Photos by Mark Reno | Times Vedette
ACGC held its high school prom on Saturday with a theme of “New York, New York.” The Grand March was at 6:30 p.m. in the high school gym. Dinner was at 7:30 p.m., followed by the dance from 8:30-10:30 p.m. The After Prom event was held from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the school.
Special to the Times Vedette
Tori’s Angels Foundation announces a significant milestone of having 200 children sponsored over the past 15 years, marking a journey of compassion, resilience and community support.
Since sponsoring its first child, Tori, in 2011, the foundation has expanded its reach to support hundreds of families facing life-threatening medical conditions. What began as a mission to help one child has grown into a network of care and generosity, impacting families across the entire state of Iowa in ways once unimaginable.
Tori’s Angels Foundation pays the medical expenses that insurance does not cover, such as co-pays, deductibles and approved pharmaceuticals. The Foundation also pays for the travel expenses necessary to obtain treatment so that the sick child can access available care for his or her condition, no matter where in the country that care is delivered. Tori’s Angels has also remained dedicated to offering emotional support and stability during some of life’s most challenging moments. The organization’s efforts have helped bring hope to families in crisis, delivered peace of mind when it was needed most and ensured that no family feels alone in their journey.
Tori’s Angels extends gratitude to all donors, volunteers and supporters who have made this achievement possible.
For more information about Tori’s Angels and how to get involved, call 641-755-2011 or email Admin@torisangel.org.
Special to the Times Vedette
Peoples Bank announced that Jayme Ungs, vice president and ag lender at Peoples Bank in Boone, has been named the Beginning Farmer Loan Program Lender of the Year by the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) for the eighth time in his career. The award highlights the lender who assisted the greatest number of individuals through the program in 2025, helping new and aspiring farmers secure financing to start, grow and strengthen their agricultural operations. The honor was announced in celebration of National Ag Day, recognizing Ungs’ commitment to helping beginning farmers achieve success through IFA’s Beginning Farmer Loan Program.
IFA’s Beginning Farmer Loan Program provides reduced interest rate financing to help new farmers acquire farmland, buildings, machinery, equipment, and breeding livestock. The program is made possible through partnerships with participating lenders like Peoples Bank, using federal tax-exempt bonds issued by the Iowa Finance Authority.
Since its inception, IFA’s beginning farmer programs have helped more than 7,700 beginning farmers purchase nearly 500,000 acres across Iowa. In 2024 alone, IFA assisted 234 farmers in purchasing more than 32,000 acres through its Beginning Farmer programs.
“Jayme’s dedication to helping young farmers succeed truly embodies what Peoples Bank stands for,” said John Rigler III, president of Peoples Bank. “His passion for agriculture and his commitment to supporting the next generation of producers make a real difference in our communities. We’re incredibly proud of Jayme and grateful for the positive impact he continues to have on Iowa’s farming future.”
By Morgan Sheeder | Times Vedette
The Iowa Communications Alliance (ICA) held its Annual Meeting and Expo in Des Moines March 23-25. More than 10 members of the ICA were recognized for their successful completion of the 2025-2026 ICA Leadership Academy, including Paul Brewster of Panora Fiber.
CEO/GM of Panora Fiber Andy Randol said, “Panora Fiber is incredibly proud that Paul was selected for the 2025-2026 Leadership Academy hosted by the Iowa Communications Alliance. For the last six months, Paul was engaged with top broadband leaders across the state, sharing his knowledge and developing new skills.”
Brewster participated in a competitive application process designed for those who wish to grow their leaderships skills and who wish to fulfill a leadership role. Participants of the Leadership Academy met multiple times between October and March, participating in workshops, networking events and community service. The Leadership Academy covered topics including personality profiles, communication, building successful teams, public speaking, strategic thinking and economic development.
“We know this experience will help him grow into an even better leader for Panora Fiber and, most importantly, for our customers,” Randol said. “Congratulations, Paul, on this well-deserved recognition.”
Special to Times Vedette
Spring is here, and so are Whiterock’s Historic Farmhouse Tours. On the first Saturday of each month, step back in time and experience a free, open-house tour of the Roswell and Elizabeth Garst homestead listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Iowa. Tours will be held through October.
Call the Whiterock Conservancy office at 712-790-8221 or email guestinfo@whiterockconservancy.org for more information or questions.
Senator Grassley addresses citizens’ questions in Panora.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
On April 9, Senator Chuck Grassley held a question-and-answer talk with employees of Iowa Trenchless and others in Panora. Approximately 40 people were on hand. Questions covered a range of subjects including infrastructure, water quality, health insurance, the Iran war situation, partisanship in politics, affordability and the outlook heading into the November 2026 midterm election.