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Numbers on RAGBRAI, garage sales, citywide cleanup provided to Guthrie Center City Council

Jun 9, 2026 | News

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the June 8 regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, City Administrator Kris Arrasmith reported on the planning for RAGBRAI and vendor participation.

“So far we have, between our local food participants and regular food vendors, we have mapped about forty-some,” she said.

Arrasmith noted the committee did a good job assuring a wide variety of food vendors will be on hand.

“They had over 100 applications from food trucks, so they narrowed it down,” Arrasmith said.

Arrasmith also reported on plans for citywide garage sales and citywide cleanup.

“For the garage sales, we have 13 signed up so far,” she said. “For the cleanup, we have 46 so far.”

The council discussed concerns related to the apartment building at 303 Prairie St. An inspector was brought in to make recommendations on what needs to be done at the property. At this time, no structural problems with the building were noted. The main concern has been the need for cleanup.

Councilmember Ian Steensen shared his concern that some citizens park with vehicles blocking sidewalks. The consensus was to ask the Sheriff’s department officers to address any such situations seen.

Building/Fence permits were approved for 901 Grand St. (M. Reinhart, garage), 204 S. Fifth St. (A. Scroggins, four season porch), and 602 N. 12th St. (T. Masters, portable shed).

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the city council is set for June 22 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

So much more than just books

Jun 9, 2026 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette

The most exciting text message I received this week was from my daughter-in-law showing my one-month-old granddaughter with her new copy of “The Little Engine That Could,” which is the first book in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. This is exciting news for two reasons. First, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library is one of the greatest programs ever, and second, the availability of books to children is a huge predictor of reading success.

For those who are not familiar with the Imagination Library, this program was started and funded by Dolly Parton as a way to honor her father, whom she describes as a bright man who felt his inability to read stunted his success. Parton, through her Dollywood Foundation, began this program, which provided each child born in Sevier County, TN, the opportunity to register for the Imagination Library. This means that each month that child would receive a package in the mail addressed to her or him containing an age-appropriate, hard-cover book.

This program was so successful that Tennessee has adopted and funded the program statewide. Because of its popularity and success, the program is also available not only in all 50 states, but internationally as well. In Audubon, Carroll, Greene and Guthrie Counties, this program is funded by Partnerships 4 Families; any preschool child residing in these counties can register and receive a monthly book until they start kindergarten at absolutely no cost to the family. Sign-up can be done online at the Imagination Library website, https://imaginationlibrary.com/, or by stopping into the MJB Library for sign-up assistance.

This program does many things to promote early literacy. While researching how to prevent summer reading slide, the availability of books was one of the most important ways to prevent losing reading gains over the summer. For that reason, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a gift that keeps on giving since it provides the beginnings of a child’s personal library. MJB Library is proud to partner with Partnerships 4 Families to promote the availability in our area.

Because accessibility to books is so vital to reading readiness and promoting literacy with older students, the MJB Library is excited to be hosting the Summer Reading Program (SRP) for June. We are encouraging parents to sign up their kids to attend our almost daily SRP events, in hopes to inspire their children to keep a reading log and turn it in for a chance to win prizes.

In addition to the SRP, the library is partnering with the Masonic Lodge Orange Lodge No. 123 to offer Bikes for Books. The Masonic Lodge will donate a bicycle to be awarded at the beginning of August. Students pre-K- through sixth grade who submit a reading log will earn one drawing ticket for each book read between June 1 and July 31.

To help the children in your life avoid losing the average 20% of school-year gains in reading over the summer, there are other opportunities to promote literacy through the summer. Barnes and Noble, Half Price Books, Chuck E. Cheese and Pizza Hut all offer summer reading incentive programs. Stop by the library to see our list of summer reading programs in the youth area.

Additionally, families can use the MJB Library website to access a number of educational websites and online experiences to provide kids with fun educational activities. Check out other websites like the American Library Association, Reading is Fundamental, Reading Rockets and Scholastic to find activities and book lists.

