Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Blake Michelsen reported a car vs. motorcycle accident occurring on July 12 at 12:08 p.m. at the intersection of 180^th Street and Highway 4. Dana Scott Rutherford, 63, of Bagley, was operating a 2023 Harley FLHCS motorcycle and rear-ended a 2016 Ford Escape Titanium driven by Sarah Ann Hefel, 40, of North Liberty. The motorcycle came to rest on the east shoulder. Lynn Rae Rutherford, 70, of Bagley, was a passenger on the motorcycle and was transported via Mercy Air to Methodist Downtown. Damage to the motorcycle is estimated at $5,000. Damage to the Ford Focus is estimated at $15,000. 

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Kent Gries reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on July 11 at 11:58 a.m. on Highway 44. Cora Isabelle Fluharty, 15, of Adel, was driving a 2007 Chevrolet K1500 pickup westbound on Highway 44. The deputy’s report stated that Fluharty had a tick insect on her body and became distracted, crossing the center line and entering the ditch, overturning the truck in standing corn. Fluharty had minor injuries but declined medical treatment. Damage to the pickup is estimated at $5,000. 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Community members in the Panorama School District are now circulating petitions that will ask the board of education to place a $19.6 million general obligation bond referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot. State law requires that signatures be collected from 168 eligible voters in the Panorama Community School District, which amounts to 25% of the voter total in the most recent board election.

The petition asks the board of directors to call a special election to “contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $19,600,000 to build, furnish, and equip an addition to the secondary building for a competition gymnasium, including site improvements; to remodel, repair, furnish, and equip the secondary building, including improvements to classrooms, common areas, secure entrance, roofing, and site improvements; and to remodel, repair, furnish, and equip the elementary building, including a secure entrance, roofing, and site improvements, including an accessible playground.”

According to Panorama Schools Superintendent Kasey Huebner, once the signature requirement is fulfilled, the petition will be presented to the school board for verification, and a decision can be made on the referendum request.

Huebner said an advisory committee that included community members provided a recommendation that includes the installation and securing the entrance at the elementary school, a new roof, and an enhanced playground that will improve accessibility for all children.

At the secondary school, the proposal calls for updates to the shop area; heating, ventilation and air conditioning system updates; and renovations to the school’s entrance, commons area, kitchen, restrooms and other spaces.

Additionally, Huebner said the construction of a new competition gymnasium would be made at the secondary school to provide additional space and resources for physical education classes, athletic teams, school events, youth programs and community activities.

The total projected debt service tax rate implication for this potential project would be $1.96 per $1,000 of taxable property value. Panorama’s average total property tax rate over the last 18 years is $13.10. With an approved bond, the projected levy rate would be approximately $12.40.

Petitions are available at Panorama Secondary District Office, Panora Fiber and NAPA Auto Parts in Panora; Jamaica Public Library, Farmers State Bank in Yale; and Linden Public Library.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Saturday, July 26, the Guthrie Center Masonic Lodge will hold a freewill donation breakfast at the lodge, which is located at 114 N. Fourth St. in Guthrie Center.

The breakfast will be served 7-11 a.m. and will include pancakes, eggs, ham, coffee and juice. Proceeds from the event will go toward the ACGC Scholarship fund, which provides scholarships to ACGC seniors each year.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the July 14 meeting of the Panora City Council, Public Works Director Ismael Galvan provided an update on an area of sewer line that need to be replaced. The line had previously been worked on by Accu-Jet, but that company has since filed bankruptcy, and, according to City Administrator Lisa Grossman, the city’s attorney does not feel it would be cost-effective to pursue legal action against Accu-Jet since the legal costs would likely exceed any amount awarded.

Galvan explained that he has been trying to figure out how much of the line has liner that needs to be removed.

“We ended up spending about $30,000 trying to do that,” Galvan said. “We made it about 160 feet south of Highway 44, and they ran into what looks like grease pockets, where it’s about 80% clogged. It was impassable for the camera to go any further.”

Galvan said replacement of the sewer line seems to be the best solution.

“We’re going to have to replace about 280 feet of that line,” he said.

Galvan explained that he received two bids from companies that could do the work, but the bids are approximately $46,000 and $65,000. He said his crew can do the work, with materials expected to cost around $10,000.

The council addressed a request from JoAnn Smith to plant trees in the right-of-way near her home. Councilmember Blake Michelsen said he is concerned with any trees in the right-of-way for visibility reasons. Councilmember Tom Flanery said he has declined similar requests from citizens in the past and was inclined to do so in this case also. The council voted 4-1 to deny the request with Mark Sheeder dissenting.

Sheeder brought up a concern about camping at the northern portion of Lenon Mill Park because that area can become flooded with heavy rain. He also said there have been reports of someone essentially living there as a primary residence. Other council members said they have heard the reports as well.

As part of the consent agenda, the council approved a 5-day Special Class C Retail Alcohol License for Lucky Wife Wine Slushies for July 30 through Aug. 3 for Panorama Days.

The council approved Resolution 25-28, for the purchase of a 2025 Silverado 2500 from Shottenkirk Chevrolet for the Water Department at a cost of $49,972. Grossman pointed out that $50,000 had already been budgeted for this.

 The next regular meeting of the council will be Monday, July 28 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

During the July 14 meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, Sheriff Matt Harmann addressed the council to ask for consideration of purchasing surveillance cameras to be placed in the city. Harmann explained that such cameras are becoming more common, especially in urban areas, and are a valuable tool for law enforcement.

“Anytime you go to Des Moines, you’re probably on camera 50 times,” he said.

Harmann said the Sheriff’s Department benefits from cameras installed by businesses and private properties, and he encouraged the city to consider if any cameras could be afforded. Harmann said such cameras vary greatly in price and quality, and he suggested a mid-range camera with an initial cost of approximately $1,425 and yearly service of $135.

The council approved purchasing four such cameras but will initially purchase two so they can be evaluated before more are purchased. City Administrator Kris Arrasmith said she will check for grant availability to help cover the costs.

No decision was made regarding placement of cameras. Harmann said he doesn’t have any specific areas in mind but simply encourages “the more, the merrier.”

The council discussed entrance security at the public library. Arrasmith said access codes are used for entry at the library, but some of the codes have been changed. Council consensus was that there should only be a limited number of codes in use, and City Hall staff should always have a current list of any current codes. Mayor Mike Herbert said he will meet with the library board to discuss the matter.

The council discussed the matter of urban chickens, as some citizens have asked to be allowed to raise chickens within city limits. Arrasmith read from the city code/ordinances, and no specific prohibition against chickens was found. The consensus of the council members was that cases could be decided as they come up, but that various restrictions (containment, amount of space available, distance from neighbors, etc.) would be considered.

The council approved Resolution 2025-12 Tax Exemption for Tandem and Kelsey Eischeid, 902 Tiger Lane.

The next regular meeting of the council is set for Monday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.