The events that shaped our county earlier this year
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January Celebrations
Randy Taylor was sworn in to the Board of Supervisors.
Local couple Mack and Jeanine Greene retired from their jobs at the Mount Ayr Hy-Vee after more than two decades. Mack started at Hy-Vee on June 6, 1999 and retired January 1, 2023 after over 23 years of service. Jeanine started her time at Hy-Vee January 16, 2001 and after 21 and a half years, retired in August of 2022.
Mary Kathryn Gepner celebrated 22 years as the Mount Ayr librarian.
The Glendenning family celebrated 70 years of service to the local community.
Property challenges
The city of Mount Ayr incurred $50,000 in legal fees due to the city’s appeal of the zone of adjustments decision regarding the Dunning Street property. The city also created a new position for an assistant city administrator.
Farm land values jumped to record setting prices across Iowa according to the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.. One year after skyrocketing 29%, the average value of an acre of Iowa farmland jumped another 17%, or $1,660, to $11,411 per acre. The South Central district reported the lowest values, $6,824 per acre, and Wayne, Lucas, Appanoose, and Decatur counties saw a 10% increase. Noteworthy moments
In January, a crowd of 35 people gathered in the county courthouse assembly room to express support for Kate Zimmerman as the board of supervisors heard a presentation by the Ringgold County conservation board during the 2024 budget workshop meeting.
Fallon Wells, a 3-year-old child of Ringgold county, was recovered safe by Missouri law enforcement on January 6th, after being reported missing on December 30th 2022.
Documented COVID cases plummeted in Iowa as the state’s COVID-19 infection rate dropped roughly 40% over the prior week, according to state health data.
Ringgold County received its first “real snowstorm”of the winter in late January with approximately 2-3 inches falling.
A record crowd of approximately 550 people attended the Ringgold County Cattlemen’s (RCC) Association Annual Banquet at the Ringgold County Fairgrounds Commercial Building.
February Celebrations
Alania Whittington, a graduate of Diagonal High School was named one of sixty-seven Iowa high school seniors in the 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
The Mount Ayr Community Schools inducted Jake Dailey, Dan Roe, Blaine Scott, and Robert Ricker Jr. to the Hall of Fame.
Lefty’s Club and Tavern celebrated seventy years in Mount Ayr.
Faye (Dillenburg) Stull retired after 50 years of driving a school bus for Mount Ayr Community schools.
Noteworthy moments
A new business complex, known as the Brick Plex, opened in the former USDA building across from Casey’s. The new facility welcomed eight current health, wellness, and beauty businesses who are renting space to share building expenses.
Ringgold County Hospital welcomed two new board members as Kathi Braby celebrated 17 years of service. Kim Bishop and Chris Elwood joined current board members, and new officers for the year include President, Mike Hopkins, Vice-president, Tessa Barnes and Secretary/Treasurer, Kim Bishop.
Joe Mangiameli, resigned from his position as hospital CEO, effective February 28.
The city of Mount Ayr increased the yearly lot rental fee at Loch Ayr from $550 to $800 dollars. The increase offset the cost of replacing 1800 feet of fence, remove brush and trees along the fences path, plus repairing a culvert on the route.
Senator Tom Shipley and Representative Devon Wood visited with 25 local residents during a Mount Ayr legislative coffee event.
A major winter storm hit Ringgold county February 16 through 17. The blizzard like conditions dropped 7-9 inches of snow in the area.
March Celebrations
Kirk Golliday retired after 48 years of service at Hy-Vee.
Dick Simpson was recognized for 59 years of trimming hair at Dick’s Barber Shop.
Cathy Ward retired from Iris’ Beauty Shop and celebrated her 80th birthday on March 25.
