Special to the Times Vedette

On Sept. 11, a total of 15 players participated. Dick Ellis got a 16 and a 22; Sue Mozingo got a 17; Darwin Hughes got a 16; Rhonda Titus got a 16; Sandy Rumelhart and Lela Schwartz each got two 16s; Allen Pierce had an 18; Dennis Betts got a 16 and a 24; and Dave Richter scored a 24.

On Sept. 14, a total of nine players participated. Robert Klever got a 16 and a 17; Wayne Nickel got a 16 and a 20; Dave Kading had a 17; and Roy Carl scored a 21.

The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library, 400 Grand St., on Mondays at 8 a.m. and at the New Homestead independent living dining hall, 2306 State St., at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays and at 1 p.m. on Fridays. Organizers say there is always room for more, and they will be glad to teach you how to play. They play for quarters on Wednesday and Friday.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Immediately prior to the regular meeting of the Guthrie Center School Board, the board members, along with the Adair-Casey board, participated in a video presentation from the Iowa School finance Information Service (ISFIS) regarding matters related to the potential consolidation of the two school districts.

During the Guthrie Center School Board meeting, Elementary Principal Tandem Eischeid reported on a good start to the school year. He noted that the change of having recess before lunch (instead of the opposite) was an adjustment for students but has settled in.

High School Principal Rhys Pate shared information about meeting with students who are struggling academically.

“I talked with each kid individually to help figure out what they need to do,” he said.

Superintendent Josh Rasmussen shared that the state allocated a 2% increase in funding for schools but explained that is not keeping up with inflation.

“We’re increasing our expenses through inflation by way more,” he said. “The math doesn’t math.”

The board approved the 2026 FFA National Convention trip to Indianapolis. The board also approved a continuation of the athletic training contract with Guthrie County Hospital.

Eischeid reported that at the elementary school midday recess now happens right before lunch instead of after lunch. He also noted that a large tree in front of the elementary school was recently taken down after it was found to be in danger of falling.

In the Consent Items portion of the meeting, the resignation of Jacob Lacey (girls track coach) was accepted. The board also approved contract recommendations including Lindsay Carmichael (paraprofessional), Michaelin Juhl (assistant basketball cheer), Rod Nelson (mowing and grounds), Jacob Lacey (boys track coach), Tyler Merical (softball coach), Nick McCool (baseball coach), Patti Halbur (part-time special education), William Shull (girls golf coach), Lori McGivney (boys golf coach), Sarah Sheeder (volunteer girls basketball coach) and DMACC stipend adjustments.

The next regular meeting — a joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards — is set for Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. at Adair-Casey Junior High School. The public is welcome at all board meetings other than special closed meetings as allowed by law.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular meeting of the Panora City Council on Sept. 14, City Administrator Lisa Grossman shared information on storm drain repairs that are needed.

“With all the rain, we’ve been taking stock of our storm water intake, and we’d like to do a few more repairs over the fall,” Grossman said. “We would like to spend up to $10,000 on those repairs.”

Grossman added that if the council is agreeable with this plan, there would need to be a budget amendment later in the year to account for the extra spending. The consensus of the council was to proceed as she described.

Mayor Curt Thornberry and Councilmember Brian Dorsett shared information about a recent meeting with representatives of the city of Stuart regarding EMS services. They agreed the meeting was productive and aimed at working together toward a common goal of meeting the care needs of citizens. Dorsett pointed out that there are efficiencies that can be accessed, such as shared training.

Grossman brought up the planned retirement of the city’s water superintendent, Brent Christopherson.

“I spoke with Brent. This is probably his last full year with us as the water superintendent. He is looking to retire next year,” Grossman said. “I would like to publicly put his position out now to start seeing what candidates we would get. That would give us enough time to thoughtfully interview people and have some time with Brent, too, for training.”

The council agreed with this plan.

The council approved Resolution 26-38 to increase the hourly pay of Brayden Rynearson from $21 to $21.84, effective Sept. 9. The resolution states, in part, “Whereas, supervisory staff has reviewed employee’s work and skills over the one-year probationary period and recommends to the council the 4% cost of living increase that all other employees were allocated on July 1.”

The next regular meeting of the council will be Sept. 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

The Guthrie Center City Council met in regular session on Sept. 14. Councilmember (and mayor pro tem) Garold Thomas attended remotely due to illness. He postponed appointing a mayor to replace Mike Herbert due to a few matters he wants to finish up before a new mayor is named.

Councilmember Ian Steensen asked about Thomas’ decision to postpone appointing a mayor. Thomas said he feels the city needs to be cautious “if you talk about employees and their evaluation or performance.” He said the matter will be on the agenda at the council’s next meeting (Sept. 28).

Street Department Director Darin Sloss reported on a bid from KCI for $17,750 to repair a washed-out area at the corner of North and Sixth streets. The council voted to accept the bid.

The council heard an insurance renewal report from insurance agent Rod Rumelhart regarding the city’s property casualty coverage.

“We had a very good renewal, best since I’ve been here,” Rumelhart said. “The insurance went up basically $1,000 for next year. And, Kris, I think you had 20% figured in. So that’s a big savings.”

Rumelhart noted that the city had very little in claims this year, and he said the dividend expected in January looks to be the largest ever. He added that the premium increase is less than 1%, which shows how well the city kept insurance claims down.

“Don’t jinx it,” Sloss said.

As part of the consent agenda, the council approved a building permit for 1111 Oak St. (B. Kempf) to put in a shed.

The next regular meeting of the council will be Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

Special to the Times Vedette

Lydon Stagg ran out of places to store his Panorama Homecoming Parade candy on Friday and decided his shirt would work just fine. 

Photos by Dan Juffer | Times Vedette

The Best of Guthrie County event was held Wednesday, Sept. 9 at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds event center.  The top three vote-getters in each of 91 categories were presented, and the winner of each category was announced.