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Upcoming events in the area

Jun 16, 2026 | Events

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Thursdays at Jamaica Library

From 4-5 p.m. every Thursday in June, the Jamaica Library is hosting “library summer camp” for kids of all ages. The free events include crafts, games, an obstacle course, tie dye, smores, hot dogs, free ice cream from Tojo’s, prizes and snacks. More details can be seen on the Jamaica Library Facebook page.

Free summer reading program in Panora

The Panora Library is holding a free summer reading program with special events at 10 a.m. on each Friday in June at the Panora Community Center. There will be stories, crafts and activities. The themes for the upcoming Fridays are:

  • June 19: Chickens and eggs
  • June 26: Fun on the farm

Guthrie Center citywide garage sales

Guthrie Center’s citywide garage sales will be June 19-20. To participate, sign up at City Hall by noon on June 17 and pay a $5 fee to be included in the map. Guthrie Center will hold citywide cleanup on Wednesday, June 24. To participate, prepay at City Hall by noon on June 22. The base fee is $25, with certain items requiring additional charges. Any questions can be directed to Guthrie Center City Hall, 641-332-2190.

Good Egg Days in Stuart June 19 and 20

The annual Good Egg Days will be held June 19-20 in downtown Stuart. Events on Friday, June 19 include the Little Stinker and Little Stinkette contest for kids ages 4-8, the kiddie parade, announcement of the Grand Marshall and Citizen of the Year, kids’ water fight, food trucks and live music featuring Cody Hicks. Saturday, June 20 events include the 5K run/walk, parade, craft market, inflatables, balloon artist, face painting, trivia contest, and live music featuring Round A Bout. More details can be viewed on the Facebook page of Good Eggs Days 2026.

Panora Farmers Market June 20

The Panora farmers market will be 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 20, at the Guthrie County Historical Village, 206 W. South St. in Panora. 

Adair Chuckwagon Days June 19-20

This year’s Chuckwagon Days are June 19-20 and will include many familiar happenings and a few new events. Scheduled events include kids’ games, a BBQ, baseball, a bake sale, a bags tournament, foam party, pancake breakfast, 5K run/walk, parade, tractor show, sand volleyball, pickleball tournament, bingo, carnival games, scavenger hunt, fire truck rides, and a street dance.

One new event this year is Chicken Poop Bingo, which is set to begin at 1 p.m. on June 20. The Adair city park, 406 Audubon St., is the hub for Chuckwagon Days. For details on all events, see the Facebook page of Chuckwagon Days 2026.

Bacoon Ride through Guthrie County June 20

The annual Bacoon Ride will happen on Saturday, June 20. Bicyclists will begin and end the 71-mile loop at Waukee. This year’s route will follow the Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT) and will come through Redfield, Linden, Panora, Yale, Herndon and Jamaica before returning to Waukee. Each stop will include bacon-themed foods and/or beverages. To register, visit www.iowabicyclecoalition.org and click on Events.

Heroes and Hot Dogs June 20 in Guthrie Center

The Guthrie Center Fire Department will host an event called “Heroes and Hot Dogs” from 3-7 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 at Mitchell Park. There will be hot dogs and refreshments, bounce houses, demonstrations by members of the fire department, and the opportunity for youngsters to meet local firefighters. To help raise funds for the fire department, sponsorships for the event are still available. If interested, contact any member of the fire crew.

Bayard Fun Day June 20

A fundraiser “Fun Day” in Bayard will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 to benefit the summer meal program. There will be kids’ games, a freewill donation meal, bingo and a silent auction.

Redfield Old Settlers, June 26-28

Redfield’s Old Settlers celebration this year will offer a variety of events. The Friday events include a kiddie parade at 5:30 p.m. and a concert by Cory Jackson at 7 p.m. Saturday events include the fire department’s breakfast beginning at 6 a.m., the Old Settlers parade at 11 a.m., tournaments of bags and volleyball (both starting at 1 p.m.), a car show at 4 p.m., a street dance at 9 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. There will also be a kids water fight, horseshoes, a petting zoo, bingo, vendors, games and more. For the full schedule and any updates, see the Facebook page of Redfield Old Settlers.

Midwest Partnership golf outing June 26

The 31st annual Midwest Partnership golf outing will be Friday, June 26. The event will be held at the Lake Panorama National course. In honor of America’s 250th birthday, there will be a contest for the “best dressed team” in patriotic attire. Visit www.midwestpartnership.com for more details.

ACGC Booster golf tourney June 26

On Friday, June 26, the ACGC Booster Club golf tournament will be held at Guthrie Center Golf Course. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. with tee-off set for 10 a.m.

