By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on Jan. 6. Chair Steve Smith shared the recommendation from Brian Johnson and himself that the supervisors make a decision on the basic makeup of an EMS committee. He explained that the recommendation includes nine entities, but each entity would be able to designate a specific person who would serve on the nine-member committee.

Smith listed the nine recommended entities as city of Bayard, city of Bagley, Union Township, Adair Fire and Rescue, city of Guthrie Center, Guthrie County Hospital, city of Panora, city of Stuart, and Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office. Smith stressed that the cities listed could choose anyone (a council member, city administrator, first responder, etc.). Smith also said the recommendation is for a larger ad hoc committee, but that would be determined by the nine-member committee, if approved.

Supervisor Maggie Armstrong voiced support for the recommendation. Supervisor Mike Dickson disagreed.

“I don’t like it,” Dickson said. “I don’t like the structure that you’re going with either. The rationale is you’re limiting it to nine. I’m thinking it needs to be larger. Why not give representation from each township?”

Smith said a larger committee creates challenges in assuring participation from all members, and that a larger ad hoc committee would allow for broader input. He also added that the final decisions would be made by the county supervisors.

“There are missing pieces, but we can add all of those to the ad hoc,” Smith said. He clarified that he believes the nine-member committee (if approved) should decide who is invited to any ad hoc committee.

The supervisors voted 4-1 in favor of the nine-member committee as proposed. Dickson voted against.

Becky Benton (State Street Insurance) presented information on insurance rates and coverage options for the county to consider. Guthrie County participates in coverage through ICAP (Iowa Communities Assurance Pool), which covers 75 of Iowa’s 99 counties. The supervisors reviewed and renewed the coverage.

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#

Renowned singer Marian Anderson performing in DAR Constitution Hall in 1943. Students studying music can apply for a one-time $5,000 scholarship honoring her legacy through Jan. 31.

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Undergraduate and graduate students studying music can apply for the DAR Marian Anderson Legacy Scholarship through Jan. 31. Sponsored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the scholarship provides a one-time $5,000 award to one student annually who is pursuing undergraduate or graduate study in music.

Marian Anderson (1897-1993) was a groundbreaking African American contralto and an inspiration for civil rights.

“This scholarship pays tribute to Marian Anderson’s life, and the Daughters of the American Revolution seeks to honor her legacy through aspiring musicians. Her legacy lives on in others who aim for excellence in musical studies, are committed to their communities, and willing to stand up for what is right,” said Ginnie Sebastian Storage, DAR President General.

Applicants should be accepted or currently enrolled in an accredited university or college in the United States and have a concentration in music in their course of study. Music performance, composition, theory, or education are all areas that students may be specialized in to qualify for the scholarship. They should have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent GPA on the scale used by the institution.

Applications are available here: https://www.dar.org/outreach/education/scholarships

Applications require references sent through the application system, so students need to request their references ahead of the Jan. 31 application deadline.

In honor of Ms. Anderson’s commitment to the community throughout her life and her willingness to share her incredible talent with the world, applicants are asked to write a personal statement describing their humanitarian or volunteer contributions on behalf of their community and/or country.

To recognize the city Marian Anderson called home, preference is given to students from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania metropolitan area, even if they are not pursuing music studies in the Philadelphia area.

While this scholarship is not automatically renewed, recipients may reapply for consideration each year for up to four consecutive years.

The scholarship is supported by the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Marian Anderson Legacy Fund. Learn more about the relationship between Marian Anderson and the DAR, and the organization’s on-going efforts to honor her memory at www.dar.org/MarianAnderson

About the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
One of the largest patriotic women’s service organizations in the world, DAR has 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters across the country and several foreign countries. DAR members promote historic preservation, education and patriotism via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service and more. For additional information about DAR and its relevant mission, visit www.dar.org.

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On Jan. 2, a total of eight players participated. Kay Phippen got two 16s, Kathy Feilmeier got a 16; Roy Carl hit the jackpot with a 16, 17, 20, 16 and 17.

On Jan. 5, a total of seven players participated. Bill Sheeder and Dave Richter each got a 16: Wayne Nickel and Robert Klever each got a 20; and Dennis Betts got a 16, 16 and 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.

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Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Bennett reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on Jan. 3 at 8:25 p.m. on Highway 25. Angela Marie McMichael, 28, of Carroll, was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado pickup northbound on Highway 25 from 210^th Street. The vehicle dropped off the northbound shoulder, and McMichael overcorrected and lost control, crossing the highway and entering the southbound ditch and rolling over into the creek. An estimated $5,000 in damage occurred to the Chevrolet pickup. McMichael was transported by Panora EMS to Methodist Hospital.

Special to the Times Vedette

On Dec. 31, a total of nine players participated. Larry Gardiner got a 20 and a 16; Richard Ellis got two 16s; Wayne Nickel got an 18, Lela Schwartz got a 16; and Allen Pierce got a 20 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 Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting on Friday, Jan. 2 to make annual appointments. Steve Smith was appointed chair of the board for 2026. JD Kuster was appointed vice chair.

Board Chair Maggie Armstrong voiced appreciation regarding her chairing of the board through 2025.

“I do want to thank the board, the departments heads, elected officials and all county staff, basically everybody who supported me during my year as chair. It’s always a pleasure to serve the people of Guthrie County,” Armstrong said.

The supervisors then went through the list of various annual appointments. There was no change to the regular meeting schedule and approved holidays. The mileage reimbursement rate will be 72.5 cents per mile.

Most other appointments remained unchanged. Among the other annual appointments were Smith for Region XII, and JD Kuster to replace Smith as alternate for Midwest Partnership. Armstrong will be the representative to the Adair/Guthrie County EMA with Smith as alternate.

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#