Area News

The Mount Ayr city council approved the demolition or removal of three properties, hired a seasonal pool manager and learned the aquatic center will open May 23 at their regular meeting Wednesday, April 16. The council also held a public hearing for the FY26 proposed budget. With no one in attendance, the hearing was closed…

A collaborative Ringgold County Development Corporation (RCDC) and City of Mount Ayr housing meeting was held on January 29. City council representatives Matt Henle, Mack Greene and City Administrator Brent Wise attended along with RCDC members Kim Greenland and Jodie Geist. Housing Goals Established The group set collective goals for 2025 along with a yearly…

Ringgold County Development Corporation (RCDC), welcomed Nicole McGinnis as the next Executive Director for the organization at their Wednesday, April 16 monthly meeting. McGinnis was officially hired April 1, and is succeeding Jodie Geist, who is transitioning to a part-time project consultant role. “It’s our pleasure to introduce our new Executive Director, Nicole McGinnis,” stated…

The Ringgold County Development Corporation welcomed a new executive director, heard about the Rural Housing Summit, and reviewed business survey results at their regular meeting Wednesday, April 16. Four main initiatives have been identified by RCDC for this year. Housing tops the list followed by leadership training, business retention and expansion, and recruitment of new…

The City of Tingley recently announced the launch of the Tingley Community Building and Playground Replacement Project, a major investment in rebuilding town infrastructure. The initiative is projected to cost $830,000, with $755,000 allocated towards a new community building and $75,000 for a playground. The new community building will serve as a vital space for…

Mount Ayr junior senior prom was held on Saturday, April 12. Photos courtesy of Mount Ayr Community School and Shaun Kniep.

Personnel decisions and school start times were among many items of discussion at the regular meeting of the Mount Ayr Community Schools board of directors Monday, April 14. Personnel The board approved a long list of open positions filled since their last meeting. Topping the list was the hiring of the husband and wife team…

The Ringgold County Ministerial Association has again sponsored its annual “Breakfast with the Master” series of Holy Week observances at the First Christian Church in Mount Ayr. The series, entitled “The Nails,” concludes Friday, April 18. On Thursday, April 17, New Life Family Church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, and the Lighthouse will prepare egg casseroles,…

Iowa families have many educational choices for their children outside of the traditional public school system, however the decision to educate privately or at home is a complex process. Home schooling or private education offers parents a variety of options, including three main avenues according to the Iowa Department of Education. All three options satisfy…

The Ringgold Foundation is announcing the start of their 2025 grant cycle, and will begin accepting grant applications Tuesday, April 15. This yearly application process runs April 15 – May 15, 2025. Funded grants will be awarded at the Ringgold County Fair in July. Last year, grants were awarded to several non-profit organizations including: Ringgold…