By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Sept. 9 regular meeting of the Panorama School Board, Superintendent Kasey Huebner reported on the school district’s professional development plan and district goals. The board approved the district and building goals.

The board held a first reading of the proposed Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy Policy Revision – Policy 501.15. It will again be on the agenda during the Sept. 18 work session. Superintendent Huebner explained the proposed revision.

“The biggest change is that all excused absences are not exempted from the chronic absenteeism calculation. We will continue working with the families when situations arise. This policy, directed by the state, is intended to make school and attendance a priority,” Huebner said.

The board discussed the Juvenile Justice Agency Sharing Agreement, which would allow school personnel to collaborate and have conversations with local agencies who are working with students. Agencies include the District Juvenile Court, Panora Police and Guthrie County Sheriff’s Department. The board approved the agreement.

The board noted several upcoming dates, including Homecoming Friday on Sept. 27. The school board has scheduled a work session for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18.

The next regular board meeting is set for Monday, Oct. 14 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome at all meetings other than special closed sessions as allowed by Iowa Code.

Special to the Times Vedette

Donna Fickes is celebrating her 90th birthday on Sunday, Sept. 22 from 2-4 p.m. at the Guthrie Center Christian Church Fellowship Hall, 105 N. 4th St. Donna requests no gifts and says your presence is her present.

Special to the Times Vedette

Linden Chapter, Panora, Order of the Eastern Star, hosted its 50-year luncheon on Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Masonic Lodge in Panora. Eighteen members enjoyed the pot luck meal followed by a program by Joyce Keeran. She greeted all with a reading “Hugs” and told the history of Linden Chapter before noting the current 50-year members, Nina Cole and Mona Sellman, who were unable to attend. She also introduced the 50-year members attending: Virginia Armstrong, Jean Cornish, Dottie Hill, Shirley Hughes, Frank and Joyce Keeran, Mary Jo Laughery, Kathy Smith, Myrna Whetstone and Janice Whitehead.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular meeting of the Panora City Council on Sept. 9, the council held the first reading of Ordinance 354, adding Chapter 149, regarding portable storage containers (also known as shipping containers). The ordinance states, in part, that portable storage containers are prohibited on a property used for residential purposes and are also prohibited on a property used for commercial purposes. Any such containers within the city that are not in compliance will need to be moved within 90 days.

The council approved the first reading on a 4-1 vote with councilmember Mark Sheeder opposed. The council waived the second and third readings also on a 4-1 vote, with Sheeder opposed.

During the Public Forum portion of the meeting, citizens addressed the council on two matters. Alli Halsey and Tricia Small asked the council to consider putting in a sidewalk on East South Street to enhance safety of the many children they see walking or bicycling there. Halsey explained they are requesting sidewalk on the south side of the street between Highway 4 and the museum.

“There’s a lot of kids and a big hill, so it’s a really big safety concern,” Halsey said.

Marshall and Linda Burgess addressed the council regarding the tap water in their home. They explained that they’ve been dealing with rusty-colored water for a year and were told by city staff that the problem must be on their property. They said the problem remains even after they had new water lines installed on their property. Marshall showed one of the water filters he has used. They asked if the city could have the situation resolved sooner than the spring of 2025.

Since matters discussed in the Public Forum are not on the agenda for action, the council did not take any formal action but said the city would look into both concerns.

Police Chief Matt Reising addressed the council regarding his written request regarding staffing for police coverage, following the resignation of Officer Porsch. Reising’s memo to the council said, in part, “We are utilizing part-time employees as much as possible…Officer Armstrong and I are requesting compensation for the shifts that we need to cover until a third officer is on their own.” The memo asked for Armstrong and Reising to split the third officer’s hourly rate in the meantime. The council unanimously approved the request, effective immediately.

The council asked Reising about a concern regarding a house in the city that’s had several law enforcement visits.

“It is being rented out or purchased by an organization that assists individuals with mental health issues. There have been some concerns with their interactions with neighbors… at least at this point, from a city standpoint, there isn’t really anything that we can do,” Reising said. “Unless there’s an actual crime, which I hope there isn’t.”

When asked if this is part of a “jail diversion program,” Reising said the home in question is not a part of such a program. He added that the residents have a caretaker on hand to provide assistance to the individuals as needed.

The next regular meeting of the Panora City Council is set for Monday, Sept. 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#).

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Sept. 10, the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular session. During the Public Comments portion of the meeting, Jill Albright asked the status of the resolution that the supervisors voted on regarding eminent domain and the proposed CO2 pipeline. She was informed that the resolution was filed with the Iowa Utilities Commission on Sept. 9.

Supervisor Maggie Armstrong provided an update on progress regarding the county’s new website. Armstrong showed the preliminary look of the website and said it is still on track for a full rollout later this month.

“It’s super customizable,” Armstrong said.

At 9:23 a.m., the supervisors voted to go into a special closed session as allowed by Iowa Code. The supervisors also had a scheduled tour at 1 p.m. of the Herndon Trail, from Herndon to Bagley. No county business was to be discussed during the tour, and no formal action was scheduled during the tour.

The supervisors regularly meet each Tuesday at 9 a.m. The public may attend in person or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council on Sept. 9, City Clerk Kris Arrasmith offered a suggestion regarding the city’s Park and Recreation board. She explained that the board basically only deals with two activities: the aquatic center and the city’s “peewee” baseball/softball leagues. She went on to explain that since the peewee leagues have now been split off as “clubs,” they are no longer under city control, so she suggested changing the Park and Rec board into an “aquatic center committee” that would manage operations of the pool. She said it might be easier to fill such a committee with family members who have kids involved in swimming. The consensus of the council was to move forward with this plan.

Rod Rumelhart, representing EMC Insurance, addressed the council regarding the city’s property coverage.

“I think you will be happy with this renewal,” Rumelhart said. “The state of Iowa is still reeling with property coverage all over.”

He went on to explain that some insurers are refusing to continue covering properties in Iowa, due to severe wind events in recent years. He said for those insurers who are still offering such coverage, premiums and/or deductibles are going up steeply. He explained that because the city is “pooled” with all other cities in Iowa, that helps control the fluctuations, so the city’s premium increase is not nearly as much as he had feared. Arrasmith agreed, saying she had budgeted for a larger increase than Rumelhart presented.

Rumelhart explained the new deductibles and offered the city an option to purchase additional coverage (through another company) to “buy down” the deductibles. The option he mentioned would cost an additional $12,400 per year. Arrasmith pointed out that the city has a reserve built up that would help in case of catastrophic loss. After discussion, the council approved the coverage through EMC but did not opt for the “buy down” at this time. Council members suggested asking the Utilities Board for their opinion.

Liquor permits were approved for Tori’s Angel’s Foundation and for Guthrie County Quality Meats.

Building/fence permits were approved for 105 North 12^th St. (portable shed, Clark) and 602 State St. (fence, Bates).

The next regular meeting of the council is set for Monday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.