Raiders hoops lose 59-49 to Woodward Knights
By Dalton Shadle MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Raider boys got back on the hardwood Monday night in their first game after the holiday break. The Raiders dropped the first game of 2026 to Woodward Academy 59-49 in Mount Ayr. The first half of the game leaned in the Knights favor with them putting up…
Read MoreRaiderette Wrestling Spotlight
Submitted by Mitch Doolittle Alba Friedrich 8th grader, a dual sport athlete in basketball and wrestling won a tough bracket at AAU Winter Nationals in Omaha, Neb. on Saturday. She took 1st place last year at Iowa AAU Girls State and is training hard with full intentions of a repeat this year.
Read MoreRaiderettes place 12th overall at Clarinda Invitational
By Dalton Shadle CLARINDA, Iowa — This past weekend the Raiderettes fresh off winter break hit the mat against 19 other teams. Mount Ayr placed 12th overall in the Clarinda Invitational, with many of the wrestlers placing high in their weight brackets. “Clarinda was as usual a tough tournament and a good kickstart to the…
Read MoreSnapshots of History by Mike Avitt
By Mike Avitt Last week we looked at the Ringgold County Home, also known as the Poor Farm, in the first 10 or 12 years of its existence. Remember, we are looking at the wood-frame structures that preceded the brick building built in 1922. This week we’ll look at the years 1894 to 1906. Again,…
Read MoreLOOKING BACK in the Early Files by Lora Stull
One Hundred Years Ago (From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, January 13, 1926.) Neighbors of Guy Spicer to the number of 25 gathered at his home in Rice township and finished husking and cribbing his corn. Mr. Spicer got behind with his work on account of illness of his mother and the injuries sustained by his…
Read MoreNew rules for Supplemental Nutrition Programs take effect in Iowa
by Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Effective January 1, 2026 the department of Health and Human Services has issued new guidelines for the use of SNAP benefits throughout the state of Iowa. The new guidelines are fairly straight forward, whereas, the new plan limitations will only allow for reimbursements for non-taxable food items. Starting…
Read MoreGary and Gabby: A Bond That Needs No Leash
by Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Gary Joynes is a 17-year resident of the Mount Ayr community. You may not know the 64-year-old Joynes, but you almost certainly will recognize his constant companion, Gabby. Gabby is a 6-year-old Border Collie who was given to Joynes when she was just one year old. The circumstances…
Read MoreRCH in position for major rural health investment
by Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Ringgold County Hospital is poised to receive a substantial cash infusion via a newly approved Rural Health Transformation Program sponsored by the federal government. Iowa was recently informed that the state’s share of this $50 billion federal program will be $209 million dollars. In order to receive benefits…
Read MoreObituary: Kenneth Eugene Stephens
Kenneth Eugene Stephens was born to Eileen Pritchett Mason and Donald Stephens on March 5,1952, in Mt. Ayr, Iowa. He peacefully passed away December 24, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family and friends. When Ken was young, he and his family, along with younger sister Kathy, moved to Longmont, Colorado. In his early…
Read MoreLooking Back by Lora Stull
One Hundred Years Ago (From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, January 6, 1926.) A business change in Mount Ayr which will be of interest throughout Ringgold County took place Monday when J. L. Kinsell, veteran hardware dealer, sold an interest in his business to C.G Allyn and G.L. Todd. Immediate possession was given and the business…
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