Special to the Times Vedette

On April 28, Sue Mozingo sponsored Bagley’s second annual cribbage tournament. Sue Mozingo got first and Robert Klever got second. Clint Malbon placed third, Gary Hanson placed fourth and Julie Kipp placed fifth.

On April 29, a total of 11 players participated. Dick Ellis and Robert Klever both got two 16s and a 20; Wayne Nickel and Chet Vaughan both got a 16; Sandy Rumelhart got two 16s and a 24; and Allen Pierce got a 16 and a 24.

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

The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular session April 28. County Engineer Josh Sebern summarized the county’s Fiscal Year 2027 Iowa DOT (Department of Transportation) budget and the county’s five-year plan.

“This (DOT budget) goes in at the same time as the county five-year program, so they go hand in hand,” Sebern said. “It’s an aggressive five-year program, where we are utilizing a significant amount of federal funding. There’s $11 million in federal funding in here. Nine million of that is federal bridge.”

The supervisors voted unanimously to approve the DOT budget, five-year plan and mowing contract extension.

Supervisor Brian Johnson shared a matter for the board to consider.

“As you know, for about a year now, I’ve been attending First Responders meetings as an ad hoc member. They asked me at the last meeting if I would join the board. They’re having trouble finding qualified people that don’t have a conflict to join,” Johnson said. He asked that the matter be added to the agenda for the supervisors to discuss at the May 5 meeting.

The supervisors set a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget amendment. The hearing will be at 9 a.m. on May 19, immediately prior to the regular meeting of the supervisors on that date.

As part of the consent agenda items, the supervisors approved payroll change notices with pay increases for three employees in the Secondary Roads department (Wade Downing, new rate $30.71 hourly; Andy Johnson, new rate $28.66 hourly; and Jeremy Wolfe, new rate $28.96 hourly).  

The supervisors meet regularly on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend in person at the courthouse or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#

By Morgan Sheeder | Times Vedette

The ACGC Theatre Department, in conjunction with the music department, presented “The Addams Family” musical directed by Kelsey Dinkla. The musical centers around Wednesday Addams, who brings her “normal” boyfriend, Lucas, and his parents home to meet her family for dinner. ACGC theatre members performed Friday, April 24 and Saturday April 25 at 7 p.m., before their matinee on Sunday, April 26 at 2 p.m.

Cast members and their quirky Addams Family character included:

• GOMEZ ADDAMS… Rhonin Grasty
• MORTICIA ADDAMS… Natalie Dinkla
• WEDNESDAY ADDAMS… Candence Peterson
• PUGSLEY ADDAMS… Ilana Baumert
• UNCLE FESTER… Carter Dinkla
• GRANDMA… Caydance Boals
• LURCH… Stetson Ellis
• MAL BEINEKE… Tanner Downing
• ALICE BEINEKE… Allison Drake
• LUCAS BEINEKE… Lucas Barnett
• THE ANCESTORS… Adam Brown, Blair Brown, Laurin Davis, Montana Douglas, Carrie Downing, Aiden Grace, Emma James, Chelsea Kopaska, Deanna Luntsford, Liv Mahaffey, Annah Mozingo, Dean Nelson, Kennedy Reinhart, Chase Tunink and Megan Underwood

The Pit Orchestra:

• VIOLIN… Jennifer Powers
• REEDS… Hank Muzney
• TRUMPET… John Gosnell
• TROMBONE… Dale Menning
• PIANO… Debbie Menning
• BASS… Parker Willis
• DRUMS… Dennis McClain

Behind the scenes:

• DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER… Kelsey Dinkla
• ASSISTANT DIRECTOR… Manda Thomas
• ASSISTANT CHOREOGRAPHER… Megan Underwood
• STAGE MANAGER… Blakely Buttler
• LIGHTS AND SPECIAL EFFECTS… Brandon Carlson, Hudson Gilland, Carson Lovelace and Ryan Martens
• SOUND… Alex Doherty
• PLAYBILL WEBSITE and PROMOTION… Kiera Boals
• HAIR AND MAKEUP… Nora Langgaard, Blair Brown, Ilana Baumert, Montana Douglas, Kennedy Reinhart, Laurin Davis and Cadence Petersen

Photos by Mark Reno

Click images to enlarge.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular meeting of the Panora City Council on April 13, the councilmembers approved the second reading of the proposed amendment to Ordinance 363, which would add “churches” as an allowable use in the Light Industrial District on the eastern edge of Panora. The council also voted to waive the third reading.

The council also discussed the city’s building inspection process. Councilmember Brian Dorsett stated he has heard from citizens that there are “too many hoops to jump through” and that the cost of building inspection in Panora is too high compared to nearby communities.

The council discussed Resolution 26-20 to approve an updated Professional Inspection Services Agreement with Veenstra and Kimm, Inc. Adam Holliday of Veenstra and Kimm discussed his availability to perform building inspections for businesses and personal buildings. The council voted to approve the agreement.

During the public comments portion of the meeting, JoAnn Johnson and Paulette Chambers spoke on behalf of the Panora Garden Club. They asked the city to consider budgeting funds to help support the work of the club in providing colorful flowers in the business district.

Brenda Dudley of Midwest Partnership addressed the council regarding the possibility of Panora participating in the Hometown Pride program. The hope was that multiple area cities would participate so that costs could be split, but Dudley explained that there may be fewer cities joining than planned, which would raise costs for those participating. The council took no formal action at this time.

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, May 11 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

ACGC Instrumental Music Director Kyra Babcock has advanced to the quarterfinal round of the “America’s Favorite Teacher” competition. This round of voting is currently open until May 7 at 9 p.m.

If she wins, Babcock has committed to donating the $25,000 prize to the school’s instrumental music program. Also if Babcock wins, ACGC would hold an assembly with Bill Nye (“The Science Guy”), and the ACGC Library would receive $1,000.

“Having the ability to help students channel emotions through making music is an absolute joy,” Babcock said. “Music expresses so much when words cannot.”

Anyone can vote for free once daily. Voters can submit additional votes by monetary donations, as well. Anyone interested can go to the program website, https://americasfavteacher.org and to Babcock’s program website, https://americasfavteacher.org/2026/kyra-babcock.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the April 27 regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, Becky Peterson spoke on behalf of Main Street Guthrie Center.

“The Main Street Challenge grant was the $50,000 that Main Street Guthrie Center was awarded for economic development with the Lacey building,” she said. “They have a new roof on it, and then the flooring has been put in, and it’s looking really nice. They’re hoping to have that ready by RAGBRAI.”

On behalf of Café on the Hill, Bill Messinger spoke, encouraging the city to consider changes regarding traveling food vendors.

“Restaurant business is really slow right now, and we’re seeing a lot more food trucks and things coming into town,” he said. “How do we promote our local businesses? Can we make it a little bit less appealing for the food trucks so they’re not here all week long?”

The council will add the matter to the agenda of the next regular meeting.

The council approved the purchase of replacement pool heaters for $20,000. The council also approved a tax exemption for Jordan and Kelsey Dinkla, 900 Tiger Lane.

City Administrator Kris Arrasmith reported that repairs were completed on the corner of the fire hall building. She also noted that the citywide garage sales will be June 19 and 20 with citywide cleanup set for June 24.

As part of the consent agenda items, the council approved a liquor license for Sparky’s One Stop.  Building/fence permits were approved for 101 South 12^th Place (G. Dean; shed), 602 North 12^th St. (T. Masters; garage), 702 North First St. (Railsback; shed), and 1507 State St. (Guthrie County Quality Meats; building addition).

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the city council is set for May 11 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.