The Iowa State Fair has a long history
By Olivia West DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa State Fair is the largest annual event in Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. The fair attracts more than 1 million visitors from around the world each year and is currently held in Des Moines. However, it…
Read MoreStep right up to the show
Circus wows and amazes area residents By Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — With the smell of peanuts and popcorn filling the warm August air, as area residents were invited to step right up to to watch the traveling circus corps of Culpepper & Merriweather last Sunday. These traveling performers put on two afternoon shows…
Read MoreCouple brings hope to Ukraine by faith
By Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — People living in the eastern European nation of Ukraine do not know the silence of peace. For the last four years the Ukrainian people have been locked in mortal combat with their superpower neighbor Russia. Thousands of casualties have been suffered by both sides in this brutal fight.…
Read MoreObituary – Joan Harvey
Joan A. (McHenry) Harvey, daughter of John and Rubye (Colvin) McHenry, was born May 11, 1929, and departed this life on Sunday, August 9, 2026. Joan was raised on a farm near Allendale, Missouri, alongside her three sisters. She attended the one-room Jackson Country School north of Allendale and later graduated from high school in…
Read MoreLOOKING BACK in the Early Files by Lora Stull
One Hundred Years Ago (From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, August 4, 1926.) T.D. McGahuey has moved to Redding where he is conducting a blacksmith shop. Threshing is now in full sway in these parts and the oats are turning out from twenty to fifty bushels per acre and of good quality. Relatives received a telegram…
Read MoreSnapshots of History by Mike Avitt
This week’s photo comes courtesy of Nancy Thompson and shows the Mount Ayr Hotel in 1928. The hotel was started in 1865 or 1866 at 116 E. Madison St. by Francis (Frank) Ellis and his wife Susan. It lasted until 1985. I don’t have much info on the hotel until the early 1870s because my…
Read MoreStill no Farm Bill passed
By Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Farmers across the nation, which include Ringgold County farmers will once again have to wait to see if Congress can pass a bipartisan Farm Bill this year. The current farm bill has been in effect since 2018 and has been extended multiple times, but has not been significantly…
Read MoreKid’s Library Club
by PRISCILLA ALVIK MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Mount Ayr Kids Library Club met with Librarian Mary Kathryn Gepner and Rick Bender representing the “Community Breakfast” chefs last Tuesday to present a generous donation to the library. The kids volunteered to help out with the Sunday, July 5 breakfast at the American Legion. They served…
Read MoreMental health is a growing problem
By Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Ringgold County Board of Supervisors learned about some of the growing mental health issues in the area during a presentation by Miranda Wachter, who is the District Leader for Iowa Primary Care Association at its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday at the Courthouse. Iowa Primary Care Association’s mission…
Read MoreMACS Board discusses athletics, facility upgrades
By Olivia West MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Mount Ayr Community School District Board of Education discussed student athletics, building improvements and changes within the district during its monthly meeting on August 10. Board member Samantha Elliott brought up concerns from parents regarding eighth-grade girls potentially moving up to participate in high school volleyball. Because…
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