Donna Jean Deemer
Donna Jean (Wicker) Deemer, daughter of Donald and Alice (Laird) Wicker was born in Creston, IA on November 15, 1950. She was a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and cherished friend to many. In Donna’s younger years, she was very active in sports. She participated in Basketball, Softball and Track. She graduated from Grand Valley…
Read MoreBetty Jean Schnackenberg
Betty Jean Schnackenberg was born June 10th, 1940, in Portland, Oregon the daughter of Cecil and Vesta (Conley) Smith. While Betty Jean was still young the family moved to Iowa. Being one of the oldest Betty was busy helping out with her younger siblings. Betty graduated from Mount Ayr High School. She married Leonard Watts…
Read MoreSnapshots of History – Diagonal Schoolhouse
Diagonal’s first school building was believed to have been built in 1892. Previously, Washington Township No. 3 was used as Diagonal’s school. This week we’ll look at the first year of Diagonal’s existence – 1889. In late 1887, the Chicago, St. Paul, & Kansas City Railroad laid its tracks through Ringgold County creating the towns…
Read MoreFund Iowa child EBT
To the editor: In an after Christmas slap in the face to low income Iowa families, Governor Reynolds announced that Iowa would not participate in the 2024 Federal government’s Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children known as Summer EBT. Under the program, families would receive $40 a month to purchase food during the summer months…
Read MoreLooking Back – January 4, 2024
One Hundred Years Ago (From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, January 9, 2024.) State of Iowa vs Murry and Ruckman; charge of bootlegging and written answer of plea of guilty to crime charged. It is order and judgment of the court that the defendants pay a fine of $75 each and costs of action. As was recorded…
Read MoreCoffee bar changes ownership
After 18 years of serving coffee in Mount Ayr, Jamie Miller is offering John and Candace Stieh an opportunity to make the coffee shop their own. At the end of December, The Mill transitioned ownership and reopened on January 2, 2024 as HTH Outdoors – Mama and Papa Bear Coffee Bar. While the coffee and…
Read MoreNeighbor saved Kemery’s life
4-H training prepared teenager to ‘Stop the Bleed’ Pat Kemery of rural Blockton lived to ring in another new year thanks to her neighbors, who she considers family. After Pat’s husband Wayne passed away in November of 2022, Nate and Crystal Drake offered to help her take care of the farm. Their teenage son Weston…
Read MoreObituaries
When a loved one passes, we can help you remember them and share your memorial event with family and friends. All obituary rates include a picture, if desired. FLAT RATE OBITUARIES: Mount Ayr Record News – $75 flat rate* Diagonal Progress – $45 flat fee* Both Papers – $105 total* *2024 rates Submit your information…
Read MoreRINGGOLD COUNTY 2023: The events that shaped our county
Looking back on the events that shaped our county July through December. July Ringgold County prepares for the county fair which runs from July 11-16 this year. The Ringgold County Supervisors voted to limit the construction of wind turbines in the county and set three public hearings on the proposed regulations. The ordinance said that…
Read MoreReynolds to take talents to Stanford
Ryce Reynolds made his college choice official last Thursday, December 21, signing on to Stanford University at a ceremony surrounded by family, friends, fellow students, and Mount Ayr community high school track and field coaches. Reynolds will head to the San Francisco Bay Area in September, with a partial academic scholarship and partial athletic scholarship…
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