By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
The Chargers traveled to Atlantic on Saturday, Aug. 22, for the SWI Coaches Clinic scrimmage where 18 teams were in attendance. The girls (0-0) kick off the season against Earlham at Martensdale-St. Marys Jr./Sr. High School at 4:30 p.m. today, followed by a match against the host school (0-0) at 6 p.m.
Front row: Diane (Van Cleave) Maness, Julie (Springer) Kipp, Michelle (Jennings) McClure, Lisa (Troshynski) Hansen, Julie (Messner) Knipp, Maria (Flanery) Martin, Jennifer (Wilson) Bates, Bill Krakau and Alex Durst. Back row: Terry (Corder) Rotthinghaus, Karen (Tallman) Kelly, Kevin Laughery, Brad Chalfart, Doug Avey and Curt Sloss. Ken Crowder was absent for the photo.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
On Saturday, Aug. 15, the graduating class of 1981 from Guthrie Center High School held its 45th reunion at Cabbage Rose in Guthrie Center. Social time began with 16 graduates attending, some accompanied by spouses.
A luncheon was served at noon followed by a short program. The graduates shared information on their first jobs. Then they shared valuable life lessons learned since high school, how they may have changed career paths, or reinvented their life. Each graduate then shared if they had any grandchildren or great grandchildren and how many.
Discussion was held and ideas shared on how and where the class would like to celebrate their 50th class reunion. The afternoon concluded with more social time visiting with one another and sharing stories.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council on Aug. 24, councilmember (and mayor pro tempore) Garold Thomas led the meeting due to Mayor Mike Herbert’s absence. Councilmember Erica Finster participated via phone.
The council discussed the letter of resignation received from Mayor Herbert. Thomas read the letter aloud.
“After much consideration and reflection, I hereby resign from my position as mayor of Guthrie Center, effective immediately,” Thomas read.
The council voted 3-2 to accept the resignation, with Ian Steensen and Fidel Hernandez voting against. Thomas broke the 2-2 tie by voting to accept the resignation. No further details were given regarding what led to the resignation.
Thomas voiced appreciation to Herbert for his years of service to the city. The city will publish a notice asking for submissions from anyone interested in being appointed mayor to serve approximately 15 months, until the next regular election. Until someone is appointed, Thomas will fill the role as mayor pro tem.
Becky Peterson (Main Street Guthrie Center) shared information on the Hometown Heroes banners that are displayed in the city. She noted that as a result of the program, a donation of $625 was recently given to the American Legion.
Peterson added that there will be no Guthrie Center Farmers Market on Sept. 5 due to the county fair parade that morning, but she said a farmers market will be added on Oct. 10 as part of the city’s fall festival.
As part of the consent agenda, the council approved a liquor license for Incredi-Bowl and a temporary liquor license for Best of Guthrie County.
Councilmembers discussed how to avoid having citizens leave large amounts of grass clippings on city streets after lawn mowing. The consensus was that enforcement with a fine is likely the best way to achieve compliance.
The council’s next regular meeting is set for Sept. 14. The public is welcome.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The Panora City Council met in regular session on Aug. 24. The council reviewed a letter from Eleisca Clayton (Family Resource Center) regarding a water leak at 319 East Market St. The letter explained that the home is occupied by three individuals who receive Social Security Disability benefits and live on fixed incomes.
According to the letter, a water leak, discovered on July 1, had been ongoing for four weeks before it was discovered in the utility room by house staff. The water bill totaled $3,456, which the letter stated is much higher than the address’s usual bill. Clayton asked the city to forgive $3,000 of that.
City Administrator Lisa Grossman detailed the billing.
“The water portion was $2,295. The sewer portion was $728.21,” she said. “From what I understand, it was a leak in their utility room, and it was actually going down the drain to the sewer.”
Mayor Curt Thornberry noted that in such situations, the city has previously not forgiven the billing. No action was taken on the matter.
Grossman shared information on an unpaid invoice from Guthrie County REC for $52,731. The invoice was from October 2024. She said the billing was somehow missed by REC at that time, and she confirmed that the city has never paid that invoice. Grossman also said the amount of the invoice is in line with what would normally be expected. The council voted to pay the invoice.
The next regular meeting of the council will be Sept. 14 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#).