Remember, the library provides reading materials, audiobooks, puzzles, books and games for checkout. Monday through Saturday, the library is open to provide children a safe space to read, play and learn.

Library card holders who are 18 or older are able to use their library card for free admission to educational and fun places, using the Iowa Adventure Pass. One of those venues, the Blank Park Zoo, is a resource close to home, providing exhibits of more than 800 creatures as well as many daily programs to allow children to participate and learn.

The Science Center of Iowa is another venue that provides exhibits, experiments and attractions for all ages that participates in the Iowa Adventure Pass. The newest venue included in the adventure pass is the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn; this museum offers free admission to up to four individuals per day. Considered the best place to learn about Scandinavian contributions to Iowa, its mission is to celebrate “Danish roots and American dreams.” In addition to the permanent exhibits, the outdoor fitness equipment and the recreational trail, visitors find the Thomas Dambo Trolls hidden close by the museum.

Check the library website and bulletin board for upcoming events for youth, adults and families. This week, Anne Riordan with the Guthrie County DNR will present a program at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 11. Story Hour begins at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 12, and will feature stories and a craft about dinosaurs. On Monday, June 15, at 4 p.m., youth of all ages are invited to join the fun at Creation Stations, where a variety of creative activities will be available.

At LEGO Mania Day, the summer reading challenge was to create 3D images of flowers or plants.

These young readers show off their finished craft project. The created butterflies which are important pollinators.

Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

Jun 9, 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.

“Showers and thunderstorms late last week delivered relief to drier areas, particularly across southern and eastern Iowa,” Secretary Naig said. “Forecasts call for a warm-up this week, with temperatures climbing into the 90s. Farmers looking to make progress on the first-cutting of hay and completing other field work will have to deal with several more chances of showers and thunderstorms throughout the week.”

Crop report

There were 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 7, 2026, which is 0.2 days more than last year, when there were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 19 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 21 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus.

Corn planting in Iowa reached 98 percent complete, which is 1 percentage point behind last year. Corn emerged reached 92 percent, 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Corn condition rated 84 percent good to excellent. Soybean planting reached 97 percent complete, which is unchanged from last year. Soybeans emerged reached 86 percent, which is 1 percentage point behind last year. Soybean condition rated 80 percent good to excellent. Oats emerged reached 99 percent, which is 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Oats condition rated 84 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 74 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

June began with unseasonably wet conditions across a southwest to northeast swath of Iowa. Beneficial rains fell after the 35th driest May in 154 years of statewide records. Unseasonable warmth persisted with the highest departures from central to western Iowa; the statewide average temperature was 72.8 degrees, 5.9 degrees above normal.

Light rain was reported into Sunday (31st) afternoon from central to northeast Iowa. Stronger thunderstorms fired along the state’s western border after sunset. There were a handful of reports of large hail and straight-line winds, causing some isolated tree damage. Locally heavy rainfall was also reported at multiple stations with 1.00 inch in Persia (Harrison County) to 2.16 inches in Bedford (Taylor County). Monday (1st) dawned with morning lows in the 60s, mostly clear skies and light winds generally out of the east. Afternoon temperatures rose into the upper 80s in west-central Iowa which helped fuel isolated thunderstorms that produced some large hail. While rainfall was concentrated over a smaller area, Perry (Dallas County) collected 0.61 inch while two stations in Jefferson (Green County) registered 0.80 to 1.12 inches. Winds held easterly into Tuesday (2nd) with morning temperatures in the upper 50s southeast to mid 60s northwest with a few passing clouds in central Iowa. Daytime conditions were pleasant, as highs reached into the upper 70s and low 80s with low relative humidity and ample sunshine. Winds swung to the south overnight into Wednesday (3rd) becoming gusty by the afternoon hours across southern Iowa. Afternoon conditions were mostly clear except for clouds pushing into southwestern Iowa and statewide temperatures in the low 80s.

