YEAR IN REVIEW: A look back at 2019 in Ringgold County
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With the new year less than a week away, we present a look back on the events found in the pages of the Record-News over the past year.
This week we focus on January through June. The months July through December will be featured next week.
January
Plans are revealed to construct a Veterans Memorial on the northwest corner of the courthouse square.
Controversy surrounds a presentation by the Becker Foundation at Mount Ayr Community High School.
The continued vacancy in the position of County engineer prompts a letter to the Ringgold County supervisors from the Iowa Department of Transportation.
Myles Greene sets new Raider basketball records for single-game assists and career assists.
Ringgold County receives nearly 10 inches of snow in a mid-month storm.
Dr. Dwain Crane retires after nearly 25 years in local practice.
ShopKo Stores Operating Company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, leaving the future of the local ShopKo outlet in limbo.
Lori Friedman, PhD, a 1982 MAC grad, is featured in a cover story in a national professional journal.
Near-record cold temperatures grip the county at the end of the month.
February
Newest inductees are announced for the Mount Ayr Community Schools All of Fame: the 1963 football team, Carey Crowsson, Duane Miller, and Jerry Waugh.
Hy-Vee purchases the ShopKo pharmacy.
Raiderette basketball coach Thad Streit notches his 200th career win.
The local ShopKo store announces a May 5 closing date.
Bryce Shaha, Josh Cox, and Trae Ehlen, advance to the state wrestling tournament.
The Dragoon Trace Nature Center receives the Iowa Tourism Award for Outstanding Attraction.
MacKenzie Shields, Ryann Martin, and Lindsey Jennett will perform at the Iowa State Girls Basketball Tournament as members of the All-Iowa Honor Dance Team.
A survey seeks public input on a proposed wellness center.
March
Author Delmar Burkitt pays a surprise visit to the MACHS performance of his play, “Miss Teen, Beauty Queen.”
Windstream Holdings, a telecommunications company that serves much of Ringgold County, announces its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
Major water distribution system upgrade project gets underway.
Ringgold County supervisors hire Don Staley as interim County engineer.
Mount Ayr school superintendent Joe Drake announces his intention to retire at the conclusion of the current school year.
April
The Peggy Whitson Commemorative Rock is officially dedicated.
The Mount Ayr city council, the Ringgold County board of supervisors, and other county agencies to cooperate to seek a county economic development director.
Latest property tax assessments surprise many landowners.
MACHS holds its junior-senior prom, “A Black-Tie Affair.”
Ringgold County Hospital welcomes three new emergency room physicians: Dr. Angie Kershner, Dr. Faroon Fehet, and Dr. Patricia Fasbender.
An Ottumwa-based motorcycle club donates new body armor for K-9 Heky, the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office patrol dog.
Elsie Schafer and Hannah Jackson are co-recipients of the Arion Award, presented annually to the top music students at Mount Ayr Community High School.
May
After 50 years, the Ringgold Singers hold their final performance.
Latest population estimates show Ringgold County dipping below 5,000 residents for first time in history.
The Mount Ayr Raider track team and golf team both capture first their Pride of Iowa conference meets.
Mount Ayr Community High School is ranked 50th among the state’s 319 high schools in the latest survey from US News and World Report.
Five longtime staff members announce their retirement from the Mount Ayr schools: Karen Taylor (24 years), Debbie Shields (20 years), Betty Lou Groves (32 years), Deb Lynch (34 years) and John Larsen (31 years).
Commencement ceremonies in Mount Ayr recognize 43 graduates, with Samantha Schaefer as valedictorian and Emma Mobley as salutatorian. In Diagonal, valedictorian Emily Newton and salutatorian Alee Haidsiak lead nine graduates.
The Raider track team sends seven events to the State Track Meet, where they set four new school records. The Raiderettes qualify to events to state.
Several county veterans participate in latest Honor Flight to Washington, D. C.
Heavy rain alters many Memorial Day plans.
June
Myles Greene, Elsie Schafer, and Dalton Elwood represent Mount Ayr at the 2019 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase, where the MAC drama department was awarded the Distinguished Scene Award for its production of “Mary Poppins.”
Jared Johnson is hired as new county engineer.
Opera singer Samantha Hornback performs at Clearview Home.
A young bobcat pays a visit to the patio of Rita and Larry Hunter on the west edge of Mount Ayr.
Tingley alumni hold final school reunion.
Bill Stull is honored for his 50 years of service to the American Legion.
