Special to the Times Vedette
Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Jason Gray reported a two-vehicle accident occurring on Aug. 1 at 1:47 p.m. on Horn Avenue. Terry Palkki was reversing his 2017 Ram truck before striking the front end of a 2025 GMC Sierra 1500, legally parked on the side of Horn Avenue. Estimated damage to the GMC is $5,000. No citations were issued.
Special to the Times Vedette
Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Todd Thorn reported a car vs. deer accident occurring on July 31 at 6:30 a.m. on Highway 25. Micah Earl Minto, 42, of Fontanelle, was driving a 2026 Subaru Crosstrek northbound on the highway and struck a deer that entered the roadway from the left side, causing damage to the driver’s side of the vehicle. Estimated damage to the Subaru Crosstrek is $3,500.
Dina Martinez cooks pupusas.
By Rich Wicks | Panora Times, July 2026
Dina Martinez of Jamaica enjoys cooking, and one of her specialties is a food that many Iowans may have never heard of. She makes pupusas, which are recognized as the national dish of El Salvador. On this particular day, Dina was joined in the church kitchen by her husband, Carlos, and their daughter, who is also named Dina.
Dina Martinez spoons filling into the dough to create a pupusa.
As the Martinez family demonstrated, pupusas are made by rolling a handful of corn dough (masa). The flour is then flattened and stuffed with fillings. The pupusa is then cooked on a hot griddle until golden brown. Pupusas are traditionally eaten by hand, which allows them to be taken along for lunch anywhere.
“The pupusas are a traditional food for the people working in the fields,” Carlos said. “They take them for lunch.”
The family also makes curtido, which is a spicy side dish similar to cole slaw. Salvadorans traditionally put a spoonful of curtido on pupusas before picking them up to eat.
“It’s like a vinaigrette-flavored cole slaw,” Dina the daughter said.
Curtido can be made quite spicy, but the family aims for a milder version. The main ingredients are cabbage, carrots, peppers and vinegar.
“Most of the time, we don’t put in much heat, so everyone can enjoy it,” Carlos said.
On this day, Dina the mother cooked a batch of pupusas with a filling of pork, beans and cheese. She then made a batch with just cheese filling. Dina the daughter and her father explained there are many varieties of pupusas.
Pupusas are often eaten with curtido (spicy slaw) on top.
“They do shrimp and cheese,” she said. “They do a breakfast one with egg and ham.”
“They can do them with fish. They can do them with vegetables. They are very versatile,” Carlos said.
While his wife quickly and effortlessly formed the masa into balls, stuffed the filling inside and then formed the mixture into disks for cooking, Carlos pointed out that the process is not nearly as easy as she made it appear. Then, after a few minutes of hot grilling on each side, the pupusas were ready to eat. Carlos added that pupusas are delicious whether eaten hot off the grill or later at room temperature, or even when frozen and reheated another day.
Dina the daughter explained how the family started making pupusas for more then just their own family.
“My parents are both retired now. My dad works in the garden, and my mom wanted to do something for the community and for the church,” she said. “Little by little, she started selling these to people.”
The church the family belongs to is Jamaica Union Church, where Carlos serves as pastor.
The pupusas that Dina cooks are generally sold for $1.50 or $2 each. When Dina’s pupusas are sold, some of the money is used to help support the church.
For the Martinez family, pupusas are more than a favorite meal. They are a way to preserve their heritage, serve their community and bring people together around the table. Every hand-formed pupusa carries a taste of El Salvador, but after 20 years in Iowa, it also reflects the warmth they have found in their adopted home. As Carlos put it, the people here are friendly — and thanks to the Martinez family, many are discovering that friendship pairs especially well with a fresh, hot pupusa.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Panora Public Library Director Molly Allen recently shared details on a few new options available through the library.
Local cardholders of the Panora Library (those with a home address zip code of 50216 or 50277) who are at least 18 years old can request a free pass to any of these attractions:
Each free pass will grant admission for up to two adults and two children. A patron can request a free pass to each destination once per calendar year. To request a free pass, go to www.iowaadventurepass.org or call the library at 641-755-2529.
