Skip to main content

Sample ballots available for Nov. 4 election 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Tuesday, Nov. 4 is Election Day. The sample ballots for each of the six precincts in Guthrie County can be viewed at the Guthrie County website. To view a sample ballot, go to the website of Guthrie County (guthriecounty.gov) then click on Elections, then click on Upcoming Elections, then on Sample Ballots, then click on one of the six precincts listed below.

Below are the registered candidates in each race on the ballots. Unless noted differently in parentheses, voters are to vote for up to one candidate in each race. Write-in votes are also an option.

Bayard Precinct

Guthrie Center School 1

  • Guthrie Center School Board (2): Kris Langgaard, Adam Franzeen
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts

Coon Rapids-Bayard School 1

  • CRB School Board: (3) Randi Cretsinger, Patrick McAlister
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts

Audubon School

  • Audubon School Board: (2) Laurence H Frakes Jr., Hallie Bruch
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts

Bayard City

  • Mayor: Thomas Wardyn
  • City Council At-Large: (3) Shelby Richards, Jessica Pruter, Arnold Kesselring, Andrew Stringer, Nathan McAlister
  • CRB School Board: (3) Randi Cretsinger, Patrick McAlister
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts

Casey Precinct

Adair City

  • Mayor: Joanne Byars
  • City Council At-Large: (2) Paul Gettler
  • Adair-Casey School Board: (3) Blair Carney, Amanda Bireline, Lindsay Dinkla
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts

Casey City

  • Mayor: Bruce Vorm
  • City Council At-Large: (2) Cody Sheeder, Jennifer Geren-Penton, Tyler Stolk, LeRoy Hall
  • Adair-Casey School Board: (3) Blair Carney, Amanda Bireline, Lindsay Dinkla
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts

Adair Casey School

  • Adair-Casey School Board: (3) Blair Carney, Amanda Bireline, Lindsay Dinkla
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts

Guthrie Center School 2

  • Guthrie Center School Board At-Large: (2) Kris Langgaard, Adam Franzeen
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts

West Central Valley School 2

  • West Central Valley School Board District 3: Mike Dickson
  • West Central Valley School Board District 4: Ashley E. Miller
  • West Central Valley School Board District 6: Dustin Foster
  • West Central Valley School Board District 7: Jeff Dudley
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts

Guthrie Center Precinct

Guthrie Center City

  • Mayor: Michael A Herbert
  • City Council At-Large: (2) Erica Finster, Carolyn Masters
  • Guthrie Center School Board: (2) Kris Langgaard, Adam Franzeen
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts

Guthrie Center School 3

  • Guthrie Center School Board: (2) Kris Langgaard, Adam Franzeen
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts

Panorama School 3

  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts
  • Panorama School District Public Measure IV (Yes/No)

West Central Valley School 3

  • West Central Valley School Board District 3: Mike Dickson
  • West Central Valley School Board District 4: Ashley E. Miller
  • West Central Valley School Board District 6: Dustin Foster
  • West Central Valley School Board District 7: Jeff Dudley
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts

Panora Precinct

Panorama DD 2

  • Panorama Director District 2: Clinton Deardorff
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts
  • Panorama School District Public Measure IV (Yes/No)

Panorama School 4

  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts
  • Panorama School District Public Measure IV (Yes/No)

Panora City 5

  • City Council: (3) Brian Dorsett, Roger L Dorr, Blake Michelsen
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts
  • Panorama School District Public Measure IV (Yes/No)

Panora City 4

  • City Council: (3) Brian Dorsett, Roger L Dorr, Blake Michelsen
  • Panorama School Board District 4: Mark Cates
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts
  • Panorama School District Public Measure IV (Yes/No)

Stuart Precinct

Menlo City

  • Mayor: Steve Renslow
  • City Council At-Large: (2) James Paul Jones, Gary C Foresman
  • West Central Valley School Board District 3: Mike Dickson
  • West Central Valley School Board District 4: Ashley E. Miller
  • West Central Valley School Board District 6: Dustin Foster
  • West Central Valley School Board District 7: Jeff Dudley
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts
  • City of Menlo Public Measure IU: (Yes/No)

Stuart City

  • Mayor: John Gulbranson, Cory Kirkpatrick
  • City Council At-Large: (3) Trevor Nelson, Angela Capps, Alan L Bovee, Kristina Renslow, Zach Ingwers
  • West Central Valley School Board District 3: Mike Dickson
  • West Central Valley School Board District 4: Ashley E. Miller
  • West Central Valley School Board District 6: Dustin Foster
  • West Central Valley School Board District 7: Jeff Dudley
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts

West Central Valley School 5

  • West Central Valley School Board District 3: Mike Dickson
  • West Central Valley School Board District 4: Ashley E. Miller
  • West Central Valley School Board District 6: Dustin Foster
  • West Central Valley School Board District 7: Jeff Dudley
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts

