LOOKING BACK in the Early Files by Lora Stull
One Hundred Years Ago (From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, November 25, 1925.) The Beaconsfield high school basketball team won another victory Friday night when it defeated the Grand River team 19-30 on the Beaconsfield court. This was the first time in the history of basketball that the Beaconsfield high school team has ever defeated the…
Read MoreSnapshots of History by Mike Avitt
Last week I wrote about Ringgold County’s first church building in section 12 of Jefferson Township. It probably faded away slowly as I can’t find an official abandonment. It was a log structure and likely without a heat source such as a fireplace or wood-burning stove. The building would have been open to damage by…
Read MoreDodge retires from the Record News
Dodge has been a fixture of the news coverage and opinion writing in both the Mount Ayr Record News and Diagonal Progress spanning three publishers and owners. “Darrell has been a steadying presence and reliable source of information for Ringgold County’s newspapers for many years,” owner and publisher Ken Garner said. “His guidance and wisdom…
Read MoreSupervisors get conservation update
By JEFF SNYDER MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Ringgold County Board of Supervisors heard numerous updates throughout the county during its regular meeting on Monday. Director of Ringgold County Conservation Travis Scott updated the board on several items the conservation department are working on. Scott informed the board on the holiday lights being set up…
Read MoreFill a truck…feed a friend
By JEFF SNYDER MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Area firefighters and their colleagues have joined forces to help area residents in need during the holiday season. Fire departments in Mount Ayr, Diagonal and Kellerton, have organized a food drive in honor of Faye Stull to recognize her 50 years of service to the fire department. Stull…
Read MoreCouncil learns of impending health insurance rate changes
by Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — During its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, the Mount Ayr City Council was given a presentation by the city’s health insurance provider on possible plan changes and rate increases. The plan is slated for renewal in early 2026. The current program is provided by Wellmark, which is an…
Read MoreObituary: Larry Lloyd England
Larry Lloyd England was born July 2nd, 1941, in Ringgold County, Iowa to Lloyd Courtney and Evelyn Belle (Smith) England. Larry departed this life on November 14, 2025, at the Clearview Nursing Home after a long, hard-fought battle against Parkinson’s Disease. Larry, the second youngest in his family, was welcomed home by siblings Robert, Doris,…
Read MoreRaiders places 11 on all-district teams
By Ryan Stonebraker MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Several Mount Ayr football players were recently honored with the release of the Class A District 7 All-District teams. In total there were 10 Raiders receiving all-district recognition. The annual honors list had four Raiders on the first team offense and defense squads, a pair of selections on the…
Read MoreRaiders ready to hit the lanes
By Dalton Shadle MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Mount Ayr bowling teams are spinning up to hit the lanes on November 24. The boys are coming off a perfect regular season last year when the team went 14-0. The girls were 5-5 overall. Mount Ayr will be led by new coach Jason Echhoff, who has…
Read MoreLooking for greatness on the mat
By Dalton Shadle MOUNT AYR, Iowa — As winter sports season begins to ramp up coach Mitch Doolittle is looking forward to the second year of girls wrestling at Mount Ayr. It will also be Doolittle’s first year coaching at the high school level. Despite the newness of both coach and team, the sights are…
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