Area News
Iowa paved roads to see speed limit changes
By Olivia West MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The default speed limit on most of Iowa’s two-lane state highways and rural paved roads increased from 55 mph to 60 mph on July 1, 2026, under Senate File 378 signed by Governor Kim Reynolds. It’s estimated a total of 1,800 signs will be updated, but not all…
Read MoreSNAP rules changed again
By Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — A federal judge ruled on June 29 that states, including Iowa, were not allowed to restrict certain food purchases using the federal government sponsored Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The ruling stated that states do not have the right to redetermine the definition of “Food” under the SNAP…
Read MoreNew World screwworm on the move
By Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — An old foe in the cattle world is making an unwelcome comeback across the United States. The New World screwworm fly is once again starting to infect some cattle in the nation. In recent weeks, new cases of Screw Fly infestation have been detected in the United States…
Read MoreCelebrating the 4th of July
New law allows 8th graders to play H.S. sports
By Olivia West MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Beginning August 1, 2026, Iowa law will allow eighth-grade students to participate in all high school sports. The new law directs the Iowa Department of Education, along with the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and the Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union (IGHSAU), to develop rules for…
Read MoreSummer’s here
By Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Although most people have been in summer mode for some time, the official first day of summer arrived last Sunday. Astronomically this day on the calendar represents the start of the summer solstice and subsequently the longest day of the calendar year in the northern hemisphere. Summer is…
Read MoreDisability rights group receives grant
By Olivia West MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Disability Rights Iowa has announced they received their second $25,000 Capacity Building Grant from the Principal Foundation in just two years. DRI is part of a national group of agencies created to address repeated abuse and neglect of people with disabilities. As a non-profit agency, they are funded…
Read MoreLocal Lions to get new Iowa Kidsight camera
By Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — A vision screening can identify issues when a child cannot recognize or describe a problem. Iowa KidSight, a vision-screening program of the Lions Clubs of Iowa and the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Stead Family Children’s Hospital, offers free vision screenings for children 6 months old through…
Read MoreSummer readers wowed by nature and science
By Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Youth participating in the Mount Ayr Library’s Summer Reading program were treated to a pair of presentations in science and nature that wowed the participants last Wednesday. The first presentation was from the Science Center of Iowa at the Ringgold Outdoor Alliance building in Mount Ayr. The title…
Read MoreCity to review storm water solutions
By Jeff Snyder MOUNT AYR, Iowa — Two issues were the primary focus during the Mount Ayr City Council meeting Monday night at City Hall. First was the waste water systems improvements for which bids have been received and notated. The second area of focus was the issuance of a Capital Fund Grant from HUD…
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