News

Inman Elementary Spring Concert

The Inman Elementary second and third grade choir students held concerts to packed houses at the Red Oak Jr./Sr. High School auditorium on March 5. Both concerts were under the direction of Kelsie Schmidt and featured a jungle theme. Each group performed a selection of four songs. Pictured above,...

Shipley announces retirement from Senate

Iowa Sen. Tom Shipley, R-Nodaway, announced on Wednesday, March 4, that he will not seek re-election to the Iowa Senate. Senator Shipley was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2014 and re-elected in 2018 and 2022. He currently represents Senate District 9, which consists of all of Adams, Cass,...

Narup announces candidacy for Iowa House District 18

Villisca’s own Tripp Narup has announced he is making another run for the Iowa Legislature.Narup said he is running for the Iowa House District 18 seat, currently held by Republican Tom Moore of Griswold, who is in his sixth term. Narup said he moved to Clarinda in 1995 to work for the Clarinda...

Nominations still open for Lakin Outstanding Teacher award

The search is on for the next four educators to be recognized for their life-changing work in the classroom. The Charles E. Lakin Foundation is officially accepting nominations for its 2026 Outstanding Teacher Award, a long-standing tradition that shines a spotlight on the educators transforming...

Moore, Shipley hold final briefing of 2026

Libraries and property tax reform were two of the biggest discussion items at Montgomery County’s second and final legislative briefing of 2026.Iowa Rep. Tom Moore was joined by Iowa Sen. Tom Shipley at the Montgomery County History Center, where they discussed happenings in the Iowa legislature as...

Explosive set off near church, Red Oak man in custody

A Red Oak man is in custody after detonating an explosive device Tuesday night.Matthew Sloan, 42, Red Oak, is facing charges of possession of an incendiary device with intent, a Class C felony; possession of a controlled substance/methamphetamine, second offense, an aggravated misdemeanor, and...

Faith Community Church hosting first annual Southwest Iowa Men’s Conference March 7

A local church organization is hosting the first of what they hope will be many annual conferences boosting faith and worship.Men of the Upward Call, organized by members Alex Burton, Curt Farquhar, Mike Urash, and Ivan Craig, is hosting a Southwest Iowa Men’s conference on March 7 at Faith...

ISU gathers flood plain info at open house

The City of Red Oak and students from Iowa State University have taken the first steps in gathering floodplain information.While winter weather made a return, it didn’t dampen members of the community from attending open houses at the Montgomery County Family YMCA and the Agora Coffehaus, where Red...

Second lawsuit filed against City of Red Oak

A second lawsuit was recently filed against the City of Red Oak.On Feb. 12, Montgomery County resident Randy Cooper filed a petition for declaratory and injunctive relief against the city.According to the petition, the property at issue is a municipal airport, owned by the City and governed under...

RO Board sets maximum property tax levy

The Red Oak School Board has finalized its certified budget maximum property tax rate.At the school board meeting Feb. 18, superintendent Ron Lorenz advised the board that school districts are required to establish their maximum property tax dollar levy by March 5, and the maximum amount is the...