Area News
Future of city recycling discussed
Equipment needs and the future of the city’s recycling service were on the minds of the Mount Ayr city council at their regular meeting Monday, October 19. Equipment In a discussion carried over from the previous council meeting, city superintendent Brent Wise presented costs associated with repairing or replacing the city’s backhoe as well as…
Read MoreRinggold County Conservation Board gets $100,000 grant
Liberty Lake, just north of Mount Ayr on Highway 169, has seen some changes over the past two years since Ringgold County Conservation acquired it from the City of Mount Ayr, when it was still called the “Old Lake” by residents. Since the Fall of 2018, the lake…
Read MoreIowa second, Ringgold 76th in farm subsidy payments
Subsidies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are a modern fact of life in Iowa and other states heavily dependent on their ag economies. In fact, according to research conducted by an organization called the Environmental Working Group, the USDA has paid out over $424 billion in subsidies from 1995 through June 2020. And having…
Read MoreReading assessments, personnel changes for school board
Recent results from elementary reading assessments, upcoming parent-teacher conferences and personnel changes were among topics of discussion the regular meeting of the Mount Ayr Community Schools board of directors Monday, October 12. Reading assessments Elementary principal Chris Elwood presented results from the fall FAST assessments in his building. The Curriculum-Based Measurement (CMB-r) for Reading is…
Read MoreSearles arraigned for Chapman murder
This article appeared in the September 23 Bethany Republican-Clipper. It is reprinted here with permission. Jeremiah Searles, who is charged with the murder of Melissa Chapman, appeared for arraignment Thursday afternoon in Harrison County Circuit Court, where he was confronted by Melissa’s family and friends in an emotional scene at the end of the hearing.…
Read MoreCouncil considers equipment needs
What to do about aging equipment was a main item of discussion at the Monday, October 5 regular meeting of the Mount Ayr city council. City superintendent Brent Wise informed the council the city’s backhoe has a blown engine and the city’s dump truck is nearing the end of its usable life, with a faulty…
Read MoreAuditor urges voter registration
Ringgold County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Amanda Waske is encouraging those who wish to vote in the 2020 General Election on November 3 to register early if they are not already registered. In order to vote in the 2020 General Election, a voter must be registered. Voters may register on Election Day. However, Waske…
Read MorePoore to retire as city clerk
At the conclusion of their meeting Monday night, the Mount Ayr city council accepted the resignation of long-time city clerk Pam Poore. Poore plans to retire effective December 31. Poore has served in city hall for over 29 years, beginning as a part-time employee who was responsible for writing out the water bills by hand.…
Read MoreSeveral communities have already announced plans in observance of Halloween. Tingley Tingley’s annual Halloween celebration will take place Saturday, October 31. The day’s events get under way with a scavenger hunt from 12:00 until 5:00 p.m. that can be done from a vehicle as a group such as a family, friends, etc. Turn in at court n treat. Court n treat for the kids will take place at the tennis court from 5:00 until 6:00 p.m. The Tingley Lion’s Club will hold a grab n go supper of pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, chips, baked beans, bars and water from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the park by the Community Building. It is a free will offering. They will also be selling raffle tickets for a fundraiser. The Lion’s Club sponsor the Halloween celebration. A parade down Main Street will take place at 7:00 p.m. Parade line-up and judging will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the ballfield. Parade winners and raffle ticket winners will be announced following the parade in front of post office. Parade categories will remain as usual. Children third grade and under, singles and doubles; fourth grade through eighth, singles and doubles; adult, singles; adult, doubles; groups of three or more, pets, bikes, etc.; small motorized vehicles, floats and tractors. The Mount Ayr Community Junior High and High School Band plans to march in the parade. R C Demo derby will take place in the shelter house following the parade announcements. Also, in connection with Halloween, a pumpkin decorating contest will be held. There’ll be one big difference this year. Pumpkins will be float foam pumpkin cut-outs instead of real pumpkins. They are available at the Wagon Wheel Cafe and the Josh Briner residence from October 11 – 17. They are free and available to any age. They need returned by October 26 to be judged. They will be displayed in the post office window through Halloween. Haunted hike Ringgold County Conservation will again host its annual Haunted Hike Saturday, October 24 at Poe Hollow Park. The park will be closed that day to ensure the safety of all involved. More details will announced in the coming weeks. Trick or treat Trick or treat nights have been set in Mount Ayr, Diagonal, and Kellerton. Mount Ayr’s Beggars’ Night will run from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, November 1. Kellerton has set Friday October 30 as its trick or treat night. Porch lights will be on from 6-8 p.m. Traditionally, Diagonal hold trick-or-treating on Halloween night, Saturday, October 31.
Several communities have already announced plans in observance of Halloween. Tingley Tingley’s annual Halloween celebration will take place Saturday, October 31. The day’s events get under way with a scavenger hunt from 12:00 until 5:00 p.m. that can be done from a vehicle as a group such as a family, friends, etc. Turn in at…
Read MoreCity seeking recycling feedback with survey
The City of Mount Ayr is seeking input for the future of the recycling service provided by the city. According to the survey document, the recycling contract for the city is expected to increase nearly $10,000 annually effective December 1. The survey asks residents if they use the recycling service, and if so, would they…
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