Panorama marching band performs
Photos by Betty Cooper | Special to the Times Vedette
The Panorama marching band played at the high school football game last Friday at home against South Hamilton.
More than just books
By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
In case you missed the amazing 4-H projects at the Guthrie County Fair, members of the Seely Bobcats have displayed their outstanding projects at the Mary J. Barnett Library display case for the month of September. Please stop by to take a look at the creative work of our younger neighbors.
Since the MJB Library is a hub of our community, we like the idea of getting to know our neighbors better. Neighbors are vital to our library’s mission. The library exists to promote life-long learning and community services to our neighbors.
Neighbors are also vital to the existence of the library in that they contribute a great deal to our programs and services. While we appreciate the monetary donations to the library and to the Friends of the Guthrie Center Library, we also appreciate many types of gifts from our neighbors.
As Jon M. Huntsman points out, “ Wealth isn’t always measured in dollar signs. We each have time, talent and creativity, all of which can be powerful forces for positive change. Share your blessings in whatever form they come and to whatever level you have been blessed.”
While working at the MJB Library, it has been my extreme pleasure to get to know my neighbors better and to learn of their gifts and talents. Each month, library patrons are treated to a beautiful quilt created by one of the amazing artisans in our community who have the vision to turn a pile of fabric into a work of art.
Our display case houses a variety of things including collections curated by dedicated collectors, family heirlooms passed down through generations, or items created as the result of developing a hobby.
This stunning, eye-catching quilt was created by Alicia Ciesielski and is on loan to display at the MJB Library through the month of September. Alicia created this quilt by using fabric that was designed by one of her friends.
Many of our programs are an outgrowth of interests or skills that someone would like to teach others. If you have a hobby or skill that you would like to share, or some interesting experience that you would like to turn into a program, reach out to us.
We know our neighbors are rich in talent and creativity, and we at the MJB Library, as well as our community, appreciate those who are generous enough to invest their time. We are grateful for people who generously take time to make our library such a wonderful place.
The MJB Library Board are volunteers who invest time to make decisions about the policy and the running of the library. We are so appreciative of the energy they invest each month. The Friends of the Guthrie Center Library are neighbors who work tirelessly to raise money for the needs of the library beyond what is budgeted. Their efforts are appreciated and enjoyed by all who use the library. Friends is open to anyone who would like to join.
We appreciate people like Becky Carico, who donates her time and green thumb to tend to all the gorgeous plants inside and outside of the library. We value Judi Zimmerline, who shares her creativity to lead our card making classes and some youth craft days. Think you have nothing to share with the community at our library? We bet you’re wrong!
We would love to have guest readers who want to read to our preschoolers during story hour. Let us know if you know how to make something that you can teach others. Join the Friends of the Library for opportunities to enhance our library. We can always use volunteers who are willing to dust and straighten book shelves. Let us know if you have time and talents you want to share.
In addition to our regular programs and activities, we are adding some events to observe National Good Neighbor Day. Join us for Family and Neighbor Puzzle and Board Game events on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday, Sept. 16 from 4-6 p.m.; and Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
We have Good Neighbor Bingo cards with activities to do with your family. Pick up a card at the library, complete the good neighbor suggestions to earn a BINGO, and turn in your card to the library by the end of September to be eligible for a prize drawing.
We invite our youth to sign up for LEGO Mania day on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. STEM lab will be Monday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. while Creation Corner will be Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. We have exciting things planned, so be sure to preregister.
Get one of the coloring sheets at the library desk. Color it and give it to a neighbor, someone at the care center or hospital, or return it to the library to decorate our walls. Do something neighborly and tag the MJB Library on Facebook to inspire other patrons. We have a display with ideas on the window behind our front desk at the library. We challenge you to build a stronger community, one neighbor at a time.
Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report — Week of Sept. 8, 2025
Released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.
“We’ve heard some initial reports of farmers picking corn this past week in pockets of Iowa. Some early varieties of corn have started to turn quickly due to the dry August,” Secretary Naig said. “This past week’s cooler weather is expected to give way to some mid-September heat, with temperatures likely climbing back into the upper 80s and low 90s by this weekend.”
The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.
Crop report
Mostly dry conditions allowed Iowa farmers 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 7, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Disease pressure in row crops remained a concern to producers. Field activities included cutting and baling hay and harvesting corn silage.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 13 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus.
Ninety-seven percent of Iowa’s corn reached the dough stage. Eighty percent of corn was dented or beyond, 5 days ahead of last year, but equal to the five-year average. Twenty-six percent of corn has matured. Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 57 percent good and 23 percent excellent. Soybeans setting pods reached 98 percent. Soybeans coloring advanced to 44 percent, 2 days ahead of last year but 1 day behind average. Eleven percent of the soybeans were dropping leaves. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 58 percent good and 18 percent excellent.
The third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 93 percent complete. Pasture condition rated 71 percent good to excellent.
Weather summary
Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Unseasonably cool temperatures blanketed Iowa during the first reporting period of September, with negative departures approaching 10 to 12 degrees from southwest to northeast; the statewide average temperature was 59.5 degrees, 8.0 degrees below normal. Dry conditions also persisted across most of Iowa, though stations in the southwest reported unseasonably wet conditions.
