City of Ames - City Government

09/14/2026

Due to the rain, Homewood Golf Course will now need to remain closed all day today, Monday, Sept. 14, to allow crews to complete scheduled turf maintenance.

Crews are aerating the greens, an important process that helps water, air, and nutrients reach the roots and keeps the turf healthy.

Homewood Golf Course is expected to reopen Tuesday, Sept. 15.

Thank you for your patience while we give the greens some important TLC. A little maintenance now means better golf later!

09/14/2026

What’s happening in Ames this week? We’ve got your update in one minute!

This week on the Ames Minute:

Stop by the Ames Public Library on Tuesday for Voter Registration Day.

Grab a cup of coffee and connect with Ames Fire Chief Rich Higgins at City Connect on Thursday at the Sixty Forward Center.

And join Ames Parks and Recreation to celebrate the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.!

Get the details in this week’s Ames Minute, and learn more about Fitch at www.CityofAmes.org/Aquatics

09/13/2026

Happy one-year anniversary, Penny!

Penny, the Ames Police Department’s Crisis K-9, has officially completed her first year of service alongside her handler, Sergeant Amber Christian!

Penny’s job is an important one: providing comfort and emotional support to officers, City staff, and members of the Ames community.

And she’s been one busy pup! During her first year, Penny has:

🐕 Participated in 66 public relations calls
🐕 Attended 55 conferences or meetings
🐕 Responded to 25 deployments to help people in distress
🐕 Spent more than 350 hours on calls
🐕 Interacted with nearly 6,000 people

We’re incredibly proud of Penny and the difference she and Sergeant Christian have made throughout the Ames community.

Congratulations on one year of service, Penny! Here’s to plenty more tail wags, belly rubs, and important work ahead!

09/13/2026

💡 Did you know Ames Electric customers have some of the lowest electricity costs around?

Even with expected rate increases, City of Ames Electric Services continues to provide competitive pricing compared to neighboring utilities.

According to data from the Iowa Utilities Board, Ames residential customers had an average cost of about 12 cents per kilowatt-hour. This figure includes all costs attached to a utility bill and is not representative of the actual electric rate.

Customers of neighboring utilities pay approximately 15% to 40% more than Ames Municipal Electric customers.

Providing reliable, locally owned electricity at a competitive price is one of the benefits of Ames’ municipal electric utility.

09/13/2026

UPDATE: Due to the rain, Homewood will be closed all day to complete the turf work. They will re-open on Tuesday, Sept. 15.

A little maintenance now means better golf later!

Homewood Golf Course will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, while our maintenance team gives the greens some important TLC.

Crews will be aerating the greens, a process that helps water, air, and nutrients reach the roots and keeps the turf healthy throughout the season.

We know golfers would rather be on the course than waiting for maintenance, but your future putts will thank you!

Thank you for your patience and for helping us keep Homewood in great shape.

09/12/2026

We’re hiring!

Looking for a career where the work you do makes a difference right here in your community? The City of Ames has opportunities for people with a wide range of skills, backgrounds, and experience.

From keeping our community running to providing programs and services residents rely on every day, City employees help make Ames a great place to live, work, and play.

Explore current job openings and find your place on Team Ames!

View openings and apply at www.CityofAmes.org/Jobs

Know someone who would be a great fit? Tag them or share this post!

09/11/2026

There was plenty to talk about at the Sept. 8 Ames City Council meeting!

In the latest episode of From Agenda to Action, Bill Gebhart sits down with Ames Mayor John Haila to break down some of the key discussions and decisions from the meeting.

They discuss:
City Council's approval of an urban deer management program

The proposed Sip and Stroll Social District

Planning and housing items aimed at helping move housing development in Ames forward

Listen to the latest episode of From Agenda to Action wherever you get your podcasts or at www.CityofAmes.org/Podcast.

09/11/2026

The City of Ames Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) joins several other organizations in hosting “A Glimpse Inside,” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17. This one-day event showcases historic and architectural resources at 11 locations in historic downtown Ames, the Chautauqua and Ridgewood Addition National Register Historic District, and the Roosevelt neighborhood. The event is free and open to the public.

‘A Glimpse Inside’ Event Showcases Architecture and History in Ames Ames, IA sent this bulletin at 09/11/2026 04:48 PM CDT Share / View as a browser Sept. 11, 2026 ‘A Glimpse Inside’ Event Showcases Architecture and History in Ames The City of Ames Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) join...

09/11/2026

We remember.

Today, we pause to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and to honor the first responders, service members, families, and countless others forever affected by that day.

The tragedy of 9/11 reached communities across the country, including Ames. Among those lost were people with connections to our community, reminding us that even events unfolding hundreds of miles away touched the lives of our neighbors, friends, and families.

Twenty-five years later, we remember those who were lost, those who responded with courage and compassion, and all whose lives were changed forever.

We will never forget.

09/11/2026

Have you seen the work going on at Schainker Plaza?

Construction is underway to remove and replace the ice skating ribbon at Schainker Plaza, 510 Clark Ave. The plaza has been closed since Sept. 1 while crews complete the work.

The project follows a busy summer at Schainker Plaza, which saw a great turnout for the new spray pad. Now, we’re getting ready for the next season of fun!

The new ice skating ribbon is anticipated to open in late November, weather permitting.

During construction, the entire plaza remains closed, including the spray pad, restrooms, drinking fountains, showers, seating, and food truck parking.

We’re excited to see Schainker Plaza transform from summer splashes to winter skating!