News | Ringsted Dispatch

RCIO plans grand opening for Museum

By Michael Tidemann While they’ve been open 10 a.m. to noon every Saturday for the last several months, the Lil’ Danske Kirke Heritage Museum in Ringsted will hold their official grand … more

7/1/26

Swea City Fun Days to be held this weekend

The annual Swea City Fun Days event will take place Friday, June 26 through Sunday, June 28th. There is something for everyone to do! Come hungry on Friday, June 26 from 5:00 - 8:00 … more

6/24/26

The Patent Pending Players will present Sleeping Through History, an original play written by Jess Henriksen and Natalie Anderson, and performed by area youth. Join our student, Laura Larson, as she … more

6/24/26

WRITING THE SCRIPT — Jess Henriksen and Natalie Anderson work on the “Sleeping Through History” script for the 2026 Patent Pending Players production.

PPP to Present “Sleeping Through History,” an original local play

Cousins, Natalie Anderson and Jess Henriksen, of Armstrong, have written a children’s play called “Sleeping Through History” for the Patent Pending Players children to perform this summer. … more

6/24/26

Emmet County Employees recognized for years of service Emmet Bounty Board of Supervisors Chair Lisa Hansen, center, presented the annual Emmet County service awards to county employees during the Tuesday, June 16 meeting of the Emmet County Board of Supervisors. From left are Tim Schumacher, county supervisors, 15 years; Roxanne Budach, auditor’s assistant, 10 years; Hansen; Dan Burton, assistant to the county engineer, 25 years; and Thomas Egeland, maintenance superintendent, 20 years. Not pictured are Tony Ruter, secondary roads (and former county sheriff’s deputy), 15 years; Jared Fisher, dispatcher, 20 years; and Arlo Anderson and Lonnie Hoien, secondary roads, 25 years.

County employees recognized for years of service at June Meeting

By Michael Tidemann Longtime Emmet County employees were recognized for their years of service at the Emmet County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, June 16. Auditor’s Assistant … more

6/24/26

Spilled Ink

As we approach the second to last game of the season for my two boys, Hartley and Calvin, I am excited to watch them play their last couple of games in the 2026 season. Baseball season always seems … more

6/24/26

Flagpole dedicated to Sylvia Hansen

By Michael Tidemann Sylvia Hansen was a longtime fixture in the Ringsted community. Teacher, involved community volunteer, and regular fixture at Ringsted City Council meetings, everyone in … more

6/17/26

Ringsted Public Library Receives Donation

Most of the Ringsted community have not heard of this amazing lady. Norma Jean Warner was born in 1937 and was known for her quiet strength, sharp intellect, and deep compassion for others. … more

6/17/26

Supervisors canvass election results

By Michael Tidemann The Emmet County Board of Supervisors at their Tuesday, June 9 meeting canvassed and approved results of the June 2 primary election. According to Election Deputy … more

6/17/26

Spilled Ink

This past weekend, we traveled to Marion, Iowa to spend some time with Taylor’s grandparents, Gary and Geri Schirm. They were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary and had immediate family … more

6/17/26

North Union High School Honored for Work on Athletic Fields

Pioneer® Athletics proudly announces that North Union High School has been selected as a WINNER of the 2025 Fields of Excellence® Award. As a winner, North Union High School … more

6/10/26

Hunter Jorgensen is all smiles after receiving his new playhouse through Make A Wish.

Hunter’s Wish for a New Playhouse

By Kim Meyer The Make-A-Wish Iowa program grants countless wishes for children, many of which involve dream vacations and once-in-a-lifetime trips. However, some children have different dreams. … more

6/10/26

Conservation Board Foundation discuss naturalist activities

By Michael Tidemann The Emmet County Nature Center Foundation and Emmet County Conservation Board discussed ongoing naturalist activities during their Thursday, June 4 meeting at the Emmet … more

6/10/26

Ringsted Council denies Waddell building permit

By Michael Tidemann After he had met most – but not all – of the conditions set before him for a building permit at their May meeting, the Ringsted City Council Monday, June 8 voted to deny … more

6/10/26

Auditor Goebel conducts post-election audit in Emmet County to ensure the integrity of the vote

Emmet County Auditor Heidi Goebel conducted a successful post-election audit of the June Primary Election on June 4, 2026. Ballots in the Armstrong precinct were hand-counted by election officials to … more

6/10/26

Spilled Ink

This weekend my wife, Taylor, and I will be celebrating eleven years of marriage. When I think back to the week of the wedding all I can think of is how little responsibility we actually had. When we … more

By Clint Davis | 6/10/26

Emmet County voters weigh in on crowded primary ballot

By Amy H. Peterson apeterson@esthervillenews.net Emmet County voters turned out at a modest 15.80 percent Tuesday, with 982 of 6,215 registered voters casting ballots in the June 2 primary … more

6/10/26

Supervisors deny, modify personnel policy recommendations

By Michael Tidemann After considerable discussion, the Emmet County Board of Supervisors at their Tuesday, May 26 meeting denied some and modified other personnel policy recommendations … more

6/3/26

NK and NU School Districts are participating in the Summer Food Service Program

Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender Identity and sexual orientation), age or … more

6/3/26

RCIO donates $500 toward library furnace and AC

By Michael Tidemann The Ringsted Community Improvement Organization at their Wednesday, May 27 meeting at the Lil Danske Kirke Danish Museum in Ringsted presented a check for $500 to Ringsted … more

6/3/26