Your Ames Voice

Thursday, June 11, 2026

June 11, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Happy Thursday!

I hope everyone is staying cool and dry from the summer heat and rain. This past Saturday, we had the chance to meet with the community at the farmers’ market. Some of our volunteers provided residents with the opportunity to learn more about the Voice.

To those new subscribers: welcome!

The top story is about Ames Community Theater’s production of Footloose, which is completely sold out! The ACTORS community could not be more excited about a sold-out show that closes its current 70th season.

Also, after several hurdles, Schainker Plaza will open on Monday. The city plans to borrow $22 million for the new recycling center, and speaking of, if you’re wondering what goes in the new recycling bins, there’s a story covering the do’s and don’ts.

And for those interested in trying out new food trucks, the second Summer Daze of the summer is tonight!

Also, we have obituaries on our website. They are free to submit — use this form — and read.

Thank you for your continued support,


Amber Mohmand, News Editor
[email protected]

Top Story

Ames Community Theater’s latest production of Footloose begins a three-weekend sold-out run. | Photo by Kate Laffey

Finding connection and growth in ACTORS

by Kate Laffey | Staff Reporter | Published on June 10, 2026

Local actors Alyson Perry and Jenna Levendusky find that Ames Community Theater has been a place of comfort and growth for them.

They play Ariel Moore and Betty Blast in ACTORS’ musical production of Footloose, which opens tonight and is completely sold out through its closing night on June 28. The ACTORS community could not be more excited for a sold-out show, which closes its current 70th season.

Footloose is Perry’s first show with the community theater.

“The most important thing I’ve learned is to take risks and put yourself out of your comfort zone because often that’s when you’ll learn the most and get the most out of it,” Perry said.

This is the third season for Levendusky, who’s not only performed but also been assistant director, stage manager and choreographer, as well as an ACTORS board member and marketer.

 

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City of Ames

Sustainability

The do’s and don’ts of Ames recycling

by Fiona Winn | Staff Reporter

The city of Ames is preparing to launch its first community-wide curbside recycling program next month, marking a major shift in how residents handle household waste and recyclable materials.

Ames City Council

Schainker Plaza to open Monday

by Bill Monroe | Staff Reporter

After months of delays and construction challenges, Steven L. Schainker Plaza is expected to open to the public on Monday.

 

Continuing coverage

♻️ Recycling Center: Ames took a $22 million step toward building a new facility to handle the city’s trash, recycling and yard waste. The city council approved a borrowing plan at its Tuesday meeting to pay for the new Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus.

 

More from City of Ames

Civic Calendar

Mon: Ames School Board, 5:30 p.m., Ames District Office, Board Room
Tue: Board of Supervisors, 10 a.m., Administration Building (Nevada)
Thu: Ames Library Board of Trustees, 7 p.m., Dale H. Ross Board Room, Ames Public Library
Thu: Parks and Recreation Commission, 4 p.m., Council Chambers, Ames City Hall

Election

Iowa Primaries

Primary reaction: Looking ahead to November election

by Lara Jones | Staff Reporter

Candidate accessibility will be one of the keys to winning in the general election in November, said the chairperson of the Story County Democrats.

More from the Election

Arts & Entertainment

Events

Summer Daze grows for 2026

by Lara Jones | Staff Reporter

Organized by Community Choice Credit Union, the food truck series located at the Parc, 202 E. Lincoln Way, kicked off on May 28, welcoming back families for food and fun with a “color pop” theme.​

Community Voices

People of Ames

Ames Notables: Margaret Sloss

by Ames History Museum | Contributor

Margaret Sloss grew up on the Iowa State University campus and gained an interest in veterinary medicine, but she was initially denied admission to the male-only College of Veterinary Medicine.

 

More from Community Voices

 

Submissions & Get Involved

Have a news tip? Something on your mind that you saw or want to know more about it? Let us know.
Become a volunteer! There are opportunities in the newsroom, marketing, admin and more at the Voice.
Submit an obituary to the Voice. It’s free to both submit and read them.

 

In Other News

Iowa Capital Dispatch: Naig: Iowa is monitoring screwworm; parasite poses no food-safety risk