Noteworthy moments
A special election on March 7 resulted in two measures being passed, allowing the City of Mount Ayr, in Ringgold County, State of Iowa, to enter into a loan agreement and issue general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding $2,000,000 to construct a public swimming pool. Beginning in July 1, 2027, the one percent (1%) local sales and services tax shall transfer from the Ringgold County Jail to the City of Mount Ayr, Iowa with 25% of revenues going towards the design, construction and operation of a public swimming pool/aquatic center. The remaining 75% of revenues may be used for street improvements, economic development and housing or any other development and housing or any other lawful purpose of the City.
The Mount Ayr Community high school hosted the Southwest Iowa district speech contest.
Ten of the fourteen MACHS performers moved on to the state competition in Ames on March 11.
Ringgold County Hospital, an affiliate of MercyOne, named Nicholle Gilbertson as the next Chief Executive Officer beginning March 31.
Amy Bautista resigned her position as Mount Ayr elementary school principal.
The Mount Ayr Community School district announced Michael Moran, current K-12 Dean of Students, will step in as principal for the remainder of the school year, while high-school principal Josh Vanderflught and superintendent Jason Shaffer will also help with administrative duties.
The 2020 census results indicated a 0.85% one-year decline in population with 4,922 people residing across Ringgold County.
April Celebrations
Celebrated the 40th year of Ringgold County Ministerial Association Breakfast with the Master series with 100 people in attendance each day.
Cpl. John Shields, of Grimes, Iowa, was named the Iowa National Guard Soldier of the Year in the 2023 Best Warrior Competition held April 13-16 at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa.
Noteworthy Moments
Peggy Whitson, a graduate of Mount Ayr Community High School, returned to space on a private mission to the International Space Station (ISS) through Axiom Space.
Councilman Jordan Stewart resigned from the Mount Ayr City Council as his family moved outside the city limits, making him ineligible to serve. City council members voted to hold a special election to avoid any perception of favoritism by the community if a person was appointed to the seat.
The Ringgold County Hospital is one of 21 recipient of Iowa’s Health Careers Registered Apprenticeship (RA) Program supports programs in high-demand occupations in health care.
The city of Mount Ayr closed the original swimming pool, built in 1963 at Judge Lewis Park, for good due to water leaks and structural issues. The Mount Ayr Record News recapped various plans and actions taken to provide options for a new public pool in Mount Ayr since 2007, showcasing 16 years of planning in a special 3-part series. Up until 2023, the City of Mount Ayr had not taken any action on any of the various project proposals or concepts presented between 2008 – 2022.
May-June Memorable Moments
A “May Day Mash” was held on the square at the courthouse shelter house on the evening of May 1.
The community had an opportunity to view conceptual floorplans and renderings for the proposed Gold Center during a public meeting held at Mount Ayr Community High School on Wednesday, May 3. A second public meeting was held on Monday, June 12 to field community questions and feedback.
Former Ringgold County Conservation Director Kate Zimmerman was arrested and released on April 20. The Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations charged Zimmerman on interference with official acts and false report to a public entity after she filed a report stemming from a December stand-off between Ringgold County employees over a homemade bomb.
Ryce Reynolds of Mount Ayr became the third Mount Ayr athlete to win a Drake Relays event. Reynolds won the 400 meter event.
The Ringgold County Board of Supervisors met with County Attorney Clint Spurrier to discuss possible ordinances for wind turbines, solar energy systems and battery storage at their regular meeting on Monday, May 1. A public Question and Answer meeting was held on May 31 to discuss possible regulations for construction of a turbine.
Chris Elwood was re-hired as Mount Ayr Elementary principal for the for the 2023-2024 school year beginning July 1. Diagonal Community Schools hired Gary Clark as elementary school principal for the 2023-2024 school year.
McDonnell Appliance celebrated forty-one years of local service to the local area.
Dr. Rodney Gold with Infinity Health began offering local dental services in their Mount Ayr location on June 1.
Ringgold County Cattlemen and Ringgold County Fair Board members broke ground to begin the new addition to the Commercial Building. This addition will include a kitchen/concession stand, restrooms, and small meeting area added by January 2024.
