Snapshots of History by Mike Avitt
Tuskeego is in Decatur County between Lamoni and Kellerton. I took several photos of the last two original buildings at Tuskeego around 2016. Both are gone now. Tuskeego is an unusual name and as such, it is easy to research in the digitized newspapers. The digitized newspapers have a search feature that works well with…
Read MoreRinggold County Hospital serves up for the holiday
by Jeff Snyder The Ringgold County Hospital opened it’s doors in 1951. Over the years the facility grew with increased capacity and added services largely due to its coordinated merger with Mercy One Health Systems. Currently the hospital stands as a modern full service medical care facility serving the Ringgold County community and surrounding small…
Read MoreToddler time at the library
By Priscilla Alvik MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The residents of Mount Ayr and surrounding communities are fortunate to have a library that provides multiple events throughout the calendar year. ThisOn December 2, “Toddler Time” saw Santa and Mrs. Claus come to visit the children. The event was co-hosted by the library and SWCC’s Parent as…
Read MoreBeaconsfield hosts open house to discuss non-profit
On Tuesday, December 16, Members of Beaconsfield City Council, Ringgold County Board of Supervisors and Ringgold County Historic Preservation Commission hosted an open house in the Beaconsfield Community Building, also recognized as the “First Hy-Vee Store.” The purpose of the open house was to drum up public interest in forming a new non-profit organization that…
Read MoreRinggold Development home nearing completion
by Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Ringgold County Development group saw one of its projects take another step toward completion on December 16. A nearly complete new manufactured home was delivered to the recently cleared site at 503 West Monroe Street in Mount Ayr. Crews from Homes for Iowa eased the three bedroom,…
Read MoreObituary: Merry Ann Swank
Merry Ann (Nichols) Swank was born in Creston, IA on January 19, 1948, to Arthur Franklin and Wilma Charlene (Borrusch) Nichols. She joined an older brother and sister. The family lived on a farm near Tingley for more than fifty years. She attended school at Tingley and Mount Ayr. On August 24, 1964, Merry Ann…
Read MoreObituary: Barbara Swank
A memorial Service for Barb Swank, 74, of Lenox, Iowa will be held Friday, December 19, 2025 at the Lenox Presbyterian Church, at 11 a.m.. The visitation will be held Friday, December 19, 2025 at the Lenox Presbyterian Church from 10 a.m. until service time. Inurnment will be held at North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox.…
Read MoreObituary: Lois Ann Sobotka
Lois Anne Sobotka, was born July 27, 1935, to Cecil and Lois Allen. She passed away at the age of 90 on Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Clearview Nursing Home in Mount Ayr Iowa. Lois Anne grew up on a farm near Knowlton northwest of Diagonal. She attended the Knowlton School and the Jefferson…
Read MoreObituary: Pauline Murphy
Pauline Leveta Murphy passed away at her home in Inspirations of Mesa senior living in Mesa, Arizona, on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Pauline was born on July 16, 1925, in Osage City, Kansas, to Joshua “Joker” and Merzetta (Fender) Hillebran. The family, including Pauline’s two older sisters, moved to Iowa, where the girls grew up…
Read MoreObituary: Jo Ann Maguire
Jo Ann Maguire, age 97, passed away on December 11, 2025. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Born on April 5, 1928, Jo Ann was a lifelong resident of Rockwell City, IA. She married Delmar Erin Maguire on February 28, 1948. In her early adult years she was a secretary, first for…
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