An outbreak of crytosporidium, a parasitic disease caused by a protozoan parasite, has closed the Mount Ayr municipal swimming pool for Friday, July 30.

A rumor that the Family Resource Center was closed by the outbreak was not true. A couple of cases of the disease have been found there but the center has not been closed, officials there said.

The protozoa affects the intestinal tract of people, causing a short-term infection that can cause severe diarrhea. A child who came down with the illness had swam at the pool, so the pool was closed as a precaution to keep the bug from spreading.

Protozoa are not killed by the chlorine treatment done in the swimming pool so another chemical has been used to disinfect the pool. Once the chemical balance returns to normal, the pool will be opened again. It is hoped that this will be able to be done by Saturday, July 31.

  Special elections will be held in five Ringgold county communities Tuesday, Aug. 3.

An election to name a member of the Mount Ayr city council will be held in Mount Ayr along with franchise elections  for sewer systems in Benton, Delphos, Redding and Maloy.

The sample ballots for the election are included in today’s Mount Ayr Record-News.

Two names will be on the ballot for the Mount Ayr city council seat. They include Raymond Hensley and Wes Mathany. Hensley is serving as the temporary replacement until the election.

The election is being held to name a replacement for Kirk Greenman to the council. Greenman resigned from the council earlier.

In the franchise elections, the Southern Iowa Rural Water Association is seeking a nonexclusive franchise to construct a sewer utility in each of the communities for a 40-year period.

Absentee voting in the elections is now open.

Elections will be held in each of the five communities on August 3, with polls open from 12 noon to 8 p.m.

  Registration for Ringgold county area schools will be held next week.

Registration in the Diagonal school district will be Monday, Aug. 2. The Mount Ayr Community school district will have registration Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 3-4. Registration in the Clearfield school district will be Thursday, Aug. 5.

Mount Ayr Community district

Registration for students in the Mount Ayr Community school district will be held in the high school commons Tuesday, Aug. 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Fees will be $35 per student for the year and breakfast and lunch tickets will also be payable at this time.

Separate checks will be needed for registration and meal fees.

Those intending to apply for free or reduced meals should bring proof of financial eligibility with them and complete forms at the time of registration. If unable to register on the specified dates, people may register at the elementary office during business hours through August 20.

Registrations made after August 20 will have a $10 per student late charge.

Football t-shirts and Raider clothing will also be sold during registration. 

All high school students are asked to come to the high school anytime during registration to meet with guidance counselor John Larsen about their class schedules for the upcoming year.

If unable to come at this time, call to meet with Larsen before August 18.

Diagonal registration

Registration for Diagonal Community school district students will be held Monday, Aug. 2, from 12 noon to 8 p.m. in the school office.

School lists are out at area stores and packets for free and reduced price lunches will available at registration.

Clearfield registration

Students in the Clearfield Community school district will have registration on Thursday, Aug. 5, in the school office.

The office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day for registration activities.