Special to the Times Vedette
Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Matt Losee reported a car vs. deer accident occurring on April 19 at 8:52 p.m. on Highway 44. Shy Anne Strahm, 24, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was driving a 2015 Toyota Corolla westbound on Highway 44 and struck a deer, causing heavy front-end damage to the passenger side of the vehicle. Estimated damage is $5,000.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the April 20 meeting of the Guthrie County Hospital Board of Trustees, a public hearing was held regarding the hospital’s fiscal year 2026-2027 county budget. Chief Financial Officer Brandon Johnson summarized the highlights of the proposed budget. No public comments/questions were made, so the public hearing closed.
The trustees later approved three budgets for fiscal year 2027 (the capital budget, the operating budget and the county budget).
Chief Nursing Officer Mandy Schiefert reported on the nursing department.
“We are working on Nurses Week, May 6112. Our DAISY ceremony will be on Thursday, May 7 at 2 p.m. at Sneakers,” Schiefert said.
She also shared information on recently filled nursing positions.
“We onboarded a couple of new nurses that will be fulltime nights,” Schiefert said.
Chief Human Resources Officer Mary Anderson provided a report.
“Our new learning management system, Relias, we have implemented that. The new hires have been using it, and they really like it,” Anderson said.
Anderson noted that the hospital’s most recently measured employee retention rate is 92.4%.
Foundation Director Dennis Flanery offered an update on fundraising events.
“We had our annual Handbags and Bingo, which was another successful event, so thanks to everybody who either worked or attended or was a sponsor,” Flanery said. “Our golf event is our next big event that’s coming up. The first round of mailings went out.”
Chief Operations Officer Travis Martin shared information on the facilities project at the hospital.
“If you’ve been down 12th Street, you’ll notice they’ve started taking the front of the building off today, so there’s a gaping hole out front,” he said. “We are sealed on the inside, but you’ll see that the building is starting to come down.”
Martin also reported on the Stuart clinic.
“The interior framing is done down there. They’re starting drywall next week, so we are still anticipating being done by June 1,” Martin said.
The next regular meeting of the trustees is set for Thursday, May 28 at 4 p.m. The public is welcome.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
A public notice from the city of Yale announced the intent to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mayor Beverly Louk by appointment. Those interested in being appointed mayor must submit a letter of interest to city hall, P.O. Box 97, by 5 p.m. on April 21, 2026. The council expects to appoint a successor at the council meeting on April 22. The successor shall fill the vacancy until the next regular city election, which will be Nov. 2, 2027. The electors of Yale have the right to file a petition, conforming to the requirements of Section 372.13 of the Code of Iowa, requiring that the vacancies be filled by a special election. Said petition shall be filed with the city clerk within 14 days after publication of the public notice or within 14 days after the vacancy is filled by appointment. The petition must be signed by eligible electors who are entitled to vote to fill the office of the mayor, equal in number to 15% of those who voted for candidates for the office of the last regular election but not less than seven signatures.
Special to the Times Vedette
On April 17, a total of 10 players participated. Dave Richter got three 16s; Robert Klever got a 16; and Chet Vaughan and Allen Pierce both got a 17.
On April 20, a total of eight players participated. Chet Vaughan and Robert Klever each got a 16; and Sandy Rumelhart got a 16 and an 18.
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.
Special to the Times Vedette
Chapter No. 7072 of The Royal Neighbors of America in Guthrie Center met for their quarterly meeting on April 11. There were 11 members present, including guest Steve Smith, who presented information concerning RAGBRAI riders that will be staying overnight in Guthrie Center July 20. Reports of delivering Meals on Wheels, making cookies for the blood bank and helping with the Panora Food Bank were given. Also reported was the donation of $500 to The Little Charger Early Learning Center and $500 to the Guthrie Center RAGBRAI Committee to be used at their discretion. A total of 48 cloth shopping bags were made and delivered to The New Opportunities in Guthrie Center. The chapter’s next meeting will be July 11.
Pioneers Pub & Grub, located at 618 Mc Pherson St, Casey
By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times, April 2026
Colleen Conrad takes pride in the Casey community.
Conrad grew up in Casey and wanted to do something to rejuvenate the business district. Approximately 10 years ago, she and her husband, Corey, through Conrad Ventures LLC, began buying and renovating buildings in Casey. Conrad said that a favorite quote that relates to her efforts in Casey is, “I can do things you can’t do. You can do things I can’t do. Together, we can do great things.”
Conrad recalled how her efforts in downtown Casey began.
“Years ago, I was trying to find out some things about my hometown, and I came across author Thomas Duncan, and I hadn’t realized that he was a famed author in the 1950s, and he was born and raised in Casey. His book back then was a national bestseller,” she said. “I was just in awe of him. He went to Harvard and Drake. He worked at The Des Moines Register. And when I was growing up, the library was the Duncan Memorial Library, named after him,” she said. “So, I grew up going to that library, but I had no clue who he was, and it made me realize how quickly history can be forgotten.”
Pioneers blends a historic feel with the modern.
“It costs so much to fix these buildings,” she said. “There are so many talented amazing people who would love to have a business in town, but they can’t afford to fix these up, so that was a big goal.”
Conrad initially wanted to purchase just the old Mary’s Café building, but to get that, she had to purchase a total of six buildings.
“Ironically, that building is the one that hasn’t been done yet because it has to be worked on with the city and the sewer system, so it’s just been on hold,” she said. “Mary’s Café has a history going way back to the 1920s. But I think it stopped being Mary’s Café about the early 1990s.”
Some of the six buildings purchased by the Conrads have opened as businesses, while others are still in the works. Tin Lizzie’s Sports Bar is one of the completed projects. The building was renovated, held a grand opening in January of 2024, and was sold to Ryan and Sara Wahlert in the summer of 2025.
Renovation of the Pioneers building.
Conrad Ventures also created a pocket park in downtown Casey and is continuing efforts to renovate the corner building known by locals as the onetime location of the aforementioned Mary’s Café.
The Conrads are not the only business owners in Casey who have invested in renovating buildings to operate businesses in the community. Nowadays, Casey supports many downtown businesses. The city offers a variety of shops and services, including choices for health and beauty, clothing and household needs, food, beverages and tasty treats.
Conrad pointed out that she has no plans to turn her back on the community she cherishes. She plans to remain active in Casey, particularly with her interest in historical research. She also focuses on helping the community develop programs to support area residents in need to help with housing, food insecurity and other challenges.
Looking back over a decade of involvement in helping to rehabilitate Casey’s downtown, Conrad recalled a moment that hardened her resolve.
“I remember when I first said I wanted to buy Mary’s Café and I said, ‘I’m going to make Main Street great,’ and this other gentleman just laughed at me. And that’s all it took. I was like, ‘Just watch me,’ ” she said.
Conrad also heard rumors early in the process, as some misunderstood what she was doing.
“When I got involved, I was surprised that some people thought I had different intentions. I remember one rumor was that I was going to tear down all the buildings and put up windmills,” Conrad said. “Lots of funny stuff.”
Conrad is also involved in helping address local issues such as food insecurity and the need for affordable housing.
“Someone told me, ‘You know what, Colleen, you’re a visionary.’ I love that word,” she said.
No one need worry that Conrad will be bored when Pioneers is sold. She plans to continue looking into the history of the Casey community and its residents. She also plans to remain involved in the current events of the community.
“I have lots of other goals in my life. I plan to travel when my husband retires. The goal has always been to save these buildings, rehab them and make them functional, and show people, even in other towns, and then pass the torch,” Conrad said. “I guess we’ll see what the future brings.”