Your Ames Voice

Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026

February 26, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

Carpe Diem and Happy Thursday!

In today's newsletter, Ames could get new recycling by this summer. However, the Ames City Council delayed final approval to give residents a chance to learn the details of the program.

In other news, the council locked in a $500,000 grant for the water plant that will help pay for nutrient reduction upgrades. There's also coverage of the Cyclone women’s basketball team’s win over Arizona State, and in Community Voices, it's a profile of Ames' last town marshal William Ricketts.

On Wednesday, we got to talk to ISU students about opportunities at the Voice. For them, check out our internship application. But anyone can apply to work in the newsroom. It's more than just reporters. You could be a photographer, copy editor or do administrative-assistant work.

The Voice is always seeking volunteers across all divisions. Even if you only have a couple hours a week to give, we can find a place for you.

If you have any questions you want answered before putting in an application, reach out to Anthony Capps for newsroom questions and Al Weber for advertising, marketing and administrative questions.

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook!


Co-Editors: Anthony Capps & Amber Mohmand
[email protected]

 

Top Story

Containers like these will be delivered in June to over 13,700 households in Ames if the city council approves a vendor contract March 10. | Photo by Bill Monroe

Ames Council delays vote on curbside recycling

by Bill Monroe | Staff Reporter | Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Ames residents could be wheeling new recycling carts to the curb by this summer — but city leaders want more time to make sure the public understands what’s coming before they sign the deal.

The Ames City Council accepted a staff report Tuesday that recommended a five-year recycling collection contract and directed that final approval be placed on the council’s March 10 agenda.

The proposed contractor is Aspen Waste Systems of Iowa, an Ames-based company that scored highest among five firms that responded to the city’s request for proposals. If approved, Aspen would begin delivering 96-gallon recycling carts to about 13,731 homes in June, with every-other-week curbside pickup starting July 1.

Recyclables to be collected include mixed paper, cardboard, glass food and beverage containers, No. 1 and No. 2 plastics and metals. Collection trucks would be equipped with GPS and cameras to document any problems.

 

The Ames Voice thanks its advertisers. | Become one

 

City of Ames

City Council

Water plant grant will ease pressure on ratepayers

by Bill Monroe | Staff Reporter

With a half-finished overhaul of its water pollution control facility and millions already invested, a state grant will lower the city’s debt and ease pressure on ratepayers.

 

More from City of Ames

Sports

Women’s Basketball

Crooks, Williams combine for 54 in win over Arizona State

by Jared Larson | Staff Reporter

Audi Crooks and Jada Williams led the way for Iowa State, scoring 28 and 26 points, respectively, in the 90-64 victory over Arizona State on Feb. 18.

More from Sports

Community Voices

People of Ames

Ames Notables: William Ricketts

by Ames History Museum | Contributor

William “Big Bill” Ricketts was born in Ohio, and he came to Iowa in 1881 originally trying his hand at farming near Ames.

More from Community Voices

Ames History Museum: Ames Notables: Abbie Sawyer