Special to the Times Vedette

A total of 13 players participated on April 23. Wayne Nickel got a 16 and an 18, Sandy Rumelhart got a 16 and a 20, Lela Schwartz got a 16, and Chet Vaughan had a 24.

The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library on Mondays at 8 a.m., at the New Homestead independent living rec room at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays, and at the Guthrie Center Activity Center 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 County Chaplains Association is hosting an appreciation event for local law enforcement on May 14  at 3 p.m. at the Freedom Rock, 405 State St. (West Highway 44) in Guthrie Center. Organizers encourage the public to show up to support law enforcement officers and their families. Messages will be shared by elected officials in Washington, D.C., elected officials, who have expressed appreciation for the jobs our law enforcement officers are doing back home. Attendees are also welcomed to offer brief words of encouragement to the officers. Lawn chairs are recommended.

The event will be held at the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall at 105 North Fourth St. in case of rain.

From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Spring weather arrived, and with it, the annual spring cleaning and garden prep rituals going on in backyards and acreages across Iowa.

Iowans who set out bird feeders and waterers are encouraged to include regular feeder cleaning as part of their annual to do list, to avoid unintentionally spreading disease among birds that frequent these feeders.

Clean bird feeders and waterers with a 10% bleach solution about once each month and make sure the feeder is dry before refilling it with seed. Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned every 3-5 days with hot water and dish soap or with the 10% bleach solution, and rinsed thoroughly, and bird baths should get fresh water and a good scrub at least once per week.

Of equal importance to disinfecting the feeder is cleaning up spilled seed and bird droppings below feeders.

Be sure to wear rubber gloves while cleaning the feeders, since humans can contract some diseases, such as those caused by some Salmonella bacteria, from affected feeders or sick birds. If people do find sick birds at their feeders they should take the feeders down for at least two weeks to help stop the spread of disease and contact the DNR.

Feeder birds are not typically impacted by avian influenza, which circulates mostly in waterfowl, shorebirds, and waterbirds, and unless there are waterfowl using the feeders, there is no concern with continuing to feed.

On March 27, John Vogelaar, president of Brokers International, LLC, presented a check to Julie Dent-Zajicek and Patty Reeve of Tori’s Angels Foundation. Others on hand for the presentation were Krista Andreas, Danette Kennedy, Scott Truka, Ross Kalber, Rocky Robbins, Joel Nelson and Pleasure Allen.

Special to the Times Vedette

Brokers International, LLC has become a patron sponsor for the Tori’s Angels Foundation Spring Cocktail Party and Fundraiser. The event will be held at the Stine Barn in West Des Moines on April 24.

Brokers International, LLC and Tori’s Angels share a long history. Brokers was based in Panora for many years before moving to Urbandale, while Tori’s Angels was founded in Panora in 2011. Brokers is proud to support an organization that serves families across the state of Iowa.

The Tori’s Angels Foundation’s mission is to help families who have a child with a life-threatening illness or condition. Among other services, the 501c3 nonprofit organization provides financial support by paying the medical expenses that insurance does not cover as well as travel costs associated with obtaining medical treatment.

This assistance allows families to seek the best available care for their child anywhere in the country and removes some of the financial burden so they focus completely on their family. To date, Tori’s Angels has assisted more than 180 families over the past 15 years.

Through their philanthropic arm, Brokers International Impact, the organization chose Tori’s Angels Foundation and the families they support as recipient of the $25,000 sponsorship for the annual Tori’s Angels Foundation event.

About Brokers International LLC: Brokers International dates back to 1955, when the founder, Roger McCarty, initially entered the insurance industry. In 1983, Roger created the first insurance marketing organization (IMO), Brokers International, solidifying his legacy as an industry pioneer and shaping the modern insurance industry for decades to come. Today, Brokers International is one of the largest and most experienced insurance marketing organizations in the country, while Roger’s legacy lives on in Panora and the surrounding communities of west central Iowa.

In June of 2021, Brokers International officially became a member of the Integrity family. That partnership expanded their reach as they continue to provide marketing programs, training and operational support to agencies and financial professionals across the insurance industry.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Saturday, April 19, the Easter Bunny was busy hiding eggs in Guthrie Center and Panora, as well as other locations throughout the county. Kids of all ages showed up to find the eggs and other treats.

Easter baskets for every kid at the Guthrie Center egg hunt.

Bikes and other prizes were won at Guthrie Center.

Shelby Coffey and her granddaughter, Ava, are all smiles at Panora.

Drake Dole, Tylee Palmer and Trevor Palmer pose with their loot.

Tatum Ticknor savors a sweet treat at Panora.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on April 22. The supervisors opted to go into a closed session regarding the Polanco v. Guthrie County Settlement Agreement.

After returning to an open meeting, County Engineer Josh Sebern spoke regarding the county’s proposed Noxious Weed Control Policy. The supervisors voted to approve the Noxious Weed Control Policy and Resolution 25-25 (Noxious Weed Control Resolution).

Sebern next discussed the county’s five-year construction plan, including four bridges that may be upgraded in the next year. He also explained the various funding options available, including federal funds and grants.

“We are looking at three federal bridges for Fiscal Year 2026. Those are Bear Grove 199. We are anticipating an April 2026 letting date. Jackson 7, that is the structure south of Dale City. We’re anticipating a letting date of September of this year. And Orange 389, west of the dinosaur bridge. It’s a timber structure; we’re looking at replacement with box culvert using federal dollars. That’s anticipating a March 2026 letting date,” Sebern said. “So there’s a good chance we could have three federal-aid structures going next year.”

“We are also looking at a locally funded bridge at the north end of Bay’s Branch,” Sebern said. “It does not meet federal requirements for traffic volume.”

Sebern also described other road/bridge projects tentatively planned within the next five years.

The supervisors discussed the possibility of offering three tiers of coverage for county employee health insurance (employee only, employee plus 1, and family). Supervisors Mike Dickson and Maggie Armstrong suggested not making that change now, since it would likely increase costs that are already budgeted. The supervisors voted to not implement the change, and to survey county employees about their expected usage.

The supervisors meet regularly 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#.