Some of Iowa’s top tourism executives will be in Guthrie Center next month. Main Street Director Julie Bailey says that the State’s Tourism Manager Shawna Lode and the Director of the Western Iowa Tourism Region Shirley Phillips will provide an overview of the impact tourism has on the city and explore ideas on how to enhance tourism efforts in the community. The public event will take place Tuesday, June 9th at noon at the Guthrie Center Activity Center.

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Earlier this month, MidAmerican Energy announced the largest economic development project in the state’s history. The $2 billion investment will build 48 wind turbines throughout Iowa. State Representative Clel Baudler has had many turbines in his district for years and says he hears good things about them from his constituents. “I got relations that has five of them on his farm, he absolutely loves them. He is not concerned about the property taxes like he was. The Counties that have these are using that money for infrastructure, economic development, a whole raft of things.”

Baudler says the only downside to wind turbines that he notices, is a slight noise they emit.

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A rare, wild animal has been spotted near Menlo. Coon Valley Cooperative has released video captured from a trail camera of a bobcat appearing to stalk a pheasant. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says the once endangered bobcat has enjoyed a rebound in population over the past decade, particularly in the southern and western portions of the state. Bobcats are only slightly stockier and taller than a domestic cat and pose almost no threat to humans. You can find a link to the Menlo bobcat video here: https://www.facebook.com/CoonValleyTelephone/videos/679619768837015/

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Just in time for Memorial Day, the original Freedom Rock, located north of Greenfield, will be receiving its 17th annual coat of paint. Artist Bubba Sorensen says the mural will be finished by Memorial Day and features patriotic elements from several different American military eras. Sorensen is not commissioned for his work in painting the 12-foot tall, 60 ton boulder and works in painting Freedom Rocks all around the state. He will be at the Adair County rock over the holiday weekend to meet with visitors.

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Guthrie County Engineer Josh Sebern has signed a three-year contract to continue his employment, effective July 1st. Sebern has been with the County for six years and says he’s happy in his job. Supervisor Clifford Carney lauded him for leading repairs on approximately 40 bridges and the Board looks forward to seeing what future improvements Sebern’s department can bring to the County’s infrastructure.