Special to the Times Vedette
Members of Royal Neighbors delivered school supplies to Panorama, Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center elementary schools last week.
Royal Neighbors was founded by nine visionary women united by a mission, starting with an inaugural gathering in Council Bluffs more than 125 years ago. For more information, visit www.royalneighbors.org.
Jaxxen Michelsen rides the figure 8 course.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
On Sunday afternoon, Aug. 23, a fun and safety-minded event was held for kids at the Panora town square. Deputy Blake Michelsen gave a group of young bicycle riders safety tips about helmets and riding in town. Kids then rode their bikes through several paths drawn on the street to teach bike safety. Kid-friendly games were set up on the town square. Attendees were also treated to popcorn and root beer floats as a last bit of summer fun before the school bells ring.
Deputy Blake Michelsen gives instructions to young bicyclists.
Brie Beardsley helps her daughter, Faith, to reset the Kerplunk game.
Families enjoy a beautiful afternoon on the square.
Riders takes turns navigating the course.
Special to the Times Vedette
ACGC FFA members traveled to the Iowa State Fair Aug. 12-13 to compete in the FFA shows, bringing home numerous blue and purple ribbons, class placings and several top overall honors.
The Iowa State Fair FFA Shows provide students with an opportunity to showcase the time and effort they have invested in their agricultural projects throughout the year while competing against FFA members from across Iowa. ACGC members represented the chapter in beef, sheep, swine, meat goat, dairy goat, horse, poultry and photography competitions.
Tatum Brittain had a successful State Fair experience, competing in the horse show. Brittain placed third in the Aged Mare class and earned a blue ribbon in Horsemanship. Brittain also showed Charli in multiple riding classes, earning one purple ribbon and three blue ribbons during the first day of showing.
Lilah Heinz had an impressive showing in the Broiler Show. Heinz’s broiler pen placed fourth Overall, and she was recognized as a Top Twelve Showman. The pen also earned a purple ribbon for Herdsmanship. Heinz also competed in Photography, earning three red ribbons and one blue ribbon.
Several ACGC members competed in the Breeding Beef Show. Stella Largent placed second in her class with her bull, receiving Reserve Champion Angus Bull and third in her class with her Angus heifer. Largent also earned three red ribbons in Photography. Blair Brown placed second in her class with her Angus heifer, while Gracie Hodges earned fourth in her class with an Angus heifer. Blake Hodges placed second in his class with his Foundation Simmental. Hunter Kress earned several top honors in the Breeding Beef Show. Kress was named Reserve Champion in the AOB Cow/Calf Division, Champion Maintainer Heifer and fourth Overall Breeding Heifer.
ACGC sheep exhibitors also experienced success at the State Fair. Creighton Suhr placed third Overall Market Ewe Lamb and placed fourth in his class, earning a purple ribbon. Suhr also competed in the Meat Goat Breeding Show, placing fifth in class and receiving a purple ribbon. Rylee Robson placed fourth in her class with her Purebred Dorset, earning a purple ribbon, and also received a blue ribbon with her crossbred ewe. Blaire Robson competed in Junior Sheep Showmanship and earned a blue ribbon with her White-Faced wether. She also received a blue ribbon in another sheep class. Cash Suhr earned both blue and purple ribbons with his market sheep entries. In the Meat Goat Market Show, Suhr placed sixth in one class and received a blue ribbon, while placing second in a second class, receiving a purple ribbon.
The ACGC FFA swine exhibitors also brought home several strong results. Colt Wilson competed in Junior Swine Showmanship and earned a blue ribbon with his gilt. Wilson also received two blue ribbons after placing seventh in his classes. His carcass entry, Forest, was one of his highlights of the show, placing first in class and sixth Overall. Alli Wiers earned blue ribbons on all three of her Purebred Poland China entries. Lilly Rochholz competed in the Purebred Duroc class and later earned three blue ribbons with her crossbred swine.
Nora Langgaard represented ACGC FFA in the Dairy Show, earning Senior Division Grade Doe before going on to be named Overall Grand Champion Grade Doe. Shelby Gustin also represented the chapter in Photography, earning two red ribbons and two blue ribbons.
The Iowa State Fair marked another opportunity for ACGC FFA members to put their hard work and dedication on display. Preparing an animal or project for the State Fair requires months of commitment, and students gained valuable experience through competition, showmanship and interaction with other exhibitors from across the state. The ACGC FFA Chapter congratulates all of its members who participated in the Iowa State Fair FFA Shows. The chapter also extends its appreciation to the parents, families, supporters and volunteers who helped students prepare for and participate in this year’s State Fair.
Tatum Brittain with her third place Aged Mare.
Rylee and Blaire Robson with their sheep entries.
Nora Langgaard with her Overall Grand Champion Grade Doe.
Hunter Kress with his fourth overall heifer.
