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GCH construction updates shared 

Aug 28, 2026 | News

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Aug. 27 meeting of the Guthrie County Hospital’s board of trustees, progress on construction in Stuart and Guthrie Center was reviewed. Chief Operations Officers Travis Martin reported on the projects the hospital has ongoing in the county.

“In Stuart, the temporary parking lot was completed last Monday,” he said. “On our main campus, obviously, we have a lot going on. Right now, we’re tracking a completion of phase one June 11 of next year.”

Foundation Director Dennis Flanery provided an update on the hospital’s plans for a celebration of its 75th anniversary.

“There’s a committee that’s working on an event. It will probably be somewhere in the Dec. 3 area, because that’s when we actually opened, Dec. 3, 1951,” he said.

CEO Chris Stipe gave kudos to all who helped with RAGBRAI in Guthrie County, including the planning beforehand.

“RAGBRAI was kind of a big deal,” Stipe said. “Dennis (Flanery) and Danielle (Lauzon) got recognized as employees of the month for everything they did, the planning and leadership. It really went off well. Our community showed up and showed out. We’re small but mighty.”

The board went into closed session as allowed by law, to discuss the CEO’s evaluation and another matter. The next regular meeting of the trustees is set for Sept. 24 at 4 p.m. The public is welcome.

Disappointed in Des Moines soccer failure

Aug 28, 2026 | Cyote's Den

By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette

This news might not concern the people of Guthrie County too much, unless some of you are as big of soccer fans as I am.

The city of Des Moines, citing budget shortfalls, decided to end negotiations with Krause Group over a proposed downtown soccer stadium that would have brought both a professional men’s and women’s soccer team to the area.

I will not bore you with all the nitty-gritty financial details, even though there are plenty of them. The long and short of it is that Krause Group, Des Moines and a whole bunch of other organizations have been trying to put together funding for this project for seven years. Naturally, the pandemic created a snag, and since then, costs have gone up.

If there was a finger to point at for whose fault it was that this project had not gotten off the ground, let alone started or finished, it was often pointed at Krause Group. Years later, with the funding finally secure, the city of Des Moines backed out.

It will be difficult for people to find much sympathy for the Krauses, who have burned through plenty of public goodwill. Truthfully, though, I am not interested in pointing fingers or placing blame. I am just disappointed.

That is right. I am taking the stance of a frustrated parent. As a kid, what stung more than being chewed out, grounded, having your toys taken away or being sent to your room was Mom or Dad saying, “I am not mad. I am just disappointed.”

I have been patiently and excitedly awaiting a professional soccer team to come to the metro for years. I already wake up at the wee hours of the morning to watch my favorite soccer team in London play.

If I had a local soccer team to support — maybe Des Moines FC, or perhaps the Pork Tenderloin Soccer Club — I really would not care what they called it. I, along with many other soccer-crazed fans, was ready to throw my support behind an honest-to-God professional soccer team.

Take a look at the other professional sports organizations in Des Moines. The Iowa Wild, Iowa Wolves and Iowa Cubs are often noted as some of the most well-attended and well-watched minor league teams in their respective leagues.

I understand soccer is lower on the totem pole than those sports, but I believe the city would rally around it. Either way, the project, at least for now, feels dead in the water, and we will not get to find out.

What hurts the most was the reaction from many of my friends — friends I know would happily attend these games. They were not angry. They were not even disappointed. There was more of an air of, “That is just Des Moines for you.” A growing expectation of missing out on, or giving up on, doing the “cool” thing. They did not even get their hopes up in the first place. That is something the city should be trying to do more of. Excite people. Find ways to make things work.

If Des Moines really is supposed to be a city that punches above its weight, then it should start punching harder. Maybe that is naïve of me to say. And, like I said, I left out the nitty-gritty financial details of this project. But it just feels like Des Moines used to make fun, interesting and exciting things happen through sheer force of will. There was a sense that if someone had a big idea, the city would figure out a way to make it happen. This stadium project somehow falling apart after clearing what should have been the final hurdle feels entirely too familiar.

So, no, I am not mad. I am just disappointed.

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

Happy birthday to you!

Aug 28, 2026 | Birthdays

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Each Friday in the Times Vedette, we share 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@iowalivingmagazines.com.

Birthdays

  • Aug. 28: Steve Brubaker, Anne Kenney, Curt Nelson, Hannah Roberts, Noah Stetzel, Irelyn Wirt
  • Aug. 29: Audrey Damman, Gayla McNeill, Austin Meyer, Ricky Pittman, Craig Van Gundy
  • Aug. 30: Fred Hoffman, Tonja Hoffman, Gail McGaughy
  • Aug. 31: Betty Shank, Martina Smidt, Jayanna Corbin
  • Sept. 1: Amber McNeill, Ashley Oliver, Linda Wendl, Tim Randall
  • Sept. 2: Michelle Jergenson, Luke Chapman, Jack Hein Sr., Taylor Hein, Tyler Hein
  • Sept. 3: Capri Meinecke, Heaven Cooper, Tina Arganbright, Alex Radebaugh, Dennis Ohm, Kathy Hupp

Upcoming events in the area

Aug 28, 2026 | Events

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Open House at Tori’s Angels Aug. 28

On Friday, Aug. 28 from 4-6 p.m., the public is invited to the new office of Tori’s Angels. The office is at 110 East Main St. in Panora, and the location is shared with the office of BH Real Estate and Consulting. Refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Come and learn more about how Tori’s Angels supports Iowa families who have a child facing life-threatening conditions.

