By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Aug. 19 joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards, the boards reviewed policies, handbooks and other matters in preparation for the 2026-2027 school year. Regarding the 2026-27 Certified and Classified Staff Handbook, Superintendent Josh Rasmussen said, “Overall, hardly any changes (from the previous year).”

Instructor Bill Messinger informed the boards of his success in obtaining a grant of $21,000 from the local Ten Squared Men group. The money will be used toward the purchase of virtual reality (VR) welding equipment. He added that there is currently a “buy three, get one free” offer on the equipment, so he asked the Guthrie Center board to consider approving a purchase of four units, at a total cost of about $29,000, with the majority paid using the grant. He added that the school already has the computers and monitors that would be needed with the VR equipment.

Messinger explained how the equipment would benefit students and save money.

“It gives me the ability to expand the program. I have a lot of kids who are interested in welding but have never welded before. This is a way to get them involved before I turn them loose on a live welder,” he said.

Messinger explained that the physical materials used in welding are expensive, so the VR welding would save on those costs. The board approved his request.

The boards heard from Adair-Casey Transportation Director Todd Batey regarding the district’s fleet of buses. He said that there are advantages and disadvantages to each type of engine (diesel and gasoline), and he explained that newer buses have thicker seating (due to new safety regulations), which results in less room between seats. With that in mind, he advocates for ordering newer buses with one less row of seats.

Board member Randy Carney shared his opinion regarding buying new versus used buses.

“I feel like a new bus is a better way to go,” he said.

No bus purchase decisions were made at this meeting.

In the Consent Items portion of the meeting, the resignations of paraprofessionals Jasmine Sandoval and Wendy Beeler were approved by the Guthrie Center board. The Guthrie Center board also approved contract recommendations, including Tristen Lacey (master’s degree), Cherokee Edgington (paraprofessional), Melinda Doughty (food service), Rachel Ripperger (paraprofessional), Brooke Boals (instructional coach), Tela Oldes (paraprofessional), Linda Webber (food service), Hali Klingenberg (paraprofessional), Cole Larsen (assistant varsity wrestling coach), Bill Messinger (junior high wrestling) and Michelle Rumelhart (food service).

The Adair-Casey board approved contract recommendations regarding Kylie South (master’s degree), Taylor Rochholz (paraprofessional), Jacob Joilet (junior high football coach) and Laurel Lehman (food service).

Regarding the new state law that allows school districts to approve eighth grade students to play varsity athletics, the boards again discussed the matter. Rasmussen shared the form he created to be signed for any such requests, with input from the athletic director, the coach, the student-athlete and the family. It was again pointed out that any such situations would be considered on a case-by-case basis, and the consensus of the board members was that approvals should be only for very specific, and likely rare, situations. Rasmussen added that the board is free to make changes to the form and the process at any time.

The next regular meeting — a joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards — is set for Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. at ACGC High School. The public is welcome at all board meetings other than special closed meetings as allowed by law.

Special to the Times Vedette

Ardie Klemish from Anita, a member of the Adair Lions Club since 1999, was appointed by the Lions Clubs International President to serve as the Chairman of the 2026 USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum in Memphis, Tennessee, in September.

Nearly 2,000 Lions from the USA, Canada and 16 visiting countries will attend more than 90 educational seminars in three days, along with four general sessions where keynote speakers will inspire Lions. Ardie chairs a team of 24 planning committee members. They began coordinating the 50^th anniversary of the leadership conference a year ago.

Ken Klemish, a 40-year Lion in the Adair Lions Club, is transportation chair for the 2026 event. Their teams are responsible for all seminars, facilitators and moderators, registration at 14 hotels, the audio visual needs in the convention center, the meals in the ballroom, entertainment, keynote speakers and the bus transportation. A host committee in Memphis assists the planning committee with volunteers to help in all the venues.

Ardie and Ken have attended 24 USA/Canada Leadership Forums in the USA and Canada. Ardie has served 10 years, and Ken has served five years on either the planning or host committees for the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum, helping to develop the Lion leaders of the future.

Special to the Times Vedette

On Aug. 18, a total of 10 players participated. Dick Ellis got a 16; Robert Klever got a 17 and a 22; Dan Webb got a 17; Wayne Nickel got a 21; Sandy Rumelhart got a 16, 20 and 23; and Rhonda Titus got a 23.

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

Most people in this area are familiar with Tori’s Angels, but the organization recently opened a downtown office in Panora (110 East Main St.). The office space is shared with BH Real Estate and Consulting.

An open house is scheduled 4-6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28. Refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres will be served, and attendees can learn more about the organization.

