Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Taylor Wheatley reported a two-vehicle accident occurring on March 25 at 8:15 p.m. on Highway 25. Neal W Schoon, 62, of Bayard was driving a 1991 Chevrolet Caprice Classic westbound and rear-ended a 2010 Lexus ES350 driven by Ruth Elaine Heckman, 80, of Bayard. Schoon was charged with failure to stop in assured clear distance. Estimated damage to the Lexus is $5,000, and estimated damage to the Caprice Classic is $2,500. 

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Chief Deputy Todd Thorn reported a two-vehicle accident occurring on March 24 at 7:35 a.m. at the intersection of Redwood Avenue and Highway 44. Jauclyn Marie Curry, 18, of Panora was driving a 2019 Dodge Charger SXT eastbound on Highway 44 and collided with a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 driven by Clayton David Dean Larson, 33, of Adair.  Curry failed to stop in assured clear distance, resulting in the collision with Larson’s stopped vehicle. Estimated damage to the Charger is $20,000, and estimated damage to the Silverado truck is $20,000. 

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Chief Deputy Todd Thorn reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on March 27 at 5 a.m.  Richard Charles Hughes, 29, of Manning was driving a 2010 Ford Taurus SEL northbound on Luna Avenue and came to a T-intersection with 130^th Street, attempted a left turn and lost control into the north ditch. The vehicle caught on fire after the collision. Estimated damage is $6,000. 

Dozens of guests came to wish Kim Finnegan well in her retirement.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On March 27, a farewell event was held at the Panora Public Library for outgoing director Kim Finnegan, who is retiring after 30 years of service. According to Finnegan, she will fill her increased free time with travel and grandkids.

Flowers, gifts, refreshments and well-wishers filled the library.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the March 27 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, Auditor Dani Fink explained that the bulk of the work on the county’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year is done. Fink is awaiting some final information on health insurance rates.

“It’s just going to be accounting for potential new hires for next year, making sure of their budgeted amounts in case they want insurance. We’ll do that at the family rate, just to be safe,” Fink said.

The supervisors voted to set a public hearing regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 budget on April 15 at 9:30 a.m.

The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, April 1 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#.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the March 27 monthly meeting of the Guthrie County Hospital Board, the trustees heard from Cris Kuhns, bond counsel for the hospital’s upcoming construction project. She outlined the next steps in the process and the funding plans.

Regarding the upcoming fiscal year budget, GCH CEO Chris Stipe explained the ongoing process.

“We’ll be publishing a proposed budget,” Stipe said. “Whatever we put in the paper is proposed, because the board still has to vote on it, and we can change it.”

Foundation Director Dennis Flanery shared details on upcoming foundation events and voiced appreciation for corporate and local family sponsorships.

“We’re working on getting our golf letters out. This will be our 25^th anniversary golf event, so this year we’re going to do a little something extra. More to come on that,” Flanery said.

Danielle Lauzon reported on strong patient satisfaction survey data.

“The ER score is just off the charts. Surgery is at 100%,” CEO Chris Stipe said.

The next meeting of the trustees is set for April 24 at 4 p.m. in the Todd-Neff Conference Room. The public is welcome to join in person or via remote technology. Details can be found at www.guthriecountyhospital.org.