By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Nov. 25 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, a public hearing was set regarding the proposed Calmer Minor Subdivision (29-80-30 near Highway 4).

Chris Whitaker of Region XII explained.

“Mr. Calmer requested a minor subdivision of about four acres north off of Highway 4, near Panora,” Whitaker said. “The Planning and Zoning Commission did review this a week or so ago and did recommend approving this.”

The public hearing was set for 9:30 a.m. during the supervisors meeting on Dec. 9.

The supervisors accepted the resignation of Vicki Gubser from the Guthrie County Regional Airport Authority Board. Those interested in applying to fill the vacancy will be able to access the application form on the county’s website.

The supervisors voted to adopt Resolution 26-13 (Second Appropriation Resolution for Fiscal Year 2025-2026).

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#

Special to the Times Vedette

On Nov. 21, a total of nine players participated. Roy Carl got a 16 and a 17; Rhonda Titus got two 17s; Lela Schwartz had a 20; and Robert Klever got a 21 to win the kitty. 

On Nov. 24, Wayne Nickel got a 24; Rhonda Titus got a 17; and Sandy Rumelhart, Bill Sheeder and Robert Klever got 16s. 

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 regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council on Nov. 24, Fire Chief Cory Campbell addressed the council to request approval for a Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) for the city’s firefighters as a way to encourage them to remain on the crew.

Campbell said the fire department has seen a gradual decrease in the number of firefighters. He said the crew is down to 21 members, and he would like to maintain a crew of 30. Campbell explained that the state recently allocated funds to help cities that choose to establish a LOSAP for the firefighters.

“They put approximately $1.5 million into this program,” Campbell said. “It’s a length of service program. Essentially, it’s a 401K for firefighters.”

Campbell explained that firefighters would need to accumulate 100 points for various tasks (attending meetings, going on fire calls, etc.), and only those who tally 100 or more in a year would receive deposits into their accounts. He said if the city allocates funds for LOSAP, the state will provide a 3-1 match, meaning that if the city allocated $167 per firefighter per year, each firefighter’s account could receive another $500.

The council consensus was that it could be an effective way to foster firefighters staying on the crew longer.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” Mayor Mike Herbert said.

City Administrator Kris Arrasmith will draft a resolution on the matter for the council to consider at an upcoming meeting.

The council chose to have a second council meeting in December, per the regular schedule. The meeting on Dec. 22 will include the swearing-in of newly elected councilmember Erica Finster, who will replace her father, outgoing member Chuck Cleveland, on the council.

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular meeting of the Panora City Council on Nov. 24, the council held a public hearing on the proposed expansion of the Central Panora Urban Renewal Area.

“We had our consultation meeting, which nobody attended, and then we had our Planning and Zoning meeting, and the Planning and Zoning Commission was very agreeable to the project,” City Administrator Lisa Grossman said.

The council unanimously approved several resolutions related to the project, including setting a public hearing for Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m.

Sidewalk sales

Discussion regarding recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding sidewalk sales in the Business Commercial and Historic Business Commercial districts.

“Their recommendation is to continue to allow sidewalk sales, but to limit the time,” Grossman said. She added the recommendation for an allowable time of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The council consensus was to ask Grossman to draft an ordinance change for the council to consider at an upcoming meeting.

More goose hunting

The council considered a request to allow Joey Dyer to hunt Canada geese within city limits on ag zoned land owned by Ethan Boyer.

“Are we going to have people coming every week wanting to have permission?” Brian Dorsett asked. “Do we put a limit on it?”

There was discussion about possibly just approving the land owner to “police the issue,” so the city wouldn’t need to make individual approvals for hunters, but Mayor Curt Thornberry voiced his opinion that the city should approve or deny each hunter’s request, since the firearms would be used within city limits. The council approved the request. The council may ask the landowner and/or Police Chief Reising to discuss the issue with the council.

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, Dec. 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#).

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Monday, Nov. 24, a “Happy Trails” retirement event was held for Deb Coffman and Don Lake, who are retiring from their longtime positions in the Activities department at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center. Attendees enjoyed visiting and partaking of Old West-themed snacks.

Darwin Wetzel says his years of working with metal have served him well, giving him knowledge of the technical aspects of the steel he works with. 

By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, November 2025

After retiring and facing a lengthy ordeal with diabetic complications, Darwin Wetzel needed something to occupy his mind and body. Since he had years of experience as a welder, he decided to embark on a hobby that involves working with metal.  

“I actually started about two years ago,” he said. “Basically, I went through about a year and three months of operation after operation after operation. I lost my leg, so I was sitting in a wheelchair going stir-crazy, trying to figure out what I was going to do instead of watching TV all the time.” 

Wetzel said he decided to start doing leather work and making sheaths for knives and axes. 

“I’ve been in the welding business and was a welding instructor for 21 years, so I’ve always been in the metal industry, and I always wanted to make custom knives,” he said. “So, as soon as I could stand in front of the belt grinder, I started making knives.”

Wetzel now makes a wide variety of knives, axes and machetes, as well as hand-sewn leather sheaths for them. 

“I’ve been selling a little. Frontier Outfitting, just north of Adair, he’s been kind enough to let me put my products in his store,” Wetzel said. “And then we’ve gone to some gun shows, and I’ve sold quite a few multipacks.” 

The multipacks Wetzel creates are essentially oversized Swiss Army knives that include an axe, knives, a folding saw, possibly a handgun and other items, all held together safely in leather sheaths. The idea is that the user can wear the pack when going out into the woods or the mountains and have all the essential survival tools handy. These packs have proven to be quite popular.

“In the past two months, I’ve probably sold six of those multipacks,” Wetzel said.

Often, the raw material for Wetzel’s knives is repurposed. 

“I actually make some of them out of those big old buzzsaw blades from sawmills. It’s very good steel, high-carbon steel,” he said. “Some of the knives have some pitting that was in the saw blade, and sometimes I leave that in for character.”

Wetzel also occasionally uses unique materials in the knife handles or sheaths, such as elk antlers or arrowheads.

He said his years of working with metal have served him well, giving him knowledge of the technical aspects of the steel he works with. Wetzel remains committed to focusing on quality rather than quantity.

“I’m getting better,” he said. “The biggest thing is improving the quality of my knives, the appearance and the professionalism. I’m kind of limited to what I can heat-treat with just a standard forge. I’ve got a little two-burner forge sitting on the table.”

Wetzel’s leather cases and sheaths are wet molded and hand-sewn, which is time-consuming, but he wants to create items that will last. 

“I want to make something that an individual will take out and use,” Wetzel said. “I do like nice-looking knives, but, basically, the knives I produce are something that I intend to be utilitarian.” 

Wetzel’s knives are generally in the $100 to $300 range, depending on the amount of work required. He doesn’t use a website for marketing, instead relying on local vendor shows and word of mouth. 

“I’ve gone to some gun shows and craft shows,” he said. “I’ve given a lot away to Pheasants Forever and some other organizations that want something for an auction. It gets me out there and gets some exposure.”

Wetzel welcomes any potential customers to call him at 641-747-3288 to talk or leave a message. He said he is happy to have his venture grow, within reason. 

“I just do it for the fun. I love to do it,” Wetzel said. “This is a hobby, and I’m retired, so I didn’t want to turn this into a job. n