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Upcoming events in the area

Jul 14, 2026 | Events

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Live music in Jamaica, July 17

On Friday, July 17, Luke Farland will perform 8-11 p.m. at Just One More in Jamacia.

Casey Fun Days, July 17-18

The annual Casey Fun Days begins on Friday, July 17 from 3-6 p.m. with a “rock walk” featuring the music collection of Parker King at the Casey Library. There will be a kids parade at 6 p.m. and bags tourney at 7 p.m. Live music by Jesse Wilson will be from 8-11 p.m. at the beer tent. Two baseball movies (“The Sandlot” and “A League of Their Own”) will be shown on the Community Center lawn beginning at 8:30 p.m. On Saturday, July 18, morning events include the fun run at 7 a.m., pancake breakfast from 7-10 a.m. and the big parade at 10:30 a.m. Other events include a car show, chicken bingo, cake walk and the Science Center of Iowa’s “Boom” activity. The fest wraps up with live music 8-11 p.m. by Ghost Riderz in the beer tent.

RAGBRAI in Guthrie Center July 20; in Panora and Yale July 21

Thousands of bicyclists will be in Guthrie Center throughout the day and night in Guthrie Center on July 20. On July 21, the riders will roll through Panora and Yale in the morning or early afternoon, on the way to an overnight in Boone. In these areas at these times, motorists will be wise to allow extra travel time and/or find an alternate route, as the thousands of bicyclists may cause significant delays. Route details can be seen on the website of RAGBRAI.com.

Panorama Booster Club golf tourney, Aug. 2

The annual Panorama Booster Club Scholarship Golf Tournament will be held on Sunday, Aug. 2. Registration will be at 12:30 p.m., and shotgun start will be at 1 p.m. The 18-hole event will take place at the Lake Panorama Par 3 Golf Course. Teams of four will compete. Registration cost is $45 per person or $180 for a team of four. The event includes games, prizes and snacks.

To register, or for information about sponsoring a hole, contact Booster Club President Chaille Crandall at crandallchaille@gmail.com.

Panorama Days returns July 31 through Aug. 2

The Panora Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to celebrate Panorama Days 2026 from Friday, July 31 through Sunday, Aug. 2. This year’s celebration features several additions, including professional chip timing for the Panorama Days 5K Run/Walk, expanded Friday family activities and live entertainment, the inaugural Pickleball Tournament, and a new Praise Band and Tori’s Angels Free-Will Donation Lunch on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Boulder Beach. Community favorites such as the parade, Family Fun Zone, bass fishing tournament, Kids Fishing Derby, classic car show, live music, food vendors, and many more activities return throughout the weekend. A complete Schedule of Events is available at www.panorachamber.org or on the Panora Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

Blues and BBQ August 29 at Boulder Beach

On Saturday, Aug. 29, from 4-7 p.m., great music and food will be on tap at Lake Panorama’s Boulder Beach. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair to listen to live music by Brick’N Bob Duo. Tickets cost $40 each and can be purchased from any LPA or LPN member, or by emailing Shanell.wagler@gmail.com.  Proceeds will support improvements at Lake Panorama National.

Guthrie County Fair Sept. 3-7

The 2026 Guthrie County Fair will be held Sept. 3-7 at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds in Guthrie Center. The Guthrie County Fair has been an established venue since 1858. Located on the west edge of Guthrie Center, the fairground is centrally located in the county. The fair is held annually over Labor Day weekend, providing a long weekend of fun and family-oriented events. See details at www.guthriecountyfair.com.

Send your event information to rich@gctimesnews.com.   

Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report — Week of July 13

Jul 14, 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.

“After the wettest week of the growing season for much of the state, the weather settled into a warmer, drier pattern, which could continue for the next seven to ten days. Soil moisture reserves and timely rainfalls will be needed to support the corn crop as it enters the critical tasseling and pollination period,” Secretary Naig said. “As county fair season continues across Iowa, I encourage everyone to get out and support these great community events while celebrating the achievements of our outstanding 4-H and FFA youth exhibitors.”

