Special to the Times Vedette

Ron and Kristie Reynolds of Panora will celebrate 50 years of marriage this Saturday, Aug. 30.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Aug. 26 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, Health Service Director Jotham Arber provided an update on the status of the county plan for first responders (also known as EMR or emergency medical responders), as a way to improve response and response timing for medical emergencies. He said since Panora and Stuart have ambulance services, the EMR plan is focusing especially on areas where ambulance response time may take longer. Arber said training for EMRs is set to begin.

“On Sept. 3, we’re going to hold our first EMR class through DMACC here in the county. I currently have six folks signed up,” Arber said. “I have one from Bagley, and I have three from Bayard. I have one from Guthrie Center, and I have one from the Panora area.”

Arber explained that EMRs are to provide basic life support services to stabilize a person in a medical emergency until a higher-level provider can take over. He said new EMRs would go through an orientation period. 

“We’ll do a 90-day orientation with all responders that are coming on board with us before we let them out into the world,” Arber said.

Arber said EMRs need to clearly know what they can do — and, just as importantly, what they cannot do — while interacting on the scene of a medical emergency.

“They’re not going to transport anyone,” Arber said. “They’re going to arrive on the scene to do what they need to do with the backpacks.”

Arber also reported on the success of recent health fairs at local schools.

“We’ve done health fairs in Stuart, Panora and Audubon, and we’re going to do one in Guthrie Center Sept. 4,” Arber said. “In total, we have had 252 folks come through the doors between Panora and Stuart. We’ve done 19 haircuts. We’ve given out 79 backpacks. We’ve done 45 dental screenings, and we provided 310 meals.”

County Recorder Tristen Richard shared an update on operations in the recorder’s office. She discussed the various revenue sources for the department and where the funds go.

The supervisors approved the health service agreement between the county and the sheriff’s department (jail) as described by Arber. Supervisor Maggie Armstrong said she is eager to see the expected cost savings under the agreement.

As part of the consent agenda items, the supervisors approved a payroll change notice for Ryan Cline in the secondary roads department. Cline’s position changed from equipment operator I to engineering technician I effective Aug. 25. His former pay rate was $28.37 hourly and is now $31.02 hourly.

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

Carter Nordman officially launched his campaign for reelection to the Iowa House of Representatives in the 47th district at an event Monday evening.

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

Carter Nordman officially launched his campaign for reelection to the Iowa House of Representatives in the 47th district, which includes, Guthrie County, Greene County and parts of Dallas County. The event was held Monday evening on the property of James and Carol Wendl of Panora with more than 150 people in attendance.

Nordman, a Republican, was first elected in November 2020 and assumed office on Jan. 11, 2021. He is the youngest state legislator in Iowa and one of the youngest in the United States.

Carter Nordman, a Republican, is the youngest state legislator in Iowa and one of the youngest in the United States.

More than 150 people attended Carter Nordman’s official launch event on the property of James and Carol Wendl.

Congressman Zach Nunn, who serves as the U.S. representative for Iowa’s 3rd congressional district, spoke at Carter Nordman’s official launch event Monday evening.

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

The Guthrie Center Farmers Market was held on Saturday with some of the most comfortable weather we have had all summer. Susan Van Hill and Liz Sullivan of Hilltop Hens, Hives and Posies participated in the market and said they were pleased with the attendance — and the cooler temperatures in the low 70s.   

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

As provided by the Guthrie County ISU Extension Office, here are the results of Guthrie County 4-H members’ entries at the Iowa State Fair. Congratulations to all participants.

Beef Showmanship                             Leah Kastner                 Purple ribbon

Breeding Beef, Angus                         Ty Ganzer                       Red ribbon

Breeding Beef, Maintainer                Leah Kastner                  Purple ribbon, 3^rd place

Breeding Beef, Simmental                 Taryn Carroll                 Blue ribbon

Breeding Beef, Simmental                 Deacon Crawley            Blue ribbon

Breeding Beef, Fdn. Simmental         Jaxen Knobbe               Blue ribbon

Market Beef, Charolais                       Caden Larsen                 Purple ribbon, 1^st place

Market Beef, Charolais                       Blake Ganzer                  Red ribbon

