Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Reserve Dillan Cooper reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on March 18 at 9:08 a.m. on Dogwood Avenue. Jorie Evelyn Marie Trueblood, 28, of Coon Rapids, was driving a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox on Dogwood Avenue, lost control and entered the west ditch, striking a tree near the top. Trueblood stated she swerved to avoid a truck driving in the middle of the road. Estimated damage to the Equinox is $10,000.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Supervisor Maggie Armstrong, who oversees media relations for the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, shared additional information regarding the county’s budget considerations.

“The Board of Supervisors plans to move forward with its largest property tax levy reduction in decades. Rural residents will see a 37-cent reduction in their county property tax levy, and urban residents will see a 13-cent reduction. The board has also determined it will use available funds to pay off debt associated with the courthouse, as well as fund rural road and bridge projects and additional maintenance.”

Armstrong also shared her perspective on her time serving on the board since 2023.

“It’s refreshing to be able to offer a respectable wage increase that takes into consideration rising health insurance premiums, as well as cost-of-living expenses, while also reducing levy rates across all three funds — General Basic, General Supplemental and Rural Services,” Armstrong said. “This is the most comprehensive and thoughtful budget process I’ve experienced.”

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette 

This year, the Panorama and ACGC Proms will both be held on the same evening, Saturday, April 11.

Panorama

The Panorama Prom will begin with the Grand March at 5 p.m. at the Panorama High School auditorium. Then, at 5:30 p.m., the Photo Opportunity Hour begins at The Captain’s Pick, 5071 Cover Ridge Road. Dinner follows at 6:30 p.m. with the dance from 7:30-10:30 p.m.

Beginning at 10:45 p.m., events move to the high school with the After Prom Party scheduled until 3 a.m., hosted by the junior class parents.

ACGC

The ACGC Prom will hold the Grand March at 6:30 p.m. in the high school gym. Dinner will be at 7:30 p.m., followed by the dance from 8:30-10:30 p.m. The After Prom event will be 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the high school.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the regular weekly meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors this morning, County Engineer Josh Sebern discussed the proposed contract for the P28/Wagon Road Project LFM-P28 (2)-7X-39.

“Today, we have for consideration the contract for the P28 asphalt overlay,” Sebern said. “Just as a reminder, the contract amount is $5,972,000. Henningsen Construction is out of Atlantic.”

The supervisors unanimously approved the contract.

Sebern also said the county will receive $9,900 through the Traffic Safety Improvement Program for sign replacement.

Jotham Arber spoke about a request for the supervisors to consider a financial oversight agreement with Guthrie County First Responders.

“What we’re looking for from the county is a partner, an auditor, if you will,” Arber said. “We’re not asking for any tax dollars.”

The supervisors approved the agreement as proposed.

The supervisors discussed Resolution 26-27, a measure adopting fiscal year 2026-27 salaries for elected officials in Guthrie County. Supervisor Brian Johnson voiced his perspective on the matter.

“I’m going to be a no vote on the resolution, and I’ll take my own blame for it. Last week, I didn’t follow the extent for which we were voting. I would not have voted for a 5% increase, especially for supervisors,” Johnson said. “I just think we’re approved by the citizens of this county. It’s their money, and I would use the word transparency. So I’ll be a no vote today.”

Supervisor Maggie Armstrong discussed a mailing sent to property owners explaining the tax levy. Auditor Dani Fink said one page of the mailing listed the incorrect fiscal year, so the county will post a correction on social media and the county website.

The supervisors approved Resolution 26-27, with Johnson voting no.

The supervisors also discussed procedures for when certain county departmental offices may close due to weather or other situations. Each department head can post updates on that department’s page on the county website. For more widespread closures, the supervisors will determine closures and communicate the status via the website and Facebook.

The supervisors meet regularly at 9 a.m. Tuesdays. The public is welcome to attend at the courthouse or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123 and use meeting code 547029216#.

Special to the Times Vedette

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Iowa State Director Michael Sexton participated in a groundbreaking ceremony at the worksite for Guthrie County Hospital’s expansion and renovation on March 11. Last August, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the Department would lend the hospital $37 million through the Community Facilities Direct Loans and Guaranteed Loans program to help make the project possible.

“This critical project is going to have a direct and positive impact on the health and safety of Iowans in Guthrie County and surrounding counties,” Sexton said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rollins, USDA is making good on our commitment to infrastructure and support for healthcare in rural Iowa.”

The Community Facilities Direct Loans and Guaranteed Loans program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. The funding here will support:

• A 16,000-square-foot addition to include a behavioral health room in the ER, an MRI room, exam rooms and lab space
• Updates to the nurse call technology, new digital master and area alarm panels, and new sleep ventilators
• A fire suppression system for the ambulance garage
• Renovations to the dining hall and kitchen

USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.3 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a state office in Des Moines, along with area offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly. To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Iowa, call 515-284-4663 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia.

Sheyrl Clark, Trustee; Doris Terwilliger, Trustee; Mike Underwood, Treasurer; Dana Tews, Secretary; Doug Kent, Vice Chair; Mary Jane Carothers, Trustee; Teresa Newman, UnityPoint Health Des Moines – Director of Rural Health Resources; Chris Stipe, Guthrie County Hospital CEO

Steve Smith, GCH Foundation Vice Chair; Kim Finnegan, GCH Foundation Board Chair; Shelby Lewis; Chris Stipe, Guthrie County Hospital CEO; and Dennis Flanery, GCH Foundation Director

Mary Anderson, Chief Human Resources Officer; Brandon Johnson, Chief Financial Officer; Travis Martin, Chief Operating Officer; Tina Nourse, Chief Clinic Administrator; and Chris Stipe, Chief Executive Officer

Mike Underwood, GCH Board of Trustee; Steve Smith, GCH Foundation; Michael Sexton, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Iowa State Director; Chris Stipe, Guthrie County Hospital CEO; and Dennis Flanery, GCH Foundation Director

Special to the Times Vedette

The YJB Camping4Girls, Chapter GF (previously TTT) and the Jamaica Lions Club invite you to join the conversation about digital safety, scams and fraud on Thursday, April 2 at 7 p.m. at the Jamaica Community Building.

Scams and online fraud are on the rise, costing Americans billions each year. To help community members stay safe, Ryan Stuart, Health and Human Sciences Educator with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will lead a discussion on how to protect yourself and your family in today’s digital world.

“Digital safety is essential for everyone,” Stuart says. “This conversation will provide tools and resources to help individuals protect themselves and their families in the digital world.”

Attendees will learn how to recognize common scams, spot phishing emails, safeguard personal data and report fraud effectively. Whether you shop online, use social media or manage finances digitally, these tips can help you stay secure.