By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular session April 14. No citizens addressed the supervisors during the Public Comments portion of the meeting.

Health Services Director Jotham Arber provided an update on the department he leads.

“We are rolling out our community health needs assessment,” Arber said. “I’m ordering 10,000 door hangers.”

Arber went on to explain that the assessment was most recently completed in 2023, when approximately 1,200 completed surveys were received. He hopes to exceed that number this year.

Arber shared details on other happenings in the department.

“We’ve done a lot of radon testing,” he said. “And we are going to be getting out there to do pool testing.”

Arber shared information on a new magnet being used at the Transfer Station to collect and remove metal. He said the county will turn in scrap metal collected for revenue, but he speculated that the main benefit will likely be fewer flat tires experienced by visitors to the Transfer Station.

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 Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the April 13 regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, Street Department Director Darrin Sloss explained that four trees that need to be taken down for safety reasons. The council approved the plan.

Sloss also shared information on projects being undertaken to beautify the city in preparation for visitors during RAGBRAI in July. Sloss said the water tower is currently being painted inside and outside. He added that the library parking lot will be crack-sealed at a cost of $9,650.

The council approved Sloss’ request to hire two high school students for fulltime summer help at $13 per hour.

City Administrator Kris Arrasmith shared information on two upcoming meetings that will be open to the public. A RAGBRAI informational meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15 at the Guthrie Center Activity Center.

“Then Main Street Guthrie Center will have their input session on April 22, which is also a Wednesday, at 5:30 p.m. at the activity center,” Arrasmith said.

As part of the consent agenda items, the council approved a tobacco license for Dollar General and an alcohol license for Guthrie Center Golf Course. Building/fence permits were approved for 108 North 12^th St. (Martinez, garage) and 303 Main St. (Olson, fence).

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the city council is set for April 27 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette 

During the regular meeting of the Panora City Council on April 13, a public hearing was held regarding the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget. No written or verbal comments were received, so the hearing promptly closed.

During the public comments portion of the meeting, Carla Wood spoke regarding the council’s consideration of allowing Lutheran Church of Hope to build a church in what is currently zoned as “Light Industrial District” at 1200 East Main St. During the March 9 council meeting, the council voted to begin the process of amending the ordinance to allow the church.

Wood asked, “Is that considered a business park?’

City Administrator Lisa Grossman answered that the area is currently designated for business uses. Wood advocated for not amending the ordinance, so the lot would be available for potential future business purposes.

“We all know our coffers seem to shrink, and we’re all fighting for that small pie of money sometimes,” Wood said.

Later in the meeting, the council approved the first reading of the proposed amendment to the ordinance.

Jen Smith (Public Financial Management) presented information to the council regarding recommendations on the city’s utility rates.

The council approved an Urban Revitalization Tax Exemption for 219 West Clay St. (Mike and Rhonda Stark).

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, April 27 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#).

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Blake Michelsen reported a two-vehicle collision that occurred on April 13 at 9:11 a.m. at the intersection of Cory Lane and Panorama Drive. Both vehicles had left the scene and reported the incident after the fact, but it was stated that a utility trailer being towed by a 2018 GMC Sierra pickup driven by Tanner Thomas Lee Dishong, 36, of Ankeny, came in contact with the front driver side of a 2018 Jeep Wrangler driven by Joshua Michael Snyder, 45, of Panora. According to the report, both drivers shared different accounts of what transpired. Estimated damage to the Jeep is $7,500.  

Photos by Betty Cooper | Times Vedette

Panorama High School held its high school prom on Saturday starting with pictures at 2 p.m. at The Captain’s Pick by Betty Cooper. The Grand March was held at 5 p.m. at the Panorama High School auditorium. At 5:30 p.m., Photo Opportunity Hour began at The Captain’s Pick, 5071 Cover Ridge Road. Dinner followed at 6:30 p.m. with the dance from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Beginning at 10:45 p.m., events moved back to the high school with the After Prom Party until 3 a.m., hosted by the junior class parents.

Click images to enlarge.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

ACGC Instrumental Music Director Kyra Babcock is competing for a prize that would help ACGC’s instrumental music program, and she needs your help. Babcock has entered a contest called “America’s Favorite Teacher.”

However, Babcock is not in the competition for selfish purposes. Although the winner will receive $25,000 and a trip to Hawaii, Babcock said if she wins, she plans to “donate 100% to my school’s instrumental music program.”

Babcock explained her reason for entering the competition.

“Schools are experiencing financial hardships, and fine arts programs struggle to stay afloat. As an instrumental music teacher, finding ways to raise money for instrument replacements and other equipment can be tricky,” she said. “I’m the kind of person who isn’t afraid to go big and bold, which is what drove me to enter a nationwide competition called ‘America’s Favorite Teacher.’ ”

Currently, Babcock is a leading vote getter, but the competition is fierce. If Babcock wins, ACGC would also hold an assembly with Bill Nye (“The Science Guy”), and the ACGC Library would receive $1,000.

Anyone interested can visit the program website, https://americasfavteacher.org, and Babcock’s program website, https://americasfavteacher.org/2026/kyra-babcock.

The current voting for the top five ends at 7 p.m. PDT on Thursday, April 16 (that is 9 p.m. here in Iowa). Anyone can vote for free once a day. Donations also equate to additional votes ($10 equals 10 votes, and so on).