Market Beef Crossbred Steer             Lane Ganzer                   Red ribbon

Dairy Goats 5-6 months                      Vivien Way                     Purple ribbon, 3^rd place

Dairy Goats 2-3 years                          Averi Haines                  Purple ribbon

Rabbits Harlequin Sr Buck                 Averi Haines                 Blue ribbon, 2^nd place

Rabbits Harlequin Sr Doe                   Averi Haines                 Red ribbon, 1^st place

Rabbits Harlequin Sr Doe                   Averi Haines                 White ribbon

Rabbits Harlequin Jr Buck                 Averi Haines                 White ribbon

Rabbits Harlequin Jr Buck                 Averi Haines                 Blue ribbon, 1^st place

Rabbits Holland Lop Jr Doe               Lexi Ford                       Red ribbon

Rabbits Novice Showmanship            Lexi Ford                       White ribbon

Breeding Swine Berkshire                   Ty Ganzer                       Blue ribbon

Breeding Swine Duroc                         Gracie Hodges               Purple ribbon

Breeding Swine Duroc                         Tessa Slaybaugh            Blue ribbon

Breeding Swine Spotted                      Blake Ganzer                 Purple ribbon, 1^st place

Breeding Swine Comm. Gilts              Gracie Hodges              Purple ribbon

Breeding Swine Comm. Gilts              Blake Hodges               Purple ribbon

Breeding Swine Comm. Gilts              Ty Ganzer                      Blue ribbon

Breeding Swine Comm. Gilts              Tessa Slaybaugh          Blue ribbon

Market Swine Duroc                             Blake Hodges                Blue ribbon

Market Swine Duroc                             Rylee Robson               Blue ribbon

Market Swine Poland China                Chase Slaybaugh         Purple ribbon

Market Swine Spotted                           Tessa Slaybaugh         Blue ribbon

Market Swine Crossbred Gilts             Colt Wilson                  Blue ribbon

Market Swine Crossbred Gilts             Blake Hodges              Blue ribbon

Market Swine Crossbred Gilts             Chase Slaybaugh        Blue ribbon

Market Swine Crossbred Barrows      Jace Govig                   Blue ribbon

Market Swine Crossbred Barrows      Jaxon Govig                Blue ribbon

Market Swine Crossbred Barrows      Gracie Hodges          Purple ribbon, 2^nd place

Market Swine Crossbred Barrows      Gracie Hodges          Blue ribbon

Market Swine Crossbred Barrows      Blake Hodges            Purple ribbon

Market Swine Crossbred Barrows      Blake Ganzer             Blue ribbon

Market Swine Crossbred Barrows      Lane Ganzer              Blue ribbon

Market Swine Crossbred Barrows      Blaire Robson            Blue ribbon

Market Swine Crossbred Barrows      Rylee Robson             Blue ribbon

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the Aug. 25 regular meeting of the Panora City Council, Councilmember Brian Dorsett led the meeting due to Mayor Curtis Thornberry’s absence. The council considered proposed changes to the city’s Ordinance 359, relating to park hours and camping. The proposed new wording states, “Camping is not allowed at city parks.” The council approved the first reading and waived the second and third readings and voted unanimously in favor of the amendment as proposed. The amended ordinance will be in effect once it has been published in the city’s official print publication.

On behalf of the Lions Club, Pat Subbert requested a reduced rental rate for the club’s occasional use of the Community Center for fundraiser events. She said the current rate of $175 is excessive. She told of the many ways the Lions Club has worked to better the community.

Councilmember Mark Sheeder agreed with the good performed by the Lions but objected to setting a precedent.

“There are a lot of good causes, so where do we draw the line?” Sheeder said.

The council discussed possibly creating a rate just for nonprofit organizations.

Councilmember Blake Michelsen pointed out that the council would then need to define “nonprofit,” since some groups consider themselves nonprofit but do not have any official verification of that status.

The council chose to address the issue individually for now and voted to approve a $90 rental fee for the Lions Club.

City Administrator Lisa Grossman said the concrete for the new basketball court has been poured, and lines will be painted when feasible.

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m. The public is welcome. Interested persons may attend in person or electronically by visiting the website https://meet.goto.com/cityofpanora or by phone 1-312-757-3121 (Access Code 295-099-701, Audio PIN 220#).