By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Below are unofficial results from Guthrie County voters in the June 2 primary election. Many of the races listed were uncontested, and write-in votes are not listed, as the number of write-in votes was not large enough in any race to alter the result. Voters were given either a Republican ballot or a Democrat ballot and could only vote on candidates in that party. More details, including the number of write-in votes, can be seen on the website page of the Guthrie County Auditor. Results are unofficial until formally canvassed by the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors.

Republicans

US Senate

• Ashley Hinson 1,128
• Jim Carlin 396

US Representative, District 3

• Zach Nunn 1,455

Governor

• Zach Lahn 682
• Randy Feenstra 479
• Adam Steen 262
• Brad Sherman 98
• Eddie Andrews 55

Iowa Secretary of State

• Paul Pate 1,406

Auditor of Iowa

• Chris Cournoyer 719
• Abigil Maas 667

Treasurer of Iowa

• Roby Smith 1,322

Ag. Secretary of Iowa

• Mike Naig 1,411

Attorney General of Iowa

• Brenna Bird 1,384

State Rep., District 47

• Carter Nordman 1,051
• Jeremy King 543

County Offices

Supervisor, District 1

• Phil Brown 142
• Nic Chance 136

Supervisor, District 3

• Maggie Armstrong 332

Supervisor, District 4

• Steve Smith 253
• Tracy Foster 107

Treasurer

• Brenda Campbell 1,425

Recorder

• Tristen Richard 1,399

Attorney

• Charles Abel 1,051
• Joel Christopher Baxter 396

Democrats

US Senate

• Josh Turek 306
• Zach Wahls 150

US Representative, District 3

• Sarah Trone Garriott 423

Governor

• Rob Sand 448

Iowa Secretary of State

• Ryan Peterman 431

Auditor of Iowa

• Taylor Wettach 430

Treasurer of Iowa

• John Norwood 432

Ag. Secretary of Iowa

• Chris Jones 426

Attorney General of Iowa

• Nate Willems 427

State Rep. Dist. 47

• Chris New 257
• Charley Newman 164

County Offices

• No Democrats registered for any county races in the Primary election.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

White Pole Road sales June 6

The annual White Pole Road 26-mile “marathon” of garage sales will be this Saturday, June 6. Garage sales include addresses in Adair, Casey, Menlo, Stuart and Dexter. For details, go to the Facebook page of White Pole Road. Most of the addresses listed will have sales running on Friday and Saturday, June 5 and 6.

George Strait tribute band in Greenfield June 6

At 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, the Dustin West Band will perform at the Warren Cultural Center in Greenfield, playing songs by George Strait. Tickets are $25 each, with students (high school and younger) admitted free.

Summer Scratch & Match in Panora June 13

Participating businesses in Panora welcome everyone to come in from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 13. Shoppers can scratch a game piece and hope for a match. Prizes of $25, $50 and $100 (in Panora Chamber Bucks) will be won by some lucky shoppers.

Good Egg Days in Stuart June 19 and 20

The annual Good Egg Days will be held June 19-20 in downtown Stuart. Events on Friday, June 19 include the Little Stinker and Little Stinkette contest for kids ages 4-8, the kiddie parade, announcement of the Grand Marshall and Citizen of the Year, kids’ water fight, food trucks and live music featuring Cody Hicks.

Saturday, June 20 events include the 5K run/walk, parade, craft market, inflatables, balloon artist, face painting, trivia contest, and live music featuring Round A Bout.

More details can be viewed on the Facebook page of Good Eggs Days 2026.

Thursdays at Jamaica Library

From 4-5 p.m. every Thursday in June, the Jamaica Library is hosting “library summer camp” for kids of all ages. The free events include crafts, games, an obstacle course, tie dye, smores, hot dogs, free ice cream from Tojo’s, prizes and snacks. More details can be seen on the Jamaica Library Facebook page.

Free summer reading program in Panora

The Panora Library is holding a free summer reading program with special events at 10 a.m. on each Friday in June at the Panora Community Center. There will be stories, crafts and activities. The themes for the Fridays are:

• June 12: Honeybees
• June 19: Chickens and eggs
• June 26: Fun on the farm

Panora Farmers Market June 6

The Panora farmers market will be 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 6, at the Guthrie County Historical Village, 206 W. South St. in Panora. 

Panora citywide garage sales

Panora citywide garage sales are set for June 12-13.

 

Guthrie Center citywide garage sales

Guthrie Center’s citywide garage sales will be June 19-20. To participate, sign up at City Hall by noon on June 17 and pay a $5 fee to be included in the map.