Rain continued over southwest Iowa through Sunday (31st) and into Monday (1st) as a nearly stationary low pressure system spun over Nebraska and Kansas. Morning temperatures held in the low 60s under cloud cover, with low 50s reported in eastern Iowa, where skies were clear. Showers finally dissipated by mid-afternoon, with overall rainfall totals confined to western Iowa. Southwestern stations collected the highest amounts, with nearly 15 stations reporting at least 2.00 inches; Pacific Junction (Mills County) registered 2.01 inches, while Mondamin (Harrison County) observed 4.02 inches, nearly a month’s worth of rain. Amounts farther east and north were confined to a few tenths of an inch or less. Tuesday (2nd) began with patchy fog across much of the state and lows in the 50s. Partly cloudy skies continued through the daytime hours as scattered showers and a few thunderstorms developed in northeastern Iowa. Additional showers formed in northwestern Iowa along a cold front after sunset, with stronger thunderstorms firing in central Iowa by daybreak on Wednesday (3rd). Winds shifted northwesterly through the day as the cold front dropped southeast, with scattered showers moving through southern Iowa. The front exited southern Iowa by the evening hours, with widespread event totals across the state. Most stations reporting measurable precipitation observed between 0.20 and 0.40 inch, with the highest amounts ranging from 0.60 inch in Waukee (Dallas County) and 0.78 inch in Lovilia (Monroe County) to 0.94 inch in Charles City (Floyd County). Skies cleared after midnight, with light westerly winds and temperatures dropping into the upper 30s and 40s.
Thursday (4th) was blustery for Iowans, with gusty southwesterly winds, mostly sunny skies, and highs in the upper 60s and low 70s. A fast-moving low-pressure center transiting Minnesota brought showers to northern Iowa later in the evening before moving out of the state by midnight. Most stations reported less than a tenth of an inch, with northwest to north-central stations observing totals ranging from 0.25 inch in Lake Mills (Winnebago County) to 0.50 inch in Le Mars (Plymouth County). Friday (5th) was a windy and unseasonably cool day, with cloudy conditions over northern Iowa and highs in the upper 50s. Skies over southern Iowa were less cloudy, allowing temperatures to reach the mid to upper 60s; the statewide average high was 65 degrees, 14 degrees below normal. Saturday (6th) was a pleasant day for the Cy-Hawk football game at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames (Story County). Game-time temperatures were in the mid-60s under partly cloudy skies and northwesterly winds. Starry skies were visible into Sunday (7th) as winds became light and variable, with lows in the upper 30s and low 40s. The statewide average low was 40 degrees, 15 degrees below normal.
Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no accumulation at several western stations to 4.05 inches in Mondamin. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.39 inch, while the climatological normal is 0.86 inch. Washington (Washington County) reported the week’s high temperature of 83 degrees on the 2nd, two degrees above normal. Stanley (Buchanan County) reported the week’s low temperature of 32 degrees on the 7th, which was 19 degrees below normal.
Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office Weekly Report — Sept. 1-7, 2025
9-1-25
- 9:06 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to medical call in Guthrie Center
- 9:28 a.m. Stuart Rescue responded to medical call in Stuart
- 9:28 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy’s responded to a single-vehicle accident, no injuries
- 12:36 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to medical call in Bayard
- 1:08 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy checked on report of grass fire just south of the fairgrounds, no fire
- 3 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy checked on two vehicles alongside of Highway 25 in rural Guthrie Center
- 3:07 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Des Moines
- 4:35 p.m. Guthrie Center Fire and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a residentialbasement being full of smoke
- 5 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a complaint
- 5:12 p.m. Guthrie County Deputies, Guthrie Center Fire and Panora Ambulance Units 1 and 2 responded to a single-vehicle accident in rural Guthrie Center
- 7:05 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Des Moines
- 9:30 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy followed up on an investigation in Guthrie Center
- 9:50 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy checked on a disabled vehicle in rural Guthrie Center
- 10:02 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy checked on a disabled vehicle in rural Casey
- 11:10 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy and Panora Police responded to a request for assistance in rural Panora
9-2-25
- 12:35 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of a suspicious person in Stuart
- 1:10 a.m. Panora Ambulance, Panora Police responded to a medical call in Panora
- 2:05 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy checked on a disabled vehicle in rural Panora
- 4:30 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a welfare check in rural Panora
- 9:35 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call at Lake Panorama
- 11:55 a.m. Panora Police, Guthrie County Sheriff and Deputy responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in Panora
- 1:02 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Des Moines
- 1:30 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a scam report in Guthrie Center
- 3:45 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a fraud report in Guthrie Center
- 3:50 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a driving complaint
- 5:01 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a request for assistance
- 6 p.m. Panora Police took a fraud report
- 10:36 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in Guthrie Center
9-3-25
- 12:48 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a disturbance call on South Division Street
- 7:27 a.m. Chief Deputy investigated a call at Diamondhead Lake
- 8:01 a.m. Chief Deputy responded to a harassment complaint
- 9:20 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call on Panorama Drive
- 9:47 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of cattle on the road
- 9:57 a.m. Panora Fire and Ambulance responded to a fire call on Highway 44