By Luann Waldo | Special to the Times Vedette
A local family is finding some resolution to their grief in the loss of their son, brother and grandson following the conviction and sentencing of an illegal immigrant in Nashville, Tennessee, on July 22.
Matthew Allen Carney, 42, known by his friends as Matt, died from injuries sustained while trying to stop Ulises Martinez, 31, from stealing tools and items from his vehicle located in the parking lot of his restaurant business, Smokin’ Thighs, in Wedgewood, Tennessee, on June 19, 2024.
Martinez entered a guilty plea to one count of second degree murder, one count of theft over $2,500, one count of theft over $10,000 and one count of tampering with evidence. Additional charges were dismissed in a plea agreement.
He was ordered to serve 20 years in prison. Following his release, it is anticipated he will be returned to his home country of Mexico. More than 50 of Carney’s relatives and friends were in the courtroom to witness the guilty plea.
Martinez and another illegal immigrant (Adrian Diaz-Aguirre, 26) arrived at the restaurant in a stolen vehicle. Carney caught them in the act of stealing items from the back of his vehicle. The two climbed into the stolen vehicle and attempted to leave, but Carney was in front of them. Martinez allegedly accelerated the vehicle, causing Carney to be slid onto the hood. As the vehicle sped away, Carney was ejected, falling onto the street.
Carney suffered a serious brain injury along with broken ribs and chest injuries. He fought for life for 15 days in the intensive care unit of Vanderbilt University Medical Center but succumbed on July 4, 2024.
Martinez was on the run after the incident. He was arrested on July 18, 2024.
Matt’s brother, Adam Carney told The Tennessean that two things have made his brother’s death especially difficult: Martinez’ immigration status and his previous charges. Records show three criminal charges against Martinez in Nashville were dismissed in March of 2024. He was accused of vehicular burglary and two counts of theft.
His loved ones are serving a “lifetime sentence of grief,” Adam Carney said. He stressed that people who loved Carney, relied on him for their livelihoods or found his restaurant a place to call home will all feel his loss much longer.
Without Matt Carney to run the business, the restaurant closed in October of 2024 after 10 years in Wedgewood-Houston.
“Places like this do not just exist everywhere and in every neighborhood,” Landon Allen said in The Tennesean. Allen, who managed Smokin’ Thighs, commented, “When he was taken from us, it all died with him.”
“When you lose somebody that you love and care about, I don’t know that there’s any sentence that’s going to feel like justice to you,” Allen stated to WKRN.com. “The way that he cared about the people that he loved was unwavering, unfaltering and always there.”
Allen and Carney shared what type of man Matthew Carney was: a hard-working Iowa farm boy with a big, cackling laugh who seemed to know how to fix anything, always kept those he loved safe and secure, loved to cook and was always ready to go to the lake.
Carney is survived by his wife, Molly; father, Clifford (Lori) Carney of Adair; mother, Debra Taylor; brother, Adam (Amy) Carney; sister, Katelin (Chad) Jeffers; grandmother, Patricia Carney of Adair; other relatives and many friends.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security weighed into the conviction, issuing this statement on July 24, 2026. “This criminal illegal alien pleaded guilty to murder, theft, and tampering with evidence after he ran over and killed Matt Carney in Nashville, Tennessee,” Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said. “This criminal illegal alien should NEVER have been in our country to commit this heinous murder. We will work with our state and local partners in Tennessee to ensure that he is handed over to ICE custody once his sentence is complete, so that we can remove him from our country.”
Martinez claims to have illegally entered the United States through Texas in 2021.
Information for this report was gleaned from The Nashville Tennessean, Evan Malins, July 22, 2026; dailywire.com, Leif Le Mahieu, July 23, 2026; WKRN.com, Katelyn Quisenberry, July 23, 2026, and foxnews.com, Brittany Miller, July 24, 2026.
Special to the Times Vedette
On Aug. 21, a total of 10 players participated. Dave Richter, Sandy Rumelhart, got a 16 and a 17; Bill Sheeder and Dick Ellis each got a 17; Kathy Feilmeier got an 18; Lela Schwartz got a 21; and Roy Carl got a 24.
On Aug. 24, a total of six players participated. Robert Klever and Dave Kading got a 16; and Roy Carl got a 17.
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.
Special to the Times Vedette
The Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce held a Teacher Welcome Breakfast on Aug. 19 for the staff of the ACGC School District. Chamber members served cinnamon rolls and other items catered by Café on the Hill.
The staff started Wednesday, Aug. 19. Students will return to classes at all ACGC buildings Aug. 25 with preschool starting Aug. 31
New certified staff members at ACGC include:
Cafe on the Hill provided breakfast while Guthrie Center Chamber members helped serve it to all the staff and teachers to kick off the new school year.
New teachers were introduced at the breakfast.