Agriculture Secretary Naig visits Ringgold County
By Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig paid a visit to the Holmstead Farmstead owned and operated by Kevin and Kendra Martin in Ringgold County last Friday. The visit was part of an annual tour of counties performed by Secretary Naig, but also included a follow up on progress…
Read MoreSheriff’s Department warns residents about potential scammers in the area
By Jeff Snyder and Ken Garner MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department last week requested the assistance of county resident in helping to locate individuals involved in a multi-state scheme. The original BOLO (be on the lookout), issued on January 7, identified a construction company that allegedly had been operating in the…
Read MoreObituary: Carl Lawrence Ford
Carl Lawrence (Larry) Ford was born May 29, 1940, on a farm near Tingley, Iowa to Carl J and Ann Smith Ford. He was later joined by Thomas Edward, John Alan (passed away at birth), and Carla Ann. He attended Tingley School where he rode his pony Little Joe every day, graduating from Tingley in…
Read MoreObituary: Doris Marguerite Klejch
Born July 26, 1930, in a tenant farmhouse in Delphos, Iowa, Doris Marguerite Pratt arrived as one half of a mischievous twin pair alongside brother Donald Marvin – the youngest of Clark and Effie Pratt’s family of five boys and five girls. Her father’s response became family lore: “It’s time to quit when they start…
Read MoreRaiders 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…
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