Golf tourney for Guthrie Center Library June 27

The fourth annual Friends of the Guthrie Center Public Library golf tournament will be held on Saturday, June 27 at the Guthrie Center Golf Course (2604 State St.). Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and a shotgun start will kick off the tourney at 9 a.m. The tourney format is a 4-person scramble. Cost is $60 per person, which include cart and lunch. To sign up, go to https://www.guthriecenter.lib.ia.us/golf-tournament-fundraiser. Anyone interested in becoming a $100 sponsor may call the library at 641-747-8110.

Send your event information to rich@gctimesnews.com.   

Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report — Week of June 15

Jun 16, 2026 | Crop Report

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.

“Several rounds of severe thunderstorms, including a derecho that crossed parts of Iowa into Illinois last Wednesday, caused damage to crops, farms, homes and communities, particularly across southern and eastern Iowa. Heavy rainfall also flooded some fields and created challenging conditions for farmers, with some crop damage and stress being reported,” Secretary Naig said. “Our thoughts are with those affected as recovery efforts continue. Additional thunderstorms are forecast over the next several days, with severe weather possible again on Wednesday.” 

Crop report

Farmers had 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 14, 2026, which is 1.9 days less than last year. Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 14 percent short, 66 percent adequate, and 19 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 15 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus.

Corn emerged reached 97 percent, 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Corn condition rated 79 percent good to excellent. Soybean planting reached 98 percent complete, which is 1 percentage point behind last year. Soybeans emerged reached 95 percent, which is 3 percentage points ahead of last year. Soybean condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Oats headed reached 78 percent, which is 11 percentage points ahead of last year. Oats condition rated 83 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 77 percent good to excellent.

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at https://www.nass.usda.gov/.

Weather summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

An active pattern over Iowa brought multiple waves of severe weather, including a derecho and tornadoes. Heavy rain across portions of the state also produced localized flooding and unseasonably high rainfall totals. Temperatures remained above average with departures in the four to six degree range; the statewide average temperature was 73.2 degrees, 4.2 degrees above normal.

A low pressure system moving through eastern Iowa continued to bring showers and a few thunderstorms across eastern Iowa into Sunday (7th) afternoon. Scattered showers also brought measurable but lower totals over western Iowa. Most stations in eastern Iowa reported at least 0.50 inch with the highest totals from 2.00 inches in Iowa City (Johnson County) to 3.56 inches in Elma (Howard County). Southeasterly winds, overcast conditions and temperatures in the low 70s persisted on Monday (8th) morning with showers lingering in eastern Iowa. Skies cleared across western Iowa into the afternoon hours with clouds and light rain hanging on in eastern Iowa. Daytime highs varied from the upper 80s west where sunshine was present to mid 70s east. Rain totals reported at 7:00 am on Tuesday (9th) were highest in east-central Iowa where 2.20 inches were observed in Parnell (Iowa County) and 3.03 inches in Vinton (Benton County). Daytime conditions were mostly sunny with gusty southerly winds and temperatures in the mid 80s to low 90s; dewpoints in the upper 60s and low 70s pushed heat index values into the low 100s.

A low pressure center pushing northeast into Minnesota fired strong thunderstorms along the cold front over northwest Iowa into the morning hours on Wednesday (10th). A secondary complex of thunderstorms formed ahead of the surface boundary where moisture, lift and instability were ample. The thunderstorms coalesced into a squall line as they approached the Iowa-Illinois border. Widespread wind gusts above 58 mph were observed as the line pushed across Illinois and farther east; this line would later meet the criteria for a derecho. Several hours later, the cold front slammed into an unstable airmass and quickly fired severe thunderstorms from south-central to eastern Iowa. Several weak tornadoes were observed in Decatur and Davis counties along with large hail and strong wind gusts. A second low pressure disturbance followed the wake of the previous day’s activity, as rapidly developing thunderstorms intensified into a tornado-warned line in southwest Iowa by daybreak on Thursday (11th). Several tornadoes were spawned along with co-located straight-line wind gusts and isolated large hail; Essex (Page County) measured a 90-mph wind gust while large grain bins were crumpled and thrown off their footings near Villisca (Page County). Nearly 45 stations from southern to eastern Iowa registered at least 2.00 inches with the highest totals of 4.15 inches in Davis City (Decatur County) to 6.63 inches in Russell (Lucas County); the statewide average rainfall was 0.90 inch.