Kanopy is a free, on-demand video streaming service with thousands of high-quality movies, TV shows, documentaries and more. Included in Kanopy’s extensive collection is Kanopy Kids, a dedicated section with ad-free, educational, and age-appropriate programming for children, including animated stories, early learning content, STEM videos and literary adaptations.
The library now also offers screen-free learning with Toniebox and Yoto. Panora Library now has two Tonieboxes, two mini Yoto Players, and a variety of Tonie figures and Yoto cards available for check-out.
To learn more about any of these offerings, stop in to the library at 102 North First St. or call 641-755-2529.
The 2026 Panora and Lake Panorama Citizen of the Year Andrew Randol rides in the parade Saturday morning with the 2025 Panora and Lake Panorama Citizen of the Year JoAnn Johnson. Photo by Shane Goodman
By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette
Andrew Randol was chosen to receive recognition as the 2026 Panora and Lake Panorama Citizen of the Year. He is the chief executive officer and general manager of Panora Fiber, where he has been employed for more than 30 years.
This Panorama Days tradition occurred on a new day and time this year. The Citizen of the Year was to be announced Friday evening on the Main Stage in Panora so that the honoree could be in the parade on Saturday and be recognized throughout Panorama Days. Wind and rain forced the celebration to move inside at the Owl’s Nest, but the title of Panora and Lake Panorama Citizen of the Year was still bestowed upon a person who has clearly made a lasting impact on the community.
Randol’s nominator wrote, “I believe Andy provides outstanding leadership and service to our community, which goes well above and beyond the course of his professional duties. …
“Andy has been a longtime member of the Little Panther Daycare board of directors, for which he has been a tireless advocate.
“Andy recognizes the lack of reliable and affordable childcare is a bottleneck for communities like ours and has worked hard to ensure Panora and Lake Panorama are well-served.
“Andy has been the treasurer of the Panora and Lake Panorama Area Development Group (PRIDE) for decades. As treasurer, he has worked to ensure our group’s finances are managed in a responsible and transparent manner. Although the office of PRIDE president rotates annually. Andy has been a ‘constant’ for the group and has provided valuable counsel to those who have cycled in and out of the president’s role.
“Andy’s contributions to the community aren’t adequately captured by highlighting his formal roles as a Little Panther Daycare board member, or as a PRIDE officer. … Andy’s greatest contributions are found through the countless, intangible things he does every day.
“Andy plays a unique and valuable role in our community. He is one of the most considerate professionals with whom I’ve ever had the privilege of working. When Panora Fiber prepares their float for the Panorama Days parade, Andy’s first thought does not go to highlighting himself or the Panora Fiber staff. Instead, Andy highlights the community’s veterans and ensures they are honored by being invited to ride in their float. This is an example of Andy’s selfless nature.
“I occasionally meet Andy for coffee before work. I can’t count the number of times Andy returns to the counter after we’re done, so he can buy coffee for his staff or for fellow professionals on Main Street. Andy isn’t occasionally thoughtful … Andy is intentionally and consistently kind, thoughtful, and promotes camaraderie through his daily actions.”
The Panora Chamber of Commerce has recognized an outstanding member of the Panora/Lake Panorama community since 1989. The year 2020 was the only year the recognition did not take place. The organization encourages the public to nominate those who make a lasting impact on the community.
Andrew Randol receives a plaque Friday night at the Owl’s Nest recognizing him as the 2026 Panora and Lake Panorama Citizen of the Year. Photo by Cheryl Castile
Andrew Randol and Dave Arganbright share a laugh moments after Randol was recognized as the 2026 Panora and Lake Panorama Citizen of the Year. Photo by Cheryl Castile
Several family members of Andrew Randol were present when he received the 2026 Panora and Lake Panorama Citizen of the Year award. Pictured are Canyon Randol, Zoe Randol, Jeramy Randol, Beckham Randol, Jamy Randol, Andy Randol and Amy Randol. Photo by Cheryl Castile