27 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted with attempting to locate a juvenile in Guthrie Center
  • 12:05 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy followed up on a family situation in Guthrie Center
  • 12:21 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of trespasser 
  • 2:02 p.m. Panora Police responded to an animal complaint 
  • 2:45 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Bayard
  • 3:54 p.m. Panora Police responded to a driving complaint 
  • 4:07 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in rural Guthrie Center
  • 4:49 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Panora 
  • 5:37 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Des Moines
  • 7:37 p.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Casey 
  • 7:54 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a commercial burglar alarm in Guthrie Center 
  • 8:34 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a suspicious person in Menlo

 

3-4-26

  • 7:08 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy and Reserve responded to a car vs. deer accident in rural Guthrie Center
  • 8 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy followed up on an investigation in Guthrie Center
  • 11:35 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a complaint
  • 2:13 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of harassment in rural Panora 
  • 2:50 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a welfare check and assisted an individual in rural Guthrie Center
  • 3:02 p.m. Panora Police responded to a residential alarm
  • 3:58 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a parking complaint
  • 4:16 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a driving complaint
  • 4:56 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy transported a prisoner from the Crawford County Jail to the Guthrie County Jail
  • 5:11 p.m. Panora Police responded to a driving complaint 
  • 5:15 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy transported an inmate from Crawford County Jail to the Guthrie County Jail
  • 5:23 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a call in Guthrie Center
  • 6:19 p.m. Guthrie County Deputies responded to a report of a suspicious person in Casey
  • 7:25 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy followed up on an investigation in rural Guthrie Center
  • 10:10 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy checked on a disabled vehicle in rural Bagley

 

3-5-26

  • 12:05 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy checked on a disabled vehicle in rural Bayard
  • 7:23 a.m. Panora Ambulance and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a medical call in Bayard
  • 8:43 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve civil papers in Stuart 
  • 9:30 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy transported an inmate from Warren County Jail to Guthrie County Jail
  • 9:37 a.m. Stuart Police performed a case follow-up 
  • 10:33 a.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Mercy
  • 10:35 a.m. Guthrie County Deputies executed a search warrant
  • 10:45 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a fraud report in rural Casey
  • 1:40 p.m. Panora Ambulance and Guthrie Deputy and Sheriff responded to a medical call in Guthrie Center
  • 2:54 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Mercy 
  • 2:55 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a family situation in Guthrie Center
  • 3:50 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served civil papers in Guthrie Center 
  • 4:59 p.m. Panora Police responded to an animal complaint 
  • 5:22 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve civil papers in Stuart 
  • 6:19 p.m. Stuart Ambulance and Police responded to a medical call in Stuart 
  • 6:47 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a report of a scam call in rural Stuart 
  • 7:29 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted with traffic control in rural Panora 
  • 8:09 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a theft report in rural Menlo 

 

3-6-26

  • 2:45 a.m. Panora Police responded to a commercial burglar alarm 
  • 12:06 p.m. Stuart Ambulance, Fire and Police responded to a medical call in Stuart 
  • 12:30 p.m. Panora Police took a theft report
  • 12:40 p.m. Guthrie County Sheriff responded to a complaint in Guthrie Center
  • 1:30 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy followed up on an investigation in rural Guthrie Center
  • 1:47 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a theft report in Guthrie Center 
  • 1:49 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a complaint from Yale 
  • 2:55 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve civil papers in Guthrie Center 
  • 3:20 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted an individual in Guthrie Center
  • 3:27 p.m. Stuart Police assisted a pedestrian 
  • 4:57 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a family situation 
  • 5:05 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a theft report in Casey 
  • 7:56 p.m. Stuart Police returned a found wallet 
  • 9:34 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy, Stuart Ambulance and Police responded to a medical call in Menlo 

 

3-7-26

  • 9:13 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in Guthrie Center
  • 6:15 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted a motorist in Guthrie Center
  • 6:41 p.m. Panora Police responded to an animal complaint
  • 7:22 p.m. Panora Ambulance and Bayard First Responders responded to a medical call in Bayard
  • 8:05 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve a civil paper in rural Panora
  • 8:15 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve a civil paper in Guthrie Center
  • 8:15 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a driving complaint
  • 8:42 p.m. Stuart Police checked on a report of a fire
  • 8:44 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Des Moines

 

3-8-26

  • 11:26 a.m. Stuart Police responded to an animal complaint 
  • 2 p.m. Guthrie County Deputies responded to a dispute in rural Stuart
  • 2:30 p.m. Stuart Rescue and Stuart Police responded to a medical call in rural Stuart
  • 3:30 p.m. Panora Police followed up on an animal complaint
  • 5 p.m. Stuart Police responded to an animal complaint
  • 6:40 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy followed up on an investigation in Guthrie Center
  • 7 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy followed up on an investigation from rural Guthrie Center and arrested one individual and took that individual to the Guthrie County Jail
  • 11:45 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a complaint