From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Drought conditions improved in the summer months across the state but then degraded again with a dry fall, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

Iowa ended the year with a statewide average total of 33.60 inches of precipitation, or 1.95 inches below normal. December’s preliminary statewide precipitation was 1.00 inches, or 0.37 inches below normal. The wettest conditions occurred in the southeast this month, bringing some relief to the area.

In 2024, Iowa finally ended a historically lengthy drought, but rainfall deficits remained into the new year. The early months of 2025 were marked by drought and dryness due to these deficits and below-normal rainfall. However, the summer months saw additional wet weather, resulting in drought-free conditions across the state throughout much of the summer and early fall. However, dry conditions returned in the fall, resulting in two drought regions being placed under a drought watch.

Statewide temperatures for the year were just under a degree and a half warmer than normal. The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) shows that by the end of 2025, some areas of Iowa had slipped back into abnormally dry conditions or drought conditions, mostly in northwest and eastern Iowa.  

“The dry start to 2025 subsided after the state experienced above-average rainfall during the summer. Initial concerns about drought expansion eased, leading to the removal of the Iowa Drought Plan Drought Watch designation statewide for a total of five months of the year. However, dry conditions returned in the fall. The state saw below-average rainfall for 2025, but National Weather Service outlooks are stable. Continued normal or above normal precipitation in January and February is important to maintain average conditions in the typically dry winter months,” said Jessica Reese McIntyre, DNR Environmental Specialist.

For a thorough review of Iowa’s water resource trends, visit  www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.

The report is prepared by technical staff from Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR — Hydroscience and Engineering, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.

From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Iowa’s 2025 hunting and fishing licenses expired on Jan. 10. Licenses are available at 650 locations across the state, and online at www.iowadnr.gov/GoOutdoorsIowa.

Iowa’s 2025-26 deer harvest through the late muzzleloader and archery seasons is currently just shy of 100,000, which is an increase of 1% over last year, but 4% lower than the five-year average. Iowa’s deer harvest is available in real time by county at https://gooutdoorsiowa.com/RealTimeHarvestReport.aspx. Iowa’s final two deer seasons — the Population Management January Antlerless Season and the Excess Tag January Antlerless Season — close on Jan. 25.  

While most hunting seasons have closed, there are a few opportunities remaining. The southern Iowa goose zone season closes on Jan. 24; quail, partridge, ruffed grouse and fox and gray squirrel seasons closes on Jan. 31; and rabbit season closes on Feb. 28.

Furbearer seasons close on Feb. 28, except for beaver, which closes on April 15.

Fish Art Contest: The Art of Conservation The Iowa DNR and Wildlife Forever encourages all Iowans ages 5-18 to enter the Iowa Fish Art Contest. Winning submissions will be featured in the DNR building at the 2026 Iowa State Fair. The art must include one or more of the following fish species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Walleye, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Bluegill, Crappie, Iowa Darter and/or Muskellunge. Deadline for submissions is Feb. 28. Only digital submissions are accepted.

The Iowa DNR is scheduling 20 public meetings across the state from March 2-5 to recap hunting seasons, discuss possible regulation changes and to accept feedback. Meeting dates and locations will be announced at the end of January.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Jan. 20 regular meeting of the Guthrie County Supervisors was canceled due to illness. No makeup date was announced. The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 9 a.m.

The supervisors meet regularly on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend in person (at the courthouse) or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#

Special to the Times Vedette

The Panora Chamber of Commerce welcomed three new businesses to the community on Saturday, Jan. 10. 

• The Renew Room, 411 E. Main St., Panora, vagaro.com/therenewroom
• Sunshine Nail Salon, 102 S.E. 13th St., Panora, inside of Restore Wellness Studio, restorewellnessia.com/sunshine-nail-salon
• Wave Wellness, 102 S.E. 13^th, Panora, inside Restore Wellness Studio, www.restorewellnessia.com/wave-wellness

Learn more about the Panora Chamber of Commerce at www.panorachamber.org.

Special to the Times Vedette

On Jan. 16, a total of 10 players participated. Kay Pheppin got four 16s; Lela Schwartz got two 16s; Robert Klever got a 16; Roy Carl got a 16 and an 18; and Dick Ellis sunk in a 20 at the last minute.

On Jan. 19, a total of seven players participated. Sandy Rumelhart got two 20s; Wayne Nickel and Robert Klever each got a 16.

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.