Guthrie Center will hold citywide cleanup on Wednesday, June 24. To participate, prepay at City Hall by noon on June 22. The base fee is $25, with certain items requiring additional charges. Any questions can be directed to Guthrie Center City Hall, 641-332-2190.

ACGC tractor ride June 13

A tractor ride will begin at ACGC Junior High School (3384 Indigo Ave., Adair) at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 13. The event is sponsored by the ACGC FFA chapter. Lunch will be provided during the ride.

Tori’s Angels breakfast benefit and silent auction June 14

The annual fundraiser breakfast and silent auction for Tori’s Angels will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 14 at the Panora Community Center, 115 West Main St. in Panora. The meal includes bacon, eggs, pancakes, Mickey Mouse pancakes, and beverages; all for a freewill donation. The silent auction runs 8 a.m. to noon.

Adair Chuckwagon Days June 19-20

This year’s Chuckwagon Days will include many familiar happenings and a few new events. Scheduled events include kids’ games, a BBQ, baseball, a bake sale, a bags tournament, foam party, pancake breakfast, 5K run/walk, parade, tractor show, sand volleyball, pickleball tournament, bingo, carnival games, scavenger hunt, fire truck rides, and a street dance.

One new event this year is Chicken Poop Bingo, which is set to begin at 1 p.m. on June 20. The Adair city park, 406 Audubon St., is the hub for Chuckwagon Days. For details on all events, see the Facebook page of Chuckwagon Days 2026.

Bacoon Ride through Guthrie County June 20

The annual Bacoon Ride will happen on Saturday, June 20. Bicyclists will begin and end the 71-mile loop at Waukee. This year’s route will follow the Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT) and will come through Redfield, Linden, Panora, Yale, Herndon and Jamaica before returning to Waukee. Each stop will include bacon-themed foods and/or beverages. To register, visit www.iowabicyclecoalition.org and click on Events.

Heroes and Hot Dogs June 20 in Guthrie Center

The Guthrie Center Fire Department will host an event called “Heroes and Hot Dogs” from 3-7 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 at Mitchell Park. There will be hot dogs and refreshments, bounce houses, demonstrations by members of the fire department, and the opportunity for youngsters to meet local firefighters. To help raise funds for the fire department, sponsorships for the event are still available. If interested, contact any member of the fire crew.

Bayard Fun Day June 20

A fundraiser “Fun Day” in Bayard will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 to benefit the summer meal program. There will be kids’ games, a freewill donation meal, bingo and a silent auction.

Midwest Partnership golf outing June 26

Save the date of Friday, June 26 for the 31^st annual Midwest Partnership golf outing. The event will be held at the Lake Panorama National course. In honor of America’s 250^th birthday, there will be a contest for the “best dressed team” in patriotic attire. Visit www.midwestpartnership.com for more details.

ACGC Booster golf tourney June 26

On Friday, June 26, the ACGC Booster Club golf tournament will be held at Guthrie Center Golf Course. Check-in begins at 9 a.m., with tee-off set for 10 a.m.

Golf tourney for Guthrie Center Library June 27

The fourth annual Friends of the Guthrie Center Public Library golf tournament will be held on Saturday, June 27 at the Guthrie Center Golf Course (2604 State St.). Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and a shotgun start will kick off the tourney at 9 a.m. The tourney format is a 4-person scramble. Cost is $60 per person, which include cart and lunch. To sign up, go to https://www.guthriecenter.lib.ia.us/golf-tournament-fundraiser. Anyone interested in becoming a $100 sponsor may call the library at 641-747-8110.

Send your event information to rich@gctimesnews.com.   

Special to the Times Vedette

On June 3, a total of 13 players participated. Dave Kading and Sandy Rumelhart both got a 16; Robert Klever got a 21; Dick Ellis got a 24; and Dennis Betts got a 16 and two 24s.

The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library, 400 Grand St., on Mondays at 8 a.m. and at the New Homestead independent living dining hall, 2306 State St., at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays and at 1 p.m. on Fridays. Organizers say there is always room for more, and they will be glad to teach you how to play. They play for quarters on Wednesday and Friday.

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Jason Gray reported a car vs. deer accident occurring on June 1 at 9:53 p.m. Eric Harlan Eimers-Mosier, 45, of Lawton, Oklahoma, was driving a 2025 Chevy Equinox SUV southbound on Justice Road near the intersection of 160^th Street before striking a deer entering the road from the west ditch, causing disabling damage to the front end. Estimated damage to the Equinox is $20,000. No citations were issued.

