Special to the Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Community Foundation (GCCF) will host its annual fall reception on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the Panora Community Center in Panora. This event is open to the public and provides an opportunity to hear from GCCF grant recipients about the impactful projects they are undertaking with the support of the Foundation. GCCF awarded grants to more than 25 local organizations, including programs for children, and emergency and medical services. The awards totaled more than $215,000.  

During the reception, representatives from each recipient organization will share briefly about their project and how it benefits the citizens of Guthrie County. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the work being done in the community and the Foundation’s role in supporting local initiatives.

All community members are encouraged to attend and show their support for the organizations working to make Guthrie County a better place.

The application process for 2026 begins Nov. 14.  For more information, contact the Guthrie County Community Foundation at gccfoundation@gmail.com or visit desmoinesfoundation.org/affiliates/guthrie-county.

2025 Recipients

Applicant	Project
Bayard Church of Christ	Summer Meal Program
Boys and Girls Club of Central Southwest Iowa	Continued Growth
Casey Public Library Betterment Association	Library Updates
City of Coon Rapids — Ambulance Department	CPR Training Supplies
City of Coon Rapids — Fire Department	Bunker Gear
City of Coon Rapids — Police Department	Purchasing New AEDs for the Police Trucks
City of Coon Rapids — Thomas Rest Haven	Updating Lights in the Facility
City of Panora	Community Center Bathroom/HVAC Rehab
Friends of the Bayard Public Library	Digital Sign for Library
Friends of the Guthrie Center Library	2025 Youth Library Programs and Materials
Guthrie Center Fire Fighters Association	SCBA Replacement
Guthrie County Arts Council	Classroom Enhancement
Guthrie County Conservation Board	Signage
Guthrie County Fair Foundation	Showring ADA Concrete
Guthrie County First Responders Association	EMS Bags for Fire Department First Responders
Guthrie County Historical Village Foundation	Exterior Painting of Museum Building
Guthrie County Hospital Foundation	Physical Therapy Equipment
Jamaica Emergency Services Association	Radio Upgrade
Little Charger Learning Center, Inc	Capital Campaign Debt Reduction
Little Panther Daycare and Preschool	Educational and Safety Remodel
Little Smiles and Company	Investing in the Future of Littles Smiles and Company
Main Street Guthrie Center	Lighting Up Our Downtown Side Streets
Menlo Fire and Rescue Foundation, Inc	Gear Upgrade
Panora Christian Church Stitch and Chatter	Sewing for Others
Panora EMS	Training Equipment
Panora Garden Club	Water Drip Line for Petunia Trees in Panora
Panorama Soccer Club	Equipment Upgrade
Stuart Fire Department	Helmet Replacement
Stuart Public Library	Office Study Booth Pod
Tori’s Angels Foundation	Donor Software and Strategy Consulting
Tri Center Association	Congregate Meals Operation and Equipment
West Central Youth Club	Summer Program 2025
Yale Fire Department	Communications
YJB TTT	Support for TTT Sustainable Fundraising Camping for Girls (YJB).

Special to the Times Vedette

On Nov. 5, a total of 16 players participated. Paul McCool got a 16 and a 24; Larry Gardiner got a 16; Rhonda Titus had a 24; Chet Vaughan, Richard Ellis and Lela Schwartz each got a 16; and Dan Webb got a 24.

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.

Downtown revitalization project will also leverage private investment.

Special to the Times Vedette

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) awarded $950,000 in Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants to 10 communities across the state this week. The grants help rehabilitate underutilized downtown buildings to stimulate economic growth and further investment in Iowa’s historic main streets.

Guthrie Center received $50,000 to restore a vacant historic building with a renewed brick façade, new windows and doors, updated systems and a refreshed interior. The finished space will be ready for a future tenant, supporting reinvestment and renewed activity in the downtown core. Steve Smith, Roberta Gilson, Rebecca Peterson, Diane Flanery, Dennis Flanery, Carter Nordman and Brenda Dudley were among those who attended the awards presentation today at IEDA’s office in Des Moines.

“These projects are examples of the creativity and persistence we see in communities across Iowa,” Debi Durham, director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority, said. “When we invest in our main streets, we’re investing in the places where people come together — where entrepreneurs get their start, where families build memories and where the character of our communities truly shines.”

The grants are administered through IEDA’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs. The funding will be distributed to the selected projects in the form of matching grants to their local Main Street programs. The estimated total cost of these 10 projects is nearly $3.6 million.