 

Crop report

There were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 12, 2026. This is 1.6 days more than last year, when there were 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 14 percent short, 73 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 18 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 10 percent surplus. Corn silking in Iowa reached 38 percent, which is 5 percentage points ahead of last year. One percent of Iowa’s corn crop reached the dough stage, which is 4 percentage points behind last year. Corn condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 56 percent, which is 5 percentage points ahead of last year. Soybeans setting pods reached 16 percent, which is 1 percentage point behind last year. Soybean condition rated 74 percent good to excellent. Oats headed reached 98 percent, which is 2 percentage points ahead of last year. Eight percent of oats have been harvested, which is 10 percentage points behind last year. Oats condition rated 81 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 73 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

Thunderstorm activity across the state was much tamer than in recent weeks with unseasonably dry conditions over much of Iowa. Only stations in north-central Iowa reported positive departures in the range of 2.00-4.00 inches. Temperatures remained warmer than average, though moderated from last week; the statewide average temperature was 77.4 degrees, 2.4 degrees above normal.

Poor air quality gradually improved through Sunday (5th) afternoon as variable, light winds increased under mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the low to mid 80s. Spotty thundershowers formed in eastern Iowa towards the evening hours, leaving behind 0.21 inch of rain in Ottumwa (Wapello County) and 0.23 inch in Nashua (Floyd County). Patchy fog was reported from western to southeastern Iowa around sunrise on Monday (6th) with morning temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s. Daytime conditions were mostly sunny with highs in the mid 80s with southerly to easterly shifting winds west to east across the state. A cluster of storms pushed into north-central Iowa in the hours before sunrise on Tuesday (7th), though the complex quickly dissipated. Totals were very isolated with only a handful of stations observing rainfall; Estherville (Emmet County) registered 1.07 inches to 1.20 inches in Swea City (Kossuth County). Partly sunny skies developed into the afternoon with temperatures in the mid to upper 80s and light winds. Clouds hung around into Wednesday (8th) as winds shifted to a southerly direction. Showers and thunderstorms skirted the Iowa-Minnesota border during the morning hours as southerly flow pumped low-level moisture into the Upper Midwest. Afternoon temperatures returned to the 80s with dew points pushing into the 70s. A surface front moved into the unstable airmass over the evening hours, firing a line of strong thunderstorms in northeastern Iowa with broken segments in western to central Iowa; several 60-mph wind gusts were observed. The line consolidated as it moved southeast with additional development in west-central Iowa. The complex fell apart by 7:00 am on Thursday (9th), with the highest amounts occurring across central and northeastern Iowa. Rainfall totaled 2.33 inches in Ames (Story County), while totals at three gauges in Osage (Mitchell County) ranged from 3.32 to 4.79 inches. A swath extending from east-central to western Iowa also registered 0.75–1.25 inches of rainfall.

Afternoon temperatures were seasonal in the low 80s, with lower relative humidity and mostly cloudy skies. Scattered thundershowers developed over eastern Iowa and persisted into Friday (10th) morning. Additional showers moved through southern Iowa as a low pressure center pushed through northern Missouri. Atmospheric conditions in the afternoon hours were conducive to funnel clouds across northern and eastern Iowa; a brief touchdown was reported near Swaledale (Cerro Gordo County). Thunderstorms continued to pop up over southern Iowa after midnight before moving off as the disturbance traveled east. South-central and southeastern stations reported the most rainfall with 1.40 inches in Murray (Clarke County) and 2.46 inches in Ottumwa. Most stations reporting rainfall had at least a few tenths of an inch. Saturday (11th) was a pleasant, sunshine-filled day with highs in the low to mid 80s and light easterly winds. Starry skies held into Sunday (12th) morning with temperatures in the mid to upper 60s and patchy fog.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no measurable amounts at multiple eastern and northern stations to 4.88 inches in Osage. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.66 inch; the normal is 0.97 inch. Lamoni (Decatur County) reported the week’s high temperature of 93 degrees on the 8th, six degrees above normal. Greenfield (Adair County) reported the week’s low temperature of 53 degrees on the 11th, 11 degrees below normal.

Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office Weekly Report — July 6-12, 2026

Jul 14, 2026 | Guthrie County Sheriff's Report

7-6-26

  • 1:37 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in rural Menlo 
  • 2:47 a.m. Panora Ambulance and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a medical call in Guthrie Center 
  • 7:48 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a complaint from Bayard 
  • 8:05 a.m. Panora Ambulance and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a medical call in Panora
  • 10:42 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Panora 
  • 11:46 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a driving complaint in Guthrie Center
  • 11:53 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a complaint from Bayard 
  • 12:41 p.m. Stuart Police took a theft report 
  • 2 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy transported one male to Guthrie County Jail 
  • 5:20 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy checked on a disabled motorist in rural Guthrie Center
  • 5:53 p.m. Panora Ambulance transported a patient from Guthrie County Hospital to Des Moines
  • 6:01 p.m. Stuart Police assisted an individual
  • 6:28 p.m. Panora Ambulance Unit 2 responded to a medical call in Bayard
  • 9:22 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Panora
  • 10:33 p.m. Guthrie County Deputies responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in rural Panora

 

7-7-26

  • 4 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call at Lake Panorama 
  • 4:49 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of a suspicious person 
  • 7:35 a.m. Stuart Police responded to an animal complaint 
  • 8 a.m. Guthrie County Sheriff and Deputies attended a RAGBRAI coordination meeting
  • 11:50 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a driving complaint in rural Stuart
  • 12:39 p.m. Stuart Ambulance and Police responded to a medical call in Menlo
  • 1:08 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a suspicious item in the river in rural Panora
  • 1:16 p.m. Stuart Police assisted Iowa State Patrol with a single-vehicle accident on I-80
  • 3:07 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve civil papers in Menlo 
  • 3:50 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy took a complaint on Wagon Road 
  • 4:04 p.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in Stuart 
  • 5:32 p.m. Stuart Police performed a case follow-up 
  • 6:56 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Panora 
  • 9:39 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy transported a prisoner to Guthrie County Hospital 
  • 9:53 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in Guthrie center 
  • 11:28 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Guthrie Center 

 

7-8-26

  • 12:34 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of suspicious activity at Lake Panorama 
  • 7:37 a.m. Panora Police assisted a motorist 
  • 7:24 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a gas drive-off in Guthrie Center 
  • 9:12 a.m. Panora Police assisted a motorist 
  • 9:48 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a theft and trespass complaint
  • 9:55 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a commercial alarm in Guthrie Center 
  • 11:59 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy served civil papers in Panora 
  • 2:05 p.m. Stuart Police responded to some municipal infractions
  • 2:23 p.m. Stuart Ambulance and Police responded to a medical call in Stuart 
  • 4:49 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a two-vehicle accident 
  • 5:50 p.m. Stuart Police performed a case follow-up 
  • 5:59 p.m. Stuart Police responded to an animal complaint 
  • 6:04 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Panora 
  • 7:09 p.m. Panora Ambulance and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a medical call at Lake Panorama 
  • 10:28 p.m. Panora Police responded to a complaint 
  • 10:54 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a single-vehicle accident on Wagon Road

 

7-9-26

  • 2:18 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a silent alarm at Lake Diamondhead
  • 4:06 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Panora 
  • 4:13 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call at Lake Panorama 
  • 8:27 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Panora
  • 8:36 a.m. Stuart Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Stuart 
  • 9:08 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a residential burglar alarm at Lake Diamondhead
  • 9:53 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of a suspicious person 
  • 11:18 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to questions about RAGBRAI parking in Guthrie Center
  • 11:53 a.m. Stuart Police, Fire and Ambulance responded to a two-vehicle accident in Stuart 
  • 11:55 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted a pedestrian in Guthrie Center 
  • 12:26 p.m. Guthrie County Sheriff and Deputy assisted with traffic control on Highway 25
  • 12:41 p.m. Stuart Police assisted a motorist 
  • 12:52 p.m. Stuart Police and Ambulance assisted a pedestrian in Stuart 
  • 1:50 p.m. Panora Police assisted a motorist 
  • 4:05 p.m. Stuart Rescue responded to a medical call in rural Dexter
  • 5:22 p.m. Stuart Police assisted two individuals
  • 6:15 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a harassment complaint
  • 6:25 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in Menlo
  • 6:55 p.m. Panora Ambulance and Guthrie County Sheriff and Deputy responded to a medical call in Guthrie  Center
  • 8:02 p.m. Stuart Police attempted to locate an individual for a welfare check
  • 9:52 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a property damage complaint

 

