Chafa Resigns from Stuart City Council

StuartStuart City Council convened this past Monday night for its July session.

According to City Administrator Ashraf Ashour, the Council heard standard department updates from Stuart Fire Chief Mike Renslow and Stuart Rescue Director Ronnie Ross to begin the meeting.

The Council then approved the purchase of an electric pump for the sewage department.  The purchase was made at the request of city worker Jim Henderson, and it will be placed at Stuart’s south side lift station.  The cost of the pump is estimated to be $42,000, according to Ashour.

Next, a public hearing date was set pertaining to an amendment to Stuart’s urban renewal plan.  The plan coincides with Stuart’s downtown facade improvement project.

Ashour says that public hearing will be held at the next Council meeting, scheduled for Monday, August 11th.

A payment of more than $87,000 was made to Roy Sargent for work done on the Rock Island Depot.  The depot’s restoration continues to get closer and closer to being complete.

Contributions were made to two area organizations by the Council on Monday.  Guthrie County Emergency Management will soon receive its annual contribution from the City of Stuart for almost $4,400.  The Council also approved a payment of more than $1,500 to Midwest Partnership.

The last items discussed Monday night pertained to a couple of resignations.  First, the Council accepted the resignation of Stuart policeman Will Wedemeyer.  His resignation is effective immediately.

At the request of Stuart PD, the Council also approved paying the department an additional $1,000 for the extra work done to police Good Egg Days last month.

Finally, to end Monday’s meeting the Council accepted the immediate resignation of Councilman Wade Chafa.  Chafa first became a member of Stuart City Council back in 2009.

 

Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office Releases sTEP Wave Results

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office was one of many area law enforcement agencies to participate in the most recent special Traffic Enforcement Program sponsored by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau.

The latest sTEP wave ran from July 1st through July 7th.

Guthrie Co. Iowa DeputyAccording to numbers compiled by Chief Deputy Jeremy Bennett, the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office issued 14 citations and 138 warnings during the recent program.  Six of those citations and 67 of those warnings were given for speeding.

The sheriff’s department did make four arrests for OWIs. One property damage accident was investigated as well.

Citations and/or warnings were also given out for driving without a license, driving with a suspended license, and open container and no proof of insurance violations.

Bennett’s numbers indicate 98% of motorists were wearing their seatbelts during the post-sTEP wave survey time frame.

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office will participate in another sTEP program next month.  That wave will run from August 25th through September 7th.

 

Panorama Days Still Needing Volunteers

Two weeks… that is all the time that now remains before this year’s Panorama Days Celebration begins in Panora and at Lake Panorama.

Panora ChamberPanorama Days Executive Director Chaille Crandall has been trying to recruit some volunteer help setting up for the annual festivities, and as of now, more help is needed.

“Anybody is more than welcome to give me a call–contact me and let me know if you want to help.  We always need help setting up Friday, August 1st… at noon is when we’re going to be setting up picnic tables, chairs and tents (for Panorama Days).”

Crandall says she’s hoping to draw in some more volunteer helpers at the next Panora Chamber meeting, scheduled for 7am this coming Monday at the Owl’s Nest.

With Panorama Days getting so close, Crandall has also released the official schedule for this year’s festivities.  Themed “Make a Splash,” the event will be celebrating the 30th year of the Panorama Ski Team, and activities get going at 4pm on Friday, August 1.

You can find the full schedule of events by CLICKING HERE.

 

“Friends of Lake Panorama” Non-Profit Granted Tax Exempt Status

lake panoramaThe “Friends of Lake Panorama” non-profit group has been approved for tax exempt status by the IRS.

We first told you about the group back in January when their 501(c)(3) papers were initially submitted to the IRS.

According to the Lake Panorama Association, this “Friends of Lake Panorama” non-profit will allow people to donate monies to improve amenities at the lake and provide gifts in memory of loved ones that can be deducted on the giver’s taxes.  Previous donations directly to the LPA had not been tax deductible.

The Friends of Lake Panorama received their official tax exempt status from the IRS on July 2nd after Articles of Incorporation were filed last November.  The organization is completely separate from the LPA.

The group will have a seven-member board of directors and will be assisted by the LPA’s Susan Thompson.

The first official board meeting for the Friends of Lake Panorama will be held this coming Monday, July 21st.

 

Lake Panorama National Needing Volunteers for Iowa Open

golfLake Panorama National Golf Course is again hosting the Brokers International, Ltd. Iowa Open this year, and that means event coordinators are hoping volunteers will help them put on another great tournament.

More than 175 volunteers are needed for this year’s event, and each volunteer will receive a new shirt, hat and a meal on the days of the tournament they work.

Start times for morning shift volunteers will vary from 8 to 9:45am, depending on the hole they are assigned.   Afternoon shifts on Friday and Saturday of the tournament will start anywhere from noon to 1:45pm.

There will be a volunteer kickoff meal at Spikes, the restaurant near Lake Panorama National’s first tee, on August 12th from 5 to 7pm, where schedules, shirts and hats will be distributed.

If any area residents are interested in volunteering, forms can be picked up in the LPN pro shop.  Anyone with questions about volunteering can contact either Kathy DeLucca at 641-755-3116 or Gary Soreide at 641-755-2519.

This year’s Iowa Open will be held from August 15th through the 17th, with a pro-am on Thursday, August 14th.

 

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