By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met April 28 in regular session. As part of the consent agenda, the supervisors approved liquor licenses for Twin Vines and Winetime LLC.

County Engineer Josh Sebern summarized proposed funding agreements for three federal-aid bridge projects in the county. The supervisors approved each of the three.

Sebern and the supervisors also discussed the Roads Department’s five-year plan for road projects. Discussion centered around funding and the prioritizing of roads most in need of repair. No formal action was taken.

Supervisor Maggie Armstrong told of an upcoming planned visit from the Iowa State Association of Counties.

“It looks like they’re looking for a point person, a potential timeframe and location,” Armstrong said. “It looks like they’ll take like half a day, and talk with department heads, employees, officials, to talk about some of what ISAC has going on and to hear what our priorities are.”

Armstrong will be the point person and will inform the supervisors as plans are made.

Steve Smith told of plans for upcoming emergency drills for county employees. The preliminary plan is to most likely close the courthouses offices for roughly a half-day for the drills. This issue will be on the agenda for the supervisors’ next meeting, May 6, to determine scheduling.

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#.

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Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Kent Gries reported a two-vehicle accident occurring on April 25 at 2:44 p.m. on Highway 4. Tessa Kay Steimel, 22, of Churdan, was driving a 2019 Ford Fusion northbound on Highway 4 and stopped at a posted stop sign where Highway 4 and Highway 141 meet. Steimel proceeded onto Highway 141 and took evasive action to avoid being struck by a 2021 Chevy Equinox driven by Danny Ray Richardson, 71, of Coon Rapids. This action brought them into the southbound lane where Steimel’s vehicle struck Richardson’s vehicle head on. Richardson was not wearing his safety belt, and his head impacted the windshield. He suffered severe leg injuries and head trauma and was transported to Mercy Hospital. A passenger, Susan Kaye Richardson, 71, of Coon Rapids, was also transported to Mercy Hospital on a complaint of pain. Steimel and a passenger, Justin Daniel Stream, 21, of Churdan, were transported to Dallas County Hospital. Steimel was cited for failure to yield. Damage to the Ford Fusion and the Chevy Equinox are both estimated at $15,000.

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Lady Washington-Rhinehart Chapter and Linden Chapter members attended the School of Instruction, Order of the Eastern Star on Saturday, April 12 in Adel. The business portion of the day began at 9:30 a.m. and, following the lunch, the School of Instruction was held.

Members present were Marilyn and Larry Culver, Jane Beeman, Virginia Armstrong, Joyce and Frank Keeran, Carol and Jack Nelson, Janelle Hammarstedt, Barbara and Gene Croft, Gary Stevens, Terry Grover, Luann Waldo, Cindy Slaybaugh, Gary Rees and Mary Jo Laughery.

Front row: Ceige Underwood, Charlotte Owens, Cooper Ehrsam, Eli Nourse, Grace Nourse, Zoey Van Donselaar. Back row: Janna Nelson, Brandon Carlson, Cherubim Mercado, Michidel Mercado.

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Piano students under the instruction of Janna Nelson performed in recital Sunday evening April 27 at the Stuart-Mt Vernon United Methodist Church. Solos, duets with Mrs. Nelson, and a brother-sister duet comprised the program with an ending organ piece by Mrs. Nelson.

Certificates were presented to the students.  Zoey Van Donselaar received her first trophy for three years of I ratings. Cherubim and Michidel each earned a second trophy for six years of I ratings.

Participants included Charlotte Owens, Ceige Underwood, Cooper Ehrsam, Eli Nourse, Grace Nourse, Zoey Van Donselaar, Brandon Carlson, Cherubim Mercado and Michidel Mercado.  Refreshments were served following the recital.

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Edward Jones Financial Advisor Dave Grove of Panora recently qualified for the firm’s Impact conference, which celebrates the contributions and achievements of 489 top financial advisors from among the firm’s more than 20,000. The conference, which includes financial advisors from both the U.S. and Canada, will be held May 12-15 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Impact recognition conference brings together some of the top financial advisors, thought leaders and change makers to sharpen each other’s acumen. Through presentations, small group sessions and networking, attendees will have opportunities to learn, share and explore in ways that can inspire and redefine their practices.

To determine the list of attendees, criteria was developed to evaluate the success of the practice. In keeping with the firm’s culture and spirit of partnership, there was not a set number of attendees for the conference. Instead, every financial advisor who met the criteria qualified to attend, thereby keeping the focus on operational and service quality.

Achieving the level of success that qualifies for Impact involves the collective effort of the entire branch team. In addition to the May conference for financial advisors, a conference specifically designed for the Impact branches’ client support teams is scheduled for September 2025.

Dave Grove and his client support team professional can be reached at 641-755-3213. You may also visit their website at www.edwardjones.com/dave-grove.

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On Sunday, May 11, Whiterock Conservancy will host its first Slow Sunday Drive of 2025. 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 a 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 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.

Call the Whiterock Conservancy office at 712-790-8221 or email guestinfo@whiterockconservancy.org for more information.