A Mount Ayr teenager was killed and another one injured in a traffic accident Saturday morning following the Mount Ayr Community high school homecoming celebration.

Konner Evan Klommhaus, 15, was pronounced dead at the scene of a single car accident on 290th Street, a dirt road, just west of the intersection with 215th Street some five miles south of Mount Ayr.

Also seriously injured in the accident was Erik Joseph Freed, 15, of Redding, the passenger in the vehicle.

Both passengers were ejected from the car in the accident, which happened at approximately 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning, according to the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office, which is leading the investigation.

According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, the cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Family began searching for the youth when they did not arrive home from the homecoming dance. Klommhaus and Freed were sophomores at Mount Ayr Community high school.

First  Responders, Mount Ayr Fire Department, Ringgold County Ambulance personnel all responded to emergency calls to help at the scene.

Freed was transported to Ringgold County Hospital by ambulance and later flown by Mercy One to Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.

Several members of the football team, of which Freed is a player, gathered at the hospital in support of their injured teammate.

Word of the tragedy spread quickly through the school community, which had dealt with the death of a schoolmate at the elementary school on the final day of the 2010-11 school year.

The Mount Ayr Community Raiderette volleyball team dropped out of the Bedford tournament Saturday because of the tragedy.

Counselors were on hand Monday to help students deal with the loss of their classmate.

Word was that Freed might be released from the hospital later this week, if he continued to improve, after injuries suffered from the impact.

Funeral services were set for Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. at the Mount Ayr Community high school gymnasium for Klommhaus, the son of Debbie Klommhaus and Kory Klommhaus of Mount Ayr.

An obituary is included in today’s Mount Ayr Record-News.

  Claire Andresen was crowned queen and Matt Sobotka crowned king of the Mount Ayr Community high school homecoming activities this past week.

“Raider Strong” was the theme for the homecoming activities, which began with dress up days during the week and ended with the homecoming dance Friday night following the football victory over Wayne.

Another spirit building event early in the week was the hall decoration contest. Placings for this contest included first for the seniors, second for the juniors, third for the sophomores and fourth for the freshmen.

The jersey auction held Thursday night raised $4,540 for the high school football program, after a meal served by the Friends of Football organization.

The queen coronation was then held where Andresen, daughter of Lyle and Stacey Andresen of Kellerton was crowned queen.

Other candidates included Megan Doubleday, daughter of Mike Doubleday and Christine Doubleday of Mount Ayr; Taylor Lynch, daughter of Deb and Bill Lynch of Redding;  Amanda Perigo, daughter of Roland and Fran Jackson of Mount  Ayr and Tim Perrigo of Omaha, NE, and Katelyn Warin, daughter of Joe and Donna Warin of Maloy.

Crowning the queen was last year’s homecoming queen Rebecca Pennington.

Following the queen coronation the powder puff football teams played to a 7-7 tie in a game on the high school gymnasium floor. That was followed by a senior parents’ skit

The evening was capped with the coronation of Sobotka, son of Gary and Darla Sobotka of Mount Ayr, as homecoming king.

Other king candidates include Harley Hamilton, son of Chad and Tina Bounds of Redding; Matt Kerns, son of Steven and Becky Kerns of Clearfield; Dustin Lyden, son of David and Annette Lyden of Diagonal; Dustin Pritchett, son of Richard and Michelle Jackson of Kellerton and Shaun Pritchett of Delaware, and Alex Sobotka, son of Gary and Darla Sobotka of Mount Ayr.

Crowning the king was last year’s homecoming king David Showalter.

Princess and prince for the crowning ceremonies were Hannah Russo, daughter of Mike and Danise Russo of Kellerton, and Colton Dredge, son of Clint and Allison Dredge of Mount Ayr. 

Activities begin Friday afternoon with the homecoming parade.

Named as winners of the three divisions of the parade were:

Class floats: 1. Seniors class; 2. junior class; 3. sophomore class; 4. freshman class.