Yale Precinct

Bagley City

  • Mayor: Amanda Waltz
  • City Council At-Large: (2) Steven B Joy, Janey Bennett, Deanna Gibson
  • City Council At-Large to fill vacancy: none
  • Panorama School Board District 1: Heidi Clark
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts
  • Panorama School District Public Measure IV (Yes/No)

Jamaica City

  • Mayor: none
  • City Council At-Large: (3) none
  • Panorama School Board District 1: Heidi Clark
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts
  • Panorama School District Public Measure IV (Yes/No)

Yale City

  • Mayor: Beverly Louk
  • City Council At-Large: (3) Clinton Deardorff
  • City Council At-Large to fill vacancy: (2) Diane Chase
  • Panorama School Board District 2: Clinton Deardorff
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts
  • Panorama School District Public Measure IV (Yes/No)

Coon Rapids-Bayard School 6

  • Coon Rapids-Bayard School Board At-Large: (3) Randi Cretsinger, Patrick McAlister
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts

Guthrie Center School 6

  • Guthrie Center School Board: (2) Kris Langgaard, Adam Franzeen
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts

Panorama Director District 1

  • Panorama School Board District 1: Heidi Clark
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts
  • Panorama School District Public Measure IV (Yes/No)

Panorama Director District 2

  • Panorama School Board District 2: Clinton Deardorff
  • DMACC Director: Trish Roberts
  • Panorama School District Public Measure IV (Yes/No)

Yester Years

10 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie County Vedette, Oct. 22, 2015

THE RACE IS ON! Panorama’s Chance Webster battles Desmond Edwards of Woodward Academy during the conference cross country meet at Panorama West Golf Course on Thursday, Oct. 15. Webster finished eighth overall for the Panthers, leading the boys to a fourth-place team finish.

_________________________________

 

20 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, Oct. 25, 2005

A LITTLE HELP, PLEASE. Marie Rigler asked her great-grandson, Landon Walker, to assist her in blowing out her birthday candles. The Allen family decorated the birthday cake as a flower pot.

_________________________________

 

30 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, Oct. 25, 1995

THE PUMPKIN PRINCIPLE. Ben Smith, son of Guthrie Center School District Superintendent Steve, intently dissects a pumpkin Tuesday afternoon. A feline friend examines Ben’s progress on the soon-to-be jack-o-lantern.

_________________________________

 

40 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie County Vedette, Oct. 24, 1985

STATE MARCHING BAND CONTEST. Panora-Linden recently competed in the state marching band contest at Williams Field in Des Moines. Band members are: Back row: (Flags), Kim Rector, Jennifer Richey, Karen Raymer, Jackie Ogg, Melinda Nath, Sherri Richey, Rachel Cory and Michelle Berkley. Fifth row: Todd Winter, Mark Hennick, Mark Knapp, David Lowe, David Andresen, Travis Burchfield, Mike Safley and Tim Pote. Fourth row: Mike Weddingfeld, Ryan Wasson, Mitch Hennick, Bill Evens, Tim Hawley, Jyl Hawley, Brian Torbensen and Paul Rivas. Third row: Tristen Wall, Heather Burgess, Jeff Cory, Cindy Bacon, Lisa Hesseltine and Curt Thornberry. Second row: Darnell Shook, Cheryl Ostby, Debbie Wolfe, Jeff Hafner, Brian Brubaker, Rachel Pote, Lisa Burchfield and Bryan Richey. Front row: Joey Marchant, Andy Clark, Jeff Safley, Heather Burnham, Brad Wallace, Joel Hester, Nick Arganbright and Mr. Josef Simon, instructor.

_________________________________

 

50 years ago

From the archives of The Guthrie Center Times, Oct. 29, 1975

THE GOBLINS ARE OUT. Matt Schrader, son of Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Schrader, peers into a jack-o-lantern that signifies the coming of the ghosts and goblins. Nights have been cool, but the lighted candle in this jack-o-lantern is sure to keep frost off the pumpkin.

The sweet smells of Casey Candle Company

Leaya Klemish and Cara Caltrider at a vendor fair.

Cara Caltrider devotes approximately 30 hours per week to her candles and other creations.

By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, October 2025

In her spare time, a young local hobbyist/entrepreneur is enjoying the sweet smell of success as customers enjoy the pleasant aromas of the products she creates. Cara Caltrider’s venture is known as Casey Candle Company. She explained how she started.

This cow dough bowl is designed to hold melted wax.

“I started it in 2023. When I was in high school, I had the dream of starting my own company. I created my first candle in my parents’ kitchen, and I had to do a lot of research about how to make candles. Then, during college, I kind of took a break, but I got back into it later,” Caltrider said. “When I first started, I slowly kept branching out. It’s been a lot of trial and error. Now, I make candles, countertop sprays, room sprays, wax melts, dough bowls and car diffusers.”