Clouds increased over western Iowa through the early morning hours on Thursday (4th) as a low pressure center pushed along the Iowa-Minnesota border. As the attendant cold front swept across the state through the daytime hours, a line of showers and thunderstorms consolidated as it moved into central Iowa. Some embedded cells produced moderate to heavy rainfall as the line advanced into eastern Iowa. More than 130 stations reported at least an inch with nearly 30 collecting at least two inches. The highest totals were found from central to northeast Iowa; Story City (Story County) observed 2.50 inches with two Buchanan County stations, Independence and Winthrop registering 3.52 and 4.00 inches, respectively. Northwestern and southeastern stations reported measurable totals, though generally in the 0.25-0.50 inch range with an overall statewide average of 0.84 inch. Friday (5th) began with foggy conditions over much of the state due to overnight rainfall, light winds and ample low-level humidity. Morning temperatures varied from the mid 60s northwest to low 70s southeast. Skies remained mostly cloudy through the day with southwesterly winds and temperatures in the low 80s. Slow-moving thunderstorms fired over southern Iowa during the evening hours after ample heating and in the presence of anomalous atmospheric water vapor availability. Several cells became tornado warned, though no touchdowns were reported. Very heavy rain fell across Lucas County, where flooded basements and washed-out roads were reported. Williamson observed 3.40 inches with 4.09 inches in Chariton and 4.62 inches in Russell.  Conditions stabilized into Saturday (6th) morning with clear skies and light, variable winds. Ideal weather persisted throughout the day with temperatures warming into the 80s. Light showers spun into southern Iowa by daybreak on Sunday (7th) with unseasonably warm morning temperatures in the low 70s statewide.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged 0.03 inch in Sac City (Sac County) to 5.52 inches in Russell (Lucas County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.17 inch; the normal is 1.18 inches. Several stations reported the week’s high temperature of 93 degrees on the 6th, on average 15 degrees above normal. Elkader (Clayton County) reported the week’s low temperature of 41 degrees on the 3rd, 11 degrees below normal.

Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office Weekly Report — June 1-7, 2026

Jun 9, 2026 | Guthrie County Sheriff's Report

6-1-26

  • 6:58 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Guthrie Center
  • 8:09 a.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in Casey 
  • 12:10 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a complaint from Casey
  • 1:01 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a theft report from rural Dexter 
  • 1:24 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Lutheran 
  • 1:26 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted Audubon County with attempting to locate an individual 
  • 1:50 p.m. Panora Police assisted a transient
  • 2:49 p.m. Stuart Rescue responded to a medical call in Casey
  • 3:40 p.m. Panora Police responded to a driving complaint
  • 8:20 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a fight in Guthrie Center
  • 9:31 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy and Stuart Police responded to a driving complaint in Menlo
  • 9:50 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy checked on a disabled motorist in rural Guthrie Center
  • 10:48 p.m. Stuart Police and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in Stuart 

6-2-26

  • 1:45 a.m. Panora Police and Guthrie County Deputy located and arrested one individual 
  • 2:31 a.m. Panora Police transported one individual to the Guthrie County Jail
  • 4:53 a.m. Stuart Rescue responded to a medical call in Menlo
  • 6:57 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted a motorist in Guthrie Center
  • 8:56 a.m. Stuart Police and Stuart Rescue responded to a complaint 
  • 9:10 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a driving complaint in rural Guthrie Center
  • 10:55 a.m. Stuart Rescue responded to a medical call in Stuart
  • 11:15 a.m. Stuart Police followed up on an investigation
  • 11:33 a.m. Stuart Police followed up on an investigation
  • 12:23 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted an individual in Guthrie Center
  • 2:55 p.m. Stuart Police assisted an individual 
  • 3 p.m. Adair, Casey, Guthrie Center and Stuart Fire Departments and Guthrie County Sheriff’s office responded to a house fire in rural Adair
  • 5:20 p.m. Panora Police responded to a parking complaint
  • 7:30 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Des Moines
  • 7:45 p.m. Guthrie Center and Panora Fire Departments, Panora Ambulance Unit 2, and the Guthrie County Sheriff’s office responded to a fire at the county shed in rural Guthrie Center
  • 7:55 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served a summons to appear in Adair
  • 8:43 p.m. Panora Police responded to a report of a theft
  • 10:22 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a driving complaint on I-80
  • 11:37 p.m. Stuart Police, Fire and Rescue responded to a report of a vehicle fire in Stuart
  • 11:50 p.m. Panora Police did a security check for a business

