By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Sept. 23 Panora City Council meeting, the councilmembers discussed two new streetlights that were installed at the intersection of Highway 4 and Highway 44 (the “Casey’s corner”).

Panora’s Electric Superintendent, Doug Long, explained his recommendation to install new LED streetlights similar to those two. He said the new lights would meet the specifications for lighting on state highways. Councilmembers said they had not heard any complaints or concerns about the new lights. Mayor Curt Thornberry noted that the proposed new lights are much less “power hungry” than the proposed LED lights and asked Long how soon the lights could be installed.

“I’m thinking it would take about a week, once we get them,” Long said.

The council unanimously approved the plan to purchase and install new LED lights.

During the Public Forum portion of the meeting, citizen Lana Laabs (216 E. Church St.) addressed the council with a request to be allowed to temporarily stay in her camper while her home is completed.

“I was a Jamaica person; I’m going to be a Panora person in a few weeks. I had called the City to see if I could live in my camper for a few weeks this fall, and they said no,” Laabs said.

Laabs asked for more explanation and was told that for many years, the ordinance prohibited anyone staying in a recreational vehicle, such as a camper, on a private residential property. Laabs asked if anything could be done to allow her to stay in the camper. Mayor Curt Thornberry explained this would require an ordinance change, which could not be accomplished in time to meet Laabs’ request.

The council discussed Resolution 24-33 to approve a “hybrid entity policy” regarding the city’s EMS staff. John DeLavergne explained that the policy is simply a way to designate that only certain city staff (those directly involved with EMS services) would need to receive “HIPAA” training. The council approved the resolution as proposed. The council also designated DeLavergne as the HIPAA Privacy Officer for Panora EMS.

City Administrator Lisa Grossman updated the council on the issue raised by Marshall and Linda Burgess regarding the “rusty” tap water they’ve been experiencing at their home. Grossman said the City is continuing to perform iron tests at nearby homes to determine the location and cause of the problem.

Grossman informed the council about an upcoming Panorama Homecoming event.

“The school reached out… They’re going to be doing a Homecoming pep rally at the square on Friday at 2 p.m. They’re going to be doing a parade of kids down Market Street. They want to get the community more involved in the Homecoming events,” Grossman said.

The next regular meeting of the Panora council is set for Monday, Oct. 14 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. 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

The Guthrie Center City Council held a brief regular meeting on Sept. 23. Regarding the city’s search for someone to hire as a part-time office worker, city clerk Kris Arrasmith said there were three applicants, and the position will ideally be 30-35 hours per week, which will qualify for benefits.

Councilmember Garold Thomas asked how this potential new hire will impact the city’s two “fill-in” office staff.

“They’re phasing out. They’re going to help me with training and some other things, but they are going to simply be on an ‘on-call’ basis, for if somebody goes on vacation,” Arrasmith said.

Councilmember Ian Steensen commented on the hours report regarding the city’s law enforcement coverage by the Sheriff’s Department staff.

“A lot of reserve hours over the last two weeks,” he said.

As part of the consent agenda items, the council approved four building/fence permits. Those approved included Little Charger ELC (fence), 806 North St. (garage, Thompson), 907 Main St. (house, Tri-Co Lumber), and 108 N. 12^thSt. (shed, Martinez)

The next regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council will be Monday, Oct. 14 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

Special to the Times Vedette

Art on State held a watercolor class on Sept. 22 using wet on wet technique. Mary Johnson was the instructor. The artists created sea shore scenes. On Sept. 29, they will do a beaded wash technique of a lake scene. Call 641-332-2267 to sign up for the next class.

Art on State is an art gallery created by the Guthrie County Arts Council as an opportunity to bring together the artists of the county, encouraging them in their talents by providing means to display and sell their work and to bring awareness of artistic endeavors to the community at large by presenting performing and visual arts programs. Art on State is located at 320 State St. in Guthrie Center. Learn more at www.guthriecountyartscouncil.org.

Special to the Times Vedette

The Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce held an official ribbon cutting for JV Massage and Bodywork on Sept. 18 over the lunch hour. The business is celebrating its one-year anniversary. Chamber members and friends showed up at Cut Loose Salon at 322 State St. in Guthrie Center where JV Massage and Bodywork uses the backroom for services. Lemonade, cupcakes and cookies were served to celebrate the event.

Visit JV Massage & Bodywork’s website at http://jv-massage-and-bodywork-llc.square.site or call 641-745-7131 for more information on services.

Special to the Times Vedette

Women for Panora’s Future (WFPF) conducted one of its semiannual highway clean-ups on Highway 4 north of Panora on Wednesday. The members were joined by student volunteer Baylyn Herring, a junior at Panorama, who is pictured here.

Pictured in Washington, D.C., are, front row: Tom Clayton, Lawrence Kunce, Patrick Moylan, Duane Wasson and Richard Groom. Back row: Thomas Moore, Steve Powell, TJ Powell, Barry Monaghan, Dwight Hawley, Paul Wendl, Pat Lutz and nurse Kennedy Rolfes

Special to the Times Vedette

Several Guthrie County veterans and volunteers participated in the Brushy Creek Honor Flight on Sept. 18. Those involved said it was a great experience with good crowds in Washington, D.C., and in Fort Dodge to greet them.  About 120 veterans were aboard the plane to Washington, D.C., to see the nation’s war memorials. The trip was the 26th conducted by the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight with the first taking place in 2010. Since then, about 3,600 veterans from 228 Iowa communities have made the journey.

Kennedy Rolfes was one of three nurses on the honor flight. She is pictured here with her grandfather, Patrick Moylan.