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Happy birthday to you!

Mar 19, 2026 | Birthdays

We started a new feature each Friday in the Times Vedette, as we will add the birthdays and anniversaries for the following week of people with past or present ties to the area. To submit yours, or for corrections or updates, email rich@gctimesnews.com.

Birthdays

  • March 20: Rita Meinecke, Alicia Burk, Cheryl Killmer, Eric Grove
  • March 21: Ken Bose, Keith Killmer, Del Wedemeyer
  • March 22: Patricia McDermott, Melissa Atwell
  • March 23: Bentley Hoskins, Rich Wicks
  • March 24:
  • March 25: Lottie McDermott, Robert DeMoss, Jeff Ford, Darin Jacobs, Mitchell McNeil
  • March 26: Ellie DeMoss, Knox Wirt, Kirby Snyder, Tyler McDermott
  • March 27: Brad Beverly, Andrew Huney, Jenna Huney, Scott McDermott

March Madness showcases Iowa’s basketball talent

Mar 19, 2026 | Cyote's Den

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, not Christmas, but March Madness — a paradise for college basketball fans. Whether your favorite team made it or not — and if you’re an Iowan, it’s likely your team did — the 68-team tournament takes the basketball world by storm at the end of March to crown both the men’s and women’s national champions.

The talent level and overall interest in basketball in Iowa have been increasing in recent years, and that’s reflected in the talent coming out of the state, even from private universities. During my high school years, you would expect a handful of basketball players to earn Division I offers. And if they did, it was rarely to a Power Five — or these days, Power Four — school. After watching the Iowa high school basketball state championship playoffs, there were dozens of D-I players for both boys and girls across multiple classes. Some teams, like Waukee Northwest, had as many as three players with major D-I offers, and they didn’t even make the semifinals. It just goes to show the level of basketball talent the state possesses.

Part of that comes from the success of various university basketball programs. There is the obvious firestorm that Caitlin Clark caused in her record-breaking years at Iowa, which surely inspired a generation of girls to hit the hardwood. The Iowa men also have a solid basketball team. Sure, they can’t seem to make it to the Sweet 16, but they are consistently one of the better teams in the Big Ten. With Ben McCollum at the helm, they could break that curse sooner rather than later.

Fred Hoiberg brought the Iowa State men’s team back into the national spotlight for several years, and T.J. Otzelberger elevated that success during his five-year tenure. Bill Fennelly has led the ISU women’s team for 30 years and is one of the winningest women’s basketball coaches in sports history. He currently has one of the game’s top talents in Audi Crooks.

At UNI, Ben Jacobsen has led the men for 20 years, producing several tournament teams during his tenure. That’s no small feat coming from Cedar Falls. Even Drake has a well-respected basketball program that consistently produces successful men’s and women’s seasons.

With five programs in total making it to the national tournament, there is plenty to root for if you call the Hawkeye State home. Even if your allegiance doesn’t tie to any of those programs, Iowa natives are spread across the country on various teams. Bound Iowa put together a graphic highlighting homegrown talent on some of the nation’s best basketball teams.

So kick back, relax, throw some games on, look for an Iowan, and enjoy the fun.

Reach out with comments, suggestions, story ideas and more to cyote@dmcityview.com.

Holy Week services 

Mar 19, 2026 | Events

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter are coming up soon. Here is a listing of some services in the area. To add yours, email rich@gctimesnews.com

Saturday, March 28

  • Palm Sunday and Passion of the Lord service, 4:30 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 216 All Saints Dr., Stuart

Sunday, March 29

  • Palm Sunday and Passion of the Lord service, 8 a.m. at St. John Catholic, 804 5th St., Adair
  • Palm Sunday and Passion of the Lord service, 10 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 216 All Saints Dr., Stuart
  • Everyone is invited to First Christian Church Fellowship Hall (105 North Fourth St., Guthrie Center) for an agape charcuterie feast and concert by Tiffany and Tucker Rullestad at 2 p.m.

Monday, March 30

  • Saint Cecilia Catholic Church (220 North First St., Panora) will offer a light supper at 6:30 p.m., followed by service at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, March 31

  • First Christian Church (102 East Church St., Panora) will offer a light supper at 6:30 p.m., followed by service at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 1

  • Panora United Methodist Church (119 East Main St., Panora) will offer a light supper at 6:30 p.m., followed by service at 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 2

  • Panora Brethren and Hope Lutheran Churches will offer a light supper at 6:30 p.m., followed by service at 7 p.m. at Church of the Brethren (2946 200th Road, Panora).
  • Thursday, April 2, 4 p.m. at St. John Catholic Church, 804 5th St., Adair
  • Thursday, April 2, 6 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 216 All Saints Dr., Stuart
  • Immanuel Lutheran Church (713 North 12th St., Guthrie Center) will offer service at 7 p.m.
  • Catholic Mass at 7 p.m. at Saint Cecilia Church in Panora.

