Special to the Times Vedette

Auditor of State Rob Sand today released an audit report on Guthrie County, which noted that the County’s revenues totaled $22,279,795 for the year ended June 30, 2025, a 2.6% increase. He also noted that expenses for County operations for the year ended June 30, 2025 totaled $21,973,620, a 16.5% increase. The minimal increase in revenues, he stated, is mainly due to an increase in property tax revenue resulting from increased valuations, partially offset by a decrease in levy rate. The significant increase in expenses, he said, is due primarily to Secondary Roads Department inventory costs compared to last year, County Environment building repairs, and the Public Health Admin building remodel.

Sand reported 18 findings related to the receipt and expenditure of taxpayer funds. They are found on pages 85 through 96 of the report. The findings address issues such as lack of segregation of duties, material amounts of accounts receivable, accounts payable and infrastructure and capital asset additions, and prepaid expenses not properly recorded in the County’s financial statements. Sand provided the County with recommendations to address each of these findings.

Sand noted that 14 of the findings discussed above are repeated from the prior year. He stated in his letter to the media that “the County Board of Supervisors and elected officials have a fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight of the County’s operations and financial transactions. Oversight is typically defined as the ‘watchful and responsible care’ a governing body exercises in its fiduciary capacity.”

A copy of the audit report is available for review on the Auditor of State’s website at Audit Reports – Auditor of State.

Special to the Times Vedette

The Panora Chamber of Commerce invites residents and visitors to celebrate Panorama Days Friday, July 31 through Sunday, Aug. 2, at locations throughout Panora and Lake Panorama.

This year’s theme, “A Panoramic View of 175 Years: Celebrating Our Decades of History,” commemorates two significant milestones: Panora’s 175th birthday and America’s 250th birthday. The three-day celebration will honor the community’s history while bringing together families, friends and visitors for a weekend filled with entertainment, live music, activities, food and longtime Panorama Days traditions.

Friday kicks off with the annual Panorama Days Cribbage Tournament, followed by vendors, live music, children’s activities and several new attractions, including miniature golf and spin art, available Friday only. Axe throwing, the GameON DSM Mobile Gaming Trailer and live chainsaw carving demonstrations by Carve-R-Way will be offered Friday and Saturday. The Family Fun Zone will also be open both days. Little Miss and Little Mister Panorama Days, as well as Citizen of the Year 2026, will be announced Friday evening, just after the Main Street Dance Studio and Bill Riley Talent Show performances. Friday evening also includes Cruise the Loop, Chalk the Block and a Kid’s Cake Walk. The Guthrie County Conservation Board will be offering hay-rack rides from the festival area to the Guthrie County Historical Village to tour the 1851 Log Cabin home, serving root beer floats. The cabin was the first homestead in Panora, and originally sat on the same lot where the Chainsaw Carver will be located. Friday evening will culminate with the free Panorama Days Street Dance featuring the Tank Anthony Band from 8 to 11 p.m. on Main Street. Tank Anthony is a Texas-born, Iowa-raised entertainer, who has recently returned from recording in Nashville. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and BYOB (no glass), or to purchase beverages from local Main Street establishments, or the Lucky Wife Wine Slushie vendor.

Saturday begins with the bass fishing tournament, pancake breakfast and Panorama Days 5K Run/Walk, followed by the Panorama Days Parade at 10 a.m. Registration for the parade begins at 9 a.m. Following the parade, families can enjoy the free Kid Zone, featuring inflatables and a jousting arena, mechanical bull, face painting and caricatures, along with the expanded Family Fun Zone.

Saturday also includes a classic car show, bags tournament, bingo, live music, a ski show, a golf cart parade, and the first day of the new two-day Panorama Days Pickleball Tournament, which organizers hope will become an annual tradition. Saturday evening wraps up with local favorite Jake Kemble and KICK performing at Louie’s at the Lake from 7-10 p.m.

