Special to the Times Vedette

For nearly 50 years, the Iowa State Dance Team Championships have showcased the talents of Iowa’s young athletes. Iowa PBS will once again provide exclusive coverage of the event, featuring highlights of all the winning routines and busy backstage action. The 2025 Iowa State Dance Team Championships will premiere on the statewide network Monday, Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. and be rebroadcast Sunday, Jan. 26 at 1 p.m.

The dance championships were held in Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena and Hy-Vee Hall on Dec. 4, 5 and 6, 2024. Nearly 5,000 high school and college dance athletes dedicated countless hours of practice in preparation for this championship event.

“Congratulations to all of the dance athletes who showcased their talent and creativity at this year’s state competition,” Iowa PBS Producer and Director Judy Blank said. “Their hard work shines in this special program which I believe is inspiring and joyful. It is my honor to help share their performances with viewers.”

Hosted by Executive Director of the Iowa State Dance Team Association Andrea Dana, ISDTA Board President Stacie Horton and dance championships event announcer Scott Enyart, the two-hour, fast-paced coverage will feature highlights of the winning routines and the bustle of activity behind the scenes. Teams perform in a variety of categories including pom, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, kick, lyrical, prop, novelty, color guard and co-ed, as well as a new category this year, the M.I.X. (music interpretation experiment). 

Funding for the 2025 Iowa State Dance Team Championships is provided by Friends of Iowa PBS and Musco Lighting.

In addition to its statewide broadcast, Iowa PBS .1 is available to livestream on iowapbs.org/watch, pbs.org/livestream, the PBS app, Local Now, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. Iowa PBS programs, behind-the-scenes extras and more can be enjoyed on iowapbs.org, Facebook and YouTube. Viewers can also stream their favorite shows on demand using the PBS app, available on iOS, Android and many streaming devices.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Jan. 7 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, the supervisors asked for more information regarding requested Payroll Change Notices for Charles Abel and Casey Jones, both with the County Attorney’s department. County Attorney Dana Minteer explained the requests are related to additional workload caused by the departure of a staff member.

Supervisor Steve Smith said he’s unsure if the supervisors can/should weigh-in on such matters, when the department’s budget stays within approved parameters. Supervisor Maggie Armstrong said she’s requested an opinion on this from Mike Galloway (with the law firm of Ahlers & Cooney). The supervisors voted to table the two Payroll Change Notices until the Thursday, Jan. 9 meeting.

Health Service Director Jotham Arber and the supervisors discussed the Mental Health budget for Fiscal Year 2024/2025. 

County Engineer Josh Sebern updated the supervisors on a draft of the county’s Dust Control Policy. He asked the supervisors to give formal approval of the policy by the end of next week, if possible.

The supervisors approved payroll change notices for four employees, as follows:

• Spencer Irwin (new hire for roads department) at $28.80 per hour.
• Jeremy Bennett (sheriff department). Change from Chief Deputy to Deputy. Pay change from $86,593 to $84,555 yearly.
• Todd Thorn (sheriff department). Change from Deputy to Chief Deputy. Pay change from $84,555 to $86,593 yearly.
• Kelcee Hodzic (sheriff department). Change due to completing probationary period. Pay change from $23 to $23.85 hourly.

The next regular meeting of the supervisors will be Thursday, Jan. 9 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#.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Bradley Vonnahme, 41, of Coon Rapids, died as the result of a head-on crash while driving in Worth County on Dec. 28. The accident occurred when another vehicle left its lane and crashed into Vonnahme’s vehicle.

Vonnahme is survived by his wife, Joy, and sons Caiden (19) and Brooks (6).

Those wishing to help with funeral expenses can make a donation at Frohlich’s SuperValu in Coon Rapids or donate to the GoFundMe account at https://shorturl.at/hu0Wa.

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

A snap of cold weather didn’t impact turnout at the Guthrie County REC annual meeting on Saturday, Jan. 4 at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds Event Center. More than 260 people braved the cold temperature to receive updates from REC, enjoy a free meal and win prizes. 

Property owners residing in Districts 1, 2 or 3 also had directors up for reelection. Julie Kiley, Jim Mazour and Ron Bristle were all reelected. 

Lucas Obert of Coon Rapids shared stories about the 2024 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C. Lucas was chosen to represent all of Iowa’s electric cooperatives as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) youth leadership program. 

A flashlight registration gift was provided to all members in attendance, as was a free membership meal catered by Lidderdale Country Store Catering. Numerous door prizes were also awarded including:

• Black and Decker Electric Knife
• LED Work Light
• Single Flip Waffle Maker
• Boot/Glove Dryer
• 7 Qt Crock Pot
• Google Nest Mini
• 18 Qt Roaster
• Ninja Single Serve Blender
• Instant Pot 6 Qt Pressure Cooker
• Keurig Single Serve
• Combo Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm
• Deep Tissue Massager
• Wireless Weather Station
• Air Pop Popcorn Maker
• George Foreman Smokeless Grill
• Pizzazz Rotating Pizza Oven
• Heated Electric Fleece Throw Blanket
• Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker
• Clothes Steamer
• Oral B Electric Toothbrush
• American Express Gift Cards

According to reports supplied at the meeting, Guthrie County REC built 15.1 miles of overhead line in 2024; added 44 new services; began installing underground line at the third Wambold addition in Stuart that will allow for 42 more residential lots; and acquired a new mini-Bobcat excavator and trailer from Haley Equipment for linework as earmarked in the 2024 capital budget.

