Area News

Statewide farmland values decline, but Ringgold County shows 4.4% increase The annual Iowa State University Land Value Survey found that farmland values decreased 3.1%, or $369, to $11,467 per acre. However, Ringgold County and most of southcentral Iowa bucked this trend. According to the survey, farmland values in Ringgold County increased by 4.4% in 2024…

As the end of another year approaches, we look back on the people, places, and things that graced the pages of the Record-News in 2024. This week focuses on the months July through December. July Matt Henle joins the Mount Ayr city council. Senator Charles Grassley holds a town hall meeting in the Ringgold County…

A new business in Mount Ayr now offers Iowa hunters another option for purchasing a hunting or fishing license, in addition to arming them with equipment for the pursuit. Colton Weehler and Chase French combined forces as partners in a new business that re-branded Weehler’s Gun Shop to Alpha Arsenal and moved it from Benton…

Following a closed session to open a special meeting held Friday, December13, the Diagonal Community School board of directors accepted the resignation of K-12 principal and district technology director Gary Clark, effective December 20. No further details were available due to statutes limiting release of information affecting personnel. District superintendent Larry McNutt will serve as…

The City of Mount Ayr held a special meeting with council members on Tuesday, December 10 at 6 p.m., stating they would be utilizing Jason Palmer as legal counsel during the special session. While council member Chandra Poore did not attend, Mack Greene, Mike Wik, Jessica Murphy, Matt Henle, Brent Wise, City Administrator, Dennis Dugan…

Latest evolution to learning for area students Education has come a long way from the days of just readin’, writin’, and arithmetic. Gone are the chalkboards, tablets and laptops have replaced many textbooks, and dogs can’t eat electronic homework. Modern education is constantly evolving, and at the December 9 meeting of the Mount Ayr school…

When Patricia Elmer had surgery at University of Iowa Hospital in September, she had no idea she would become so acquainted with the care team at Ringgold County Hospital (RCH) and Mount Ayr Medical Clinic. After having surgery in Iowa City on September 18, she was in and out of University of Iowa Health Care…

A study by SmartAsset has determined Ringgold County ranks seventh among Iowa counties as best places to raise a family. SmartAsset is an online financial services organization. The ranking was based upon data from the U.S. Census Bureau across four categories: housing affordability, students’ academic performance, recreation and community centers per 1,000 people, and childcare…

Trinity Lutheran Church will hold their final service at the Mount Ayr location, 1111 East South Street, on Sunday December 29 at 2 p.m. Doors will open at 1:00 p.m. with fellowship and refreshments until the service starts. The current church location was dedicated on September 1, 1974. First Lutheran Church met at this location…

As the end of another year approaches, we look back on the people, places, and things that graced the pages of the Record-News in 2024. This week focuses on the months January through June. Next week will cover July through December. January Diagonal teenager Weston Drake rescues Pat Kemery from under an overturned four-wheeler. John…