Special to the Times Vedette

Seasoned walkers and newbies are invited to participate in a 100-mile walking challenge from June 1 to Sept. 9. The challenge, which is being coordinated by Arianne Steenblock and Sara Van Effen, involves walking 100 miles in 100 days. The challenge is on the honor system, but a tracking sheet will be provided with registration, and organizers say any fitness app, pedometer or other tool can work, too. 

The Virtual Kickoff Meeting is May 30 from noon to 12:45 p.m. Participants will set goals, introduce themselves and get motivated. They can also expect follow-up support including lots of encouragement, milestone celebrations and some surprise extras. Cost is $30 per household, and deadline is May 30.  Register at https://squareup.com/appointments/book/classes/9sy1snxkvyj53g/LD7SWKA07FDT9/classes. Anyone with questions can contact Steenblock at 515-537-5330. 

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Saturday, May 18, hundreds of riders are expected to participate in the second annual Red, White & Blue Cruise through Guthrie County. The event is a fundraiser and honors all veterans and active members of military service.

Robyn Van Zee, president of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 124, provided information on the event and how it came to be.

“The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 124 had this crazy idea back in 2021. We had gone on an Eastern Iowa Honor Flights ride out of Central City,” Van Zee said. “We knew we wanted to do it, too.”

The local group decided to create such an event in Guthrie County to raise funds for veterans and active services members, as well as for local charitable organizations.

“We really had no idea where to start. We pulled our boots up and got to work, and last year was a huge success. It far exceeded our expectations,” Van Zee said. “We were so mind-blown last year, we decided we have to do this again.”

With the profits the American Legion Auxiliary made from Red, White & Blue Cruise in 2023, Unit No. 124 was able to donate more than $7,000 to a variety of local causes and organizations, including three Merit Awards to graduating ACGC seniors, veteran transportation, Little Charger Early Learning Center, Guthrie County Relay for Life, Iowa Service Dogs, Veterans’ Day breakfast, and meal programs at Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center schools.

Van Zee said the ride will happen much as it did last year but with a few additions and improvements.

“We are starting a poker run this year,” Van Zee said.

Registration costs for the event are $25 per person. Those who choose to participate in the poker run will pay an additional $20 and then will receive poker cards at the various stops on the day’s agenda, which include Shootout Saloon in Dexter, Ruby’s Pub & Grill in Stuart, Short’s Place in Menlo, Casey Creamery and Tin Lizzies Sports Bar in Casey, and Blue Goose Tavern in Adair. At the end of the ride, the best poker hand will win cash.

“There will be one prize of $250. The rest of the money that is made from all of the poker run participants will go to the Brushy Creek Honor Flight program,” Van Zee said.

Another addition is that during registration, breakfast will be available, provided on site by the Main Street Guthrie Center organization, to raise funds for their program. The menu will include pizza and cinnamon rolls.

Van Dee explained that the day’s events will begin and end at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds, 408 W. State St. in Guthrie Center, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. The ride will start around 10 a.m. All vehicles are welcomed, and participants can choose whether to travel on paved roads or gravel.

“There’s no specific route.  People can go any which direction,” Van Zee said. “Rain or shine, we ride.”

Upon the completion of the ride, the band Ghost Riderz will play at the fairgrounds.

“That is open to the public. Bring lawn chairs. And Los Altos food truck will be there,” Van Zee said.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the regular meeting of the Panora City Council on May 13, City Administrator Lisa Grossman explained that the city can receive up to three “speed feedback” signs at no initial cost to the city. The solar-powered equipment is expected to cost around $8,000, and the entire initial cost would be covered through a grant program. Police Chief Matt Reising said such feedback signs can be an effective means of addressing speed concerns.

Mayor Curt Thornberry shared DOT data about the average daily number of vehicles heading into and out of town on the main routes, and he said peak numbers during the summer would likely be higher.

Grossman said the equipment would become the property of the city, and it would then be up to the city to cover any repairs or maintenance, but she added there is a five-year warranty. Chief Reising responded to a question about potential recalibration of the equipment. He said that since the equipment will not be used to issue citations, no recalibration is expected to be needed.

The council voted unanimously to submit the application for up to three speed feedback signs to help reduce speeding in city limits.

Council member Roger Dorr brought up a concern regarding the city’s “nuisance” ordinance.

“Is there anything we can do to tighten that ordinance up a little bit?” he asked.

Dorr mentioned residential properties that are not in compliance with the ordinance regarding mowing of grass, and he said some downtown buildings have had crumbling brick pieces fall onto the sidewalks.

Grossman said the city has a process for addressing the residential issues, which is often broadly implemented soon after citywide cleanup. Regarding downtown commercial buildings, Grossman said the best path would be to ask Planning and Zoning to look into any concerns.

A public hearing on the proposed FY 2023-2024 budget will be held in conjunction with the next regular council meeting, which will be on Tuesday, May 28 due to the Memorial Day holiday. The public is welcome.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular meeting of the Guthrie Center city council on May 13, the council discussed the ongoing complaints from citizens about turkey vultures roosting in trees within city limits.

City clerk Kris Arrasmith updated the council on what she has found out about the issue, including that the birds are a federally protected species.

However, Arrasmith said it’s possible the city could get a permit to allow up to five turkey vultures to be legally eradicated, and she explained that a dead specimen hung in a tree where the birds have roosted is generally effective in getting them to leave, but she added that it’s unpredictable if the birds would leave town or simply roost elsewhere in town. Arrasmith said she is working on the process of requesting the permit.