 

6-3-26

  • 12:44 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a parking complaint
  • 6:44 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a driving complaint in rural Panora
  • 9:45 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted with a probation interview in Menlo
  • 10:20 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to locate a vehicle in Guthrie Center for Polk County
  • 12:50 p.m. Stuart Police took a theft report
  • 1:57 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a parking complaint 
  • 2:35 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy picked up a prisoner at Polk County Jail
  • 3:20 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a case follow up in Guthrie Center 
  • 4:13 p.m. Stuart Police responded to an animal complaint 
  • 4:23 p.m. Panora Police responded to a driving complaint 
  • 4:50 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a trespasser 
  • 4:56 p.m. Panora Police responded to an animal complaint 
  • 5:04 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of harassment 
  • 6:25 p.m. Stuart Police transported a transient to Adair
  • 6:31 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a complaint 
  • 7:19 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a warrant check in Bayard
  • 7:53 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of an assault in Adair 
  • 8:11 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in Guthrie Center 
  • 8:43 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of a hit and run 
  • 11:47 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of an accident 

 

6-4-26

  • 5:43 a.m. Guthrie County Sheriff and Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call on White Pole Road
  • 6:43 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy transported a prisoner to Dallas County Jail 
  • 11:09 a.m. YJB Fire and Panora Ambulance responded to a gas line struck in Bagley 
  • 11:26 a.m. Stuart Fire, Ambulance and Police responded to a medical call in Stuart 
  • 11:36 a.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in Stuart 
  • 12:59 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve civil papers in Guthrie Center 
  • 2:02 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served civil papers in Guthrie Center
  • 2:14 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve civil papers in Guthrie Center
  • 2:21 p.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in Stuart 
  • 3:05 p.m. Panora Ambulance and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a medical call in Guthrie Center
  • 3:05 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of vandalism 
  • 4:27 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of a family situation 
  • 4:38 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a complaint from Jamaica 
  • 5:39 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital back to Guthrie County Jail 
  • 5:50 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served a civil paper in Bayard 
  • 6:38 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve a civil paper in Yale 
  • 8:50 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve civil papers in Casey 
  • 9:18 p.m. Stuart Ambulance transported a patient from Adair County Hospital to Lutheran 
  • 9:41 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served civil papers in Casey 

 

6-5-26

  • 7:25 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Bayard
  • 8:24 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted a motorist in Guthrie Center 
  • 8:30 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted a motorist on Highway 25
  • 9:28 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a neighbor dispute in rural Bayard 
  • 10:23 a.m. Guthrie County Sheriff took a complaint from Casey 
  • 10:25 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call at Lake Panorama 
  • 11:08 a.m. Panora Ambulance, Guthrie County Deputy and Sheriff responded to a medical call in rural Guthrie Center
  • 2:14 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a two-vehicle accident 
  • 3:03 p.m. Stuart Police assisted a motorist 
  • 8:03 p.m. Stuart Police assisted a motorist 
  • 8:42 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Lutheran 
  • 9:41 p.m. Guthrie County Sheriff served civil papers in Guthrie Center 
  • 9:58 p.m. Stuart Police assisted a motorist 
  • 11:40 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a welfare check in Casey 
  • 11:52 p.m. Stuart Police transported one male to Adair County Jail 