Tori’s Angels began in 2010 with fundraisers to support the medical needs of a local girl, Tori Heckman. When there were leftover funds, the organization was formed to help other youth.  

Administrative Assistant Ellen Betzer described how Tori’s Angels functions and what type of situation qualifies.

“The child has to have a life-threatening illness, and they have to live here in the state of Iowa, and they have to have some type of medical insurance,” Betzer said. She added that once approved, Tori’s Angels can support the need until the child turns 19 years old.

“We can cover anything that’s not covered by insurance, that’s medically necessary for that life-threatening illness. So if there are doctor’s appointments that have a co-pay, or deductibles, things like that,” Betzer said. “We also cover the travel expenses and meals.”

Betzer shared a few numbers to provide scope on what Tori’s Angels has done.

“We recently approved our 208^th child, and we currently have 147 that we’re actively supporting,” she said. We’ve paid out over $3 million in benefits to the families we’ve covered in the 16 years.”

The public is invited to attend the open house or visit www.torisangels.org to learn more about the organization.

Special to the Times Vedette

ACGC schools welcomed new staff members today. This is the first day for teachers and staff. ACGC classes will begin Aug. 25 with preschool to start Aug. 31. The Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce will hold a welcome back breakfast on Wednesday. 

New staff members include:

• Keli Benton (Kindergarten)
• Alaina Bunde (Preschool)
• Kellie Lewis (GC Elementary counselor)
• William Shull (GC Elementary and HS Physical Education)
• Cherokee Edgington (GC Elementary and HS Associate)
• Steve Stringham (GC Elementary Custodian)
• Rachel Smith (Art at GC Elementary and AC Elementary)
• Tyler Merical (JH and AC Elementary Physical Education)
• Morgan Lybbert (JH Social Studies)
• Gabe Soda (HS Social Studies)
• Adrianna Holmes (HS Social Studies)
• Zach Leepter (HS Special Education)
• Ashlyn Naeve (HS English Language Arts)
• Eric West (HS Business)
• Taylor Tiernan (HS At-Risk/Activities Director)
• Rhys Pate (HS Principal)
• Rachel Ripperger (HS Associate)

Special to the Times Vedette

Over the past two months, 16 ACGC FFA members traveled throughout Southwest Iowa to participate in various livestock judging events at local county fairs.

On July 9, Carroll County held its livestock judging contest, where five ACGC members competed. The team of Blake Hodges, Jaxen Knobbe, Colt Wilson and Blaire Robson received first place in the Junior Division. Jaxen Knobbe was named Champion Individual in the Junior Division, while Blaire Robson was named Reserve Champion Individual. Blake Hodges and Colt Wilson placed third and fourth, respectively. Rylee Robson placed fourth individually in the Senior Division.

At the Adair County Fair on July 12, the chapter had two teams participating. Team One, consisting of Cash Suhr, Creighton Suhr and Jaxen Knobbe, placed fourth overall. Team Two, consisting of Blake Hodges, Joe Fagan, Colt Douglas and Colt Wilson, placed sixth overall. Cash Suhr and Jaxen Knobbe also received individual awards, placing third and eighth, respectively.

Two teams attended the Montgomery County Fair on July 16. Team One, consisting of Rylee Robson, Cash Suhr, Creighton Suhr and Jaxen Knobbe, was named Champion Overall Team. The second team, consisting of Blaire Robson, Colt Wilson and Logan Stringer, placed seventh overall. Individually, Jaxen placed third, Creighton placed fourth, Blaire placed eighth, and Rylee placed ninth. On July 21, four members attended the Crawford County Fair Livestock Evaluation Contest. The team of Jaxen Knobbe, Irelyn Wirt, Rylee Robson and Blaire Robson placed third overall. Individually, Jaxen placed first overall, while Rylee placed eighth.

At the Cass County Fair, the chapter competed in two different livestock evaluation contests with a total of 10 members participating. For the District Livestock Evaluation Contest, the team of Rylee Robson, Jaxen Knobbe, Creighton Suhr and Cash Suhr received Reserve Champion Team. This same team also received Reserve Champion Team at the Cass County Fair Contest. Rylee Robson was named Champion Individual in both contests. Creighton placed seventh in the District Contest and eighth in the Cass County Contest, while Cash placed eighth in the District Contest and ninth at Cass County.

The second team that competed in the Cass County Contest placed eighth overall. This team consisted of Alli Wiers, Blaire Robson and Taryn Carroll. The team of Colt Wilson, Logan Stringer and Blake Hodges also competed in the Cass County Livestock Evaluation Contest. Members will also have the opportunity to compete at the Clay County Fair, SW CDE Day and the Guthrie County Fair livestock evaluation contests this fall.