By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the Aug. 25 regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, citizens Dennis Ludwig Jr. and Renea Winkleblack voiced a complaint of arbitrary enforcement of the city’s “nuisance” ordinance regarding items and vehicles on their yard.

“I’ve always used the term that you’re harassing me. That is not the case. I’ve been incorrect on that. This is an arbitrary matter,” Ludwig said.

Ludwig said he has consulted legal counsel and has pictures of other properties within the city that are also in violation of the ordinance but have not been addressed. He said some of those properties belong to city council members.

Ludwig said he’s been working on addressing the violations on the property, and council members said it appears that 90% is completed. Ludwig said he would put a tarp over the trailer loaded with equipment. Councilmember Ian Steensen said the city will check to see that all applicable issues have been addressed to come into compliance with the ordinance.

Compliance Officer Wes Clark stated there are currently 16 other properties the city has notified of violations of the nuisance ordinance.

The council set a public hearing for Sept. 8 to consider renewing the current Urban-Revi District. City Administrator Kris Arrasmith said it is basically a formality but is required if the city wishes to continue the program.

Arrasmith said the city will need to purchase four new heaters for the pool at a cost of about $25,000. She also said the city’s lawn mowers have been used as much this year as in the previous three years combined due to the summer’s warm and wet conditions.

The council approved beer/liquor licenses for Nik’s Tipsy Trailers and Incredi-Bowl.

The next regular meeting of the council is set for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8. The public is welcome.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Authorities are investigating an apparent drowning that happened Saturday in southeastern Guthrie County. At approximately 4:40 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, Stuart Fire and Stuart Rescue were called to Diamondhead Lake for a possible drowning of a 35-year-old male swimmer. The Midwest Regional Dive Team was also called to the scene. Fire crews secured the scene and used local boat owners and underwater sonar to locate the victim.

Witnesses stated they had seen a man swimming beyond the designated swimming area, and he appeared to be struggling. The witnesses saw the man go underwater and said he did not resurface. The witnesses called 911.

The Midwest Regional Dive team arrived on scene at 6:25 p.m., and, at 7:47 p.m., they located the body in the area where witnesses last spotted him. At 8:09 p.m., the victim’s body was recovered and transferred to the care of Stuart Rescue. The body was then transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

The family of the deceased victim has been notified and has asked that his identity not be publicly released at this time.

Other agencies participating on the scene included the Stuart Police, the Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management, the Audubon County Emergency Management, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Special to the Times Vedette

On Aug. 22, Rhonda Titus got two 16s; Lela Schwartz and Robert Klever each got a 16; and Dan Webb came in high with a 17.

On Aug. 25, a total of 13 players participated. Kathy Feilmeier had a 20; Rex Schoonover, Bill Sheeder and Robert Klever each got a 16; and Roy Carl got an 18.  

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.

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Kent Gries reported at three-vehicle accident occurring on Aug. 22 at 4:25 p.m. on Highway 141. Mason Robert Kinsey, 17, of Jefferson was driving a 2003 Chevrolet K1500 pickup westbound approaching three vehicles that were stopped on Highway 141. The first vehicle, a non-contact vehicle, was stopped and waiting to turn off of Highway 141 on to 120th St. Unit 1 (Kinsey) failed to see unit 2 (a 2021 Ford F150 Supercrew pickup driven by Jack Joseph Tiefenthaler, 22, of Breda) and unit 3 (a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 ST pickup driven by Jammy Ray Kenneth Thornock, 43, of Carroll), and the non-contact vehicle stopped in front of him. Kinsey stated he looked at his cell phone for GPS directions as it was sitting in the center console. Kinsey rear-ended Tiefenthaler’s vehicle. Tiefenthaler’s vehicle then rear-ended Thornock’s vehicle. Thornock was able to stop before striking the front vehicle that was turning. No injuries were reported. Unit 1 and 2 were towed from the scene, and unit 3 was driven away. Kinsey was written a citation for failure to stop in assured clear distance. His vehicle sustained an estimated $5,000 in damage. Tiefenthaler’s vehicle sustained an estimated $10,000 in damage.  Thornock’s vehicle sustained an estimated $5,000 in damage. 

By Ava Sneller and Gracie Hodges, Chapter Reporters | Special to the Times Vedette

The Iowa State Fair is the largest single event in our state and also is one of the oldest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. This year, nine ACGC FFA members participated in this event, presenting their hard work and dedication toward their projects. Four of these members were in the breeding beef show, exhibiting their heifer projects. Hunter Kress exhibited the champion High Maine breeding heifer, receiving multiple awards along with a purple ribbon for his project. Gracie and Blake Hodges both received a blue ribbon and fourth place in their respective classes with their Simmental heifer classes. Blake Hodges also placed in the top 10 as a Junior Beef Showman. Stella Largent exhibited her Angus heifer project, receiving a blue ribbon and placed in the top 10 Senior Beef Showman. The chapter also received a blue ribbon honor for herdsmanship as well.

Two of the nine members participated in the breeding and market swine shows on Thursday and Friday of the fair. Rylee Robson exhibited her commercial breeding gilt and received second in her class with a purple ribbon. Lilly Rochholz received all blues with her three exhibits, two in the commercial breeding gilt classes and one in the market barrow show. In the sheep show, Jarrett McClain exhibited seven of his projects at the fair. Both of his market wethers received a purple ribbon placing fifth and sixth in their classes. His market ewe received a blue ribbon. During the breeding sheep show, two of his breeding ewes received a purple ribbon, placing second and fourth while the other two received blue ribbons. Lilah Heinz exhibited her broiler project and received third overall with a blue ribbon and a blue for herdsmanship as well. Rounding out our chapter exhibitors, Calleigh Wolfe took two photos to the fair and received a red and white ribbon for her two projects in the Animals-Birds and Wildlife projects and Tractor Class.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Carla Kem, Bereavement Coordinator/Social Worker at Hospice of the Midwest, will lead three local options for those grieving a loved one.

Griefshare is a 13-week program, which Kem will cohost with Carolyn Koberg. The sessions will meet at the Restore Wellness building in Panora (102 S.E. 13^th St.) on Mondays, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. from Sept. 8 through Dec. 1. Register at www.griefshare.org.

The other two offerings are called “4Cs” (Community Comfort Coffee with Carla). These meet monthly with one at Gardens Assisted Living in Jefferson and the other at Greenfield Assisted Living in Greenfield.

More information can be obtained by emailing carla.kem@hospiceofthemidwest.com.