“These grants give a significant boost to excellent ideas that might not get off the ground otherwise,” Jim Engle, director of the Iowa Downtown Resource Center, said. “Each completed project lifts the entire district — when you see lights back on in an upper floor or a storefront filled again, it sends a strong signal that good things are happening, and more are on the way.”

Since the first Challenge Grants were awarded in 2002, more than $16.5 million in funding has leveraged nearly $73.5 million in further investment.

Special to the Times Vedette

The lights were strung on the large tree on the square in Panora on Nov. 5, and some of the holiday decorations were installed with more to come, including the street flower pots. Members of the Panora Garden Club helped spearhead the activities. 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Unofficial results for all of Guthrie County from Tuesday’s election are now posted on the Guthrie County Auditor website. Voter turnout was listed as 23.3% with 1,865 ballots cast. One of the issues garnering the most interest and votes was the Panorama Schools bond measure. The measure received 547 YES votes and 590 NO votes. Other unofficial results in the area are shown below. Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of seats to be filled, if more than one.

Winners are indicated by asterisks below. Races that include votes from outside Guthrie County do not yet have unofficial winners shown. Any ties will be broken by the drawing of names by the county Board of Supervisors.

Adair Mayor

Joanne Byars               2

Write-in                       1

Adair Council At-Large (2)

Paul Gettler                 3

Write-in                       3

Bagley Mayor

*Amanda Waltz          35

Write-in                       4

Bagley Council At-Large (2)

*Steven B Joy             28

*Janet Bennett            28

Deanna Gibson           14

Write-in                       8

Bagley Council to fill vacancy

*Mark Mozingo          13

Write-in                       9

Casey Mayor

Bruce Vorm                 68

Write-in                       6

Casey Council At-Large (2)

Jennifer Geren-Penton            57

Cody Sheeder                         39

LeRoy Hall                             27

Tyler Stolk                              23

Guthrie Center Mayor

*Michael A Herbert                112

Write-in                                   1

Guthrie Center Council At-Large (2)

*Erica Finster                         98

*Carolyn Masters                   90

Write-in                                   9

Jamaica Mayor

*Dennis Meinecke                  19

Write-in                                   6

Jamaica Council At-Large (3)

*Dina Martinez                       20

*Richard McAlister                16

*HD Meinecke                       10

Write-in                                   25

Panora Council At-Large (3)

*Roger L Dorr                        219

*Brian Dorsett                        213

*Blake Michelsen                   199

Write-in                                   16

Yale Mayor

*Beverly Louk                        40

Write-in                                   2

Yale Council At-Large (3)

*Clint Deardorff                     43

*Tim Walker                           3

Gerald McComb                     2

Anna Arganbright                   2

Johanne Godwin                     2

Christy Ocker                         2

Scott Van Gundy                     2

Write-in                                   7

Yale Council to fill vacancy (2)

*Diane N Chase                      39

*Tim Walker                           3

Write-in                                   5

Adair-Casey School Director At-Large (3)

Lindsay Dinkla                       84

Amanda Bireline                     81

Blair Carney                           78

Write-in                                   1

Guthrie Center School Director At-Large (2)

*Kris Langgaard                     141

*Adam Franzeen                     139

Write-in                                   2

Panorama Schools Director Dist. 1

Heidi Clark                             151

Write-in                                   6

Panorama Schools Director Dist. 2

*Clint Deardorff                     236

Write-in                                   6

Panorama Schools Director Dist. 4

*Mark Cates                           173

Write-in                                   2

Des Moines Area Community College Director Dist. 3

Trish Roberts                          1,495

Write-in                                   20

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Chief Deputy Sheriff Todd Thorn reported a two-vehicle accident occurring on Oct. 28 at 6:35 a.m. on Fifth Street in Adair. Chad Michael Krantz, 54, of Adair was driving a 1989 Chevrolet Celebrity northbound on Fifth Street and attempted to pass a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado K2500 pickup driven by Joshua Adam Heisinger, 40, of Parkston, South Dakota, that was in the same lane, also driving northbound. Krantz attempted to pass in an intersection and collided with the Silverado pickup that was turning west. Damage to the Celebrity is estimated at $1,500 and damage to the Silverado is estimated at $2,500.  Krantz was issued citations for failure to provide proof of financial liability and passing too near to a bridge, intersection or railroad.