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Panora Fiber holds annual meeting March 2

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

Panora Fiber held its annual meeting on March 2 in Panora at the Community Center with the theme of “Unstoppable Growth.” The agenda included the sharing of financial and operating reports and the election of directors.

General Manager/CEO Andrew Randol shared the company’s balance sheet and statements of operations, showing 2025 total assets of $39,512,671, an increase over the $33,629,151 from 2024. Total 2025 income of $7,332,416 was also an increase over $6,738,574 in 2024.  Total operating expenses were reported as $5,064,043 compared to $4,337,224 from 2024. Randol explained that one of the reasons for the expense increase was due to deferred taxes that came due.

Randol shared information about the growth in Dallas and Madison counties, noting how the infrastructure improvements will allow Panora Fiber to serve up to 2,000 new customers. 

Randol thanked the Panora Fiber staff, which he stated had 272 years of collective experience. He also noted special appreciation to Bill Dorsett and Geri Thompson, who will both be retiring this year. 

Randol shared information about the new homes being built on West Clay Street in Panora’s Dream Acres as a result of cooperation between Panora Fiber, the city of Panora, the Panorama School District and Origin Homes. Five basements are now poured, and one home is framed. The homes are to be listed for sale by Memorial Day. 

Noting how Panora Fiber has transformed through the years into a broadband provider, Randol shared how data usage by the members has increased by 15%.

Peg Carr, Trudy Hastings, Ron Reynolds, Dave Ryan and Jim Wendl were running for three open seats, with Hastings, Reynolds and Ryan being incumbents. Hastings, Reynolds and Wendl were elected to the board. Board President Ron Reynolds stated that the results were the closest he has seen in his years on the board. 

Drawings were then held for numerous door prizes for attendees. 

The Panora Fiber board members: Front row: Dave Ryan (2025), Kelvin Hafner, Chris Arganbright and Trudy Hastings. Back row: Jim Wendl (2026), Ron Reynolds, Lynnea Andersen and Leroy Oxley.

Steve Bosshart won the drawing for an Amazon FireTV stick.

Rowena Storesund won the drawing for a 43-inch Crystal UHD TV, shown by Dave Garland.

Jane Harris won the drawing for an Anker 3-1 charger.

Panora Fiber General Manager/CEO Andrew Randol addresses those in attendance.

Guthrie County Supervisors set hearing on tax levy

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met in regular session March 3 and set a public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Property Tax Levy for March 24 at 9 a.m.

The supervisors held two public hearings regarding portions of “Casey Road” (350th Street) east of Stuart. The county proposes to change a portion of the road to Service Level B and to vacate  a portion of Casey Road/350th Street. No citizens voiced concerns during either public hearing.

The supervisors voted to approve the service level change and road vacation as proposed.

The supervisors awarded contracts for the planned P28 Wagon Road Rehabilitation project and bridge replacement.

A budget workshop discussion was held to consider various portions of the upcoming year’s budget.

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#

Panorama speech students earn 7 Division 1 ratings at districts

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette 

Panorama Individual Speech students had a successful day Saturday at district contest in Johnston. Receiving Division 1 ratings and moving on to state contest March 14 in Council Bluffs are:

  • Taylin Woolheater – Solo Musical Theater
  • Lilly Bachmeyer – Poetry
  • Navira Martin – Storytelling
  • Miley Nolan – Spontaneous Speaking
  • Sara Rivas – Poetry
  • Evynn Stagg – Poetry
  • Evynn Stagg – Solo Musical Theater

Receiving a Division 2 rating:

  • Sara Rivas – Solo Musical Theater

ACGC speech students earn 18 Division 1 ratings at district contest

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Sixteen ACGC Individual Speech students traveled to Johnston over the weekend for the district contest. The students performed in a total of 24 acts, resulting in 18 Division 1 ratings.

The following students earned a Division 2 rating:

  • Jayna Hascall – Prose and Poetry
  • Rohnin Grasty – Spontaneous Speaking
  • Tanner Downing – Musical Theatre
  • Caydence Boals – After Dinner
  • Deanna Lunsford – Poetry

Students earning a Division 1 rating and the opportunity to move on to the state contest:

  • Caydence Boals – Storytelling
  • Allie DeWitt – After Dinner and Prose
  • Adam Brown – Videocasting
  • Kiera Boals – Storytelling and After Dinner
  • Lilah Heinz – Original Oratory and Lit Program
  • Megan Underwood – Musical Theatre and Improv
  • Ryne Noland – Improv
  • Blakely Buttler – Reviewing
  • Carter Dinkla – Musical Theatre and Improv
  • Allison Drake – Acting
  • Montana Douglas – Poetry
  • Lucy Knutter – Original Oratory and Public Address

ACGC High School locks down on March 2

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Monday morning, March 2, the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office announced that due to an unspecified threat, ACGC High School was placed into “lockdown” status while authorities investigated. Information on the source of the threat was not immediately released.

A Facebook post on the page of the sheriff’s department Monday morning stated, “At this time, there is no indication of an active threat inside the building. As a precaution, the school has implemented a lockout, and additional law enforcement presence has been established on and around school property.”

Later on Monday, the sheriff’s office released information stating, in part, “On Monday, March 2, 2026, at or around the time of 8:15 a.m., the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the ACGC High School for threats that two fifteen-year-old male students made against the student body and the ACGC High School Principal.”

The release stated that both juvenile suspects came to the sheriff’s office Monday afternoon but refused to speak with law enforcement. The two have been charged with threats of terrorism and will be transferred to a juvenile detention center.

Knights made donation to Timber Creek Therapies 

Dan Wilhelmi with the St. Cecilia’s Knights of Columbus presents a check in the amount of $1,259.39 to Cindy McArty with Timber Creek Therapies.

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

St. Cecilia’s Knights of Columbus Council No. 11242 presented a check in the amount of $1,259.39 on Jan. 29 to Cindy McArty with Timber Creek Therapies as a donation from a portion of the funds raised in the Knights’ Tootsie Roll Drive. 

Timber Creek Therapies provides an outpatient facility where patients can receive therapy services using innovative tools not found in most therapy centers, including hippotherapy (equine-assisted physical and speech/language therapies) and hydrotherapy.

 The facility is located on the 220-acre Timber Creek Ranch near Guthrie Center.