After the storm, spring: Equinox signals warmer days ahead
By Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The wait is finally over. On March 20, 2026 at 10:46 a.m. the sun will divide its time in equal parts between day and night. In scientific terms this is called the Vernal Equinox. The Vernal Equinox is determined when the sun crosses the celestial equator enabling this…
Read MoreObituary: Douglas Lynn Virden
Douglas Lynn Virden was born January 19, 1954, to Francis and Fornola (Higday) Virden in Leon, Iowa. As the only boy in a family with five sisters, Doug grew up surrounded by plenty of adventures and family life. Doug attended Grand Valley School, where he stayed busy and active. He played basketball, baseball, ran track,…
Read MoreTwo First Team and four total Raiderettes named to POI All-Conference Team
By Ryan Stonebraker MOUNT AYR, Iowa — It was a banner year for the Mount Ayr girls basketball team. A 20-win season, a share of the Pride of Iowa Conference title and a state ranking more weeks than not. Those accomplishments were rewarded recently as the POI released its annual honors list last week. On the…
Read MoreLOOKING BACK in the Early Files by Lora Stull
One Hundred Years Ago (From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, March 17, 1926.) D.D.Dolecheck is now located in his new store building just north of the Crew Hardware and F.F. Fogle has moved to the building formerly occupied by Mr. Dolecheck. Mr. and Mrs. Luther Tedrow and son Paul returned Saturday morning from Florida, where they…
Read MoreSnapshots of History by Mike Avitt
I made a mistake in the last article. In the last paragraph I used the surname “Mullin” which was incorrect as it should have been “Mull.” My further research also uncovered multiple closeout sales at the Ringgold City store. The first one was in August 1932 with Mrs. J. M. Mull & Son as proprietors.…
Read MoreFaith, music and fellowship mark Women’s Spring Seminar
by Priscilla Alvik MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Women of all ages and religious denominations gathered to participate in the Spring Seminar “For His Glory” on Saturday at Wishard Chapel Community Church in Mount Ayr which hosted the 135 women. Faith Taylor, Director and Adjunct Professor of Women’s Ministries at Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny,…
Read MoreCancer care closer to home: Ringgold County Hospital pursues grant funds
By Dalton Shadle MOUNT AYR, Iowa — A two-part story that appeared in the Mount Ayr Record News last fall discussing the increasing cancer rates that are affecting Iowa as a whole. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds once again addressed the topic during her 2026 Condition of the State Address on January 13. Reynolds explained what…
Read MoreCommunity Search Ends in Relief as Missing Woman Is Found
By Jeff Snyder and Ken Garner MOUNT AYR, Iowa — A potentially tragic situation had the best possible outcome when a missing woman was located in rural Ringgold County. Cheryl Anderson, 78, was last seen leaving her residence in Cumming, Iowa in the late afternoon on March 3. Anderson, who has Alzheimer’s and has not…
Read MoreSpring storm threat returns: Ringgold County EMA urges area residents to be prepared
By Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — With the warmer weather and springtime around the corner, Ringgold County Emergency Management Coordinator Melissa Stark knows she is about to be busy. Evidence of this happened late last week as the threat of severe storms went through southwest Iowa and northwest Missouri. Emergency Management is a coordinated…
Read MoreObituary – Mildred “Lucille” Main
Mildred Lucille Main was born at home on May 27, 1925, near Kellerton, Ringgold County, Iowa, the daughter of Carroll and Mary Merritt. She passed away on February 25, 2026, at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Lucille attended country schools until high school when she attended two years at Kellerton and two years in…
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