Special to the Times Vedette 

On May 12, more than 30 students were inducted into Central College’s chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success. Alison Egger, Class of 2029 from Stuart, and Eli Kading, Class of 2026 from Casey, were among those inductees.

The National Society of Leadership and Service is the largest and only accredited leadership honor society in the United States. It allows students to develop interpersonal skills for competitive job markets, learn from leaders like former U.S. presidents, CEOs and celebrities, and gain access to exclusive networking events.

Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private college known for its active student body, academic rigor and athletics success. Central offers a learning environment with educators committed to intellectual engagement, personal growth, career readiness and civic involvement. Founded in 1853 and shaped by its Christian heritage, the college of 1,100 students participates in NCAA Division III athletics. Central is an active part of the Greater Des Moines region and just minutes from Lake Red Rock, Iowa’s largest lake.

Special to the Times Vedette

On May 13, a total of 12 players participated. Chet Vaughan and Rhonda Titus got a 16; Robert Klever got three 16s; Dick Ellis and Allen Pierce each got a 17; and Dave Richter got a 17 and a 21.

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 Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

The ACGC boys track and field team scored 64 points at the Meritt-Charger Invitational on Monday, May 11. Treynor won the meet with 126 points. ACGC did not win any gold medals at the meet but still took home plenty of silverware.

Silver medals went to Brexton Schneider in the 110-meter hurdles, Thomas Skram in the 200-meter dash and Collin Stringham in the long jump. Bronze medals were earned by Morgun Nolte in the 110-meter hurdles and Kade Sorensen in the 200-meter dash. Three Chargers placed fourth: Joe Crawford in the 200-meter dash, Bryce Benda in the 3,200-meter run and the 4×100-meter relay team of Crawford, Schneider, Skram and Talon Noland.

The next meet for ACGC is the 1A State Qualifying Meet at Audubon on Thursday, May 14. ACGC competes against Ar-We-Va, Audubon, Boyer Valley, CAM, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Exira-EHK, Glidden-Ralston, IKM-Manning, Logan-Magnolia, Newell-Fona, Paton-Churdan, Storm Lake St. Mary’s and West Bend-Mallard. In 1A, the first-place team will qualify for state, plus the top place-winner in each event, plus the next 14 best performances statewide from the qualifying meets.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the May 12 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, County Engineer Josh Sebern asked the supervisors to consider the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 DOT budget amendment.

“This is going to mirror the county amendment,” Sebern said. “Overall, we were able to lower some of the equipment operations.”

Sebern pointed out that the labor budgeted for snow removal is used more for tree cutting when a winter with few snowstorms occurs.

“When we don’t plow snow, our labor costs goes to cut trees, road clearing,” Sebern said. “It all depends on whether we’re plowing snow or cutting trees. They’re directly proportional.”

The supervisors approved the DOT budget amendment.

Sebern also shared Resolution 26-33 (Modification to Fiscal Year 2026 Five-Year Program). He said there were two projects that needed to be completed (and were completed) but had not previously been administratively included in the five-year plan. The supervisors approved the additions as proposed.

Supervisor Maggie Armstrong provided an update on the P-28/Wagon Road project.

“P-28/Wagon Road is back open. We originally were hoping that about mid-May we would be able to start on the full project. It’s been delayed a little bit by our contractor, so we are going to move forward with the communication that it’s going to start in early June,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong stated that she is also learning about ways the county can implement Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“I like the technology. I think we’re going to have to learn how to use it, and we might as well use it to our benefit, as we can,” she said.

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#.

By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette

The annual Lake Panorama Fin and Feather Banquet and Fundraiser was held Saturday, May 9 at The Captain’s Pick at Lake Panorama National Resort. The event included a live auction, silent auction and numerous banquet games. 

Fin and Feather was formed in 1984 by a group of LPA members who wanted to improve fishing at Lake Panorama. The dam was completed in 1970, and the lake filled from the flow of the Middle Raccoon River. At that time, the naturally occurring species of fish in the Middle Raccoon were largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and carp. Members wanted to expand fishing options to include walleye, which are widely considered the best fish to eat.

The group has continued ever since and experimented with various fish stocking strategies, which has led to stocking just shy of 311,000 fish in the lake. Walleye do not naturally reproduce in Lake Panorama, which is why annual stocking is undertaken. Fin and Feather will continue to look at ways to increase the fishery, such as completing an electrofishing audit to determine the health and numbers of different species of fish.

The formation of this independent group has provided a significant boost to fishing conditions at Lake Panorama. Members should note that Fin and Feather’s efforts extend not only to Lake Panorama but also to the section of the Middle Raccoon River that is below the LPA dam. This area represents some of the best river fishing that can be found in central Iowa. In addition, Fin and Feather is the only sponsor of the Panorama Days Kid’s Fishing Derby. In 2025, 114 kids participated and received trophies, cash prizes and general raffle prizes in excess of $2,500.

Barry Monaghan and Nancy Peters

Brian Johnson and Carter Nordman

Carol and Jim Wendl

Neil Erickson and Drew Erickson

JoAnn Johnson and Lori Hammer

Josh Eike and Kristen Crouthamel

Brian Oeffner and Patti Oeffner

Ben Hayes and Troy Stoelk

Barry Tofteland

Lane Rumelhart and Galen Redshaw

Karen Eby and Bill Eby

Fin and Feather Chairperson Scott Stanley

Lake Panorama Fin and Feather committee members: Front row Galen Redshaw, Rick Schumacher, Doug Hemphill, Adam Hackfort, Galen Johnson and Gary Evans. Back row: John Rutledge, Scott Stanley, Barry Tofteland, John Muenzenberger, Ben Hayes, Jacob Bendickson and Mark Buster.

Special to the Times Vedette

On Sunday, May 17, Whiterock Conservancy will host its first Slow Sunday Drive of 2026, starting at the Historic Garst Farmhouse, 1390 Highway 141, Coon Rapids. The two- to three-hour ride will begin at 1 p.m. and travel the trails of Whiterock Conservancy.

Parking is available for trailers in the overflow lot of the Bur Oak Visitors Center, 1436 Highway 141 in Coon Rapids. Price per vehicle is $30, cash only. Participants must pay at registration and provide a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.

Arrive early so the event can start at 1 p.m. Watch the website and event page for any weather updates. If the trails are wet, the Slow Sunday Drive will be canceled or rescheduled.

Private ATVs are only allowed on Whiterock land during the Slow Sunday Drives; visitors may not bring their own ATVs on the land outside of this event.

Call the Whiterock Conservancy office at 712-790-8221 or email guestinfo@whiterockconservancy.org for more information.