LOOKING BACK in the Early Files by Lora Stull
One Hundred Years Ago (From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, November 11, 1926.) The corner stone of Ringgold County’s new court house will be laid this afternoon with exercises appropriate to the celebration of an achievement which marks community progress. Our neighbor Will Murphy, has met with misfortune, having surffered the loss of a finger, and…
Read MoreSnapshots of History by Mike Avitt
This week’s photo comes from the scrapbook of Zella (Campbell) Swartz and shows the opera house when it was located at 104 E. Monroe in Mount Ayr. Zella graduated in 1913 while the brick school was under construction, so her high school classes were held here and the upstairs rooms at 112 S. Taylor which…
Read MoreObituary – Phyllis Lee Manning
Phyllis Lee (Holland) Manning, 95, of Mount Ayr, formerly of Beaconsfield, Iowa, passed away on October 31, 2026, at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr. Phyllis was born in Chariton, Iowa, on December 14, 1930, to Kenneth and Mildred (Kitselman) Holland. She spent most of her childhood in Beaconsfield and fondly remembered riding her pony, Sparkle,…
Read MoreObituary – Linda Winkler
Linda Louise (Barber) Winkler of Mount Ayr, Iowa, age 71, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family on November 6, 2026. Linda was a genuinely loving person. She cared deeply for her family, her friends, her church, and all the people whose lives she touched. Those of us who were fortunate to be loved…
Read MoreResults from last week’s election
By KEN GARNER MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Now that election day is come and gone it is time to proclaim the winners of our statewide and local elections. Here locally in the Ringgold County partisan races, the candidates were all unopposed as Board of Supervisors – Randy Taylor (Rep), County Treasurer – Debra A. Cannon…
Read MoreDeclining enrollment raises concerns for MACS
By IVY BICE MOUNT AYR, Iowa – Declining enrollment and its potential impact on the district’s financial future were among the topics discussed during the Mount Ayr Community School District Board of Education meeting Monday, Nov. 9. During the superintendent’s report, the board reviewed the district’s annual financial health information and enrollment trends, which showed…
Read MoreOnce a Marine, always a Marine
Publisher’s Note: Each year the Mount Ayr Record News makes an effort to highlight a local veteran during Veteran’s Day. If you know of a veteran we should highlight in the future please reach out to the newspaper at staff@mtayrnews.com. by Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — On Tuesday November 10, the United States Marine…
Read MoreLegion community breakfast supports area youth
By IVY BICE MOUNT AYR, Iowa – The Mount Ayr American Legion has revived its Sunday Community Breakfast, a tradition that originally began approximately 30 years ago. However, the breakfast has taken on a new purpose, with all profits now going toward supporting area youth organizations. Sunday breakfast at the American Legion originally started as…
Read MoreWhere’s the Beef?
Ringgold County Youth Beef Team holds 1st meeting. By IVY BICE DIAGONAL, Iowa — The Ringgold County Youth Beef Team held its inaugural meeting last Saturday that included a breeding heifer selection workshop at Werner Family Angus in Diagonal. The workshop was open to students in 4th through 12th grade and gave participants hands-on experience…
Read MoreCouncil works through weather issues
By JEFF SNYDER MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Unusual weather continues to present problems for the City of Mount Ayr as exaggerated fall rains have continued the onslaught of the city’s infrastructure. The city has already put into place a detailed plan to update the storm water drainage systems and in fact are under way with…
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