By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the June 10 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, the supervisors approved Resolution 25-30: A Resolution Honoring Dr. Steven Bascom and Dedicating the Guthrie County Health Services Building as “Stephen Bascom Health Center.”

The grand opening of the remodeled Health Services building and the dedication ceremony will occur at an event today (June 10) from 1-3 p.m. at 2002 State St. in Guthrie Center. The public is invited.

Supervisor Mike Dickson asked that one item (Comp Time Pay Out Notice for Todd Thorn) be removed from the Consent Agenda and discussed separately. Supervisor Steve Smith said he agrees with Dickson’s concern about setting a precedent, but since the hours have been worked, Smith supported paying out Thorn for the comp time hours to get his balance down to 160 hours. The supervisors voted 4-1 to approve the payout, with Dickson opposed.

Health Services Director Jotham Arber provided a departmental update.

“We are planning to do a health fair. We’re trying to decide whether to do it right before school starts or right after school starts. We’d like to do it at each of the schools and offer physicals and some other services, just to try to bolster some health services for our schools,” Arber said. “We’re working on the details there.”

Arber explained his department’s ongoing efforts to decrease the cancer risk for citizens from radon exposure. He described the information and resources available for radon testing and radon mitigation. The county has home radon tests available for $18.

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

Whiterock Conservancy’s next Slow Sunday Drive is Sunday, June 22 starting at the Historic Garst Farmhouse (1390 Highway 141, Coon Rapids) at 1 p.m. This two- to three-hour ride along the scenic trails of Whiterock Conservancy is a can’t miss opportunity.

Parking is available for trailers in the overflow lot of the Bur Oak Visitors Center (1436 Highway 141, Coon Rapids). Price per vehicle is $30 (cash) that participants pay at registration along with providing proof of insurance and valid driver’s license.

Arrive early so the event can start at 1 p.m. and watch the website and event page for any weather updates. If the trails are wet, the Slow Sunday Drive will be cancelled or rescheduled. Call 712-790-8221 or email guestinfo@whiterockconservancy.org for more information.

Private ATVs are only allowed on Whiterock land during the Slow Sunday Drives, visitors may not bring their own ATVs on the land outside of this event

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The farmers market season has officially begun. On June 7, the Panora farmers market kicked off at the Guthrie County Historical Village at 206 W. South St. in Panora. Many vendors were present, including food and drink. Local musician Kile Jackson played live music.

On June 14, the Guthrie Center farmers market will kick off in downtown Guthrie Center.

The blacksmith shop transformed into Los Altos Mexican Restaurant.

Families and vendors enjoyed a break from the predicted rain.

Crafts, plants, treats and more are offered at the farmers market.

Special to the Times Vedette

The Panora Chamber of Commerce has recognized an outstanding member of the Panora/Lake Panorama community since 1989. The year 2020 was the only year the recognition did not take place.

Criteria for Citizen of the Year:

• Any service performed for the betterment of Panora that the nominator deems worthy.
• No restrictions on the number of years a person can be nominated.
• Winners cannot be considered again for 10 years.
• Nominees must be a citizen of Panora or Lake Panorama.
• Nominees must be nominated in writing, signed by the nominator.

Paid city employees are eligible, but their nomination must not be for their regular duties.

The following statement applies to all nominees: Anyone who works for the promotion and betterment of our community rather than excellence in profession or job.

Nominations must be received by Friday, July 11, 2025. Mail nomination letters to the Panora Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 73, Panora, IA 50216.

The 2025 Citizen of the Year will be announced during Panorama Days, Saturday, Aug. 2 after the parade in the gazebo.

Previous Citizen of the Year winners:

• 1989     Kass Duis
• 1990     Galen Bymer (D)
• 1991     Duane Miller (D)
• 1992     Mary Beidelman
• 1993     Mary Jones (D)
• 1994     Hugh & Merna Teale (D)
• 1995     Dave Arganbright
• 1996     Ron Reynolds
• 1997     John Dungan (D)
• 1998     Dale Grotjohn (D)
• 1999     Cheryl Castile
• 2000     Frank Teale
• 2001     Dave Olson
• 2002     Carolyn England
• 2003     Pat Finnegan
• 2004     Julie Dent-Zajicek
• 2005     Dave Beidelman
• 2006     Judy Contner
• 2007     Chris Arganbright
• 2008     Vickie Ditsworth (D)
• 2009     Barb Wollner
• 2010     Bette Donahey
• 2011     Joan Allen (D)
• 2012     MJ Brown
• 2013     Karen Sievers
• 2014     Joe Scheiring (D)
• 2015     John Rutledge
• 2016     Josh Arganbright
• 2017     Curtis Thornberry
• 2018     Jaime Waddle
• 2019     Bill & Connie Ridgley
• 2020     COVID YEAR (NONE)
• 2021     Chaille Crandall
• 2022     Tom & Ellen Campbell
• 2023     Kirby Klinge
• 2024     Matt Harmann

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the meeting of the Panora City Council on June 9, the council approved the purchase of a Ziegler CAT 2025 Caterpillar skid loader for $64,583. The city’s old skid loader will be traded in for approximately $15,000.

City Administrator Lisa Grossman and the council discussed the city’s sidewalk inspections and possible action regarding incomplete blocks that currently have partial sidewalks. Grossman explained that the city requires sidewalk to be installed with new construction, but some properties have no sidewalk on blocks that have sidewalk.

Grossman explained that, in some areas, sidewalk is not present because some areas are considered “drainage ditch.” Mayor Curt Thornberry said that in years past, the city has also identified other properties where sidewalk is missing, but previous councils have not chosen to require those properties to have sidewalk installed. Thornberry said that this is up to the council to decide. No formal action was taken at this time. The city will send out letters to inform the property owners who are missing sidewalk (or with badly damaged sidewalk), but the letter does not require that sidewalk be installed.

Grossman reported on the city’s upcoming cleanup day.

“We had 43 people sign up for cleanup day, which is this Friday. The deadline was last Friday,” Grossman said.

During the Public Forum portion of the meeting, Allie Halsey addressed the council about a concern. She showed pictures of a portion of her lawn.

“My property is at 215 East South St., and I’m here to talk about the spraying the city has done along the curb at my address. I think you’ll see in the first picture, there’s over a foot of dead grass along the curb,” Halsey said.

Halsey said she also has a company that treats her lawn for weeds. She suggested the city could inform property owners before spraying, so that kids and pets could be kept away. Since the issue was not on the agenda, no council action was taken at this time.

The council approved several licenses and permits, including an 8-month special Class C Retail Alcohol License for Off Course Golf Carts, a 12-month Special Class C Retail Alcohol License for Pedal-In, and Tobacco licenses for Casey’s and Dollar General.

The next regular meeting of the council will be Monday, June 23 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#).