- 11:25 a.m. Property exchange by Stuart Police
- 11:49 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Bayard
- 12:05 p.m. Guthrie County Deputies trained at the range in Guthrie Center
- 12:15 p.m. Stuart Police returned property to an individual
- 12:20 p.m. Panora Ambulance Unit 2 responded to a medical call in Panora
- 3 p.m. Guthrie County Sheriff and Deputies trained at the range in Guthrie Center
- 3:30 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a driving complaint
- 4:22 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to locate a wanted individual in Bayard
- 4:30 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy arrested a wanted individual in Bayard and transported that individual to the Guthrie County Jail
- 5:30 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Des Moines
- 10:58p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Mercy
- 11:05 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of suspicious activity
9-4-25
- 8:50 a.m. Stuart Police returned property to an individual
- 9:35 a.m. Stuart Police responded to an animal complaint
- 11:52 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of suspicious activity and referred the individual to the department where the activity is happening
- 12:20 p.m. Panora Police attempted to locate an individual for a welfare check
- 1:30 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Des Moines
- 2:40 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy provided traffic control in rural Stuart
- 3:25 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a stalking complaint in Yale
- 5:20 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a fraud report in rural Bayard
- 5:41 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Panora
- 6:23 p.m. Menlo Fire, Stuart Fire and Ambulance responded to a vehicle fire on Highway 25
- 6:49 p.m. Panora Police returned a lost wallet to a person at Lake Panorama
- 6:50 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call at Lake Panorama
- 7:54 p.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in Stuart
- 8:27 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Lakeside Village
- 8:57 p.m. Stuart Police and Fire responded to a small brush fire in Stuart
9-5-25
- 2:30 a.m. Panora Ambulance a responded to a medical call in rural Panora
- 7:50 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Guthrie Center
- 10:10 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to an animal complaint in Bayard
- 10:50 a.m. Stuart Police assisted an individual
- 11:28 a.m. Guthrie County Sheriff attempted to serve a civil paper in rural Casey
- 12:35 p.m. Guthrie County Sheriff attempted to serve a civil paper in rural Dexter
- 1:20 p.m. Guthrie County Sheriff assisted an individual in Panora
- 4:04 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to locate a wanted individual in rural Yale
- 4:40 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Panora
- 5:43 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy to a two-vehicle accident at Lake Panorama
- 6 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a two-vehicle accident
- 6:17 p.m. Stuart Police assisted Adel Police with locating an individual
- 6:39 p.m. Panora Police responded to a complaint
- 7:21 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a welfare check in rural Bayard
- 8:29 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of harassment
- 10:39 p.m. Panora Police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle
- 11:17 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a welfare check in Bayard
9-6-25
- 8:46 a.m. Panora EMS responded to medical call in Bayard
- 9:54 a.m. Stuart EMS responded to medical call in Casey
- 10:37 a.m. Guthrie County deputy investigated report of an erratic driver
- 10:42 a.m. Guthrie County deputy investigated report of harassment in Guthrie Center
- 11:05 a.m. Stuart Police performed a case follow up
- 1:07 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in Adair
- 2:16 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served civil papers in Guthrie Center
- 2:23 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a complaint
- 2:44 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a noise complaint in Guthrie Center
- 6:26 p.m. Stuart Police took a theft report
- 7 p.m. Suart Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Stuart
- 7:27 p.m. Panora Police responded to a complaint
- 7:32 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in Yale
- 8:32 p.m. Stuart Police responded to an animal complaint
- 8:50 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Methodist
9-7-25
- 2:31a.m. Panora EMS responded to a medical call in Bayard
- 3:31a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to property damage accident by Bayard
- 10:37 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a driving complaint in rural Guthrie Center
- 10:42 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of harassment in Guthrie Center
- 12:43 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Blank
- 2:27 p.m. Stuart Ambulance and Police responded to a medical call in Stuart
- 2:31 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a missing person in Bayard
- 3:23 p.m. Stuart Ambulance and Police responded to a medical call in Stuart
- 3:31 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Iowa City
- 3:37 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a theft report in rural Bayard
- 5:17 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Bagley
- 5:46 p.m. Panora Police took a theft report
- 6:16 p.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in Panora
- 7:33 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a welfare check in Bayard
- 7:57 p.m. Panora Police and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of an assault
- 8:53 p.m. Panora Police transported one male to Guthrie County Jail
- 9:25 p.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in Stuart
- 11:35 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in rural Stuart
Toyota enters ditch on Highway 141
Special to the Times Vedette
Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Josh Armstrong reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on Sept 7 at 3:33 a.m. on Highway 141. Obozokhai Jeffrey Arukhe, 48, of Waukee, was driving a 2015 Toyota Camry westbound on Highway 141 and made an evasive turn to avoid striking a piece from another vehicle on the roadway. The driver overcorrected and drove into the ditch on the south side of the highway, striking a tree with the left front bumper. Estimated damage to the Toyota is $1,501.