Skip to main content

Chuckwagon Days celebration draws good turnout  

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

This year’s Chuckwagon Days celebration in Adair included a variety of events in the city park, community center and downtown on Audubon Street. Attendees enjoyed a tractor show, bouncy houses, bingo, sand volleyball, a foam party, chicken poop bingo and kids’ games, to name a few.

The first chicken enters the game area.

Kaylan Simmons adds a second chicken to increase chances for a bingo.

Many enjoyed a free fire truck ride.

Teams compete in sand volleyball.

Vintage tractors set up on Audubon Street.

Camping4Girls hosts Yale’s Independence Day breakfast

Special to the Times Vedette

If you are looking for a hearty breakfast to start off your Independence Day, the YJB TTT-Camping4Girls, Chapter GF, will be making omelets-to-order from 8-10 a.m. at the Yale Community Building.

This is the chapter’s major fundraiser of the year in order to provide a camping experience for fourth grade girls.

The funds raised are used to pay camp fees and provide everything the girls need for a week including clothes, gear, other necessities and transportation to and from camp. Every year when previous campers graduate from Panorama High School, they are eligible to receive a Continuing Education gift from the chapter to further their education.

All donations are appreciated.

Bacoon riders pedal through Panora

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

The 12th annual Bacoon Ride, a 71-mile trek along the Raccoon River Valley Trail, took place on Saturday with riders cycling through Panora.

Riders enjoyed breakfast at the start of the ride, a full day of bacon snacks and treats at stops along the route, and the ability to participate in the “Star Wars” costume contest, which had a theme of “May the Fork Be With You.” Registration fees support the Dallas and Guthrie County conservation along with the Iowa Bicycle Coalition’s bike advocacy mission.

The ride kicked off in Waukee at 7 a.m. on Saturday and made its way through Adel, Redfield, Panora, Jamaica, Perry, Minburn and Dallas Center.

 

It was time for a break for cyclists on the Bacoon Ride who rode through Panora on Saturday.

Cyclists stopped along the trail near Pedal-In in Panora.

The Bacoon ride kicked off in Waukee and made its way through Adel, Redfield, Panora, Jamaica, Perry, Minburn and Dallas Center.

A number of vendor booths were offered, and live music entertained cyclists during Saturday’s Bacoon Ride.

Panora City Council discusses upcoming events, EMS, IAMU Mutual Aid Program 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the June 22 meeting of the Panora City Council, as part of the consent agenda items, the councilmembers approved a temporary outdoor service extension for Owl’s Nest on July 31 and Aug. 1 as part of the Panorama Days celebration. The council also approved Resolution 26-34, allowing consumption of canned alcoholic beverages in the town square on those dates from 2-11 p.m. on July 31 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 1.

A public hearing was held regarding the proposed budget amendment No. 3 for Fiscal Year 25-26. No written or spoken comments were given, so the hearing promptly closed. The council then approved the budget amendment. Approval was given to Resolution 26-33,

City Administrator Lisa Grossman noted the city has approved 17 vendors for July 21 when RAGBRAI bicyclists will ride through Panora.

Councilmember Brian Dorsett, who also serves on the county’s EMS advisory council, provided an update on the progress toward a countywide EMS service plan. He explained that the group has heard from a wide variety of individuals and groups and is now beginning to develop a plan.

“Now we’re starting to piece it all together,” Dorsett said. “It’s getting to the interesting part now.”

Dorsett also said the EMS survey is still open, and he encouraged everyone to take a few minutes to complete the survey.

The council approved Resolution 26-35 to approve participation in the IAMU Mutual Aid Program for municipal utilities. Doug Long explained what the agreement means.

“It’s to our benefit to do what we can, as part of that group. But they don’t expect small municipalities to provide people. They know that we have to staff our own systems. But poles or pieces or parts — we might provide those,” Long said.

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, July 13 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#).

UNI recognizes students on Spring 2026 dean’s lists

Special to the Times Vedette

The University of Northern Iowa is pleased to celebrate the academic achievements of students named to the spring 2026 dean’s list. Students named to the dean’s list demonstrated outstanding academic achievement by earning a grade point average of 3.50 or higher. Local honorees include:

  • Makayla James, Bayard
  • Malia Fuller, Dexter
  • Elizabeth Gonzalez, Guthrie Center
  • Jordan Lemke, Guthrie Center
  • Declan McCarthy, Guthrie Center
  • Kira Gieseman, Panora
  • Hannah Hardisty, Panora
  • Jazmyn, Sellers, Panora
  • Caitlyn Sloss, Yale