Special to the Times Vedette

On Jan. 21, Adair County extension council members and 4-H’ers met with Iowa legislators at the Iowa Extension Council Association legislative breakfast held at Capitol Building in Des Moines. They joined other county extension council members and supporters from across the state to show the real impact ISU Extension and Outreach makes in Iowa communities.

Extension council members shared an impact report for each county in the legislator’s district as well as ISU Extension and Outreach’s 2024 Statewide Impact Report.

“The focus of the day was to share that Extension and Outreach is having real impact in our communities,” Jennifer Vit, IECA executive director, said. “It was a refreshingly positive conversation with legislators about what’s happening in their districts, despite this tense political climate.”

The event was sponsored by the Iowa Extension Council Association and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The Iowa Extension Council Association represents 900 elected extension council members across the state. At the local level, county extension councils function as the legal body and are the local partners with Iowa State University (Extension and Outreach) and the USDA. They identify needs in their local communities and help meet those needs with Extension programming to create impact.

Special to the Times Vedette

Maddox Hammerstrom, a student at Northwestern College in Orange City, earned a spot on the Academic Dean’s List for the fall 2025 semester. The Dean’s List is comprised of students who have achieved a semester grade point average of 3.50 or above while carrying a minimum of 12 graded hours. This semester, 532 students qualified for the Dean’s List. Of them, 354 students earned a GPA of 3.75 or higher and are considered Collegiate Scholars, designated with an asterisk. Hammerstrom is a senior majoring in business administration/finance. 

Special to the Times Vedette

On Feb. 8 at approximately 12: 12 a.m., a Guthrie County deputy sheriff was traveling westbound on Highway 44 between Guthrie Center and Panora and observed a red Ford Bronco traveling at a high rate of speed. When the deputy activated his emergency lights and sirens, the vehicle fled, continuing westbound.

The pursuit reached speeds of up to 113 mph and continued on Highway 44 into Audubon County, where an Audubon County Deputy successfully deployed spike strips and helped terminate the pursuit near Hamlin.

The driver of the vehicle, Lee Pickrel, 42, of Urbandale, was taken into custody without incident. Lee was transported from the scene by Audubon County EMS for medical clearance before being transported to the Guthrie County Jail.

Lee was charged with eluding, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and various traffic citations. An operating while intoxicated (OWI) criminal charge is currently pending lab results.

All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Special to the Times Vedette

On Feb. 9, Guthrie County Hospital announced approval of a $46 million renovation project, marking a historic investment in the future of health care for Guthrie County and the surrounding communities.

The comprehensive renovation will modernize existing facilities, expand clinical capabilities and enhance patient-centered care while maintaining the hospital’s long-standing commitment to serving rural Iowa. The project is designed to improve patient experience, enhance patient privacy, support medical staff and ensure the hospital can meet the evolving health care needs of the region for decades to come.

Hospital leadership worked closely with hospital staff, architects and construction partners to ensure the project reflects both best practices in modern health care design and the unique needs of our patients.

“Guthrie County Hospital has been a cornerstone of this community for decades,” said Christopher Stipe, hospital CEO. “This project honors that legacy while building a facility that supports advanced care, workforce recruitment and long-term sustainability. Having virtually no debt, the hospital is in a strong financial position. With the assistance of the USDA, local banks and other financial partners, we feel it is the right time to proceed with the project.”

The project includes new construction for the lobby, laboratory, sleep lab, IV services area, MRI addition and kitchen with updated serving and dining spaces. Clinic and specialty clinic areas, along with the physical therapy and fitness center, will be expanded and remodeled. Updates and improvements are also planned for the emergency room, surgical department and inpatient rooms. In addition, the renovation will include a new conference center with meeting rooms available for community use.

“Guthrie County Hospital is one of the most important institutions serving Guthrie County. Continuing to update health care services is essential to meeting the needs of all residents, particularly as the county’s population continues to age,” said Brian Johnson, Guthrie County Supervisor.

The renovation and expansion will be completed in phases over 30 months to minimize disruption to patient care and hospital operations.

“This renovation represents more than brick and mortar — it’s an investment in the health, safety and well-being of our community,” said Dennis Flanery, director of the Guthrie County Hospital Foundation. “By upgrading our facilities, we are ensuring that high-quality, accessible care remains close to home for future generations. This is a great way to kick off our 75^th anniversary for the hospital.”

Additional details, including project timelines and opportunities for community engagement and support, will be shared in the coming months by the hospital and the foundation.

For more information about the renovation or the Guthrie County Hospital Foundation, visit https://guthriecountyhospital.org or contact Dennis Flanery at 641-332-3879.

Photos by Betty Cooper | Special to the Times Vedette

A youth cheer clinic was hosted by the Panorama basketball cheerleaders who performed at half time of the girls game on Friday. 

Click images to enlarge.

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

The Panora Chamber of Commerce held its Community Gala on Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Captain’s Pick at the Lake Panorama Conference Center with more than 135 attendees. The event brought together many new members and longtime supporters. Guests enjoyed a meal from The Captain’s Pick, great conversation, and live music by Jackie Johnson and Paul Hart with the Riverside Drive Duo.

During the evening, the chamber highlighted the 2025 goals and achievements with reflections from Past President Angie Worth and comments from current 2026 President Dave Grove, who shared a glimpse of what’s ahead. Jaime Waddle, the treasurer of the chamber, was also recognized for her ongoing contributions to the betterment of organization. 

Photos by Nicole Crusinberry Photography

Click images to enlarge

Photos by Shane Goodman

Click images to enlarge.