YEAR IN REVIEW

As we close in on the end of 2021, it’s time to reflect on all the people, places, things, and events that graced the pages of the Record-News over the past year.
This week we review July through December.
July
“Just a Small Town Throw Down” is the theme of this year’s Ringgold County Fair. Concession stand celebrity servers include US senator Joni Ernst.
The Raider baseball team wins a pitchers’ duel, 1-0, over Nodaway Valley in a special game played at Principal Park in Des Moines.
A large crowd gathers for the annual Clearfield Lions 4th of July celebration.
Ringgold County Conservation hosts the Homestead Pickers in an outdoor concert at Poe Hollow Park.
The Mount Ayr city council ponders right-of-way questions related to Elm Street.
The Raiderettes commemorate their 50 years of high school softball.
A super cell thunderstorm rolls through Ringgold County with several inches of rain, hail, and gusty winds.
Ally Shelley is crowned Ringgold County Fair queen. Chloe Saville is first runner up, Rachel Sobotka is named Miss Congeniality, and Zaidee Stull reigns as fair princess.
The Raiders share their first ever Pride of Iowa baseball championship with Martensdale-St. Marys.
Jolene Ebersole is named Cowgirl Queen and Dannie Stewart Junior Cowgirl Queen at the Ringgold County Fair.
The annual Blackmore Corner Antique Farm Show is held south of Ellston.
The Ringgold County Historic Preservation Commission works to save the original Hy-Vee building in Beaconsfield.
The Raiderette post-season comes to a close as they fell to Interstate 35, 8-2.
The Raiders fall one game short of a trip to the state tournament following a 4-2 loss to New London.
Ryann Martin renovates the former Mitchell Drug Store as home to Ryann’s Dance Academy. The business is scheduled to open in late August.
Weather records indicate temperatures in Ringgold County have been significantly warmer than average through the first half of the year.
Troop 39 in Mount Ayr is officially chartered by the Boy Scouts of America.
Gerry Greenland of Grand River is found guilty of attempted murder stemming from an incident involving Decatur County Sheriff Ben Boswell from May 2019.
The number of new COVID cases in the county remains under state averages the month of July.
August
Joe Mangiameli officially takes over as chief executive officers at the Ringgold County Hospital.
COVID vaccinations for students age 12 and over are available at school registration.
A basketball skills camp organized by Emily Newton honors the late Bill Taylor, whose son Colby instructed during one day of the camp.
After leading authorities on a high-speed pursuit, Chance Newton dies of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Kellerton. Two other individuals are wounded in Decatur County in a related incident.
A dredging operation is underway at Sun Valley Lake to deepen several lake channels.
A total of 38 community members shave their heads during a community event in support for Sawyer England who is battling leukemia.
Data from the 2020 census reveals Mount Ayr’s population has dipped four percent since 2010 while Diagonal’s population increased by a similar margin. Overall, Ringgold County suffered a nine percent decrease since 2010.
The Ringgold County board of supervisors reach a settlement with former Sheriff’s Deputy Bo Greene. Thanks to insurance coverage, the county will pay only $2,000 of the $325,000 settlement.
The annual Ayr Days parade features Gordon and Linda Winkler as grand marshals. A new hit this year is an appearance by Domingo the Longhorn.
The new Veterans Memorial on the northwest corner of the square is formally dedicated.
The second annual Show and Shine and ice cream contest draw a big crowd to Tingley.
Jay and Pat Meester are among the newest members of the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.
New COVID cases in the county remain under state averages.
September
The month kicks off with the annual Diagonal Lions Labor Day celebration.
The Clarke County Old Iron Tractor club travel an estimated 60-70 miles on Ringgold County back roads during their two-day tour.
Four new members are inducted into the Mount Ayr Community Schools Hall of Fame: Kim McGinnis Foster, Eugene Ricker, Thomas Teale, Jr., and Harley Wilhelm.
A new Mount Ayr community celebration – the Raider Fall Festival and All-School Reunion – features a car show, the Trent Stewart 5K, and the popular Hy-Vee Chicken Wings for Charity.
