Area News

What began as a once a year church bazaar to raise money for kids going to camp, now clothes and blesses people every month. Paula Johnston credits Pastor Doug Rohrer and his wife Sherri for coming up with the idea for Open Closet during his time at the church between 2010 -2014. “Doug Rohrer and…

As the demand for new or available housing grows, the need to preserve the existing single-family housing stock also increases, in order to keep pace with aging homeowner mobility and accessibility needs. A pressing need for home rehabilitation and preservation is one of three concerns the Iowa Finance Authority has identified statewide. The average age…

Mount Ayr Elementary was rated as “Commendable” in the  latest School Performance Profiles released recently by the Iowa Department of Education (DOE).  The School Performance Profiles assesses how public schools perform on a series of required measures. With a composite score of 481.47out of a possible 700 (68.78 percent), Mount Ayr students outdistanced the state…

The Mount Ayr city council approved the second reading of the proposed rental housing ordinance and a named a new financial institution at their regular meeting Wednesday, November 20. The council jumped straight into business at hand as no one from the public attended the meeting to speak during the public forum. Rental Housing Ordinance…

Local businesses and organizations are preparing for the upcoming holiday season, offering a multitude of ways to connect with others and enjoy the joy of the season. Cheers on Broadway Diagonal Community Development Corporation is preparing for their annual Cheers on Broadway celebration Friday, November 29 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Two food trucks, Cowboy…

[The latest Scjool Performance Profiles were released last week by the Iowa Department of Education (DOE), and Mount Ayr Middle/High School and Mount Ayr Elementary both performed above state averages. The School Performance Profiles assesses how public schools perform on a series of required measures. This week we will focus on the results for MAC…

Representatives with Ringgold County Development Corporation (RCDC), the City of Mount Ayr, and interested home builders, area residents and landlords met to discuss how to increase available housing in Mount Ayr on Monday, November 18. City Administrator Brent Wise opened the discussion with an announcement that it was not an official meeting of the city…

The Ringgold County supervisors have canvassed the votes from the November 5 General Election. While the bulk of the results remained unchanged, the supervisors had to break one tie and act upon a technicality in another race. In Grant Township, voters were asked to fill two trustee positions. Because no one had filed for either…

The Mount Ayr Community High School Drama Department will present its fall production, “Lavender and Lunatics,” Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23 at 7 p.m. in the MACHS auditorium. Admission is $5. A pie auction will be held during intermission. Story of the play Lorelei Lavender is staging a production of “A Midsummer Night’s…

The Mount Ayr Community Schools board of directors met in regular session Monday, November 11. Discussion items included hiring of an elementary guidance counselor, questions about the future of the MAC music program, and a special program for fourth- and fifth-grade students, Elementary guidance In his report to the board, MAC elementary principal Chris Elwood…