Ringgold County 2024 in review: January ~ June
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As the end of another year approaches, we look back on the people, places, and things that graced the pages of the Record-News in 2024.
This week focuses on the months January through June. Next week will cover July through December.
January
Diagonal teenager Weston Drake rescues Pat Kemery from under an overturned four-wheeler.
John and Candace Stieh open HTH Outdoors in the former location of The Mill.
Jessica Murphy and Mike Wik begin their tenure as the newest members of the Mount Ayr city council.
Back-to-back winter storms drop up to 15 inches of snow on Ringgold County.
Former Mount Ayr mayor and city councilman Don Solliday passes away.
Donald Trump easily wins the county Republican caucus.
Using a stolen vehicle, thieves attempt to topple and break into an ATM at PCSB.
The newly renovated and expanded Commercial Building at the Ringgold County Fairgrounds opens.
February
At 598.4 students, certified enrollment in the Mount Ayr schools remains steady from the previous year. Meanwhile, enrollment in Diagonal schools drops from 112 in 2022-2023 to 87 this year.
A front page article features Nancy Jarred, who has helped operate the Tingley mealsite for 50 years.
The Dekko Foundation awards $250,000 toward the construction of a new pool at Judge Lewis Park.
Raider wrestlers go 0-6 in the annual Ron Scott Duals.
Brock Shaha and Conlee Stark qualify for the State Wrestling Tournament. Shaha eventually placed third in the Class 1A 113 pound division.
The Raiderettes and Raider basketball teams end their seasons with post-season losses to Fremont-Mills and the Southwest Valley, respectively.
MACHS bowlers Aubrey Reed and Ethan Johns compete in the State Bowling tournament.
Four Diagonal students – Zoey Shelley, Ashlynn Allee, Rebecca Hoffman, and EJ Allee – advance to the State Speech competition.
Five Mount Ayr students – Aiden Murphy, Allison Anderson, Kelbey Greenland, Brittney Gilliland, Bria Gilliland – qualify for State Speech.
February ended as one of the warmest and driest on record.
March
Raiderettes Jaxy Knight, Breya Nickel, Izzy Gilbertson, and Dannie Stewart and Raiders Ryce Reynolds, Jackson Ruggles, and Tyler Martin earn all-Pride of Iowa conference honors.
Jay-Lynn-O Tours, the philanthropic golf outings originated by Lynn Rinehart and Jay Watson, enters its fourth decade.
The Ringgold County Ministerial Association again sponsors its “Breakfast with the Master” Easter series.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig addresses a large crowd at the Ag Seminar sponsored by City State Bank.
The MACHS Drama Department presents “The Games People Play” as its spring production.
K-9 Scoty joins the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird discusses scams at a visit to the Ringgold County Senior Citizens Center.
Nineteen MAC students visit Washington, D.C. and New York City during a school-sponsored over spring break.
Construction bids for a new city swimming pool come in under estimates.
The MAC school board is petitioned to reconsider its decision to move sixth grade to the middle/high school building next year.
Wishard Chapel opens its newly constructed church.
Cub Scout Pack 39 holds its annual Pinewood Derby.
April
The City of Mount Ayr is awarded a $340,000 Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant as the final major funding piece for a new swimming pool at Judge Lewis Park.
Dick Simpson celebrates 60 years in business as a local barber.
The MACHS jazz band, under the direction of Aaron Comer, places fourth at the Iowa Jazz Championships.
A rare solar eclipse reduces sunlight in the county by 80 percent for a short time.
The City of Mount contracts with Iowa Inspections, LLC to assist in establishing a rental housing inspection program.
Four new inductees are announced for the Mount Ayr Community Schools Hall of Fame – Tami Trullinger Fahnlander, Faye Stull, Curt Braby, and Barry Monagham.
Ebersole Cattle Company of Kellerton receives $25,000 grant to develop a food hub in southwest Iowa.
Olivia Hatfield receives the Arion Award and Cassidy Swietlik earns the National School Choral Award as the top band and vocal students at MACHS.
Ryce Reynolds is honored by Gov. Kim Reynolds at the 22nd annual Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony in Des Moines.
A cluster of tornadoes accompanied by large hail hit Ringgold County causing extensive damage, especially in Tingley where the community building was destroyed and other property severely damaged.
May
Grants provide for a series of improvements at the Ringgold Trailway, including resurfacing of the trailway bridge.
The Raider boys track team and Raider and Raiderette golf teams win Pride of Iowa conference championships. The Raiderettes place third in the POI.
The Northern Lights make a rare appearance throughout Ringgold County.
Forty seniors graduate from Mount Ayr Community High School. Ryce Reynolds and Mya Sackett earn honors as class valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.
At the Iowa State Track and Field Championships, Ryce Reynolds places first in the 400 meter dash, 400 meter hurdles, and anchors the state champion sprint medley team with Tate Dugan, Jackson Ruggles, and Preston Fleharty. Aubree Shields places second in the high jump.
Ringgold County Hospital sends personnel and supplies to Greenfield in the aftermath of a devastating EF-4 tornado there.
Jaylee Shaffer places as runner-up in the Class 1A State Golf Meet.
June
For the first time in four years, state climatologists report no drought conditions in Iowa.
MACHS graduates will be required to serve hours in community service following a decision by the MAC school board.
A front page article features a husband and wife and their dog Kip passing through Ringgold County on their cross-country walk to raise awareness for animal-assisted crisis response.
Dr. Keith and Jamie Miller open “The Cat’s Meow,” a new antique and gift store.
The Mount Ayr city council addresses a large number of dead trees throughout the town as well as at Loch Ayr.
The Mount Ayr city council tables a proposed ordinance on rental housing.
Doug and Gina Still announce their popular restaurant “Still Smokin’” is up for sale.
Former Ringgold County Conservation Director files a sexual discrimination lawsuit against the county and a number of county employees and officials.
