Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, April 19, 2001

A tornado ripped through Ringgold county Wednesday morning, leaving damage estimated at $1.5 million in its wake. Fortunately there were no injuries or deaths from the storm, which did damage along a trail clear across the county. According to Emergency Management director Merle WALTER, an estimated $1.1 million of agricultural damage and another $400,000 in residential and business damage was done by the storm. Vehicles lined both sides of Highway 2 just east of Mount Ayr Wednesday afternoon after the tornado by the Rodney and Debbie BASTOW, where a barn and machine shed were destroyed and what was left of the Bob and Sue BUCK family home.

Members of the Mount Ayr Community FFA chapter were among groups who have been helping with storm clean up this week following the tornado that swept across the county.

An open house to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ringgold County Hospital is set for Sunday at the hospital.

Hospice of Central Iowa held a ribbon cutting in front of their new location on the west side of the square in Mount Ayr. Also holding a ribbon cutting was Majestic Lanes on the east side of the square in Mount Ayr. Lonnie and Diane HUNTSMAN are the new owners of the bowling lane.

Two Ringgold county area groups received grants when the South Central Iowa Foundation announced its latest round of grants. The Diagonal Printing Museum received a grant of $2,000 to help with improvements needed to the interior of the museum. The city of Grand River received $900 to assist in the installation of a freeze-proof drinking fountain in the city park.

The Mount Ayr Community FFA chapter hosted representatives of a number of Mount Ayr business for a business appreciation supper Monday night. Almost 100 people attended the dinner, where the Ringgold County Cattlemen helped cook. Awards were presented to several businesses for the direct support of the FFA chapter and all businesses attending were thanked for theirs upport of the FFA program over the years.

There was a good turnout Thursday of Ringgold county residents taking part in the Health Fair 2001 sponsored by the Ringgold County Public Health Nursing Agency.

Transciption by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2011

 

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