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.
“Beautiful weather throughout much of last week helped cap off an incredibly successful Iowa State Fair, with fairgoers turning out in record numbers,” Secretary Naig said. “As students and families settle into the routines of a new school year, farmers are keeping an eye on the forecast as crops continue to mature. Warmer temperatures and near-normal rainfall into early September should help keep the crops moving along as we inch closer to the busy fall harvest season.”
There were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Aug. 23, 2026. This is 0.4 days less than last year, when there were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 16 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 21 percent short, 66 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus. Ninety percent of Iowa’s corn crop has reached the dough stage, which is 3 percentage points ahead of last year. Forty-seven percent of corn reached the dent stage, which is 5 percentage points ahead of last year. One percent of corn has reached maturity, which is 2 percentage points behind last year. Corn condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Soybeans setting pods reached 88 percent, which is 1 percentage point behind last year. Soybean condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Ninety-seven percent of oats have been harvested, which is 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Pasture condition rated 65 percent good to excellent.
The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at https://www.nass.usda.gov/.
Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Unseasonably dry conditions returned to the state with most stations reporting below normal rainfall. A shift to a more seasonal weather pattern brought near normal to slightly warmer conditions across Iowa through the reporting period; the statewide average temperature was 71.1 degrees, 0.5 degree above normal.
A complex of showers and few thunderstorms pushed across southern Iowa through Sunday (16th) afternoon before dissipating in the evening hours. Daytime temperatures were in the upper 70s to low 80s with northerly winds and scattered cloud cover. Rain totals were generally a few tenths of an inch, though Keokuk Lock and Dam (Lee County) reported 0.64 inch while 0.75 inch was observed near Council Bluffs (Pottawattamie County). Foggy conditions developed over portions of the state on Monday (17th) with morning lows from the mid to upper 50s north to low 60s south. Afternoon conditions were pleasant with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s with light winds and ample sunshine. Clouds increased over western Iowa into the early morning hours of Tuesday (18th) as showers crossed into Iowa; moderate to heavy rain fell across the extreme southwest corner after sunrise with additional development in eastern Iowa. Isolated severe-warned storms also fired across portions of northern and eastern Iowa later in the afternoon through sunset along with heavier showers in the southeast. Overall rain totals were highest in the southern corners, with 1.35 inches in Sidney (Fremont County) to 1.47 inches in Augusta (Lee County). Many southern stations observing rainfall also registered amounts in the 0.25- to 0.75-inch range. Wind shifted northerly overnight as a stationary front held across southern Iowa. Another round of stronger thunderstorms moved into southwestern Iowa on Wednesday (19th) morning with thunderstorms firing east to west along the surface boundary through the day; a weak land spout was observed near Marsh (Louisa County) later in the afternoon. Daytime temperatures held in the 70s statewide as clouds cleared and winds shifted northeasterly.
Thursday (20th) was a mostly sunny day for much of the state with stronger southerly winds in western Iowa. Highs stayed in the low 80s with a few showers moving through northeastern Iowa by nighttime. Friday (21st) dawned with temperatures in the 60s, light southerly winds and partly cloudy skies east and foggy conditions west. Conditions warmed into the mid 80s with higher dewpoints and more unstable air in eastern Iowa. A narrow line of thunderstorms, some severe warned, developed later in the afternoon. Several stations registered higher totals from 0.51 inch in Le Claire (Scott County) to 0.62 inch in Camanche (Clinton County). Fog was reported over northern Iowa on Saturday (22nd) morning with morning temperatures ranging from the mid 50s northwest to mid 60s southeast. Winds swung back around northerly as a cold front cleared the state; daytime temperatures were in the upper 70s to low 80s north to south. Starry skies persisted into Sunday (23rd) morning with lows in the 50s.
Weekly rain totals ranged from no measurable amounts at many stations to 2.45 inches in Thurman (Fremont County). The statewide weekly average rainfall was 0.24 inch, while the normal is 0.93 inch. Multiple stations reported the week’s high temperature of 89 degrees on the 17th, 21st and 22nd, on average six degrees above normal. Spencer Municipal Airport (Clay County) reported the week’s low temperature of 47 degrees on the 23rd, 11 degrees below normal.