Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Jason Gray reported a car vs. deer accident occurring on Nov. 20 at 8:51 p.m. on Luna Avenue.  Angel Bernardo Gonzales Rodriguez, 21, of Omaha, Nebraska, was driving a 2023 Nissan Altima northbound on Luna Avenue when a deer came from the east ditch and struck the vehicle on the driver side. Estimated damage to the Nissan is $1,500. 

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Kent Gries reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on Nov. 27 at 4:20 p.m. on Wax Trail. Collin Trent Adams, 19, of Stuart, was driving a 2008 Hyundai Accent eastbound on 340^th Street and was turning northbound onto Wax Trail. Adams was driving too fast for the gravel, lost control and overturned onto the vehicle’s top in the east ditch. Three occupants were in the vehicle, and none were injured. The Iowa State patrol assisted at the scene and with the follow-up investigation. Damage to the Hyundai is estimated at $5,000. 

Becky Simpson (center) of Redfield is presented the 2025 National Hereford Woman of the Year award by incoming National Hereford Women (NHW) President Bellana Putz (left) and outgoing NHW President Beth Mansfield (right).

Special to the Times Vedette

Becky Simpson of Redfield was honored as the 2025 National Hereford Woman of the Year during the annual meeting of the American Hereford Association, held in Kansas City during the World Hereford Conference. Each year, the National Hereford Women recognize an outstanding woman who tirelessly promotes the Hereford breed and supports the organization. Selection is based on contributions to the breed, service and philanthropy.

Simpson, who retired a year ago as administrative secretary of the Iowa Hereford Breeders Association (IHBA), has been around Hereford cattle her entire life. Her family raised purebred Herefords on their farm in central Illinois, and she showed her first 4-H heifer in 1959. A charter member of the Illinois Junior Hereford Association, she showed cattle at the state and national levels. Her biggest showring accomplishment was winning the 1967 Illinois State Fair reserve grand champion steer title with a homebred calf, the day after being crowned Illinois Hereford Queen.

She and her husband, Mike, whom she met when they both worked at the American Polled Hereford Association, became involved with Iowa Herefords in the 1980s through their two sons’ participation in the junior association. Around the same time, she became an active supporter of Panora-Linden/Panorama Community Schools, where she served as a volunteer aide in second grade for more than 20 years, helped start the Panorama PTO and worked on several bond issues

In 1997, Becky began nearly three decades of service to the IHBA, beginning with producing the association’s newsletter, a task that afforded her the opportunity to make use of her communications degree from the University of Illinois. What started as a black-and-white newsletter hand-folded at her kitchen table grew into 118 issues that connected and inspired Hereford breeders across the state. In addition, she and Mike managed the state sale for five years and the association’s directory for more than 20 years. She was inducted into the Iowa Hereford Hall of Fame in 2014.

She served two terms on the IHBA board of directors beginning in 2001, often as the only woman at the table. Her steady leadership as secretary prepared her for what would become her calling: serving as the IHBA’s first paid administrative secretary beginning in 2007. For the next 17 years, Becky worked alongside 10 presidents and more than 50 board members, with her trademark attention to details, respect for rules and commitment to doing things right, all fueled by her love of Herefords and the people who raise them. She says that her father, a lifelong Hereford enthusiast, was right when he would say, “You meet the best people through cattle.”  

Mike and Becky dispersed their Simpson Polled Herefords herd in December 2024 but stay involved with the IHBA and the breed in an unofficial capacity — which this past summer included their annual vacation trip to the Junior National Hereford Expo and assisting in the ring at the Iowa State Fair.

Special to the Times Vedette

On Dec. 1, a total of eight players participated. Dave Kading got a 17 and a 20; Robert Klever got a 17; Bill Sheeder got a 20; Dennis Betts got a 16 and a 17; and Wayne Nickel got a 16 and a 23. 

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

During the Dec. 1 meeting of the Guthrie County Hospital Board of Trustees, the trustees voted to appoint Mary Jane Carothers onto the board.

Chief Nursing Officer Mandy Schiefert reported on fire extinguisher training that was recently completed with 62 employees. She also explained the hospital will soon obtain a new ventilator, which she noted will be user-friendly.

“The foundation approved the purchase of a new ventilator,” she said. “That is a huge win, not only for our staff, but there are patients who have the capability of doing a bypass, which is not something that we offer right now.”

Chief Human Resources Officer Mary Anderson reported that open enrollment for employees recently closed, and that it went well. She added that retention is currently at 89.3%, which is an increase from the previous month’s measurement of 85.9%.

Board Chair Mike Underwood asked Anderson about any ongoing staff vacancies that are particularly challenging.

“Dietician,” Anderson said. “It’s really hard to find. We’re looking for a part-time dietician and for them to be in-house.”

CEO Chris Stipe voiced appreciation for the excellent work done at the hospital in all departments.

“It’s kind of flattering to be the CEO of a hospital that’s in the top 10% in the country in every area that we measure,” Stipe said. “I hope that we can continue to be consistent with that.”

The board went into a special closed session to discuss two matters: a matter related to the purchase or sale of real estate, and to evaluate the professional competency of an individual.

Because of the Christmas holiday, the next regular meeting of the trustees is set for Monday, Dec. 29 at 4 p.m. The public is welcome.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Thanksgiving Day dawned with frosty but sunny conditions (18 F) for the sixth annual Reshape Turkey Trot 3-mile run/walk at Twin Vines Winery. After finishing, participants gathered indoors for muffins, coffee and hot chocolate. A total of 58 participants were involved.

Turkey trotters are ready to begin. Photo by Rich Wicks

Sue Bump gives route instructions to participants. Photo by Rich Wicks

The route included the covered bridge on the Twin Vines property. Photo by Rich Wicks

Carley Van Gundy, Kylie Doran, Hallie Arganbright and Jaden Johnson commemorate their completion of the Turkey Trot. Photo by Rich Wicks

Photo courtesy of Reshape Fitness Studio

Photo courtesy of Reshape Fitness Studio

Photo courtesy of Reshape Fitness Studio

Photo courtesy of Reshape Fitness Studio

Photo courtesy of Reshape Fitness Studio

Photo courtesy of Reshape Fitness Studio

Photo courtesy of Reshape Fitness Studio

Photo courtesy of Reshape Fitness Studio

Photo courtesy of Reshape Fitness Studio