In the meantime, Arrasmith suggested other ways to decrease the problem, such as loud noises to scare the birds off.  She stressed that no sure-fire method is known.

“There are other things you can do… shoot bottle rockets at them,” Arrasmith said.

The council heard from Rodney and Tammy Wise, who were present to ask the city to allow them to keep goats at their property within the city. Compliance Officer Wes Clark said the city’s ordinance states no hooved animals are to be kept in the city.

“They have brought paperwork to Kris and I, saying they are emotional support animals,” Clark said.

Rodney Wise showed paperwork and explained that Tammy’s licensed therapist has documented that the goats are appropriate as emotional support animals for her. He was asked if any neighbors have objected to the goats being present.

“Nobody has ever come to us and complained,” Rodney said.

Mayor Mike Herbert suggested the matter should be brought to the attention of the city attorney for input. No other action was taken at this time.

A public hearing was held regarding the proposed sale of real estate (North First Street lot). No citizens were on hand for the hearing, and no council members or city staff reported hearing from citizens on the topic, so the hearing was promptly closed. The council then voted to approve the sale.

Street Department Head Darin Sloss reported that the pool is being filled, and a leak was discovered in the area repaired last year. Sloss said he was able to temporarily stop the leak, and he will contact the company to permanently fix the problem. Arrasmith said the expected opening date for the pool is Saturday, May 25.

Liquor licenses were approved for Al’s Corner Oil and for Apres Bar. A fence permit was approved for 301 Ordway (Lyon).

Because of the Memorial Day holiday, the council’s next regular meeting will be Tuesday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the regular meeting of the Panorama School Board on May 13, the board voted to approve an agreement to begin the process of bringing a bond referendum to voters, likely in November 2025. The referendum would cover various projects within the district, with the most significant being a new competition gym.

The board approved expansion of the current agreement with Life Connections to provide more counseling services for students. The current counselor will add two days per week, allowing more students to be served. There will be no addition cost to the district.

The board approved a resolution to adopt the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Superintendent Kasey Huebner explained what this approval means.

“We adopted the Adair and Guthrie Counties Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, incorporating citizen comments and recommendations. School districts are included in this plan, as they can receive FEMA money in case of emergency or for certain building projects (i.e. safe rooms). The adoption of this plan does not require the school to spend any money or commit to completing projects, but it presents the opportunity for projects to be completed if grant funds do become available,” Huebner said.

The district’s budget for fiscal year 2025 was formally approved.

The board’s next regular meeting will be Monday, June 10.

Special to the Times Vedette

Nurses and Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) at Guthrie County Hospital were honored on May 9 at a special ceremony at the hospital.  

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the efforts nurses perform every day. The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, California, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

Nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. The DAISY Award recipient is selected by a panel of community members. Each nominee receives a daisy pin and bouquet of daisies. The DAISY Honoree receives a certificate commending her or him for being an “Extraordinary Nurse.” The certificate reads: “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.” The Honoree is also be given a sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.

“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced firsthand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at Guthrie County Hospital are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award,” commented Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, President, and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation.

The 2024 Daisy Award was presented at the Daisy Award Ceremony to Dale Peterson, RN.

The Sunshine Award for Remarkable PCTs

PCTs are honored with The Sunshine Award for Remarkable PCTs, which is exclusive to Guthrie County Hospital. The Sunshine Award was established from a desire by the nurses to recognize the PCT staff. Considering how DAISIES require sunshine to flourish and thrive, so is the case for the nurses. Without the PCT team, the daily job of patient care would not be a reality.

PCTs may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. The Sunshine Award recipient was selected by a panel of community members. Each nominee received a sunshine pin and bouquet of sunflowers. Sunshine Award honorees received a personalized certificate, a Sunshine Award pin, and a hand-made wooden sunshine plaque. Each plaque is hand-made and intricately woven locally. The woven part of the plaque symbolizes the inextricable link between the PCT and RN staff. Each one is an integral member of the team. When woven together just right, the sunshine (PCTs) can perfectly support the DAISIES (RNs). Together, they create an environment in which our patients can flourish and thrive. 

“Our annual DAISY and Sunshine Award programs provide an opportunity to recognize our team and the high-quality care they provide. Nurses and PCTs are blessed every day with the opportunity to care for our patients and community. The Daisy and Sunshine Awards are an excellent way for patients and families to share in the acknowledgement of the care our nurses and PCTs provide,” stated Sandy Atkinson, Chief Nursing Officer.

The 2024 Sunshine Award was presented at the Sunshine Award Ceremony to LaRoyce Kress, PCT.

Nomination forms for 2025 are available at Guthrie County Hospital, GCH Clinics, GCH Healthy Living Center and at www.guthriecountyhospital.org. For a complete listing of healthcare organizations currently running the program, visit http://DAISYfoundation.org

The 2024 Daisy Award was presented at the Daisy Award Ceremony to Dale Peterson, RN.  Pictured left to right: Sandy Atkinson, Chief Nursing Officer and Dale Peterson, RN

The 2024 Sunshine Award was presented at the Sunshine Award Ceremony to LaRoyce Kress, PCT. Pictured left to right: LaRoyce Kress, PCT, and Sandy Atkinson, Chief Nursing Officer

Sunshine Award Nominees (Left to Right): Sandy Atkinson, Chief Nursing Officer, Mindi Brittain, LaRoyce Kress and Cris Schachtner