By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

The regular meeting of the Panora City Council was held on Monday, Feb. 9 with the bulk of the meeting dedicated to a follow-up discussion on the lack of water meter access to an apartment building, as well as a budget workshop review of the fiscal year 2027 city budget. 

Water Distribution Superintendent Ismael Galvan addressed the council over an ongoing concern about access to water meters at a multi-unit apartment building, noting that upon further inspection, one of the tenants in the building changed the locks, and they no longer have access to the meters.

Galvan noted how it would not be fair to shut water off to everyone in the building because of the decisions of one tenant. “But, we need access,” he said. 

After lengthy discussion, the council suggested that Galvan research the crawl space in the building for meter access before they pursue other options. 

In other news, the councilmembers approved a class E Retail Alcohol License for Panora Hometown foods – Reinhart Bros Inc. The council also received a copy of the City Council Personal Code of Conduct, and councilmembers are to review and sign.

In addition, the council approved Resolution 26-07, which is the Restated Plan for the Panora Urban Revitalization Area. The council also approved a corresponding ordinance, the First Reading of Ordinance 361, Amending Ordinances Designating an Area of Panora, Iowa as the Panora Urban Revitalization Area. The council approved this and voted to waive the second and third readings. 

The council also approved Resolution 26-08, approving a set time and date for a public hearing to hear comments regarding a proposed FY26 Budget Amendment for General Fund Transfers that was previously approved. Resolution 26-09 was also approved, allowing a revision to the Employee Handbook relating to an updated on pay increases for electric utility certifications. In addition, former councilmember Shane Gliem was appointed as a member to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The council held a budget workshop for fiscal year 2027 and reviewed the proposed budget that was presented by City Administrator Lisa Grossman. 

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, Feb. 9 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#).

Clients learn to ride horses as well as the various chores involved in horsemanship, including brushing and grooming.

By Rich Wicks | Panora Times, January 2026

Dana and Dan Stark of rural Panora (1977 A Ave.) own and operate Stark’s Performance Horses. Dana shared how the business started and her philosophy. 

“I grew up in northwest Indiana, and I was a 4-H member. I always loved horses, and I wanted to be a horse trainer. When I moved here, we bought this place in 2008, and I did some lessons. So, I ended up working for a trainer, and I did some lessons for him. Then I took a break to have kids,” Dana said. “When I came back, I decided I wanted to put up my own barn on my own property and start my lessons again.”

Dana explained the basic approach she takes with the clients she works with.

“We mainly have paint horses and quarter horses,” she said. “In my opinion, they make the best kids’ horses. I always tell people we’re a how-to barn. So, at first you learn how to touch a horse, and eventually you learn how to ride a horse. We do a lot of what’s called Western pleasure horsemanship. Think of more of a leisurely, comfortable ride.”

Most of Stark’s clients are children, starting as young as age 4.

“I have a couple riders in the 4- to 6-year-old range. They’re always on a line and led by me,” Dana said. “Usually around the age of 6, they get comfortable and can ride by themselves.”

Dana said that many riders in the 6-plus-year-old range are ready to join group lessons rather than individual lessons. Another point that Dana clarified is that her clients do not need to own a horse. She is happy to match up a horse with a client, based on size and ability. 

 For those who imagine becoming a horseback barrel racer or rodeo star or professional jockey, Stark’s does not offer those types of lessons. 

“We do trail class, not trail riding. I don’t do any type of fast activities.” 

Dana also emphasizes that her clients need to learn the various chores involved in horsemanship, including brushing and grooming horses.

“Tack cleaning, the parts of the saddle, the parts of the bridle,” Dana said.

Dan and Dana noted that the recent popularity of the TV show “Yellowstone” has brought more families into the horse-riding hobby. 

“It’s about cattle ranching in the Yellowstone area,” Dan said.

“Ever since ‘Yellowstone,’ so many kids are interested in horses. And as somebody that’s been in 4-H and gone through all the stuff, I love it,” Dana said. “There are a lot of people interested in horses now.”

Dana noted that she works with riders throughout the year, but the warmer months are the busiest season. 

“I have about 20 kids I work with and I do about 20 hours a week in lessons. I have a variety of ages. I have the kids 5-9 years old, and then the teenagers, and a group of 65 and older,” Dana said. “I have what I call my moms’ group.”

“The entire program is designed around not just riding around in circles but learning everything you need to know to properly be a horse owner,” Dan said.

Dan shared a favorite story of a shy young rider who quickly gained confidence with horses.

“She loved horses but was super shy. When she first started coming, she was super nervous,” he said. “And then she won a buckle at the State Fair last year.”

The Starks make sure safety is a top priority.

“We go over all safety information. We teach how to lead a horse, where to stand, and all the basic knowledge,” Dana said.

Another offering from the Starks is that if a rider bonds with a particular horse, the family is welcome to buy that horse, if they wish.

“Part of my business plan is purchasing horses and putting them through the program, and, ideally at the end of the program, someone will purchase that horse for their own,” Dana said. “That’s what I’m looking to do is provide more kids a quality horse at an affordable price.”

For anyone interested in learning more, check out the Stark’s Performance Horses Facebook page. 

Special to the Times Vedette

On Feb. 6, a total of 11 players participated. The players were apparently stuck on 16. Sandy Rumelhart got two 16s. Dennis Betts, Kathy Fielmier and Allen Pierce ended up with one 16 each.

On Feb. 9, a total of six players participated. High hands are hard to come by, but Wayne Nickel knew how to do it with a 16.

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.