In addition, Guthrie County REC started construction at two new substations: Mockingbird substation near Hamlin and Bluejay substation near Perry. These substations add power and reliability to support business expansions in both areas of the service territory.

Guthrie County REC also updated three sets of breakers to reclosers in the Industrial and Diamondhead substations. Reclosers have more capability to capture and remedy outages quickly, reducing the inconvenience for members.

Also noted was the installation of a new Honeywell AMI meter system and the exchange of all active meters in the service territory. The new system updates operations analytics and improves the efficiency and reliability of the electric system.

Guthrie County REC serves more than 4,600 members in Adair, Audubon, Cass, Dallas, Greene and Guthrie counties.

Jeff and Anna Marie Nielsen won the waffle maker.

Michele Crabbs won the Ninja Fit Blender.

Teresa Mowrer won the Google Nest Mini.

Charlie Bilbrey won the electric grill.

REC Board Vice President Joni Rees addresses the crowd.

Lucas Obert of Coon Rapids shares stories about his Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C.

More than 260 members were in attendance at the annual meeting.

REC Secretary and Treasurer Julie Kiley shares financial information.

REC employees Lori Hix and Rebecca Schwartz were recognized for their years of service.

REC Board Vice President Joni Rees recognizes the REC staff.

REC Board President Steve Bireline welcomes the members.

Special to the Times Vedette

To help address a critical shortage of rural veterinarians identified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has established a Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Incentive Program to attract and retain veterinarians in rural Iowa.   

The Iowa Farm Bureau Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Incentive Program will award four individuals who practice, or will practice, veterinary medicine in Iowa up to $25,000 in loan repayment incentives. IFBF will begin accepting applications in March 2025.  

In 2020, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law to create the Rural Iowa Veterinarian Loan Repayment Program to address the critical veterinarian shortages in rural Iowa communities. IFBF was one of several partners who led the push for the legislation. Since its inception, the state’s loan repayment program has been met with enthusiasm and a growing number of applications. However, with intensified veterinary shortages and the strong demand for existing veterinarian loan repayment programs, additional support and stability for Iowa farmers are necessary.  

“Veterinarians are valuable partners for Iowa’s livestock farmers who prioritize the health and wellbeing of their animals,” Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson says. “IFBF’s establishment of the Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Incentive Program will assist in addressing the veterinarian shortages in Iowa and guaranteeing future funding incentives, while also advancing the mission of Iowa Farm Bureau to support farm families and rural communities.”  

Due to specific veterinarian shortages identified in Iowa by USDA, and to best align with IFBF’s charitable giving priorities, preference would be given to applicants who are: in their final year of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program; large animal veterinarians and/or those in a shortage area as identified by the UDSA; graduates from an Iowa high school, technical school, college, university and/or institution; and individuals with demonstrated leadership skills, community involvement and/or a commitment to rural Iowa.  

To learn more about IFBF’s Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Incentive Program or to apply, visit Iowa Farm Bureau Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Incentive Program.

Special to the Times Vedette

Midwest Partnership will be hosting its 2025 Annual Dinner on Jan. 30 at the Casey Community Building at 104 W. Sherman St. in Casey. Social reception begins at 6 p.m. with dinner by Café on the Hill at 6:30 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m. A cash bar will be provided. 

The theme is “Sharing the Vision,” and Ryan Moon from Greater Des Moines Partnership will be speaking on the vision for our region. Ryan serves as the Director of Government Relations and Public Policy for the Greater Des Moines Partnership. In this role, he leads engagement with local, state and federal officials and leads the Government Policy Council to develop and advocate for public policy that generates economic growth, business prosperity and talent development in Greater Des Moines. Ryan, a Casey native, resides in West Des Moines with his wife Haley and their kids, Holden and Reggie. 

In addition, Kwik Star a new business in the region and Cardinal Glass who is celebrating their 50^th year anniversary will also give presentations.  A business update will be presented, as well as the Entrepreneurial Economic Impact Award. 

This dinner is an opportunity for area developers, business and community leaders to gather and  celebrate the success of the region over the past year.

The cost of the annual dinner is $32 per plate or $180 for a table of six. RSVPs are requested by Jan. 24 to Brenda Dudley at (515) 523-1262 or info@midwestpartnership.com. Register online at www.midwestpartnership.com.

Midwest Partnership is a nonprofit organization that is committed to fostering economic growth and prosperity throughout the region. They work closely with communities, elected officials, and stakeholders to facilitate project collaboration. Their primary focus is on retaining, expanding, and attracting businesses to create jobs and improve the quality of life in Adair and Guthrie Counties.

Brenda Dudley is the Executive Director of Midwest Partnership, and Kayla Willms is the Administrative and Marketing Coordinator.  The 2025 board members include:

• Matt Wedemeyer, President, Adair County Supervisor
• Brad Hayes, Vice President, BH Appraisals & Twin Vines
• Renee Jensen, Secretary, Adair City Council
• Brian Johnson, Treasurer, Guthrie County Supervisor
• Kaye Bax, Past Owner of Fontanelle Drug
• Josh Calmer, Active Health Solutions
• Chris Carlson, Guthrie County State Bank
• Marty Doud, First State Bank
• Stacie Eshelman, Greenfield Chamber/Main Street Development
• Cheryl Marks, Rolling Hills Bank & Trust
• Kathy Rohrig, Orient Economic Development
• Scott Tonderum, Greenfield Municipal Utilities
• Holi Weston, Farmers REC