The “Chicken Drop” was so popular in years past, organizers brought it back three times for this year’s celebration — once on Friday evening (9 p.m.) and twice on Saturday (1 p.m. and 3 p.m.). Squares may be purchased in person at Panora Fiber (114 E. Main St.) through Thursday, July 30, or at the information booth Friday and Saturday during the festival. Proceeds help fund scholarships to Panorama High School graduation seniors.

The celebration continues Sunday with a community breakfast, Kids Fishing Derby, the concluding rounds of the pickleball tournament, the Praise Band and a free-will donation lunch benefiting Tori’s Angels from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Boulder Beach. To wrap up the festival, the Annual Panorama Alumni Golf Tournament will be held at the Par 3 Golf course at Lake Panorama Sunday at 1 p.m. (12:30 p.m. registration). This tournament is open to the public, and you do not need to be an alumnus to participate.

Panorama Days is funded entirely through donations and fundraising efforts and costs more than $30,000 to produce each year. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, donors and volunteers, most events, activities and entertainment remain free for families to enjoy. The Panorama Days Committee extends its sincere appreciation to everyone whose time, financial support and contributions make this community celebration possible. 

A complete schedule, event locations, sponsors, registration information and updates are available on the Panora Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

Special to the Times Vedette

One of the traditions of Panorama Days will occur on a new day and time this year.

The Panora and Lake Panorama Citizen of the Year will be announced this Friday, July 31, at 7:45 p.m. on the Main Stage in Panora.

In past years, the announcement was made on Saturday. This change will allow the Citizen of the Year to ride in the parade on Saturday and be celebrated throughout the weekend.

The Panora Chamber of Commerce encourages the public to join in and recognize someone who has made a lasting impact on the community. 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette 

During the July 27 regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, the councilmembers heard the status on the complaints regarding the property at 907 Grand St. Repeated noise complaints had been received regarding the property.

A pre-trial hearing had been scheduled, but the parties agreed to a settlement rather than proceed toward a trial. The property owner will pay a $500 civil penalty. City Administrator Kris Arrasmith explained another part of the settlement, in which the property owner agreed to have no further violations for two years.

“Basically, they have to keep out of trouble for the next two years, or they’re in contempt,” Arrasmith said.

Arrasmith shared a report on the city’s involvement with RAGBRAI. She voiced appreciation to city staff who stepped up to meet the needs on such a hot and humid day. It was noted that because the weather was so hot on July 20, foot traffic in town was lower than expected, as many bicyclists simply “hunkered down” to stay cool.

Arrasmith also noted that the city raised money at the pool that will be used toward installing a disc golf course at the city park.

“We raised more than enough money for me to hopefully get my ducks in a row next year for the Frisbee golf,” Arrasmith said.

Streets department head Darin Sloss shared plans to crack-seal streets in the downtown area. The council voted to accept a bid from DenCo Highway for the crack sealing for slightly more than $21,000.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the city council is set for Aug. 10 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Shane Martinson reported a car vs. cow accident occurring on July 18 at 8:40 p.m. on Highway 25 south of Guthrie Center. Taylor Irene Holmes, 33, of West Des Moines, was driving a 2015 Ford Edge southbound on the highway and struck a cow in the roadway. The collision caused the vehicle to enter the west ditch. A child who was sitting in the back seat without a seat belt on suffered a minor injury to his face. Estimated damage to the Ford Edge is $10,000. Value of the cow, owned by Dylan Ray Robson, is $6,000. 

Special to the Times Vedette

On July 24, a total of 12 players participated. Bill Sheeder, Dick Ellis and Robert Klever each got a 16; Lela Schwartz got two 16s; Dennis Betts got a 16 and a 17; Kathy Feilmeir got a 17, and Rhonda Titus won with an 18.

On July 27, a total of 11 players participated. Dennis Betts had a 16 and a 20; Wayne Nickel got a 16; and Bill Sheeder 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.