Special to the Times Vedette

On Feb. 27, a total of eight players participated. Lela Schwartz got a 17; Kathy Feilmeier got two 16s; Roy Carl got a 20; Dick Ellis got two 16s; Dennis Betts had a 17; and Sandy Rumelhart also got a 20.

On March 2, a total of seven players participated. Sandy Rumelhart and Robert Klever each got a 16 and a 17.

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

Upper Iowa University has announced the Dean’s List for the 2025 Fall Semester. To be honored, a student must have earned a minimum 3.50 grade point average and be enrolled as a full-time student.

• Deana Solorzano of Yale
• Hannah Van Houten of Panora

Special to the Times Vedette

On Feb. 25, a total of 10 players participated. Sandy Rumelhart got a 20 and an 18; Dick Ellis got a 20; Dennis Betts had a 16, 20 and 16; and Lela Schwartz had a 16.

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 

During the Feb. 26 meeting of the Guthrie County Hospital Board of Trustees, the trustees reviewed the seven bids received on the planned upgrade project at the Stuart Rehab building. The lowest bid was $289,000 from GTG Construction of Des Moines. The trustees voted to accept that bid. The project is expected to be completed by June 8. 

The trustees also voted to formally approve the purchase agreement for the Panora clinic and the loans related to that purchase.

CEO Chris Stipe shared the progress on the hospital’s new website. He added that the website will include updates on the status of the hospital’s construction project as it proceeds.

“Our new website will probably go live a week from today,” Stipe said. “It will continue to evolve and grow.”

Stipe added that, overall, the hospital is running very well.

“Pretty pleased with all of our organizational goals, our finances, our patient satisfaction, our quality indicators,” Stipe said. “We’re just in a good place. I kind of pinch myself that all of those things are going so well.”

Regarding the hospital construction project, Stipe said the kickoff is coming up soon.

“We’re eager to dig in, get the construction fence up and really start getting into the project,” he said. “Groundbreaking is March 11, 2 p.m.”

Chief Human Resources Officer Mary Anderson summarized results of the annual employment engagement survey.

“Our overall score was a 74. Last year it was a 61, so it came up 13 points, and that is amazing,” she said. “It really shows that some of the things we have implemented throughout the last year have really made a difference.”

The next regular meeting of the trustees is set for Thursday, March 26 at 4 p.m. The public is welcome.

Trish Whetstone, Matt Wedemeyer, Justin Davis and Mark Bentler show their chili winnings.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Sunday, Feb. 8, the Casey Service Club held a bingo and chili cook-off event at the Casey Community Center. Ten various chili entries from local cooks competed. Trish Whetstone won the People’s Choice award. Matt Wedemeyer won for Most Unique Chili. Pioneers Pub won the Spiciest Chili award. Mark Bentler’s chili was named Best Overall.

A tempting array of chili was available for most every taste.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Feb. 23 joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards, a public hearing was set for March 18 at 7 p.m., to be held at the high school media center. The hearing will be on the 2026-2027 school calendar.

The boards also set a public hearing on the proposed 2026-2027 tax rate. The hearing will be March 25 at 7 p.m. at the Junior High library.

Joe Nichols and Nick Efkamp of Vibes Audio spoke regarding the new sound system to be considered for the high school gym. The Guthrie Center board voted to approve the system as described.

Principal Ed Den Beste noted that junior high students are working hard on the play “The Scene of the Driftless Swifter,” which will be performed on March 17 at 6 p.m. He also said a new handicap toilet was installed in the junior high women’s restroom.

Guthrie Center Elementary Principal Tandem Eischeid announced that the Presbyterian Church donated a piano to the elementary school.

High School Principal Cody Matthewson gave kudos to students who participated in the state wresting and All State Speech recently. He also noted that the senior trip will be March 15-22.

Superintendent Josh Rasmussen said he is reviewing candidates and will schedule interviews for head football coach and athletic director positions, as well as high school principal.

“High school principal interviews will take place at the end of the first or second week of March,” he said.

The Guthrie Center board approved the purchase of a 2024 Chevrolet Express 3500 12-passenger van from Bob Brown Chevrolet.

Adair-Casey board member Randy Carney noted that the booster club golf outing is set for June 26, starting at 10 a.m.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be a joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards on Wednesday, March 18 at 7 p.m. at the high school in Guthrie Center. The public is welcome.