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Curtis and Angie Clark at 105 North 12th St. in Guthrie Center are the winner of $100 in chamber bucks from the Guthrie Center Lions Club and the Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce for the Yard of the Month contest for May. These two organizations have teamed up to award citizens who maintain and take pride in their yard with this monthly contest.
Special to the Times Vedette
The Panora Citizen of the Year nominations are now being accepted. The Panora Chamber of Commerce has recognized an outstanding member of the Panora/Lake Panorama community since 1989. The year 2020 was the only year the recognition did not take place.
Paid city employees are eligible, but their nomination must not be for their regular duties.
The following statement applies to all nominees: Anyone who works for the promotion and betterment of our community rather than excellence in profession or job.
Nominations must be received by July 10, 2026. Please mail nomination letters to the Panora Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 73, Panora, IA 50216.
The 2026 Citizen of the Year will be announced at Panorama Days on Friday, July 31.
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Whiterock Conservancy announced it was recently awarded the Neighborhood Beer Micro-grant on behalf of the Big Grove for Good Foundation. The grant will help fund the Whiterock Conservancy project and further the mission of Big Grove for Good by investing in neighborhoods and communities. Whiterock Conservancy says this partnership will provide opportunities for the public to experience and learn from this rare and unique landscape.
The grant provides significant improvements to the Whiterock team and volunteer safety for habitat restoration capacity that will provide opportunities to increase efforts to restore and preserve Iowa’s natural resources.
Fire is heavily utilized for habitat management at Whiterock. The management of aggressive non-native species through fire will help encourage the growth of a healthy woodland and remnant prairie area with native plant species through these varied methods. These native plant species will boost the quality of contiguous habitat and wildlife at Whiterock and improve the number of species of greatest conservation need in the area.
Whiterock boasts many rare and sensitive communities throughout its 5,500-acre land trust including rare sand prairies, prairie remnants, prairie pothole region and oak savannas. Land protection and management efforts in Iowa should continue to focus on the preservation of rare and sensitive ecological communities, which, in turn, support rare wildlife species.
Call the Whiterock Conservancy office at 712-790-8221 or email executivedirector@whiterockconservancy.org for more information.
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Whiterock Conservancy announced it is offering free STEM summer adventures as new ways to learn and grow. Saturday, June 20, is the next STEM Adventure of 2026 with Eco Explorers. Adventure goers will learn about leave not trace and participate in a nature scavenger hunt. The program is for students ages 6-12 and must be accompanied by an adult or babysitter. Join in for some science fun. Register for one or more of these FREE events by calling 712-790-8221 ext. 1 or emailing guestinfo@whiterockconservancy.org.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the June 8 meeting of the Panora City Council, the councilmembers discussed the status of the apartments and commercial building located at 113 East Main St. Final steps are being taken regarding funding of the upstairs apartments. After all paperwork is submitted, the developer, Tim Schutte, can begin working on the main floor, which is intended for commercial purposes.
“It’s going to take approximately six to eight weeks for the final GAX to come through,” Karla Janning (Region 12 Council on Government) said. “Once that happens, (Schutte’s) plan is to concentrate on painting of the storefront, getting some new glass, and some tuckpointing on the first level. His hope is that the updates will look like something a commercial entity would want to come in and rent.”
City Administrator Lisa Grossman noted the upcoming citywide cleanup is set for June 12.
“We had 33 homes sign up this year, which is pretty good,” Grossman said.
Grossman also reported on planning for RAGBRAI, which will come through Panora on July 21.
“We had the RAGBRAI pre-ride, which I think went really well,” she said. “We’re kind of finalizing all of our vendors.”
Approval was given to Resolution 26-32, support for a Workforce Housing tax incentive application by Origin Homes for a housing project that will include three additional single-family homes in the same general area as the previous project of Panora’s Dream Acres in the northwest area of town.
As part of the consent agenda items, the council approved Iowa Retail Permits for Casey’s and Hometown Foods for cigarettes/tobacco/nicotine/vapor.
The council approved Resolution 26-31 to purchase a 2019 Cummings Freightliner diesel truck (approximately 34,000 miles) for $134,900.
The next regular meeting is set for Monday, June 22 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#).
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On June 5, a total of 13 players participated. Rhonda Titus got two 16s; Dan Webb got a 16; Robert Klever got an 18; Dave Richter and Clint Malbon each got a 21; and Lela Schwartz got a 24.
On June 8, a total of 12 players participated. Dennis Betts got two 16s; Clint Malbon got a 16; and Dave Richter and Bill Sheeder each got a 20.
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.