Q: What is the speed limit on 200th west of Highway 4? I cannot locate one.
A: We checked with Guthrie County Sheriff Matt Harmann, and he stated that the speed limit for rural two-lane highways in Iowa is 55 mph, unless otherwise posted.
Q: When do I need to pay my LPA dues by?
A: If you have not paid them by the time you are reading this, you are past due. The 2026 LPA dues were due May 1. According to the LPA, a finance charge will be applied monthly on all unpaid dues starting May 1.
Q: What year was the Guthrie County REC formed?
A: According to the Guthrie County REC, the cooperative has been bringing electricity to rural Iowa for more than 75 years. In the 1930s, nearly 90% of urban dwellers had electricity compared to only 10% of the rural population. Private utility companies, which supplied electric power to most of the nation’s consumers, argued it was too expensive to string electric lines to isolated rural farmers. In 1935, the Rural Electric Administration (REA) was created to bring electricity to rural areas like the remote counties in Iowa. In 1938, nine area farmers represented the first Guthrie County REC Board of Directors. They adopted articles of incorporation, bylaws and policies that have governed the electric cooperative over the years. Then and now, members gather every year for the annual meeting of members, where they have a voice in choosing their cooperative directors and in how Guthrie County REC is governed. Today, Guthrie County REC serves more than 4,600 members in Adair, Audubon, Cass, Dallas, Greene and Guthrie counties.
Q: I thought political campaigning was banned at Lake Panorama. I had a person come to my door and said it was not. Can you let me know?
A: According to the LPA, door-to-door campaigning is allowed at Lake Panorama. Section 7 of the rules prohibits solicitation, except for the U.S. Census Bureau or organizations designated by the LPA board of directors. The LPA board has taken the position that door-to-door campaign activities are permissible in order to maintain good relationships with elected officials.
Q: I saw that you are publishing local birthdays and anniversaries on the Times Vedette email edition. How do I go about submitting them?
A: You are correct. Each Friday in the Times Vedette, we share birthdays and anniversaries for the following week of people with past or present ties to the area. To submit yours, or to notify us of any corrections, email rich@gctimesnews.com.
Q: When will RAGBRAI riders be riding through Panora?
A: Most people know by now that RAGBRAI will be passing through Panora and Yale. A few months ago, RAGBRAI announced the full route information. On July 20, riders will cycle through Exira before coming into Guthrie Center on Highway 44 for the overnight stay. On July 21, riders will roll into Panora on Highway 44, then head north on Highway 4, then east into Yale. Departing Yale, riders will head east on Highway F25 as they traverse toward Perry on the way to the overnight in Boone. Full route details can be seen at www.ragbrai.com.