 

6-6-26

  • 12:08 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a commercial burglar alarm in Stuart 
  • 2:30 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy transported one male to Guthrie County Jail 
  • 7:39 a.m. Panora Ambulance and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a medical call in Bayard 
  • 9:05 a.m. Panora Police responded to a report of vandalism 
  • 9:17 a.m. Panora Police and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in Panora 
  • 9:21 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Guthrie Center 
  • 9:45 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a case follow up in Panora 
  • 11:43 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted a pedestrian in rural Casey 
  • 12:44 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Bayard 
  • 1:04 p.m. Stuart Police responded to an animal complaint 
  • 2:32 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Methodist 
  • 4:18 p.m. Panora Police and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a driving complaint on Highway 44
  • 4:38 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy and Sheriff assisted with a court ordered transport in Adair 
  • 5:20 p.m. Guthrie County Sheriff served civil papers in Guthrie Center 
  • 5:35 p.m. Stuart Police took a theft report 
  • 7:09 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a parking complaint 
  • 7:43 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call at Lake Panorama 

 

6-7-26

  • 2:49 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy transported one male to Guthrie County Jail 
  • 3:37 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy and YJB Fire responded to a report of a gas smell in Jamaica 
  • 8:05 a.m. Stuart Police, Fire and Ambulance responded to a commercial fire alarm in Stuart 
  • 9:43 a.m. Panora Police responded to a complaint 
  • 10:04 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve civil papers in Panora 
  • 10:36 a.m. Panora Police took a theft report 
  • 1:27 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted a motorist on White Pole Road 
  • 1:47 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served civil papers in Guthrie Center 
  • 1:48 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Bagley 
  • 3:59 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Bayard 
  • 4:56 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a family situation in Bayard 
  • 5:44 p.m. Guthrie County Deputies and Sheriff responded to a report of trespassers in rural Guthrie Center 
  • 7:01 p.m. Panora Ambulance and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a medical call in Guthrie Center 
  • 7:44 p.m. Panora Police responded to a report of a hit and run 
  • 10:57 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a welfare check in Bayard 

Edward Simons 

Jun 9, 2026 | Obituaries

1940-2026

Edward Simons, 85, of Adair, formerly of Stuart, passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Friday, June 12 at All Saints Catholic Church in Stuart. Funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church in Stuart. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Stuart. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Ed was born on Oct. 24, 1940, to Edward and Mary Catherine (Scharfenkamp) Simons in Carroll. Shortly after, the family moved to the Stuart area. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School until high school, and he graduated from Stuart High School with the class of 1958. After graduation, he attended barber school in Des Moines and made his career barbering in Stuart for more than 30 years. After retiring from the barber shop, he owned and operated a liquor store in Stuart. He also worked at Schildberg Construction.

On Aug. 20, 1966, he was united in marriage to Mary Lee Barnes at All Saints Catholic Church in Stuart. To this union, three children were born: Tracy, Jacqueline and Scott. The family made their home in Stuart. Mary Lee passed away on Oct. 17, 2000. He later married his wife, Margaret in 2003, and the couple made their home in Des Moines before moving back to Stuart and lastly Adair. Ed never knew a stranger and would frequent many events in Stuart. He cherished the time he was able to spend with his family and friends.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Lee Simons; sons-in-law, Patrick McCorkel and David Jones; and nine siblings.

He leaves behind his children: Tracy Jones, Jacqueline McCorkel and Scott Simons; grandchildren: Amber Simons, Courtney Jones, Cassandra Jones, Tyler (Victoria) McCorkel and Dannielle (Chase) Dress; great-grandchildren: Oliver, Henry, Maisie and Payton; wife, Margaret Simons; brothers, Gene (Mary) Simons and Leroy (Joann) Simons; and a host of extended family and friends who will miss him dearly.