Two local school districts ranked high in a recent U.S. News study that analyzed the 2020-2021 school year. Jason Shaffer is superintendent of both districts. Mount Ayr High School placed 67th out of the top 100 Iowa high schools. Bedford High School ranked the highest in southwest Iowa, placing 30th in the state. Statewide, Mount…
Towns across Ringgold County are preparing to elect a mayor and city council members, as well as school board representatives from each school district. Ellston and Redding will be voting to fill 5 seats on each city council, along with a mayor. Benton, Beaconsfield, Diagonal, Kellerton, Maloy, Mount Ayr, and Tingley will all be electing…
Although Wishard Chapel is one of the oldest churches in Ringgold County, it is about to evolve into the newest house of worship in the area. Pastor Bill Armstrong is excited to usher the congregation into their next chapter, and make room for additional members. “We always had a plan to build,” states Armstrong, “as the…
Blaine Scott The Mount Ayr Community Schools Hall of Fame was established and created to honor graduates, employees, teams, individuals, and friends of the Mount Ayr Community School for their accomplishments and/or service to the Mount Ayr Community School, and to inspire our students to become the best that they can be. New Hall…
Story by Master Sgt. David Eichaker Army Spc. John Shields, a combat medic in Iowa Army National Guard’s 334th Brigade Support Battalion, embraced his long-held dream of service by joining the National Guard while also utilizing military training to fulfill his civilian ambition as a municipal firefighter. After graduating from Mount Ayr High School in…
The Mount Ayr City Council voted 3-2 to move forward with a new outdoor pool at Judge Lewis Park Tuesday evening. Earlier, the council voted 3-2 to not move forward with the outdoor pool, but a change of personnel on the council have changed that equation. Chandra Poore was elected to the council August 1,…
The Mount Ayr Raiderettes improved to 1-1 in the Pride of Iowa Conference last Tuesday when they traveled north to Greenfield to play Nodaway Valley. The result was a 3-2, come-from-behind victory. The victory was the first for Mount Ayr since the 2018 against Nodaway Valley. That span of six straight wins saw Mount Ayr…
The Mount Ayr and Diagonal cross country teams traveled to Leon last Saturday for their only meet of the week. There, the Raider boys placed fourth and the Raiderettes placed second. The Raiders ran at the Pleasantville Trojan Invitational on Monday and traveled to Truro on Thursday, September 14 to run at the Interstate-35 Invitational.…
An anticipated match-up between two ranked football teams lived up to the hype last Friday at Raider Field. For Mount Ayr fans, however, the result was heartbreaking in the home opener. The Raiders fell, by one-point, 35-34 in overtime, losing their first game of the season, to fall to 2-1 and 0-1 in district play.…
Larry Lincoln Coulson was born on December 5, 1945, near Mount Ayr, Iowa. Larry was the oldest son of Cecil and Neva (Wilson) Coulson. He passed away September 14, 2023, in Centerville, Iowa at the age of 77 years. From birth, Larry had only minimal cognitive abilities, needing constant care, forcing his parents to place…
On September 16th, 2023, Dale Walters joined the Lord with a peaceful departure surrounded by his family. Dale was born in his Beaconsfield, Iowa home on June 22, 1942, to Chris O. and Wanda (Johnston) Walters. His family of five siblings Rex, Lyle, Beth, Cela, and Donna enjoyed their farming life upbringing and the feel…
Suzanne Johnston Weaver was born on December 26, 1946, and passed away peacefully in her home on September 5, 2023. Suzanne’s parents, Robert and Floretta Johnston, preceded her in death, as did her brothers Bill and Andy Johnston. Suzanne leaves behind her loving and devoted ‘mirror twin’ sister Dianne Johnston Hill. The past four years…
To the editor: The Holy Bible states in II Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by name, shall humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land…. America, WAKE UP! Lola Link Mount Ayr
To the editor: I am responding to the 8-17-23 Letter to the Editor on “Moms for Liberty is far right”. I hope to awaken many to the fact that our one and only Creator does not recognize labels such as race, political party, etc. We are living in the greatest times. Our job is to…
To the editor: On July 27, a family of three gnomes were stolen out of my yard on East Jefferson Street. One ended up in the middle of an intersection and was picked up by the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department. After spending a night in “jail”, he was released to go back to his home.…
There should be no shortage of things to do for area residents as summer winds down and area festivals heat up. Here is a rundown of area celebrations coming up through Labor Day. Grand River Rodeo The Grand River Rodeo will be holding its 41st annual event at the Grand River Rodeo Grounds on August…
The annual Ayr Days celebration is set for Saturday, August 26. With the theme “Till the Cows Come Home” this year’s Ayr Days will feature a full day’s worth of fun and activities for all ages. The event is sponsored by the Mount Ayr Chamber of Commerce. The Mount Ayr Public Library will be open…
Several area fireworks displays will be lighting up the sky in celebration of Independence Day. In Mount Ayr, you can expect to see fireworks launched from Loch Ayr Lake on Sunday, July 2 at dusk (around 9:30 p.m.). Sun Valley Lake Association is also planning to set off fireworks for community members on Sunday, July…
One Hundred Years Ago (From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, September 26, 1923.) O.T. Myers of Afton, Union County, says that a few days ago a letter postmarked Ames, IA and addressed to “Jim Saxon”, an alleged dope fiend who is being held in the county jail, waiting consideration of his case, was received at the…
By Mike Avitt The information with this photo says the picture was taken in 1899. Mr. Reger would live only two more years. William Alfred Reger was born February 18, 1852 in West Virginia. He came to Mount Ayr in 1870 and married Mary Ellis, daughter of Francis Ellis, the man who started the Mount…