Special to the Times Vedette
Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Matt Losee reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on Sept. 2 at 5:50 p.m. on 330thStreet. Alan Diaz Hernandez, 19, of Stuart, was driving a 2021 Nissan NV 2500 traveling westbound when he overcorrected the vehicle and entered the south ditch before coming to rest on the vehicles driver’s side. Estimated damage to the Nissan is $20,000. No citations were issued.
Special to the Times Vedette
Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Taylor Wheatley reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on Aug. 28 at 2:02 p.m. John Robert Beer, 67, of Panora, was driving a 1996 Chevy K1500 traveling westbound when he failed to obey traffic control devices of the Iowa DOT vehicles, signs and cones signaling vehicles to move over. Beer caused damage to recently poured DOT concrete. Estimated damage to the concrete is $2,000. Beer was issued a citation for failure to obey traffic control devices.
Special to the Times Vedette
Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Josh Armstrong reported a motorcycle accident occurring on Aug. 27 at 10:10 p.m. on 280th Road. William Joseph Lefleuer, 19, of Adel, was driving a 2025 Suzuki motorcycle south on 280th Road when he encountered two dogs in the roadway. Lefleur was not able to come to a complete stop, laying the motorcycle down on its right side. Lefleur had minor scrapes on his right shoulder, arm and hip. The dogs were uninjured. Estimated damage to the motorcycle is $1,501.
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.
“The first week of September was one of the hottest on record, setting up some muggy conditions for attendees at the Farm Progress Show. As we headed into the Labor Day weekend, parts of northern Iowa received much-needed rainfall that will help chip away at longer-term soil moisture deficits,” Secretary Naig said. “Farmers are busy chopping silage and preparing for harvest as we wait for corn and soybeans to dry down and fully mature. We’re keeping an eye on the outlooks, which show more seasonal temperatures and better chances of rainfall as we move into mid-September.”
There were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sept. 6, 2026. This is 0.4 days less than last year, when there were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 23 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 24 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Ninety-six percent of Iowa’s corn crop has reached the dough stage, which is unchanged from last year. Seventy-nine percent of corn reached the dent stage, which is 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Seventeen percent of corn has reached maturity, which is 7 percentage points behind last year. Corn condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Six percent of soybeans are dropping leaves, which is 4 percentage points behind last year. Soybean condition rated 75 percent good to excellent. Oat harvest has largely concluded, which is slightly ahead of last year. Pasture condition rated 64 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
The weather headline for the reporting period was unseasonably hot temperatures, producing one of the warmest starts to September on record. Conditions across Iowa’s southern half were 12 to 15 degrees above normal with slightly cooler conditions north due to more cloud cover and rainfall. The statewide average temperature was 79.8 degrees, 11.1 degrees above normal.
Showers and a few thunderstorms continued across eastern Iowa into Sunday (30th) afternoon. There was a broad range of afternoon temperatures, from the low 90s southwest to upper 70s northeast. Rain totals were generally between 0.25 to 0.50 inch with pockets of higher totals in the northeast; McGregor (Clayton County) observed 0.50 inch with 0.58 inch in Marion (Linn County). Winds shifted southwesterly overnight into Monday (31st) with morning lows in the upper 60s to mid 70s north to south. A few scattered showers moved through Iowa during the late morning hours, though totals were light and isolated. Daytime conditions were mostly sunny with mid to upper 80s over northern Iowa and low to mid 90s across the southern part of Iowa. Overnight lows bottomed out in the upper 60s and low 70s with areas of fog due to light winds, clear skies and high dewpoints. Afternoon conditions on Tuesday (1st) were similar to the previous day with winds turning easterly across western Iowa as a strong disturbance rode a strong ridge that was in place over the southern United States. Strong thunderstorms pushed into northwestern Iowa after sunset, with some cells becoming severe and tornado-warned; no tornadoes were observed but there were several strong wind gusts with a 81-mph reading in Hawarden (Sioux County) and 87-mph gust in Britt (Hancock County). Northwest stations collected the highest amounts with 1.00 inch in Orange City (Sioux County), 1.72 inches in Rock Rapids (Lyon County), and 2.00 inches in Le Mars (Plymouth County). Thunderstorms continued from north-central into eastern Iowa through much of Wednesday (2nd) with daytime temperatures from the mid 80s north to upper 90s south. Northern Iowa received the most rain with 0.80 inch in Lake Mills (Winnebago County) to a 1.12-inch report in Lake Park (Dickinson County).
