From the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Department

On Thursday, June 26, Clinton Matthias, a 63-year-old male from Guthrie Center, was charged and arrested for multiple crimes against an underage victim. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, is handling the investigation.

Matthias was booked into the Guthrie County Jail on the following charges:

• Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree – Class B Felony (two counts)
• Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree – Child Victim Member of Same Household – Class C Felony
• Lascivious Acts with a Child – Class C Felony/Aggravated Misdemeanor
• Indecent Contact with a Child – Aggravated Misdemeanor

The investigation is ongoing, and no further information has been released. Criminal charges are merely accusations. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Special to the Times Vedette

College Sports Communicators (CSC) released its track and field and cross country Academic All-District team members with ten Panthers being recognized, including former AGCC standout Kate Crawford.

The CSC Academic All-District Team recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined athletic and academic performances. Nominated student-athletes must be at least a sophomore of academic and athletic standing, must be enrolled in their respective institution for at least one full academic year, maintain at least a 3.50 cumulative grade-point average (GPA). Additionally, student-athletes must rank in the top-50 individually at their 2024 NCAA regional competition for cross country, or rank in the top-50 regionally in a single individual event for indoor and/or outdoor track action.

Ryan and Sara Wahlert will take over as owners of Tin Lizzie’s in Casey on Aug. 1.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Corey and Colleen Conrad, owners of Tin Lizzie’s in Casey, announced that Ryan and Sara Wahlert will become the new owners, effective Aug. 1. Ryan currently serves as assistant manager at Tin Lizzie’s, located at 620 McPherson St. in Casey.

An Aug. 9 “Grand Re-opening” is planned with live music by Aiden Flathers from 8-11 p.m. More details will be announced as the event nears.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The schedule of events at the annual Yale Fourth of July celebration has been announced. As usual, there is a wide variety of activities and entertainment for all ages. The celebration’s motto is, “Not the biggest, but the best.”

Mayor Bev “Buffy” Louk shared her thoughts on Yale’s hallmark event.

“We will have a couple of new events including an axe-throwing truck sponsored by Mickey’s Bar and Grill and a foam party sponsored by the city,” Louk said.

Mayor Louk also suggested attendees bring lawn chairs for use while watching the parade and other spectator events. She noted the softball field is an excellent location for watching the fireworks at dusk.

Louk offered appreciation to all helping with the celebration.

“This year, the city of Yale is responsible for the celebration, along with help from volunteers in town and the fire department. Spearheading the committee is Mindy Fear to make it a Fourth you do not want to miss in Yale.”

Prior to and throughout the celebration, raffle tickets will be sold to help fund the festivities. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and can be purchased at Farmers State Bank (Yale), Just One More (Jamaica), Mickey’s Bar and Grill (Yale), or Tojo’s Bar and Grill (Jamaica).

Raffle winners will be drawn shortly before the fireworks. Prizes include multiple winners of $20, $50 and $100, a 28-inch propane grill with a gift certificate to Guthrie County Quality Meats, an Ada’s Acres gift package of soaps and candles, an inflatable tanning pool, a Solo flameless bonfire stove with ‘smores kit, a Splish Splash outdoor play center, a 6-in-1 sports set, a hanging wicker chair, and a Big Bobber floating cooler. Need not be present to win.

Note: Any weather-related changes will be posted on Yale’s Facebook page.

July 3

• The event kicks off on Thursday, July 3 with the slow pitch softball tournament. Games will continue through July 4.  
• Thursday also will see the Perry-based band RUKKUS play a street dance. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs. Mickey’s Bar and Grill will serve beverages and a limited food menu.

July 4

• Yale TTT Omelet Breakfast 8-10 a.m.
• Deardorff Highland Cattle food truck opens at 11 a.m.
• Red, White and Blue vendor fair 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Slow pitch softball tournament will continue.
• A pickleball tournament will also be held.
• Parade will begin at 11 a.m.
• Horse Show will begin at noon
• Bags Tournament, 2 p.m.
• Ironside axe-throwing 1-4 p.m. (closed-toe shoes required)
• Horseshoes will be played 3-5 p.m.
• Kids’ activities including face painting, balloon artist, and free movie, 12-3 p.m.
• Kids’ pedal pull, 2 p.m.
• Craft and cookie decorating, 2-3 p.m.
• Dunk tank, 12-4 p.m.
• Bathtub races beginning at 1 p.m.
• Foam party beginning at 3 p.m.
• A large fireworks display at dusk will bring the celebration to a close.

From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Iowa’s pheasant population is expected to benefit from the 2024-25 mild winter and average spring that much of the state experienced.

According to Iowa’s state climatologist, last winter was the fourth least snowy in 138 years, and the spring was normal for rainfall and temperature.

“Given the statewide information, we are expecting a good nesting effort and our weather model is predicting pheasant populations will likely be higher for the 2025 hunting season,” Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), said.

The Iowa DNR’s weather model is based on 50 years of weather data and roadside pheasant counts.

“I expect there will be regional differences, but hopefully we will see nice increases in all survey regions,” he said.

The Iowa DNR conducts its annual upland population survey each August, which is the best indicator of what populations will be this fall. Results from the August roadside survey will be available online at www.iowadnr.gov/pheasantsurvey around Sept. 15.

Reports of hens with chicks started in southern Iowa in middle May and sightings have since been reported from across the state.

“When we have early nesting years, we typically have the highest number of chicks and it is looking like 2025 will be an early nesting year,” Bogenschutz said.

Hens will begin incubating after the last egg is laid and eggs hatch after 23 days of incubation, with peak hatch Iowa occurring June 10-15. The young pheasants begin to make short flights — around 5 feet — at 10 days old and can keep up with the hen on longer flights after another five days.

A century of pheasant hunting

The Iowa DNR and Pheasants Forever are celebrating 100 years of pheasant hunting in the Hawkeye State. The first season was held Oct. 20-22, 1925, when 13 counties in north central Iowa were opened to pheasant hunting. Hunters were allowed a three-rooster limit, for a half-day of hunting. An estimated 75,000 hunters participated.

Hunters can commemorate the 100th anniversary by purchasing a hard card featuring Iowa Pheasants Forever Print of the Year when they purchase their 2025 hunting and fishing licenses.

Information on places to hunt, the August roadside survey results and more is available online by clicking the 100 Years of Pheasant Hunting graphic at www.iowadnr.gov/pheasantsurvey.

Special to the Times Vedette

The YJB TTT Omelet Breakfast will be held on July 4 from 8-10 a.m. at the Yale Community Building on July 4. Enjoy made-to-order omelets, muffins and drinks. This is the major fundraiser of the year for the group. The funds raised go toward sending fourth-grade girls to TTT camp each year. The organization not only pays their way but also provides their clothing and other necessities. Also, each year when the TTT camp girls are seniors and graduate from Panorama High School, they receive a scholarship from the club to further their education.