School organizations: 1. Sites For Learning Little Raider cheerleaders; 2. Little Raider Preschool; 3. Sites For Learning Little Raider football teams.

Community: 1. Lynn’s Sinclair; 2. Great Western Bank; tie for 3. U. S. Bank and Clearview Homes.

The winning senior float was on display at the football game.

The parade ended up back at the school football field for the pep rally for the school and community. There was a slime contest with secondary principal Ken Harrison receiving the bath of red jello.

Spirit awards for the week were announced at the pep rally. Winners for the activities of the week was the senior class.

At the high school football game halftime the Sparks drill team and the Mount Ayr Community high school marching band  performed. The queen and court and parents were also recognized.

The Mount Ayr Community Raiders won the football game 35-6 over the Wayne Community Falcons.

Following the football game, a homecoming dance was held in the high school commons with music by student council members serving as disc jockeys.

  Kickoff to the fall season in Ringgold county comes each year with the annual Beggar’s Bash in Mount Ayr.

The Halloween preview, now in its 11th year, will be held Sunday, Oct. 2, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Judge Lewis Park in Mount Ayr.

More than 50 groups set up booths around the walking track in the park to hand out treats. There will be games and rides as well.

There is a nominal $1 admission fee for all those attending, with the proceeds going to the Support Our Schools organization.

People are invited to dress up and take the walk around the park, share in the treats and have a good family time.

Each year 800 people or more take part in the big event.

  A plan for new entrance signs for the city, questions about city garbage and recycling service, purchase of a new Bobcat, moving ahead to seek a grant to aid the drinking water project and more were handled by the Mount Ayr city council at its meeting Monday night.

New entrance signs

The entrance signs to the city of Mount Ayr need to be redesigned and rebuilt, a committee of local residents has determined.

Michell Ricker was on hand at the council meeting Monday night to suggest a plan for getting the signs replaced.

She said she felt a South Central Iowa Community Foundation grant could be obtained to pay two-thirds of the cost of the project and that the Mount Ayr Chamber of Commerce said it would be willing to split the rest of the cost with the city of Mount Ayr. An early estimate of the cost is $10,000.

The signs would be placed again in locations on the east and west edge of town where current signs are located so that new permission would not need to be sought from the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Ricker is also suggesting that the signs be lit at night as a welcome to the city.

As the council talked, it was mentioned that a suggestion had been made to try to develop an archway through which traffic would be invited to the square from Highway 2 and 169 up Taylor Street. This would be another possibility explored by the committee, it was noted.

The committee, which also includes Lisa Conklin, Burt Murphy, Brad Elliott and Doug Roeher and possibly other members, will review suggestions for signs and develop three proposals to take to the chamber of commerce.

The signs chosen by the chamber would then be brought to the city council for a final approval before work moved forward, the council was told.

Council members endorsed the plan, asking the committee to move forward with its plans and pledging their share of the cost for the project.

  A special election to issue general obligation bonds to provide for work on county sealcoat roads was set, a canvass of the school election reported, department head training held, ADA approved doors discussed and courthouse security reviewed as part of the Ringgold county board of supervisors meetings this past week.

Road election set

A special election on bonding for $9 million to allow work on sealcoat roads in the county will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8, along with the city elections.

That was the decision of the supervisors as a way to try to get ahead of maintenance issues on county roads.

The alternative to the bonding would be to gradually allow all sealcoat roads to go back to gravel surfaces over time.

An article detailing the program will be included in next week’s Mount Ayr Record-News.

The question that will be put to voters in the election will be:

Shall the county of Ringgold, state of Iowa, issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding the amount of $9,000,000 for the purpose of a major secondary roads restoration project that will pave approximately 25 miles of roadway and resurface approximately 26 miles of roadway with sealcoat, with the monies obtained from the sale of said bonds to be used to pay labor and material costs for said construction, including costs to prepare the roadways, roadway sub-bases and roadway culverts, and with said general obligation bonds to be payable over a period of up to 15 years?

