Special to the Times Vedette

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, 12 Sunshine Club members met for their annual Christmas party held at the Owl’s Nest in Panora at 11 a.m. Trudy opened the meeting by having everyone recite the Lord’s Prayer. Roll call was a favorite Christmas tradition with many neat answers given. Minutes of the previous meeting were read, and the treasurer’s report was given. The new booklets were handed out by Gina Lloyd and she asked everyone to look over to be sure all information was correct.  We are scheduled to help with bingo at the Stuart Care Center on April 14. Next month’s meeting will be with Janine Frettim at her home at 1 p.m. on Jan. 8. The meeting was adjourned, and a game was played using the two gifts everyone brought to be exchanged with another member. A fun time was had by all.

From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources

What’s the best way to spend New Year’s Day? Take a First Day Hike in an Iowa state park or forest. 

More than 40 parks are hosting either a guided group hike or suggesting a self-guided hike. Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks. 

“We are excited to host First Day Hikes again, helping visitors experience Iowa state parks and forests year-round,” Sherry Arntzen, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ State Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau, said. “These hikes are a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family.”

Staff and volunteers will lead free, guided First Day Hikes in 26 participating state parks. Some hikes will include wildlife viewing and hot beverages. Hikes will average one to two miles, or longer, depending on location.

Details about the hikes can be found at www.iowadnr.gov/firstdayhikes. To see a comprehensive national map of First Day Hikes, visit www.stateparks.org 

Special to the Times Vedette

From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources

The recent blast of arctic air is growing ice on lakes and ponds across the northern two-thirds of Iowa. Outdoor ice enthusiasts are ready to get out ice fishing, snowmobiling, ice skating or fat-tire bike riding.

The DNR recommends a minimum of four inches of clear ice for fishing and at least five inches for snowmobiles and ATVs. 

Ice forms at different rates on each body of water depending upon the size and water depth. Once frozen, conditions change constantly and ice thickness can vary across the lake. Rocks, trees, docks or other things that poke through the ice will conduct heat and make the ice around it less stable. Trust your instincts — if the ice does not look right, don’t go out.

A blanket of snow on top of an ice covered lake insulates the ice, slowing the growth of ice and hiding potential hazards or weak spots. River ice is 15% weaker than lake ice. Ice with a bluish color is safer than clear ice. Avoid slushy or honey-combed and stay away from dark spots on the ice. Don’t walk into areas where the snow cover looks discolored.

Safety Tips on the Ice

• No ice is 100% safe.
• New ice is usually stronger than old ice. 
• Don’t go out alone. If the worst should happen, someone will be there to call for help or to help rescue.
• Let someone know where you are going and when you will return.
• Check ice thickness as you go out. There could be pockets of thin ice or places where ice recently formed.
• Avoid off-colored snow or ice. It is usually a sign of weakness.
• The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process.
• Bring along these basic items to help keep you safe: hand warmers, ice cleats to help prevent falls, ice picks (wear around your neck) to help you crawl out of the water if you fall in, a life jacket, a floating safety rope, a whistle to call for help, a basic first aid kit and extra dry clothes including a pair of gloves.
• Use extreme caution when snowmobiling on ice. Snowmobiles can be difficult to steer and take a long time to stop with limited traction on ice. Slow down and avoid heavy braking.

From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources 

Iowans can buy 2025 resident hunting, fishing and other licenses on Dec. 15.  Licenses purchased for 2024 expire on Jan. 10.

The menu of license options includes the popular Outdoor Combo annual resident hunting/fishing/habitat combo license for $55; the Angler’s Special three-year fishing license for $62; and the Hunter’s Special three-year hunting license with habitat included for $101.

Also available is the Bonus Line option for $14 letting resident and nonresident anglers to fish with one more line in addition to the two lines allowed with the regular fishing license.

Upgrade your paper license to a durable hard card with custom art from Iowa artists for only $6.

Download the GoOutdoorsIowa mobile app for iPhone and Android devices to buy and access your license information, no matter where you are. Sync your hunting and fishing licenses on the app to show in the field. You may download multiple customer licenses to offer one secure digital license document location for families, groups, and more.

Licenses are available at 600 locations across the state, and on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/GoOutdoorsIowa.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

At the Dec. 10 regular weekly meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, discussion was held regarding the option of engaging with Tim Whipple of Ahlers & Cooney for legal representation in the matter of hazardous liquid pipeline permits and regulations. The letter of engagement has been received from the Ahlers & Cooney firm.

Supervisor Brian Johnson shared his opinion that it would be prudent to wait to see what is decided by the 8^thCircuit Court regarding similar issues that some other Iowa counties are currently litigating.

“I’m going to propose that we not engage in the drafting of an ordinance right now. I think we should at least wait until the appeal and the southern court decision is made, and that won’t be until late spring or early summer,” Johnson said. He added that he feels the county should be careful not to put itself into a position of liability for being sued.

Supervisor Maggie Armstrong voiced her concern.

“If we amend our ordinance, and our intention is to prohibit pipeline-like industries from coming through, that is very problematic. So, we do need to be cautious,” she said. “I’m sure Mr. Whipple is very understanding of that.”

Whipple shared that the county could engage in beginning to draft an ordinance, but at any point, the county could decide not to enact any proposed amendments.

A citizen, Candice Salvin, asked to address the supervisors about the issue. She objected to what she viewed as “stalling” if the county were to choose to wait and see what happens in the 8^th Circuit Court.

Supervisor Mike Dickson made a motion to enter into engagement with Mr. Whipple as described in the engagement letter. The supervisors voted 4-1 in favor of this, with Johnson opposed.

Several librarians from the various libraries in the county spoke regarding the FY2026 Guthrie County Library Association funding request. They pointed out the many roles that libraries fill in small towns, and they asked the county to keep that in mind when setting the budget. 

Supervisor Maggie Armstrong checked to see how much was funded last year. She shared that a year ago, the county voted to increase the funding by 5%, to $139,256. No formal action was taken by the supervisors at this time.

Health Services Department head Jotham Arber updated the supervisors on the status and operations in that department. He said immunizations are continuing.

The Board of Supervisors meets regularly each Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the courthouse. The next regular meeting of the supervisors will be Tuesday, Dec. 17. The public is welcome to attend in person or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#.