CTE 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,…
Read MoreSnapshots of History
By Mike Avitt I’ve written about the past almost 700 times. What if I wrote about the future? It’s been done before. Jack Terry wrote in the Mount Ayr Centennial Book (1975) that we need to face the future “with courage and optimism” as our forebears did. And that Mount Ayr’s future depends “on what…
Read MoreLOOKING BACK in the Early Files
One Hundred Thirty-one Years Ago (From the Mount Ayr Ringgold Record, Thursday, August 2, 1894.) John Dunlap has purchased Harvey White’s interest in the livery barn of White Brothers’ and the busieness with hereafter be conducted by Frank White and Mr. Dunlap. The patrons of the barn may expect to receive the same courteous treatment…
Read MoreSpecial Delivery!
Surprise of a lifetime Tuesday, July 29, started out as just another routine day for Peyton and Harlee Stull. Before the day was out, however, they had a miraculous story to tell about the birth of their son all alone along a rural roadside. Nine months pregnant, Harlee had spent the morning folding laundry, freezing jalapenos,…
Read MorePersonnel, Medicaid top RCH board agenda
by Brenda Grose Announced at Ringgold County Hospital’s Board of trustees meeting, Monday, July 28, was new head of rehabilitation, Nathan Nebel, PT. Nebel heads the newly contracted service, Inspire Rehab which began July 1. Additionally, new to RCH will be tele-health electro physiology, a cardiology specialty provided by Mohit Chawla, MD. Coming on board…
Read MoreSesquicentennial awarded grant
The Mount Ayr Sesquicentennial Committee has been awarded a $15,640 state grant to go toward historical and cultural presentations and activities during the three-day celebration, September 19-21. According to the Iowa Economic Development and Finance Authority, the “Iowa Community Cultural Grants help cities, county governments, tribal councils and nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations to support the development…
Read MoreGarner purchases Ringgold County newspapers
Ken Garner, of Maryville, MO, has purchased Paragon Publications, Inc., which includes the Mount Ayr Record News and the Diagonal Progress from Tom and Tami Hawley effective August 5. The deal has been finalized and the handover to Garner officially took place on Tuesday. The purchase by Garner continues an improbable streak of local ownership…
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