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Taylor Wheatley reported a car vs. deer accident occurring on May 27 at 2 a.m. Jocelyn Rayne Griesman, 17, of Carroll, was driving a 2013 Dodge Avenger SE northbound on Chestnut Road and swerved away from a deer entering the road from the west ditch, causing severe damage, before leaving the scene. Estimated damage to the Avenger is $10,000. Deputy Sheriff Taylor Wheatley was not notified of the accident until 6:15 a.m. Griesman was issued citations for failure to maintain control and leaving the scene of the accident after causing property damage.

 

Joshua Gotter hopes to create a lasting recreation space for local youth and families

By Rich Wicks | Panora Times, May 2026

For Joshua Gotter of Panora, skateboarding has been a lifelong pursuit.

“My dad put me on my first skateboard probably about the time I was figuring out how to stand up,” Gotter said. “He was a skateboarder as a young man. In southern California, he grew up around the boom of skateboarding. I don’t have any memories where I don’t have skateboards in my life.”

As a lifelong skateboarder, Gotter has accumulated an extensive collection of boards.

“I have a pretty extensive collection. I have a little man cave in my basement, and I’ve probably got about 75 skateboards on display. There’s probably 20 of them that are autographed. Some are just boards that I thought looked cool.”

Gotter recalled moving from California to Panora.

“I moved here from California when I was 11. I was in sixth grade, and it was nothing short of culture shock for me,” he said. “I spent a lot of years being that one kid alone in the bank parking lot skateboarding until late at night.”

Gotter recalled finding places to skateboard while striving to perfect tricks, but he was eventually asked to leave parking areas and loading docks. He knew he was sometimes skateboarding on private property after hours, but in a small town, he had few other options.

Over time, Gotter improved his skills and eventually entered competitions, though he said the spotlight was never his goal.

“I was never really big into competitions, but that’s not all that it’s about. Sometimes, you just do something because it feels right, and there was always something that felt right about having wheels underneath me,” Gotter said. “My best memories of skateboarding were always the road trips with my parents.”

Now in his 40s, Gotter said skateboarding remains therapeutic, despite the physical challenges that come with age.

“I’m reaching an age where I can’t do all the things I like to do anymore. I don’t heal very fast. Injuries are prevalent,” Gotter said. “But skateboarding has been a thing that kept me grounded and saved me at a lot of weird points in my life. So, to the community that’s given me so much, I want to give them a piece of myself, and hopefully we can build something that’s going to last.”

With that in mind, Gotter has envisioned creating a skate park in Panora. He said the most logical location would be on the southern edge of Michael Mills Park, between the T-ball diamond and Wagon Road. However, he acknowledged the project’s significant cost and said it will take time.

Gotter said his research into other skate parks showed that a concrete structure would cost about three times more than a wooden structure but would last much longer.

Gotter previously presented the idea to the Panora City Council and addressed concerns from council members and city staff regarding loitering and vagrancy. He said lighting and clearly posted park hours would discourage youths from gathering after dark.

Gotter has an unofficial fundraising goal of $350,000 to build the type of park he believes would best serve Panora. That figure includes a sidewalk or walkway to the park and lighting.

“We’re still just in baby steps. In the fall, I was just gauging to see how much interest there is. We found that there is enough interest around here. Kids who ride scooters, adults who skateboarded when they were younger, people who ride bicycles and would enjoy someplace to ride besides just the bike trail,” he said.

“There’s definitely a lot of unused space out here to do some things with. Maybe a BMX bicycle track. We had a pretty decent amount of interest until winter hit,” Gotter said. “Now we’re at a point where we’re trying to pick some steam back up. I’ve got a few ideas of ways to try to get the community involved. It makes us less of a closed off little community and more of a place to come visit.”

One of Gotter’s goals in building the skate park is to provide youth with a free local recreation option.

“I feel sad when I see young kids in the area and they don’t have anything else to do except for pursue things that are going to get them into trouble,” he said. “Another thing is kids nowadays are very stuck in video games, and they expect immediate results. That’s a very unhealthy mentality because that’s not the real world. You need to learn to be bad at things before you can be good at them, and skateboarding, for me, was always one of those things.”

From his own experiences, Gotter said he understands the satisfaction that comes with learning to skateboard and mastering tricks.

“The success, the feeling, the gratification that you’ve earned is so much more powerful than what kids get from video games,” he said. “I’m worried about the future of our youth, and we need to embrace giving them safe places to learn to be stronger humans. Hopefully, it can be a place where kids and adults alike can go and just find themselves somehow.”

Anyone interested in learning more about efforts to create the skate park can follow updates and design ideas on the Panorama Skatepark Project Facebook page. n