Making a splash this summer
By Jennifer Kellner MOUNT AYR, IA – After the new pool at Judge Lewis Park officially opened on May 31, summer swimmers have made a big splash. The pool welcomed over 300 swimmers during opening weekend. Just over 150 swimmers enjoyed cooling off Saturday, and the pool welcomed 168 people on Sunday. Daily pool use…
Read MoreMACS prepares for 2025-26
Welcomes five new instructors By Darrell Dodge MOUNT AYR, IA – The 2025-26 school year starts Monday, September 25 at Diagonal and Mount Ayr Community Schools. Mount Ayr elementary students will be starting their day at 8:15 a.m., while high school students begin at 8:20 a.m. The Mount Ayr Community School board of directors heard…
Read MoreObituary: Susan Lynn (Lesan) Smith
Susan Lynn (Lesan) Smith (1949-2025) Susan was born on December 12, 1949, to Mary Eileen (Yashack) Lesan and Charles Joseph Lesan, joining her twin sister, Sharon Lee and big brother Steven Charles. Born in Creston, IA, Susan grew up in rural Ringgold County, baptized and reared in the First Christian Church in Mount Ayr, IA. Susan…
Read MoreSnapshots of History
By Mike Avitt Welcome to “Snapshots of History” number 700. In my first “Snapshots” article from December 23, 2010, I wrote I didn’t know how long this column would run. Now, almost fifteen years later, I still don’t know. My research methods have changed over the years as I use mostly digitized newspapers, now. Previously,…
Read MoreLOOKING BACK in the Early Files
One Hundred Years Ago (From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, August 12, 1925.) After being successfully engaged in the clothing business in Mount Ayr for fifteen-half years. Charles Agee has sold his stock and fixtures to Charles Hetzel and LeRoy Saltzman. The inventory was completed yesterday and the business turned over to the new proprietors. The…
Read MoreRyce Reynolds excels at Stanford
Inside the classroom, on the track By Darrell Dodge [This is the first part of a two-part article catching up with Ryce Reynolds, a 2024 MACHS graduate, about his first year at Stanford University.] Young boys and girls on Iowa playgrounds often dream of following their role models to reach the highest levels of athletic…
Read MoreCTE building bids, personnel top MAC board agenda
By Darrell Dodge Progress on the CTE building project and personnel decisions were main items of discussion at the Monday, August 11 meeting of the Mount Ayr Community Schools board of directors. CTE building update Following a brief public hearing, the board approved the plans and specifications for the new Career and Technical Education building…
Read MoreWater, sewer rate increases set
By Jennifer Kellner The Mount Ayr city council approved the third readings of the water and sewer ordinances, increasing rates to cover estimated budget shortfalls at their regular meeting Monday, August 11. The new adjusted rates will be published in an upcoming issue of the Mount Ayr Record News. SAM GIS presentation Dustin Henggeler with…
Read MoreObituary: Robert James Elswick
Robert James Elswick 1945-2025 Robert James Elswick, age 80, son of Paul and Arleta Grace (Sumption) Elswick, was born March 25, 1945, in Osceola, Iowa. He passed from this life on July 14, 2025, at the Clearview Home in Mt. Ayr, Iowa. Bob, as he was known, grew up on the Elswick family farm west…
Read MoreObituary: Joe Klejch, Jr.
Joe Klejch, Jr. 1933-2025 Joe Klejch, Jr. (Junior) was born January 5, 1933, at the hospital in Creston, Iowa and left this life on July 28, 2025, at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center. He was the only child to Joe Klejch and Helen Louise (Elick) Klejch. Junior graduated from Diagonal High School in 1951,…
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