Springbrook 100th Celebration Aug. 28-29

The public is invited to help celebrate 100 years of Springbrook State Park (2437 160th Road, Guthrie Center). Events include (at campground gazebo unless noted otherwise):

Friday, Aug. 28

  • 8:30 p.m.: Fire and marshmallow roast (meet at the CCC shelter)
  • 9 p.m.: Full moon guided hike (meet at the CCC shelter)

Saturday, Aug. 29

  • 9 a.m.: Guided exploration hike and learning the history of Springbrook State Park
  • 10 a.m.: Rose’s Krafty Korner
  • 11 a.m.: Kayaking at the beach (kayaks and life jackets provided or bring your own). No experience needed; kids younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • 2 p.m.: Ambassador animals meet and greet
  • 2 p.m.: Slack line and crafting
  • 3 p.m.: Insect investigations
  • 4 p.m.: Atlatl (spear throwing)
  • 5 p.m.: Music jam/folk circle (bring a chair, and an instrument if you wish)
  • 6 p.m.: Free picnic (brats, hot dogs and chips provided; bring beverage and chair)

Dexter Fest this weekend

Friday, Aug. 28 through Sunday, Aug. 30, there will be fun galore in Dexter. Friday includes the community dinner from 5-7 p.m. serving choice of pulled pork or hot dog, sides, cookie and beverage, all for a freewill donation. The pie auction begins at 6 p.m.

Saturday events include the 5K run/walk at 8 a.m., parade at 11 a.m., and fun at the park (bouncy houses, food trucks and vendors) after the parade and going until 3 p.m. There will be a noon lunch at the Legion, car show noon to 2 p.m., cribbage tournament at 1 p.m., kids’ water fights at 2 p.m., bags tournament at 3 p.m., and a street dance 9 p.m. to midnight. There is a $5 cover charge for the street dance and a beer garden will be open.

Sunday offers breakfast and church beginning at 10 a.m. at the roundhouse, followed by the horseshoes tournament at noon.

Free grief support group in Panora this fall

Beginning Sept. 8 and running through Dec. 8, a free grief support group will meet at the Panora Public Library (102 North First St.) on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To register, go to www.griefshare.org or call Carla Kem at 641-332-3006.

Blues and BBQ Aug. 29 at Boulder Beach

Saturday, Aug. 29, from 4-7 p.m., great music and food will be on tap at Lake Panorama’s Boulder Beach. Attendees may bring a lawn chair to listen to live music by the 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.

Guthrie County Fair 5K Sept. 5

Runners and walkers are encouraged to join the Guthrie County Fair 5K on Saturday, Sept. 5, at the fairgrounds. Registration will open that day at 7:30 a.m., with the 5K to begin at 8 a.m. Participants can register online now through Sept. 2. Cost is $30 (or $15 without a T-shirt). Proceeds will support the ACGC cross country teams. To register, go to https://synergywellness5k-2026.itemorder.com/shop/home

ACGC Car and Truck Show Sept. 12

The fourth annual ACGC car and truck show will be held at Mitchell Park in Guthrie Center. There is a $20 entry fee for exhibitors, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. All makes and models are welcome. Spectators are admitted free. For more information, contact ffa@acgcschools.org.

BBQ Cook-off in Stuart Sept. 18-19

Fun and food will be enjoyed at the Best of the Block BBQ Cook-off in downtown Stuart on Sept. 18 and 19. The fest kicks off on Friday, Sept. 18 with a freewill donation chili feed at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 offers a Legion breakfast, games and kids’ events, caricatures, a vendor fair, BBQ awards, pie auction and raffle, BBQ meat fest and street dance with live music. The complete schedule can be viewed on the Facebook page of Stuart Best of the Block BBQ. The event will raise funds for the Cottage Pantry and the American Legion.

Badge Bowl Sept. 20

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Department Badge Bowl flag football game will be Sunday, Sept. 20. Kids in third through sixth grade in any Guthrie County school are eligible to register. Registration is open until Sept. 11. Cost is $30 per kid. More details can be found on the Facebook page of the Guthrie County Sheriff.

Alzheimer’s Walk Oct. 3

The Raccoon River Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3 in Panora. The two-mile walk begins shortly after 9:30 a.m. at Michael Mills Park. For more details or to register, go to https://act.alz.org/panorawalk

Send your event information to rich@gctimesnews.com.       

‘A great year for the pool’

Aug 28, 2026 | News

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The city of Guthrie Center released usage data on the Guthrie Center Aquatic Center for the 2026 season.

There were 20 participants for the first session of swim lessons and 44 participants for the second session, which is the most ever. Weekday early morning swim had 159 paying entrances. Family passes were used 5,434 times and single passes were used 128 times.

There were 130 admissions of toddlers/babies aged two and younger. Individual admissions totaled 2,460 swimmers. A total of 130 family passes and 13 single passes were sold.

City Administrator Kris Arrasmith summarized the 2026 season.

“All in all, it was a great year for the pool,” she said.