The measure will be public measure L on the ballot.

The measure must receive at least a 60 percent majority in the vote to be passed.

  “Raider Strong” is the theme for the Mount Ayr Community high school homecoming activities, which come have the culminating activities today (Thursday) and Friday.

Tonight a supper, jersey auction, king and queen coronation, power puff football game and skits are planned

Friday will include the parade, pep rally, Band Boosters cookout, football game and homecoming dance.

Activities will get underway Thursday night with a supper served by the Friends of Football at 5:30 p.m. in the high school commons.

At 6:45 p.m. the football jersey auction will begin as activity moves into the high school gymnasium for the rest of the evening. Funds raised go to help the football program.

The queen coronation will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Queen candidates include Claire Andresen, daughter of Lyle and and Stacey Andresen of Kellerton; Megan Doubleday, daughter of Mike and Christine Doubleday of Mount Ayr; Taylor Lynch, daughter of Deb and Bill Lynch of Redding;  Amanda Perigo, daughter of Roland and Fran Jackson of Mount  Ayr and Tim Perrigo of Omaha, NE, and Katelyn Warin, daughter of Joe and Donna Warin of Maloy.

Following the queen coronation there will be a skit and the powder puff football game between high school grades. The senior parents’ skit will be followed by the king coronation.

King candidates include Harley Hamilton, son of Chad and Tina Bounds of Redding; Matt Kerns, son of Steven and Becky Kerns of Clearfield; Dustin Lyden, son of David and Annette Lyden of Diagonal; Dustin Pritchett, son of Richard and Michelle Jackson of Kellerton and Shaun Pritchett of Delaware, and Alex Sobotka, son of Gary and Darla Sobotka of Mount Ayr.

Princess and prince for the crowning ceremonies will be Hannah Russo, daughter of Mike and Danise Russo of Kellerton, and Colton Dredge, son of Clint and Allison Dredge of Mount Ayr. 

Activities begin Friday with the homecoming parade at 1:30 p.m. The parade will organize two blocks north of the Mount Ayr square, come around the square and then head back to the school for the pep rally for the school and community, which  will be held at the football field at 2:15 p.m. There will be a faculty pie in the face contest as part of the festivities.

School will be dismissed at 3:10 p.m. for the day.

A Mount Ayr Community Band Booster cookout will be held before the football game at 7 p.m. with Wayne.

At halftime the Sparks drill team and the Mount Ayr Community high school marching band will be performing. The queen and court and parents will also be recognized as part of the halftime ceremonies.

Following the football game, a homecoming dance will be held in the high school commons with music by student council members serving as disc jockeys.

  Plans are underway for the annual Ringgold county CROP hunger walk to be held Sunday, Sept. 25, at 1:30 p.m. beginning at Judge Lewis Park in Mount Ayr.

Following the registration the actual walk will begin at 2 p.m. and will go through Mount Ayr this year.

The walk is held to raise awareness about people around the world who must walk to find food, firewood, freedom and other necessities of life and raise funds to help stop hunger wherever it exists.

Of the money raised by the effort in Ringgold county, one-fourth goes to local food projects like the food pantry at the Neighborhood Center while the rest goes to Church World Service or other designated relief agencies.

  In the only school election race Tuesday, Mount Ayr Community voters chose Chris Eaton to represent director district 1 for the next four years.

In other school board seats in Mount Ayr Community, Diagonal and Clearfield districts, there were no races and those on the ballot were elected.

All candidates were elected to four-year terms.

Mount Ayr Community district

In the Mount Ayr Community school district, Martha Ricker received 93 votes to 182 votes for write-in candidate Chris Eaton.

In director district 3, Patricia (P. J.) West was re-elected, receiving 250 votes.