The Ringgold County supervisors pass a resolution designating the county as a Second Amendment Sanctuary County.
One of Mount Ayr’s newest businesses – the rAyr Market – features artisan pizza, locally raised meats, and a selection of Iowa produced products.
Sawyer England is named an honorary team captain both for the Ringgold Raiders youth football team and for the Mount Ayr varsity Raider team.
Madalynn Stewart and Brady Bickel are named queen and king of Mount Ayr’s homecoming.
Longtime local physician and Ringgold County Hospital Chief of Staff, Dr. Bruce Ricker announces his retirement effective at the end of the year.
The number of new COVID cases in Ringgold County continues below state averages.
October
A front-page article features the work of Podium Ink in the rebranding of the football facilities at Northwest Missouri State University.
Local historian Mike Avitt publishes his 500th “Snapshots of History” weekly articles in the Record-News.
Warm autumn weather attracts local youngsters to the Beggars’ Bash at Judge Lewis Park.
Cindy Mitchell and Connie Richards relate their experiences serving as American Red Cross volunteers.
Owner Nicole McGinnis opens her new shop – In The Ayr – which offers furniture restoration as well as vintage decorative pieces.
The Mount Ayr city council passes an ordinance setting construction parameters for new private garages.
The Raider football team captures its second consecutive district championship.
Sophomore Karly Elwood breaks the school cross country record at the Pride of Iowa conference meet. She is also a member of the Raiderette volleyball team.
Former acting US Attorney General Matt Whitaker speaks at an event sponsored by the Southern Iowa Republican Women.
The Tingley Halloween celebration features one of the largest parades in recent memory.
November
Jessica Bishop defeats longtime incumbent councilman Brett Ricker for a seat on the Mount Ayr city council. Russell Schuitema and Zach Lynch win seats on the Mount Ayr Community school board.
The Mount Ayr Community High School Drama Department presents “The History of Dating” as their fall production.
Ringgold County Conservation announces the completion of funding for Phase 3 improvements at Liberty Lake.
Podium Ink co-owners Brad Elliott and Burt Murphy lead Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on a tour of their facility.
James Klever of rural Mount Ayr is charged in the murder of Rachel Reuter of Wisconsin.
The Mount Ayr American Legion Auxiliary recalls nearly 100 years of community service.
The late Bill Taylor and his 1998-1999 national tournament qualifying basketball team are inducted into the Southwestern Community College Hall of Fame. Team members include Diagonal graduates Mike Goodale and TJ Tassell.
Ron Schafer is recognized as the Physician Assistant of the Year by the Physician’s Assistant Society.
On his 100th birthday, lifelong Mount Ayr resident Jake Dailey is recognized for his “lifetime of service to country and community.”
Ringgold County Conservation receives the donation of two Owl Education Ambassadors.
Fire extensively damages the Iowa Cage Free facility west of Clearfield.
December
The annual Christmas in the Ayr celebration kicks off the holiday season.
Ringgold County Conservation presents its fourth annual Holiday Lights in the Park.
Class of 2005 MAC graduate Morgan (Rumple) Waldeier announces the opening of her accounting firm in Mount Ayr.
Iowa State auditor Rob Sands presents pies to representatives from Beaconsfield and Ringgold County as being the smallest town and County to participate in the Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) program.
MAC Elementary ranks 25th among 699 Iowa elementary schools included in the latest US News report.
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate was on hand to present the Carrie Chapman Catt Award to Mount Ayr High School in recognition of having at least 90 percent of eligible seniors registered to vote.
Certified enrollments increase in both Mount Ayr and Diagonal school districts.
Jayden Jilek is sworn in as the newest Ringgold County Sheriff’s Deputy.
The Mount Ayr FFA fruit sale sets a new record of $34,412.15.
A rare December derecho windstorm packing 70 mile an hour winds causing property damage across the county.
A one vehicle accident claimed the life of George Hosfield of Tingley.
Longtime Raider coach James Smith is recognized both by the Iowa Football Coaches Association for his 275 wins as a football coach and by the National Federation of State High School Associations as the Track Official of the Year.