The Lobe Rangers, a nonpartisan group of three Iowa farmers, will open one of their farms to the public on Saturday, July 25, for a free field day built on a simple idea: show what already works with conservation farming and water quality.

Luther College recently announced that Natalie Brandenburg of Lake Mills was among the students named to the spring 2026 Dean's List. To be named to the Dean's List, a student must earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.

Brinley Miller of Forest City and Maverick Ray of Thompson won the titles of Little Miss and Mr. Winnebago County Fair during last week’s fair in Thompson. Brinley is the daughter of Ross and Chelsea Miller, and Maverick is the son of Kelli Hill and Jacob Ray.

All 15 contestants made an impression on the judges, with each of the kids receiving a special title.

Aubrey Olson is living out a longtime dream after taking the crown as the 2026 Winnebago County Fair Queen. Olson was crowned on the first evening of the fair, Wednesday, July 15, by 2025 Fair Queen Emma Eichenberger.

“It’s really exciting,” said Olson. “I am so happy, because this has been a goal of mine for a long time to be up here standing in front of everyone.”

It’s a milestone year for Forest City’s Puckerbrush Days celebration, which kicks off its 40th annual event on Friday, July 17. 

Buffalo Center’s annual Bison Days community celebration is next weekend, July 24-26, and most of the activities will be held in Lions Park this year.

About 90 runners and walkers came out on an already warm morning at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 11 for the annual July Jubilee 5K in Lake Mills. The contest featured medalists in 14 divisions, as well as the overall winner, which was Gavin Grunhovd with a time of 16:29. He was followed across the finish line by Knute Rogne in second and Justin Rygh in third.

Siblings Ami’jay and Alanna Unseld are the 2026 July Jubilee Little Mr. and Ms. in Lake Mills, as the pair was crowned during the downtown community night on Friday, July 10. Ami’jay, age five, completed 4-year-old preschool this spring, while his sister Alanna, age seven, recently completed first grade. They are the children of Allen Unseld and Chelsey Adams and Anna Zarro.

The Forest City City Council on Monday, July 6 approved a resolution to commit $5,000 to be used as matching funds for a Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant application for the Friends of Bear Creek fundraising project.

Mary Walk was at Thompson Public Library on Thursday the 8th and presented the library with the book “I Love Blueberries” by Shannon Anderson. Walk, from the Winnebago County Farm Bureau, also planted flower seeds with the kids.

The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, July 7 were presented with a quarterly report from Winnebago County Veterans Affairs.

Mary Lou Kleveland, Nationally Accredited Veteran Service Officer for Winnebago County Veterans Affairs gave the report.

Do you have an interesting or unusual treasure stashed in the back of your closet or in the attic? The Buffalo Center Historical Society will host a version of the Antiques Roadshow on Sunday, July 26, at 2 p.m., in conjunction with Bison Days in Buffalo Center. 

Hello from Timely Mission! This week was filled with fun, creativity, and plenty of opportunities for residents to spend time together.

10 Years Ago – Tribune Files of July 13, 2016

Bud Jermeland of Forest City is making his debut performance with BrickStreet Theatre. Jermeland, age 67, has never been in a play or worked on anything for a stage production of a play.