By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Applications are due by Jan. 31 for any organizations wishing to apply for a grant from the Guthrie County Community Foundation. As in previous years, applications may be submitted from nonprofit organizations, governmental entities and educational organizations. Dozens of local organizations received funds in 2025. Funds will help support quality of life in Guthrie County. Details can be found on the website www.guthriecountycommunityfoundation.org.

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On Jan. 14, a total of nine players participated. Dick Ellis and Sandy Rumelhart each got a 16; Mark Humphry, Dave Richter and Allen Pierce each got a 17; and Lela Schwartz won with a 21.

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.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The supervisors discussed the recommendations from the county compensation board regarding 2026-2027 salaries for elected officials. Eric Reinhart summarized the compensation board’s salary increase recommendations for elected officials.

“The comp board met on Jan. 5. Based on my time on the board, we’ve always just come to you guys with just one general number for all departments. This year, it was determined by the board to take a different approach,” Reinhart said. “We recommend for the supervisors 4%, the county attorney 6%, the treasurer, recorder and auditor all 7%, and then for the Sheriff’s office, we recommend 15%.”

Reinhart explained the board’s process in determining these recommendations involved considering population rank, workload and other factors, comparing to other counties.

“The county attorney and the supervisors are about on point, but everybody else is lagging. The sheriff’s office, in particular, compared to other similar counties, he’s far behind. Fifteen percent would get him into that middle range,” Reinhart said.

The supervisors talked of the possibility of implementing a certain proportional percentage of these recommended raises. No formal action was taken regarding salaries at this time.

The supervisors set a public hearing regarding the Scott Calmer Minor Subdivision. The hearing will be 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Board Chair Steve Smith brought up his idea of having one supervisor be the “board PR person” that could deal with requests from the media for statements. He agreed that all five supervisors have the right to speak on issues but simply asked the supervisors to “mull over” the possible benefits of having one person be the point person to speak for the board at times.

The supervisor voted to appoint the board chair and vice chair as the standard members to sit in on employee performance reviews. Steve Smith is currently chair, and JD Kuster is vice chair.

The supervisors meet regularly on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend in person (at the courthouse) or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#

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Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Blake Michelsen reported a two-vehicle accident occurring on Jan. 6 at 9:30 a.m. in the Guthrie County Courthouse parking lot. Charlie Quinn Walker, 27, of Menlo was driving a 2022 Chrysler Voyager LX and backed into a legally parked 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, causing an estimated damage of $500 to the Voyager and $1,500 to the Blazer. Walker was cited for no insurance, accident related. 

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Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Kent Gries reported a two-vehicle accident occurring on Jan. 6 at 2:35 p.m. on Highway 44 near Guthrie Center. Ali Abdulmehdi Alhussaini, 39, of Ankeny, was driving a 2006 Ford F-150 pickup eastbound on Highway 44 and rear-ended a stopped 2018 Chevrolet Traverse driven by Deanna Bee Arends, 61, of Bayard. Alhussaini was cited for failure to reduce speed. Estimated damage to the Ford F-150 is $5,000, and estimated damage to Chevy Traverse is $8,000.

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Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Shane Martinson reported a vehicle vs. deer accident occurring on Jan. 8 at 11:47 p.m. on Highway 141 near Coon Rapids. Rachael Jo Tenk, 36, of Manning, was driving a 2013 Nissan Juke and struck a deer that came out of the left side of the ditch and crossed in front of the vehicle.  Estimate damage to the Nissan is $3,000.