As the squall line approached eastern Iowa, it began to bow out, producing numerous straight-line wind reports. Winds turned northwesterly behind the passing system, with the atmosphere over southeastern Iowa recovering from morning convection, again becoming highly unstable. Strong southeasterly winds were aided with low-level wind shear as thunderstorms reformed into the afternoon hours. One additional tornado, “needle-like” in appearance, was observed near Ainsworth (Washington County). The line lost some strength as it moved out of Iowa before sunset. Rain totals registered on Friday (12th) showed almost 140 stations hitting at least 1.00 inch. Stations farther east experienced the highest amounts with 2.50 inches in Fayette (Fayette County) and 2.85 inches in Monticello (Jones County). The daytime hours were pleasant as temperatures rose into the upper 70s and lower 80s with sunshine and westerly winds. Another round of showers and thunderstorms along a cold front moved through Saturday (13th) with many stations over the state’s southwest half collecting amounts in the 0.25-0.75 inch range. Sunday (14th) dawned with lows in the upper 50s and low 60s with gusty northwesterly winds and fair weather cumulus over northern Iowa.   

Weekly precipitation totals ranged 0.04 inch at Spencer Municipal Airport (Clay County) to 7.44 inches in Russell. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 2.37 inches; the normal is 1.27 inches. Several stations reported the week’s high temperature of 95 degrees on the 9th, on average 15 degrees above normal. Cherokee (Cherokee County) and Spencer Municipal Airport reported the week’s low temperature of 47 degrees on the 14th, on average 11 degrees below normal.

Nunn to announce federal investment in White Pole Road Project

Jun 16, 2026 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

On Thursday, June 18, Congressman Zach Nunn will join state, county and local leaders in Stuart to announce new federal funding secured to revitalize White Pole Road, a vital farm-to-market corridor connecting Iowa’s farmers, businesses and families across Guthrie and Adair counties.

Representative Nunn will announce federal funding secured to rehabilitate an 11.5-mile stretch of White Pole Road. The project will address deteriorating pavement, improve safety along the corridor and expand pedestrian access in Stuart — making the road safer for drivers, students and emergency responders while strengthening a key farm-to-market route relied on by Iowa’s farmers and biofuel producers.

The investment builds on Representative Nunn’s broader efforts to strengthen Iowa’s infrastructure and ensure communities of every size have the transportation networks they need to grow. This plan includes a $20 million federal investment to advance Phase II of DART’s Operations and Maintenance Facility, to help ensure the region’s infrastructure keeps pace with rapid growth.

The press conference will begin at 12:45 p.m., at the Rock Island Railroad Depot, 204 E. Front St., Stuart. Representative Nunn will be in attendance along with Josh Sebern, Guthrie County Engineer; Cory Kirkpatrick, Mayor of Stuart; Brenda Dudley, executive director, Midwest Partnership Economic Development; Mike Dickson, Guthrie County Supervisor; and Maggie Armstrong, Guthrie County Supervisor.

Those wanting to attend must RSVP to Mark Matava, mailto:Mark.Matava@mail.house.gov.

Cribbage results from June 12 and June 15

Jun 16, 2026 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

On June 12, a total of 12 players participated. Dave Richter got a 24; Rhonda Titus got a 16; and Robert Klever got three 5s and a 16.

On June 15, a total of eight players participated. Chet Vaughan got a 17; Dan Webb and Robert Klever got a 16; Dennis Betts got two 16s; and Dave Richter got a 20 and a 24.  

The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library, 400 Grand St., on Mondays at 8 a.m. and at the New Homestead independent living dining hall, 2306 State St., at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays and at 1 p.m. on Fridays. Organizers say there is always room for more, and they will be glad to teach you how to play. They play for quarters on Wednesday and Friday.

Community Safety Net partners with Guthrie County 4-H

Jun 16, 2026 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

The Guthrie County 4-H is partnering with Community Safety Net to help protect the children in Guthrie County.

Safety Net has produced a Rural Safety Guide for Guthrie County farming families and children interested in agriculture. The guide covers topics including pesticide safety, protective equipment, tractors, ATVs, snowmobiles, animals, farm buildings and machinery. It also includes first-aid information for common injuries and safety tips for parents.

It is family-friendly, includes a full-color 96-page book, award-winning videos, word searches, crosswords, quizzes and puzzles. Once children have completed the guide, there is a Certificate of Achievement and “A Pledge for my Future” certificate to be filled out.

For those who wish to donate and support Community Safety Net and Guthrie County 4-H, visit https://communitysafetynet.com/leaders/guthrie-center-community-safety-net/. Donations can be made at a set dollar amount ($16 per child), or a custom amount.