7-10-26

  • 12:30 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy checked on a suspicious vehicle in Guthrie Center
  • 12:40 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to an animal complaint in Guthrie Center
  • 5:21 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in rural Panora
  • 11:55 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy assisted a motorist in Bayard
  • 12:19 p.m. Stuart Police performed a case follow-up 
  • 2:06 p.m. Panora Police checked on a suspicious vehicle on Wagon Road
  • 3 p.m. Stuart Rescue responded to a medical call in Stuart
  • 3:09 p.m. Stuart Police assisted a motorist 
  • 5:06 p.m. Stuart Ambulance and Police responded to a medical call in Stuart 
  • 5:56 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy served civil papers in Menlo 
  • 5:58 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a driving complaint 
  • 6:36 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve civil papers on White Pole Road 
  • 6:51 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a driving complaint on Wagon Road
  • 8:20 p.m. Stuart Fire, Stuart Ambulance and Guthrie County Deputy responded to a residential fire alarm at  Lake Diamondhead 
  • 9:02 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint on Highway 141
  • 10:15 p.m. Stuart Police performed a case follow-up 

 

7-11-26

  • 10:04 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Panora 
  • 11:22 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a driving complaint in Bayard 
  • 12:25 p.m. Panora Fire and Ambulance responded to a grass fire in rural Linden
  • 1:56 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy attempted to serve a civil paper in rural Casey
  • 3:22 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a harassment complaint in rural Menlo
  • 6:14 p.m. Stuart Police assisted State Patrol with an accident on I-80
  • 7:33 p.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Bayard
  • 8 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a harassment complaint
  • 8:13 p.m. Guthrie County Sheriff assisted an individual in rural Panora
  • 9:20 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a car vs. deer accident in rural Jamaica
  • 9:55 p.m. YJB Fire and Panora Ambulance responded to a fire in Jamaica
  • 10 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to an animal complaint in rural Yale

 

7-12-26

  • 3:43 a.m. Guthrie County Deputy performed a welfare check in Guthrie Center
  • 3:53 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of harassment 
  • 7:31 a.m. Stuart Police responded to a commercial burglar alarm
  • 8:57 a.m. Panora Ambulance responded to a medical call in Bayard 
  • 10:14 a.m. Stuart Police responded to an animal complaint 
  • 2 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a driving complaint in Bayard
  • 5:10 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a report of a suspicious person
  • 5:33 p.m. Stuart Police responded to an accident
  • 8:55 p.m. Stuart Police responded to a complaint
  • 8:55 p.m. Guthrie County Deputy responded to a complaint in Adair

Cribbage results from July 10 and July 13

Jul 14, 2026 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

On July 10, a total of 10 players participated. Rhonda Titus a 16; Roy Carl two 16s; Dan Webb got a 17; and Bill Sheeder had a 20.

On July 13, a total of 10 players participated. Kathy Feilmeier got a 16; Rhonda Titus and Robert Klever each got a 17; and Roy Carl got 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.

Panora City Council addresses noxious weed violation

Jul 14, 2026 | News

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the July 13 meeting of the Panora City Council, the council members discussed a nuisance complaint regarding the property at 410 East Market St. The council reviewed photos of the area being discussed.

Councilmember Roger Dorr explained how he heard about the concern.

“I’ve had probably three or four people stop by and complain, asking if there’s anything we can do about it,” he said. “It’s beyond a nuisance.”

Police Chief Matt Reising described how this type of situation is generally addressed, and he asked for direction from the council. He said the city generally mails a letter to the property owner giving a timeframe within which to have the violation mitigated.

“It’s clear that property is in violation of city code,” Chief Reising said.

After discussion, the council chose to have a letter sent giving seven days for mitigation and asked Reising to attempt to speak with the property owner about the situation.

City Administrator Lisa Grossman asked the council members to consider a performance contract with Kile and Susan Jackson for RAGBRAI (July 21). The contract would pay them $1,500 for playing music, serving as deejay, and making periodic announcements over their sound system during the festivities on the Panora square. The council approved the contract as written.

The council discussed Resolution 26-36, supporting the Joint CHBP Grant Agreement. Grossman explained that it would allow the city to pursue a federal grant that could potentially pay 80% of bridge replacement for the bridge near Lenon Mill Park. She added that the project would not happen for a few years. The council approved the resolution.

A camping exemption was granted at Water Works Park to allow camping, if needed, on the evening of July 20 for RAGBRAI.

The council considered approving the closure of City Hall offices on July 21 due to RAGBRAI. Grossman explained that city staff will be working that day, but will be outside and in the town square, not in the offices. The council approved the closure as presented.

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, July 27 at 5:30 p.m. The public is welcome. Interested persons may attend in person or electronically by visiting the website https://meet.goto.com/cityofpanora or by phone 1-312-757-3121 (Access Code 295-099-701, Audio PIN 220#).