Scattered thunderstorms developed into Thursday (3rd) from southwest to northeast Iowa with morning lows in the 70s and southerly winds. Rainfall dissipated by the late afternoon hours with general totals under a few tenths of an inch with higher totals in west-central Iowa; Schleswig (Crawford County) recorded 0.65 inch while 1.10 inches was observed in Sac City (Sac County). Clouds held from central to northeast Iowa through Friday (4th) with isolated thunderstorms firing later in the day. Some of the storms were severe-warned along the Iowa-Wisconsin border where large hail and gusty winds were observed. Two stations in Allamakee County, Monona and Postville, observed 1.03 and 1.14 inches of rainfall, respectively. A complex of thunderstorms fired along an existing outflow boundary and moved into northwest Iowa before sunrise on Saturday (5th). Several stations reported more than 1.00 inch of rainfall before the disturbance dissipated; Rock Rapids (Lyon County) had 1.60 inches with 1.88 inches in Massena (Cass County). Daytime conditions were quiet with upper 70s north to low 90s south under easterly winds. Compared to the last several mornings, Sunday (6th) dawned with cooler temperatures, in the mid to upper 60s east, with mostly cloudy skies and widespread fog.
Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no measurable amounts at multiple southern stations to 3.05 inches in Sioux Center (Sioux County). The statewide weekly average rainfall was 0.37 inch, while the normal is 0.88 inch. Donnelson (Lee County) and Lamoni (Decatur County) reported the week’s high temperature of 100 degrees on the 1st and 3rd, respectively, on average eight degrees above normal. Lake Park reported the week’s low temperature of 47 degrees on the 24th, 12 degrees below normal.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The Panorama High School homecoming parade will begin at 2:15 p.m. today, Sept. 11. The pep rally will follow at 3 p.m. at the football field. The homecoming theme is “Panorama Nights.” Come out, enter the parade, decorate your business or simply help cheer on the Panthers.
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.
Dan Tallman recently suffered significant damage to his home in a fire, so a benefit meal will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16 to benefit him. The meal will include choice of hamburger or hot dog, chips and a cookie for a freewill donation ($10 per meal is suggested). The event will be held at Riverside Park on School Street (near the high school football field).
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.
Join Panora First Christian Church for their Second Annual Vendor Fair and Car Show and Shine. The vendor fair is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The car show is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Baked goods and home-canned items will be available. Walking tacos will be available for lunch. The quilt raffle will feature two quilts — first ticket drawn gets first pick. Stop by, shop the vendors, check out the cars, grab lunch and enjoy the day.
The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Department Badge Bowl co-ed 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. 16. Cost is $30 per kid. Those interested in watching the Badge Bowl games can attend for free. No concession stands will be open. The time of the games is yet to be determined. More details can be found on the Facebook page of the Guthrie County Sheriff.
Everyone is invited to attend Thursday, Sept. 24, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the 5 x 80 Club House in Menlo. This year’s gathering will celebrate a special milestone as Adair and Guthrie counties commemorate their 175th anniversaries. Attendees will enjoy complimentary appetizers with beverages available for purchase. Each community is encouraged to submit a historic photo and a current Main Street photo to showcase the growth and character of our towns through the years. There will also be a community-themed trivia night game. For more details, go to www.midwestpartnership.com.
Panora Public Library will host author Ann Hanigan Kotz’s presentation about suffrage and World War I, 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 25. See more details on the free event and sign up at https://panora-ia.whofi.com/calendar/event/5733429?method=embed or call the library, 641-755-2529.
Saturday, Sept. 26 is Statewide Volunteer Day at many of Iowa’s state parks and forests. Springbrook State Park (2437 160th Road, Guthrie Center) welcomes anyone to come help from 10 a.m. to noon that day. Volunteers will help remove invasive plant species from pollinator plots in the park. Attendees are encouraged to wear boots and gloves, and to bring water, pruners (if available), sunscreen, and bug spray as needed.
Grab your flannel and shop Panora from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wear a flannel and shop participating businesses for chances to win a $125 local gift card prize package. Businesses interested in participating should contact sarah@tribeclothingboutique.com.
Kile Jackson will be playing live music from 4-6 p.m. at the Independent Living campus at The New Homestead on Sunday, Sept. 27. The event is free, and the public is welcome to bring a lawn chair and a favorite beverage. Apartment tours will also be offered.
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.
The Panora Public Library will host a presentation by Barry Grove at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 5. Grove will tell about the daily experiences of a Civil War soldier. For more details or to sign up, contact library staff or call 641-755-2529.
Start Thanksgiving morning with a scenic 3-mile run/walk along the South Shore Trail at Lake Panorama beginning at 8 a.m. All ages and fitness levels are welcome. $35 Early Bird Registration is available, with price increases starting Nov. 1. Pre-registered participants will get SWAG. Register at https://raceroster.com/events/2026/139987/reshape-fitness-studio-turkey-trot.
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.
Send your event information to rich@gctimesnews.com.