Brandi Shay received 261 votes to be re-elected as an at-large candidate for the school board.

A total of sine 275 voters went to the polls in Tuesday’s election. All results are unofficial pending the canvass of the election.

Diagonal Community district

In the Diagonal Community district, all three seats up for election were at-large positions with those on the ballot being elected.

James Strange received 43 votes, Pamela R. Grace received 43 votes and Becky Stamps received 43 votes.

Clearfield Community district

In the Clearfield Community district, all three seats up for election were also at-large positions.

Bob Cameron received 20 votes, Becky Kerns received 24 votes and Chris Knox received 23 votes.

There were 24 voters taking part in this election.

Passage of new board policies, building projects, and financial information comprised the bulk of the agenda of the Mount Ayr Community school board of directors’ meeting held Monday, Sept. 12.

New Policies

The board adopted a series of policy updates, including the second reading of a new district employee technology policy. That policy outlines expectations and guidelines for employee use of  district technology, including email, internet, hardware and software. The district’s technology committee had reviewed the policy and recommended its adoption.

Another new policy passed its first reading. The board intends to offer an early retirement incentive again this year. A sample policy presented by superintendent Joe Drake set the eligibility requirements and financial incentives for long-term employees who are reaching retirement age. 

In summary, eligible employees would need to have worked in the Mount Ayr Community district for a minimum of 10 consecutive years, be age 55 or older by June 30, 2012, and inform administration of  their intention to retire by January 6, 2012. 

Financially, the district would award retirees a one-time payment in September. This sum would be calculated from the district salary schedule in this way: the salary at the employee’s education lane and experience step minus the salary at Step 5 in the same lane will equal the lump sum benefit. Extra duty and extended contract pay will not be included in the calculation. The policy would also allow the retiree to remain on the district’s health insurance plan at the employee’s expense until age 65. 

The board will vote to formally adopt the early retirement incentive policy at its second reading next month.

Superintendent Drake said there are three good reasons to offer an early retirement incentive on occasion. 

First, it acts a “pat on the back” for those long-term employees who have dedicated themselves to the district. Second, the retirement of long-time employees will save considerable money in the long term. In fact, the district can often save more than the incentive costs in the first year alone. 

Third, the early announcement of a retirement can help administration as it plans its upcoming budget. Knowledge of savings from a pending retirement can offset a possible need to cut staff or programs for the coming year.

A number of more routine policies recommended by the Iowa Association of School Boards were also adopted at the meeting. An update to the open meetings/public records policy included a paragraph that allows public access to information about an employee’s disciplinary discharge from service. The policy also clarified that a board may go into closed session to discuss sale of property if open discussion could potentially reduce the price of the property.

Another policy update concerned access to student records. Under the adopted guidelines, parents may view surveillance videotapes (such as bus behavior incidents) of their own student without consent from parents of other students in the tape. The other students, however, must be merely bystanders and not directly involved in the incident. 

In the case of mass participation in an incident, consent must be received from all parents of students involved.  

  A wide-ranging agenda was handled by the Mount Ayr city council at its meeting held Tuesday, Sept. 7, a day later than normal because of the Labor Day holiday.

The council looked at annexation of Loch Ayr again, only to not have enough members voting to reach an agreement, pulled back from a planned increase in the service fee for turning water service back on after it was shut off because of unpaid bills, talked about doing some cement work on the side of the street in front of Jamie’s Coffee Mill and Deli and many more items in the lengthy meeting.

A closed session to follow the open meeting brought about a decision to terminate the employment of Barry Schuster, who doctors say can no longer handle some of the city job requirements. Schuster is the last of the union employees in the city employ.

The council also set a date for a city-wide cleanup, dealt with a minimum water bill waiver request and talked about water and sewer issues at the meeting.

Annexation proposal dies again

Resolutions to set public hearing dates on the matter of voluntary annexation of a 50-foot strip  property linking Mount Ayr with Loch Ayr and the Loch Ayr property had a second strike out Tuesday night.