Although she has a fulltime job, Caltrider still devotes approximately 30 hours per week to her candles and other creations.

Caltrider enjoys offering her items at vendor markets in the area but has also found shelf space in two local stores.

“I do a lot of vendor events in area towns on the weekends,” she said. “I also sell my products at Hometown Basics in Casey and The Egg Crate in Elkhorn.”

Caltrider recalled how she has needed to learn on the fly as she created her products, and her family and friends have been happy to help. 

“My favorite story is from when I was first starting out. I got an order from a local business, and it was in the winter, so my dad, who is a farmer, offered to help me, since he had some free time. You typically wouldn’t find a farmer learning how to pour candles, but he did fine,” Caltrider said. “It’s great because my family has been so willing to step in whenever I need help.”

Seasonal scented products are popular

Caltrider recalled learning that attention to detail matters.

“The hardest part of it is getting the measurements correct, for fragrance and stuff. When I first started out, I struggled with that,” Caltrider said. “I try to keep up the inventory, but I sell out of things a lot, so it’s tough to keep up with it. So, I’m usually making candles every day.”

Caltrider also learned that candles and summer heat do not mix.

“In the summer, I do a lot of outdoor events, and then, in the winter, it’s indoor events,” she said.  “One time in the summer, I was going to a vendor event and hadn’t thought about it, and they melted, so I had to fix them. Now I haul them in coolers when it’s hot.”

One unusual but popular item Caltrider makes is dough bowls, which are decorative wooden bowls designed to hold melted wax and/or serve as a candle holder.  

“The dough bowls have been the most popular, just because nobody else around here sells them,” she said.

Caltrider continually strives to add new scents or change the scents out seasonally. 

“I have a flannel scent and a cinnamon bun scent that are very popular,” Caltrider said. She noted that the flannel and leather canyon woods are the most popular scents with men. Other options include vanilla caramel spice, lavender, pumpkin pie and Columbian coffee.

Caltrider recently began making some candles with a base of beef tallow. She explained that this type of candle-making is more time-consuming.

“It gets rendered from beef fat. It’s a lot harder. I have to put the tallow in a pot and simmer it on low for a couple hours, then drain it and put it in the fridge overnight. Then scrape it off and remelt it,” she said. 

Caltrider recently began getting beef tallow for her candle making from local farm BC Angus.

As her hobby and production have grown, Caltrider has sought more outlets for selling her items. She has a website and also uses Facebook and Instagram to market her Casey Candle company creations.

Caltrider has a long-term goal for her venture but understands it can’t be hurried.

“I’d eventually like to have a store, just so I could do events and fun things like that. So, that would be the ideal goal, but who knows when that will happen,” she said. n

Stuff

In an effort to downsize and simplify, I have been moving a lot of “stuff” lately. You know. Stuff. We all have it, at least the noun definition: a group or scattering of miscellaneous objects or articles. “Stuff,” ironically, is also a verb, meaning: to fill by packing things in.  

Both seem appropriate. 

George Carlin offered a great interpretation of “stuff” in his comedy routine from a few decades ago. If you are up for a laugh, and aren’t offended by a bit of graphic language, check it out here. 

When my wife and I made our first move, I asked her about the need for so much stuff, including the really heavy bag of rocks that she wanted me to load up. “It’s for the bottom of flower pots,” Jolene told me. I didn’t know that flower pots required special rocks, so I let it slide. In our next move a few years later, I came across that bag of rocks again. Of course, I had to ask, “Do we really need this bag of rocks?” She yelled, “Yes!” I didn’t argue. On our third move, when I eyeballed the bag of rocks that we hadn’t used in more than a decade, I put my foot down. “I am not moving this bag of rocks another time,” I firmly stated. “If and when you want rocks, I will find you rocks.” She reluctantly agreed. It was a small victory on stuff. 

Do you rent a storage unit for your extra stuff? You are not alone, according to sparefoot.com. Self-storage units are a nearly $40 billion industry with 49,000-plus facilities using 1.9 billion square feet. About 10.6% of households rent a self-storage unit, spending $89.12 per month, on average. And all this while 65% of us have a garage, 47% have an attic, and 33% have a basement, according to boxbee.com. Meanwhile, most of our grandparents and their parents lived in much smaller homes, often without garages. Where did they keep all their “stuff”? The answer is that they simply didn’t have as much of it. What a concept. 

I was reminded of all this stuff when moving a roof box cargo carrier for our SUV. Yes, I had to find room to store something that sometimes stores other things. And, yes, it did come in handy a few times on family vacations, but I would rather move a dozen heavy bags of rocks than carry this buffalo again. Just don’t tell my wife. 

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707