Volunteers raised funds for Tori’s Angels during RAGBRAI in Panora.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Most people in this area are familiar with Tori’s Angels, but the organization recently opened a downtown office in Panora (110 East Main St.). The office space is shared with BH Real Estate and Consulting.

An open house is scheduled 4-6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28. Refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres will be served, and attendees can learn more about the organization.

Tori’s Angels began in 2010 with fundraisers to support the medical needs of a local girl, Tori Heckman. When there were leftover funds, the organization was formed to help other youth.  

Administrative Assistant Ellen Betzer described how Tori’s Angels functions and what type of situation qualifies.

“The child has to have a life-threatening illness, and they have to live here in the state of Iowa, and they have to have some type of medical insurance,” Betzer said. She added that once approved, Tori’s Angels can support the need until the child turns 19 years old.

“We can cover anything that’s not covered by insurance, that’s medically necessary for that life-threatening illness. So if there are doctor’s appointments that have a co-pay, or deductibles, things like that,” Betzer said. “We also cover the travel expenses and meals.”

Betzer shared a few numbers to provide scope on what Tori’s Angels has done.

“We recently approved our 208^th child, and we currently have 147 that we’re actively supporting,” she said. We’ve paid out over $3 million in benefits to the families we’ve covered in the 16 years.”

The public is invited to attend the open house or visit www.torisangels.org to learn more about the organization.

Special to the Times Vedette

ACGC schools welcomed new staff members today. This is the first day for teachers and staff. ACGC classes will begin Aug. 25 with preschool to start Aug. 31. The Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce will hold a welcome back breakfast on Wednesday. 

New staff members include:

• Keli Benton (Kindergarten)
• Alaina Bunde (Preschool)
• Kellie Lewis (GC Elementary counselor)
• William Shull (GC Elementary and HS Physical Education)
• Cherokee Edgington (GC Elementary and HS Associate)
• Steve Stringham (GC Elementary Custodian)
• Rachel Smith (Art at GC Elementary and AC Elementary)
• Tyler Merical (JH and AC Elementary Physical Education)
• Morgan Lybbert (JH Social Studies)
• Gabe Soda (HS Social Studies)
• Adrianna Holmes (HS Social Studies)
• Zach Leepter (HS Special Education)
• Ashlyn Naeve (HS English Language Arts)
• Eric West (HS Business)
• Taylor Tiernan (HS At-Risk/Activities Director)
• Rhys Pate (HS Principal)
• Rachel Ripperger (HS Associate)

Special to the Times Vedette

Over the past two months, 16 ACGC FFA members traveled throughout Southwest Iowa to participate in various livestock judging events at local county fairs.

On July 9, Carroll County held its livestock judging contest, where five ACGC members competed. The team of Blake Hodges, Jaxen Knobbe, Colt Wilson and Blaire Robson received first place in the Junior Division. Jaxen Knobbe was named Champion Individual in the Junior Division, while Blaire Robson was named Reserve Champion Individual. Blake Hodges and Colt Wilson placed third and fourth, respectively. Rylee Robson placed fourth individually in the Senior Division.

At the Adair County Fair on July 12, the chapter had two teams participating. Team One, consisting of Cash Suhr, Creighton Suhr and Jaxen Knobbe, placed fourth overall. Team Two, consisting of Blake Hodges, Joe Fagan, Colt Douglas and Colt Wilson, placed sixth overall. Cash Suhr and Jaxen Knobbe also received individual awards, placing third and eighth, respectively.

Two teams attended the Montgomery County Fair on July 16. Team One, consisting of Rylee Robson, Cash Suhr, Creighton Suhr and Jaxen Knobbe, was named Champion Overall Team. The second team, consisting of Blaire Robson, Colt Wilson and Logan Stringer, placed seventh overall. Individually, Jaxen placed third, Creighton placed fourth, Blaire placed eighth, and Rylee placed ninth. On July 21, four members attended the Crawford County Fair Livestock Evaluation Contest. The team of Jaxen Knobbe, Irelyn Wirt, Rylee Robson and Blaire Robson placed third overall. Individually, Jaxen placed first overall, while Rylee placed eighth.

At the Cass County Fair, the chapter competed in two different livestock evaluation contests with a total of 10 members participating. For the District Livestock Evaluation Contest, the team of Rylee Robson, Jaxen Knobbe, Creighton Suhr and Cash Suhr received Reserve Champion Team. This same team also received Reserve Champion Team at the Cass County Fair Contest. Rylee Robson was named Champion Individual in both contests. Creighton placed seventh in the District Contest and eighth in the Cass County Contest, while Cash placed eighth in the District Contest and ninth at Cass County.

The second team that competed in the Cass County Contest placed eighth overall. This team consisted of Alli Wiers, Blaire Robson and Taryn Carroll. The team of Colt Wilson, Logan Stringer and Blake Hodges also competed in the Cass County Livestock Evaluation Contest. Members will also have the opportunity to compete at the Clay County Fair, SW CDE Day and the Guthrie County Fair livestock evaluation contests this fall.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors meeting on Aug. 18, Health Services Director Jotham Arber outlined the county’s plans for vaccinating the public. He said gatherings such as the fair and the start of the school year can lead to outbreaks of disease.

“On Friday, I’m going to release a video on measles, on Facebook,” he said. “What measles is, what protections they have, what that looks like.”

Arber was asked what schools require regarding vaccinations.

“Schools require the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella). They require varicella, polio and meningitis. Or you can have a medical exemption if you’re allergic to them,” Arber said. “And then you can have a religious exemption, too. We honor all of those.”

Arber noted that the vast majority of citizens in the area are vaccinated.

“In Guthrie County, across the board, we’re sitting at 93% on completion of vaccination series. So, in our schools, we have fairly decent coverage. And, in the general population, we have pretty good coverage as well.”

Arber also described the efforts of the Health Services department to create a succession plan to be used if/when personnel depart for any reason.

Arber added that he plans to hire a mental health therapist in the near future, which will aid in providing needed services for the area.

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#

Photo by Kerry Jacobsen | Times Vedette

The Panora Chamber of Commerce held a Teacher Welcome Breakfast this morning for the staff at Panorama Schools. Chamber members served cinnamon rolls, fruit, coffee and juice.

The staff started today. Students will return to classes at Panorama Aug. 24 with preschool starting Aug. 26.

New certified staff members at Panorama include:

• Jim Demers (Dean of Students)
• Andrew King (District Band)
• Wyatt Clark (HS Physical Education)

Panora Chamber members Kristen Crouthamel, Dave Grove, Shane Murphy, Pam Beardsley, Gayle Shackelford and Amber Lopez.

Panora Chamber members thanked the Panorama teachers and staff.

School staff returned to the classrooms today and started out with a welcome breakfast.

Panora Chamber members served cinnamon rolls, fruit, coffee and juice.

Erica Matthies and members of the Panora Chamber of Commerce formally welcome the staff at Panorama Schools back for the new school year.