Snapshots of History by Mike Avitt
By Mike Avitt Many years ago, the Mount Ayr Depot Museum was gifted a scrapbook from the Ringgold County Cattlemen’s Association. I can no longer locate that scrapbook, but I had some success searching different words and phrases on the digitized newspapers. Let’s take a look at the beginning of that association. The August 22,…
Read MoreValentines Day keeps marching on
By Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Each year residents of Ringgold County and all across the nation prepare to celebrate their unrequited love. They pour through countless card displays, research just the right floral arrangements and scour the pages of the internet looking for just the right gift that says “I LOVE YOU.” Valentine’s Day…
Read MoreCity council approves LOSAP program for Fire Department
By Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Mount Ayr City Council had a full plate to discuss during its regularly scheduled council meeting of Monday, Funerary 9. Chief among the topics was the support for the proposed LOSAP (Length of Service Award Program) previously introduced to council in a recent meeting for the volunteer…
Read MoreWater rates to increase
by Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Mount Ayr City Council was informed of an impending increase in water rates via a letter the city received from SIRWA (Southern Iowa Water Authority) during its regular meeting on Monday night. The letter announced a rate increase effective July 1, 2026 of $2.50 per 1000 gallons…
Read MoreMount Ayr Library Receives Gift
by Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Last month the Mount Ayr Public Library was notified that they would receive a $10,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The grant was a gift from a fund established and managed by the Carnegie Corporation and was allocated to the Mount Ayr Public Library in celebration…
Read MoreRaiderettes Roll Through Three-Game Stretch
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Raiderettes (18-1) continue to dominate area competition while moving up the state rankings in a 57-24 victory over Murray Monday night in Mount Ayr as they begin a three-game stretch this week. No. 14 Mount Ayr kept the Mustangs in single digits each quarter, while as a team the Raiderettes…
Read MoreRaiders Overpower Opponents in Big Week of Basketball
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Raiders began a busy three game week by taking care of business at home against Murray 69-24 on Monday in Mount Ayr. Mount Ayr was dominant from the tip-off as the took a 27-3 first-quarter lead. It was more of the same in the second quarter as the Raiders had…
Read MoreObituary: Dean Pettit
Dean Pettit was born on March 8, 1947, to Earl and Esther Pettit in Greenfield, Iowa. He attended school in Menlo and grew up alongside his siblings, brothers Donnie, Bill, and sister Bonnie. Dean graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, where he earned a degree in education. He began his teaching career…
Read MoreObituary: Lola Hoffman
Lola Mae Hoffman, age 94, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her daughters at Azria Health in Winterset on February 1, 2026. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4, at the Shannon City Community Church, with burial at Harmony Cemetery near Shannon City, Iowa. An open visitation will be held…
Read MoreObituary: Donna Adkisson
Donna Lee (Wiley) Adkisson, 90, died peacefully on January 27, 2026. Donna spent her final days in hospice care at Promise House in Hiawatha, Iowa. In accordance with Donna’s wishes, no memorial service will be held. A private interment will be conducted this spring at Bethel Cemetery outside Diagonal, Iowa, near the Wiley family century…
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