Gary 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…
Read MoreSnapshots of History by Mike Avitt
I don’t have any images of Ringgold County’s first “Poor Farm.” I took several photos of our second county home, one of which is seen with this week’s article. Our county home, called the Poor Farm in the early days, was established in 1883 to provide care for paupers, orphans, cripples, feeble-minded and blind individuals.…
Read MoreTop stories of 2025
by Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa —In the waning days of the year and the beginning of a new, it’s always fun to take a glimpse over our shoulder to review the past 12 months. This past year saw a variety of major stories and a few changes other than the flipping of another calendar…
Read MoreMount Ayr Fire Department responds
by Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — On December 22 the Mount Ayr Fire Department responded to a call of a house fire located at 203 West South Street in Mount Ayr. The fire emanated from a wood burning stove that was situated in the back yard of the property. The large wood stove was…
Read MoreCTE update
by Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Work has begun on the new CTE center being constructed on the south side of the Mount Ayr High School property. Crews were busy laying the forms to allow for the pouring of the foundation that will support the new structure. “We’re trying to take advantage of the…
Read MoreObituary: Robert Richardson
Robert “Bob” D. Richardson passed away on November 23, 2025, in New London, IA. He was born on October 14, 1926, to Homer and Florence (Bean) Richardson at home in Mount Ayr, Iowa. He married Pauline Toland on November 25, 1950. Bob was a farmer in Ringgold County, Iowa. He also worked for Maynes Realty. Bob…
Read MoreObituary: Preston Hayse
Preston Loring Hayse was born February 7, 1942, to John Robert Hayse and Virginia Estella LaShier Hayse in Mitchell, South Dakota. He was named after his two uncles on either side. The family moved back to Sioux City, Iowa to be closer to other family before Preston started kindergarten. He grew up hunting with his…
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