A motion was made to set a public hearing on the measure for Monday, Sept. 19, by Jim Feeback and Wes Mathany seconded it this time.

When it came time to vote, however, Gerald Cannon  abstained “until he could get more information on what the  annexation would do” and Mack Greene abstained, saying as a property renter he did not want to get into trouble by voting on a Loch Ayr issue.

As council member Brent Ricker was not present, the vote was a 2-2 tie.

City attorney Richard Wilson told mayor Don Solliday that he felt Solliday was authorized to vote on a matter in case of a tie, but Solliday said that was not his understanding and declined to vote.

The measure did not pass because there was not a majority of the members present voting for it.

  Next week is Homecoming week at Mount Ayr Community high school and the theme is “Raider Strong.”

Many of the traditional activities will be included such as Thursday night’s supper, jersey auction, king and queen coronation, power puff football game and skits.

Friday will include the parade, pep rally, Band Boosters cookout, football game and homecoming dance.

Events will begin Monday, Sept. 19, with the first of five dress up days.

The theme for Monday will be “They’ll Never See Us Coming.” Dressing up will be camo, ninja or anything else stealthy.

Tuesday will have  the theme “Dress Up and Support Our Troops.” Everyone is asked to dress up to support the cross country runners and volleyball team.

Wednesday will be “Strength in Numbers” day. The idea is to forget twins, more is better. Groups are invited to dress alike for the day.

Thursday is “LiveStrong to Make the RaiderStrong” day. Everyone is asked to wear yellow that day.

Friday is “Raider Spirit” day with everyone dressing up in Raider colors.

Activities will get underway Thursday night with a supper served by the Friends of Football at 5:30 p.m. in the high school commons.

At 6:45 p.m. the football jersey auction will begin as activity moves into the high school gymnasium for the rest of the evening. Funds raised go to help the football program.

The queen coronation will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Queen candidates include Claire Andresen, daughter of Lyle and and Stacey Andresen of Kellerton; Megan Doubleday, daughter of Mike and Christine Doubleday of Mount Ayr; Taylor Lynch, daughter of Deb and Bill Lynch of Redding;  Amanda Perigo, daughter of Rollin and Fran Jackson of Mount  Ayr and Tim Perrigo of Omaha, NE, and Katelyn Warin, daughter of Joe and Donna Warin of Maloy.

Following the queen coronation there will be a skit and the powder puff football game between high school grades. The senior parents’ skit will be followed by the king coronation.

King candidates include Harley Hamilton, son of Chad and Tina Bounds of Redding; Matt Kerns, son of Steven and Becky Kerns of Clearfield; Dustin Lyden, son of David and Annette Lyden of Diagonal; Dustin Pritchett, son of Richard and Michelle Jackson of Kellerton and Shaun and Mary Pritchett of Delaware, and Alex Sobotka, son of Gary and Darla Sobotka of Mount Ayr.

Prince and princess for the crowning ceremonies will be Hannah Russo, son of Mike and Danise Russo of Kellerton, and Colton Dredge, son of Clint and Allison Dredge of Mount Ayr. 

Activities begin Friday with the homecoming parade at 1:30 p.m. The parade will organize two blocks north of the Mount Ayr square, come around the square and then head back to the school for the pep rally for the school and community, which  will be held at the football field at 2:15 p.m. There will be a faculty pie in the face contest as part of the festivities.

School will be dismissed at 3:10 p.m. for the day.

A Mount Ayr Community Band Booster cookout will be held before the football game at 7 p.m. with Wayne.

At halftime the Sparks drill team and the Mount Ayr Community high school marching band will be performing. The queen and court and parents will also be recognized as part of the halftime ceremonies.

Following the football game, a homecoming dance will be held in the high school commons with music by student council members serving as disc jockeys.