From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources

In 2025, Iowa residents purchased…

Fishing

• 198,202 annual licenses
• 8,794 lifetime fishing licenses
• 17,405 three-year licenses
• 1,098 seven-day license
• 3,586 one-day license
• 41,850 trout fees
• 166 paddlefish licenses
• 19,513 third line licenses (resident and nonresident combined)
• 30,344 fishing, hunting and habitat combination licenses

Hunting

• 42,868 annual licenses
• 47,185 hunting and habitat annual combination licenses
• 3,466 lifetime hunting licenses
• 6,477 hunting and habitat three-year licenses
• 803 apprentice (hunting and habitat) licenses
• 25,004 migratory game bird licenses
• 42,789 habitat fees
• 13,929 furharvester annual licenses age 16 and older
• 315 furharvester annual licenses age 15 and younger
• 410 furharvester and habitat annual combination licenses
• 423 lifetime furharvester licenses

Large Game

Deer

• 14,507 youth general deer, 1,510 antlerless deer licenses
• 245 disabled hunter general deer, 31 antlerless deer licenses
• 52,232 archery general deer, 20,369 antlerless deer licenses
• 5,088 early muzzleloader general deer, 1,096 antlerless deer licenses
• 40,253 first shotgun general deer, 16,369 antlerless deer licenses
• 42,010 second shotgun general deer, 17,084 antlerless deer licenses
• 16,723 late muzzleloader general deer, 8,023 antlerless deer licenses

Turkey

• 5,161 spring bow licenses
• 18,917 spring gun/bow licenses seasons 1-3
• 17,890 spring gun/bow licenses season 4
• 6,837 spring youth gun/bow licenses
• 2,022 fall gun/bow
• 1,527 fall bow

Landowner-Tenant

Deer

• 48 antlerless deer licenses
• 30,406 free general deer, 20,261 free antlerless
• 1,895 antlerless deer licenses
• 421 antlerless deer licenses
• 5,603 antlerless deer licenses
• 1,439 antlerless deer licenses

Turkey

• 2,458 spring gun/bow season 1-3
• 2,233 spring gun/bow season 4
• 900 bow licenses
• 30 youth licenses
• 3,317 free general fall turkey

In 2025, nonresidents purchased…

Fishing

• 28,076 annual licenses
• 2,816 seven-day licenses
• 13,411 three-day licenses
• 17,261 one-day licenses
• 7,595 trout fees
• 37 paddlefish licenses

Hunting

• 6,348 annual licenses age 18 and older
• 15,203 hunting and habitat annual combination licenses age 18 and older
• 4,984 five-day licenses
• 2,163 five-day hunting and habitat combination
• 13,290 habitat fees
• 3,840 migratory game bird fees
• 380 apprentice (hunting and habitat) licenses
• 142 furharvester annual licenses
• 47 furharvester and habitat annual combination licenses

From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Despite below-average precipitation in January, all regions of Iowa previously under drought watch have had those designations lifted, according to the latest monthly Water Summary Update.

Although months of dryness triggered a drought resurgence in October, improving conditions in January led to the removal of drought watches and moderate drought designations in eastern Iowa, though declining soil moisture persists even as seasonal streamflows stay within normal ranges.

Iowa’s preliminary statewide January precipitation totaled 0.93 inches, or 0.04 inches below normal. The driest conditions were concentrated in the northwest corner, which reported approximately 30% of normal precipitation for the month. The preliminary statewide average temperature for January was 19.3 degrees, which is 0.2 degrees below normal.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) currently shows that half of Iowa is abnormally dry, with a persistent area of moderate drought in northwestern Iowa. According to Iowa’s Drought Plan, most of the state’s drought regions experienced improving conditions in January except in areas of southern Iowa, where soil moisture conditions remained dry. Despite these widespread precipitation deficits, other factors improved or are consistent with average conditions, leading to the removal of previous drought watch designations through the Iowa Drought Plan.

The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center’s February outlook indicates an equal chance for above, below, or near-average precipitation across the entire state and an increased likelihood of below-average temperatures. The seasonal outlook suggests continued drought in far northwestern Iowa, and no drought development across the remainder of the state.

“January is climatologically the driest month of the year, and soil moisture deficits remain from months of drier-than-normal conditions. However, improved conditions, such as streamflow, aided in lifting all drought watches from the state. Seasonal drought outlooks indicate the continuation of a small area of drought in far northwest Iowa through April, and no indication of the development of drought for the rest of the state,” said Jessica Reese McIntyre, DNR Environmental Specialist.

For a thorough review of Iowa’s water resource trends, visit www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.

The report is prepared by technical staff from Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR — Hydroscience and Engineering, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.

Special to the Times Vedette

Jackson Thomas Grambart of Panora has been named to the Deans’ List at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the fall semester of the 2025-26 academic year.

Grambart, a senior majoring in accounting, was named to the Dean’s List for the College of Business.

Qualification for the Deans’ List varies among the eight undergraduate colleges and the Explore Center. Listed below are the minimum requirements for each entity and the name of its respective dean or director. All qualifying grade-point averages are based on a four-point scale and a minimum number of graded semester hours. Students can be on the Deans’ List for more than one college.

• College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 3.75; Interim Dean Thomas Burkey.
• College of Architecture, 3.75; Dean Kevin G. Van Den Wymelenberg.
• College of Arts and Sciences, 3.7; Interim Dean Patrick Dussault.
• College of Business, 3.6; Dean Kathy Farrell.
• College of Education and Human Sciences, 3.75; Dean Jeff Reese.
• College of Engineering, 3.7; Dean Lance C. Perez.
• College of Journalism and Mass Communications, 3.7; Interim Dean Adam Wagler.
• Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, 3.7; Dean Andy Belser.
• Explore Center for undeclared, pre-engineering, pre-health and pre-law students, 3.6; Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Undergraduate Education Amy Goodburn.

For the full Deans’ List, visit https://go.unl.edu/deanslist-fall25.