News

Jammin' in January

Published by admin on Wed, 01/21/2026 - 12:30pm

School board approves teacher early retirement incentives

Published by admin on Wed, 01/21/2026 - 12:28pm

Monticello Community School staff who are eligible have less than months to decide if they want to take advantage of an early retirement incentive plan approved by the school board last week.

The plan, which is the first early retirement incentive package offered by the district in eight years, will allow a maximum of three teachers who have completed at least 15 consecutive years of teaching with the district and are at least 55 years old on or before June 30, 2026, to apply.

Newly hired Chamber director resigns

Published by admin on Wed, 01/21/2026 - 12:27pm

Monticello Area Chamber of Commerce announced in a press release Monday afternoon that its newly hired director has resigned.

Zavier Clark’s final day in the role was Friday, Jan 16th, the release states, less than one week after he officially started.

Clark could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.

The release states the chamber’s executive team is overseeing operations to ensure “continuity and stability for the Chamber’s operations.

Minor injuries reported in Monticello school bus tip-over

Published by admin on Wed, 01/21/2026 - 12:26pm

   Officials reported minor injuries after a Monticello school bus carrying 25 kids rolled into a ditch along 190th Street in rural Jones County.

   The incident took place around 3:45 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12 during after-school drop-offs. The bus ended up in the north ditch sitting on the passenger side. Emergency crews blocked off the road and first responders attended to the students before they were released to their parents.

Board discusses Dales Ford Road, potential improvements

Published by admin on Wed, 01/21/2026 - 12:22pm

Jones County Engineer Derek Snead believes Dales Ford Road northeast of Scotch Grove needs to be addressed.

He said due to poor drainage and thick tree cover, the road is often wet, which leads to road surface degradation.

Community Calendar

Published by admin on Wed, 01/21/2026 - 12:12pm

All listings in the Monticello Express Community Calendar are subject to change and print as space allows. If you know of changes to any listing or would like to add one, please contact us at treuter@monticelloexpress.net.

Jan. 22

JRMC permanent MRI machine up and running

Published by admin on Wed, 01/21/2026 - 12:10pm

Jones Regional Medical Center patients won’t need to go outside the main hospital building to get an MRI anymore.

The hospital recently installed a permanent Siemens Magnetom Altea 1.5 in a newly built suite inside the hospital. The facility’s previous MRI suite was inside a semi-trailer truck that parked behind the hospital two and a half days each week. The new MRI will be available for appointments Monday through Friday, essentially doubling its hours.

News Briefs

Published by admin on Wed, 01/21/2026 - 11:59am

Fairview Township looking for a clerk

   Fairview Township, of Jones County, needs a clerk for the remaidner of 2026.

   A township clerk facilitates the township budget, annual report, minutes and fence disputes for the Township Trustees.

   The trustees meet two times between February and April and once in September each year.

Naig proposes comprehensive Iowa agriculture bill

Published by admin on Wed, 01/21/2026 - 11:18am

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said he plans to file the first Iowa Farm Act, to support farmers and rural communities in the state with tax relief, expanded economic opportunities and enhanced biosecurity. 

Naig, in an interview Wednesday with Iowa Capital Dispatch, said the bill is like a federal farm bill in that it “comprehensively brings in multiple facets” of farm and rural policy into one bill.

Reynolds shares property tax proposal

Published by admin on Wed, 01/21/2026 - 11:15am

As Gov. Kim Reynolds spoke Jan. 13 on her proposals on property taxes, veterans’ benefits and health initiatives this session in her Condition of the State message, she said finding ways to spend government funding effectively is key to all of these goals.

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