by Bill Monroe, Reporter Published November 19, 2025
Ames needs a new deal for natural gas to keep its municipal power plant running and burning garbage. With the current contract ending on Dec. 31, city staff recommended a flexible buying plan to the Ames City Council that will cost up to $7 million for the first half of 2026.
by Bill Monroe, Reporter Published October 29, 2025
Ames residents may soon need to get licenses for their pets. The city council heard from several residents in opposition to the ordinance and then decided to take up the issue again next year while instructing city staff to launch a public information campaign to explain the program.
by Bill Monroe, Reporter Published October 29, 2025
Ames residents continue to be highly satisfied with city services, with 98% rating services as either good or very good in 2025, according to an April survey of 1,350 residents and 1,000 Iowa State University students.
by Bill Monroe, Reporter Published October 15, 2025
The Ames City Council voted to allow deer hunting in Munn Woods despite the fact that a city commission had recommended against the idea. The new hunting season would start later this fall, pending approval by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
by Bill Monroe, Reporter Published October 15, 2025
The Ames City Council took the first step toward raising electric rates by 1.5% for all residents and businesses on Tuesday. It also altered a landscaping rule after a request from ISU Research Park.
by Bill Monroe, Reporter Published September 24, 2025
The Ames City Council voted on Tuesday to have the city attorney draft language to change the city code to enable Ames Electric Services to raise electricity rates by 1.5% for all customers starting after the summer season this year, then bring the matter to the council for future consideration.
by Bill Monroe, Reporter Published September 24, 2025
A complicated project has a new manager to oversee things and the city hopes management costs will be offset by engineering savings. The Ames City Council gave Story Construction Co. a $1.25 million contract to help manage the building of a new recycling center.
by Bill Monroe, Reporter Published September 17, 2025
Ames residents will vote in November on spending up to $10.5 million to build a new fire station for the city’s west side. The city wants to replace Fire Station No. 2 with a bigger station on land at 601 State Ave. that Iowa State University will let the city use for free. The Ames City Council voted to place the matter on the November ballot during a special meeting on Tuesday.
by Bill Monroe, Reporter Published September 10, 2025
The Ames City Council voted Tuesday to borrow $13.6 million to pay for improvements around the city. The city will sell bonds on Sept. 23 to get the money.
What the money is for: The city plans to use...
by Bill Monroe, Reporter Published September 10, 2025
The city of Ames might receive up to $15 million from the federal government to help residents make their homes more energy efficient. This money would let homeowners upgrade their heating, cooling and electrical systems without paying huge costs up front.
by Bill Monroe, Reporter Published August 27, 2025
Ames area residents can look forward to swimming indoors next spring as construction of the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center is on schedule. Work on the project, located on Lincoln Way across from the Iowa DOT headquarters, is projected to be substantially completed by January with a grand opening in March.
by Bill Monroe, Reporter Published August 27, 2025
After the management at La Casa Maya made necessary changes when its liquor license was not renewed in July, the Ames City Council gave the restaurant a new liquor license on Aug. 26.