    Voters will go to the polls Tuesday, Sept. 13, to choose members for the school boards in Ringgold county area school districts.
    Mount Ayr Community and Diagonal voters will also be choosing a representative to the Southwestern Community College board of directors.
    Sample ballots are included inside today’s Mount Ayr Record-News to help voters have a chance to view the ballots prior to going to the voting places.
Mount Ayr Community district
    In the Mount Ayr Community school district, three spots on the school board are available.
    In director district 1 Martha Ricker is running unopposed on the ballot, but Chris Eaton has announced a write-in campaign for this post.
    In director district 3 Patricia (P.J.) West is running unopposed. In the at large district, Brandi Shay is running unopposed.
    The directors will serve four year terms on the school board.
    All participating voters in the Mount Ayr Community school district will vote for  all three district posts. Voting will be done in the Ringgold county courthouse lobby between noon and 8 p.m.
Diagonal Community district
    In the Diagonal Community district, all three seats up for election are at-large positions and all run for four years.
    On the ballot are James Strange, Pamela R. Grace and Becky Stamps.
    Voting will be done in the Diagonal Community Building from noon to 8 p.m.
Clearfield Community district
    In the Clearfield Community district, all three seats up for election are also at-large positions that run for four years.
    On the ballot there are Bob Cameron, Becky Kerns and Chris Knox.
SWCC board
    Voters will choosing a director in director district number seven for the Southwestern Community College board to fill a vacancy.
    Cindy Cox is running unopposed for a four year term on the board to represent this area.

    Iowa Workforce Development is rapidly deploying access points across the state to bring workforce services closer to Iowans while closing some of the regional offices that have served the state.
     “The access point system provides Iowans with the opportunity to utilize workforce services in a convenient location close to home,” indicated Iowa Workforce Development director Teresa Wahlert.  “With over 135 access points, 16 regional centers and three satellite offices we have more than doubled our access for Iowans and we will continue adding locations throughout the year.”
    Ringgold county currently has one of the access points at the Neighborhood Center in Mount Ayr at 202 N. Taylor Street. There is one desktop set up located there.
     Continually updated information on access points is available at www.iowaworkforce.org in the announcements section. Individuals can connect with a workforce professional at (866) 239-0843 or live chat at an access point.  
    The access is available from 8 a.m.  to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.  Staff members will continue to be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday within the regional centers and satellite offices.
     Iowa’s redefined workforce will have greater availability to the public with evening and weekend hours, something not available in the current delivery model.  Additionally, IWD will continue to enhance technology based services throughout the new system for the benefit of all clients.
    Iowa Workforce Development and partners, provide comprehensive workforce services within the 16 integrated IowaWORKS offices.  24/7 access to employment services, unemployment filings, job postings and more is available at www.iowaworkforce.org.

    The Ringgold County Development Corporation has been working with the Iowa Workforce Development regional research bureau to complete a laborshed employment study for the Ringgold county area.
    This study will develop the potential labor force from which the Ringgold county area employers draw their employees based upon commuting patterns into the region. The study will assist existing and potential new businesses in better understanding the areas labor force and characteristics regardless of political boundaries.
    The area’s laborshed boundary is based on the place of residence of individuals working in the Ringgold county area. For the success of this study, employers are being asked to provide aggregate counts of their employees by ZIP code by place of residence. This reporting will give us a good understanding of where each community’s worker force resides.
    Once that laborshed area is determined, a confidential household telephone survey will be conducted in those areas. The questions will cover topics like employment status, wages, benefits, education and occupation.
    Survey results will then be applied to demographic data to develop a total potential labor force for the laborshed as well as estimates for various labor force characteristics.
    The results for each county and regional analysis will be available at http://iowaworkforce.org/lmi/labsur/index.html.
    Anyone with questions about the laborshed employment study project can contact Ryan Murphy at 515-281-7505 or Karen Bender at the Ringgold County Development Office at 464-3704.