Good Friday, April 3

  • Catholic Mass at 3 p.m. at Saint Cecilia in Panora
  • Catholic Mass at 7 p.m. at Saint Mary in Guthrie Center
  • Faith Bible Church (2096 Highway 4, Panora) will offer a service only at 7 p.m.
  • St. John Catholic Church, 804 5th St., Adair, 4 p.m.
  • All Saints Catholic Church, 216 All Saints Dr., Stuart, 6 p.m.
  • Immanuel Lutheran Church (713 North 12th St., Guthrie Center) 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 4

  • Catholic Mass at 8 p.m. at Saint Patrick in Bayard
  • All Saints Catholic Church, 216 All Saints Dr., Stuart, 8:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday, April 5

  • St. John Catholic Church, 804 5th St., Adair 8 a.m.
  • All Saints Catholic Church, 216 All Saints Dr., Stuart, 10 a.m.
  • Easter Mass at Saint Cecilia at 8 a.m. in Panora
  • Easter Mass at Saint Mary at 9:30 a.m. in Guthrie Center
  • Panora United Methodist Church (119 East Main St., Panora) service at 9:30 a.m.

Upcoming events in the area

Mar 19, 2026 | Events

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Boys and Girls Club of Adair annual fundraiser March 21

On Saturday, March 21, the Boys and Girls Club of Adair will host a “Lights, Camera, Auction” fundraiser at the Adair Fire Hall, 505 Fifth St. The event will include a sirloin tip dinner, live and silent auctions, as well as cash games and a cash bar. Tickets cost $50 each. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the meal scheduled from 5:30-6:30 p.m. More information is available at www.bgcadair.org.

Legislative coffees March 21 and April 11

State Sen. Jesse Green and State Rep. Carter Nordman welcome the public to their upcoming legislative coffee events to voice concerns and hear legislative updates. The next events are Saturday, March 21 from 9-10 a.m. at Guthrie County Farm Bureau, 203 N. Fourth St. in Guthrie Center, and Saturday, April 11 from 9-10 a.m. at the same location.

Plant swap and propagation workshop March 26

Guthrie County ISU Extension and Outreach will hold a plant swap and plant propagation event at the Panorama High School greenhouse beginning at 6 p.m. Cost is $15 per person, payable at the event. Register beforehand at the extension office, 212 State St. in Guthrie Center, or by calling 641-747-2276.

Legion Bingo March 28

American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 124 will hold Saturday bingo March 28 at the Guthrie Center Activity Center, 209 State St. A freewill donation dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. with bingo starting at 7 p.m.

Pheasants/Quail banquet March 28

The Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever annual banquet will be held Saturday, March 28 at the Yale Community Building. Doors open at 5 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. For tickets, contact Cindy Kisting at 515-339-5226 or Dan Brubaker at 515-238-7875.

STEM Fest March 28

Guthrie County Extension and Outreach will hold STEM Fest 2026 on Saturday, March 28 from 9 a.m. to noon at Panorama Elementary School, 401 Panther Drive. The event is targeted to children in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Bagley pancake breakfast March 29

The Bagley Firefighters Association will hold a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 29 at the fire hall. The freewill donation meal includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, coffee, milk and juice.

Vietnam vets’ event in Panora March 29

On Sunday, March 29, at 4 p.m., Hospice of the Midwest will host an event for Vietnam veterans at the Panorama High School auditorium, 701 W. Main St. There will be a pinning ceremony, presentation and refreshments. For questions or to RSVP, call or text Joey Weber at 515-230-3342.

Handbags and Bingo April 10

The Guthrie County Hospital Foundation’s annual “Handbags and Bingo” event will be held Friday, April 10, at the Fairgrounds Event Center. Social hour begins at 4:45 p.m., and dinner is at 5:45 p.m., followed by bingo and games. Tickets can be purchased on the hospital’s website.

Bridal Show in Stuart April 19

Forever in Love Bridal Show will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 19 at the Saints Center, 320 North Fremont St., Stuart. General admission tickets are free. VIP tickets cost $10.70 and include a glass of champagne and front row seating. Tickets can be claimed at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/forever-in-love-bridal-show-tickets-1979112804675?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

County budget includes property tax relief

Mar 19, 2026 | News

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Supervisor Maggie Armstrong, who oversees media relations for the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, shared additional information regarding the county’s budget considerations.

“The Board of Supervisors plans to move forward with its largest property tax levy reduction in decades. Rural residents will see a 37-cent reduction in their county property tax levy, and urban residents will see a 13-cent reduction. The board has also determined it will use available funds to pay off debt associated with the courthouse, as well as fund rural road and bridge projects and additional maintenance.”

Armstrong also shared her perspective on her time serving on the board since 2023.

“It’s refreshing to be able to offer a respectable wage increase that takes into consideration rising health insurance premiums, as well as cost-of-living expenses, while also reducing levy rates across all three funds — General Basic, General Supplemental and Rural Services,” Armstrong said. “This is the most comprehensive and thoughtful budget process I’ve experienced.”