County farmland values increase 12.9%
The 2023 Iowa State University Land Value Survey reported a 3.7% increase to $11,835 per acre for average Iowa farmland values from November 2022 to November 2023. This continues the increase in land values from last year, and the $11,835/acre nominal land value is the highest ever since data collection began in the 1940s. However,…
Read MoreJohn Smith
John Smith passed away in Yuma, AZ, November 22, 2023, on his 71st birthday. He was formerly from Diagonal, IA. Preceding him in death are Cecil and Vesta Smith, brothers; Cecil, Richard, Dee, and Lee, sisters: Roxie Fletcher, brother-in-laws Charlie Fletcher, Myron Schnackenberg, Bob Strange and Bud Ayres. He will be missed by his brothers…
Read MoreRuth Irene (Watts) Winkler
Ruth Irene (Watts) Winkler, age 92, of Mount Ayr, Iowa passed away peacefully on November 28, 2023, at Mount Ayr Healthcare Nursing Facility. She was born on February 18, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan to Walter and Vera (Duzenbury) Watts. Ruth was united in marriage to Casper (Cap) F. Winkler on January 14, 1954. They were…
Read MoreJohn “Jack” Carter England
John “Jack” Carter England age 91 passed away Friday December 1st. He is survived by his three children Kathleen Simpson, Diane England, and Jeffrey England; Grandchildren Jesse Simpson (Jessica), Trevor Simpson, and Katelyn O’Connor (Sean); Great Grandchildren Abigail Simpson, Harlow O’Connor, and Ellie Simpson. He is proceeded in death by his parents John and Ruth…
Read MoreRaiders bowl past SE Warren Dec. 4
The Mount Ayr boys’ and girls’ bowling teams each picked up a win over SE Warren on December 4. The Raider boys won by a score of 1,851 to 1,614. The Raiderette girls team won by a score of 1,006 to 904. On the boy’s side, Mount Ayr was led by Mitchell Jackson with a…
Read MoreMount Ayr competes at Dan Christensen Invite
The Mount Ayr boy’s wrestling team traveled to Leon last Friday for a rare school day meet that took up most of Friday. There, the Raiders placed 15th out of 16 scoring teams with 44 points. Humboldt won the meet with a team score of 212 points followed by Winterset with 209.5 points for second…
Read MoreRaiderettes pick up two POI wins
The Mount Ayr girl’s basketball team won their third and fourth games of the year last week and saw their POI record go to 3-0 with wins over Bedford and Lenox. The Raiderettes are tied for the Pride of Iowa Conference lead going into this week with fellow unbeaten Central Decatur and Martensdale-St. Mary’s who…
Read MoreRaiders split POI hoop games
It was a big week last week for the Mount Ayr boy’s basketball team as Mount Ayr split two Pride of Iowa Conference games. The Raiders beat rival Lenox 50-44 on Tuesday and lost a close game at Bedford 48-37. The Raiders won their third game in a row with a six-point win, 50-44 over…
Read MoreSnapshots of History
By Mike Avitt Bob and Kay Sickels took this week’s picture in 1992, prior to the restoration process. The depot was restored and opened as a museum in 2000. The Burlington Northern Railroad officially closed the 19.7 miles of line from Lamoni to Mount Ayr on April 8, 1976. It is likely rail service ceased…
Read More‘Moms for Liberty’ news
To the editor: There have been some interesting developments on the “Moms for Liberty” front. You remember the conservative political movement started in Florida in 2021 by a trio of current and former school board members, Tina Descovich, Tiffany Justice, and Bridget Ziegler. The organization advocates against school curricula that touch upon topics such as…
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