If the headline drew you in, this week's column is not about some diabolical espionage effort and some secret spy who lost their life gathering deep classified intel. No, it's exactly what the title suggests, a column about the news you read and the price you pay. Sorry if you were expecting something a bit more sinister...

I’ve been spending the past few days trying to wrap my mind around the limited but present outrage over the U.S. action to take out Qassem Soleimani. I understand the mourners and marchers in the streets of Iran and even to some degree in Iraq where Iran has slowly been gaining influence in some political sectors, but to see Americans holding up posters with this man’s face as though he was some kind of hero makes me sick...

As I sit here preparing to write a column about my hope and optimism for a great start to a new decade and I'm collecting my thoughts, the morning news is filled with updates about some savage entering the home of a Jewish rabbi hosting a Hanukkah celebration Saturday night and stabbing five people with a machete. ...

Read an interesting article the other day about the “War on Christmas.” In the piece it noted Iowa’s ranking as No. 34 with 23.9% of residents not celebrating religiously. The national average is 29%. It also noted, overall, 90% of Americans plan to celebrate in some fashion, but only 50% plan to attend church, and millions of others don’t identify as Christian at all...

Couple of very important items to share this week in no particular order of importance because both are very important and each need your attention. Had a quick visit with JR Wilson last week about a special holiday offering requiring public participation. ...

As we close in on two weeks until Christmas, people are scrambling to get those purchases made, cards signed and mailed and decorating. In the midst of all this merry-making we sometimes get so caught up in the holiday commercialism and forget about the real meaning of the season — the ultimate gift of love afforded to mankind in the form of the Christ child, sent to us to remind how to truly live...

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving and got plenty to eat. If you didn't, that was on you. For those who don't have family in the area, both First Christian Church and Grand Avenue Community Kitchen, in partnership with volunteers from Living Word Outreach, offered free community meals to anybody who wanted to come join in for some traditional holiday dining and good old-fashioned fellowship. ...

So after two weeks of mind numbing testimony, some relevant, some not, has the needle moved much on the impeachment meter? Both sides heard what they wanted to. According to the more routinely liberal media sources, the testimony was damning. Turn the dial or change the station to a more conservative leaning broadcast and the testimony was nothing more than "he said, she said."...

Well we're less that a month and a half away from Christmas. Are you done shopping yet? Not much chance of it sneaking up on you since Christmas decorations started showing up before the last Halloween costume could be sold off the shelf. So whether or not you're ready or I'm ready, it's rapidly approaching...

The Iowa High School Athletic Association decided to introduce a new high school football postseason format this year. In the past the state association has allowed the top teams in the district and as many as four per district. Now someone, or some governing board perhaps , decided that the formula wasn't working...

It's been a pretty amazing season for the Spencer cross-country teams. The girls have regularly finished one or two throughout the short fall schedule and the boys team, which has struggled in recent years, has regularly finished in second or third place despite dealing with a wild series of injuries and illnesses...

When freshman U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez proposed the insane Green New Deal, I had my share of fun. In her utopian plan for a world absent of anything which might pollute the atmosphere — meaning anything which operates on gas-based fuels (cars, planes, boats, equipment, lawn mower ... you get it), I admit it, I had my doubts it would get the buy in it needed to move forward...

Sometimes it takes unexpected, unplanned or even undesired life moments to remind you you're not in charge like you may perhaps think you are. And often in those times, when you think things aren't lining up as anticipated, you see God's still in control...

So by now you've probably heard the story of Iowa State student Carson King, but in case you haven't, allow me to offer a quick summary. The Cyclone fan showed up in the background of ESPN's “College GameDay” prior to the ISU and University of Iowa matchup in Ames on Sept. 14. With his fleeting screen shot of fame, King hoisted his hand-written sign on poster board — a pathetic plea for funds to support his need for Busch Lite via a Venmo account...

Well we can close the books on another Clay County Fair. With a nine-day stretch filled with everything from chilly wet weather to extremely warm and humid ― there was something for everyone. From the 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit to the Moto Maniacs; from classic country to a high flying ATV show; from tributes to Elvis, Elton, Billy and the Beatles to Spudnuts, cookies and a variety of stuff on a stick ― fairgoers could roam the grounds looking at farm equipment, animals and vendors or take a ride on the wild side at the Midway. ...

On Friday, the traveling 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit arrived in town around 5 p.m. escorted by the Spencer Police, Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Spencer Fire Department. The large moving museum will offer area residents an opportunity to learn more about one of the most horrific days in the history of this country as shared by those who experienced it first hand during its stay throughout the Clay County Fair. ...

Some exciting news to announce this week. In partnership with the Spencer Radio Group and the Clay County Fair, the Daily Reporter will be teaming up to host a political soapbox during the nine days of the fair, Sept. 7-15. With the upcoming primary elections at the state and federal levels, it is more important than ever for voting constituents to access information on as many candidates as possible...

One of the thing that breaks my heart in this broken world is the constant battle over race. It’s become a huge political weapon. Every time there is a tragedy or a shooting, the first thing that begins flying seems to fall back to race. And it exists without a doubt. There are idiots out there who base their feelings about people on the pigmentation of their skin. When you say it like that it sounds really stupid. That’s because it is...

I remember back when the issue of transgender persons and restroom usage was a big issue. I wrote a column back then when it was being suggested that men who believe they are women and women who believe they are men should be allowed to use whichever restroom they “feel” they most correctly identify with...

I had a completely different column planned for today and perhaps I'll get back to it next week, but in light of the two horrific shootings over the weekend in Texas and Ohio which erased lives from this great country, I felt it necessary to shift gears a bit...

Anyone who knows me knows what a sports junkie I am. Love sports. Watch a wide variety. Really can't get enough. Now I'm not one of those people who engineer my life around sports ... anymore, but if I'm home and they're on, I'm most likely watching...

Had an opportunity to take my wife and our two youngest children on a vacation recently. Much to the initial dismay of our children, we didn’t go to Disney World or Universal Orlando, heck we didn’t even sneak away to Worlds of Fun in Kansas City. No instead we picked up and went west young man...

Following the first pair of Democratic presidential debates both Thursday and Friday, my work email was inundated with campaign-based emails detailing how their candidate claimed victory during their respective verbal sparring match. Each candidate’s people emailed before, during and after the debates each evening, putting their unique spin on the dialogue which somehow their candidate won. With a field this big, that’s a large number of emails folks. And a lot of self-proclaimed winners...

Sunday morning was one of those God things. Normally on Sundays, our family attends Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer at 10:30 a.m. Because Leah and I had offered to help with registration at the Love Takes Roots golf tournament fundraiser and had to be at Brooks Golf Course in Okoboji by noon, we decided we needed to attend an earlier Mass so we stopped at St. Jospeh's in Milford for the 9 a.m. service...

I want to weigh in on a debate which has generated international attention in the last couple of weeks. During the Obama presidency, the president allowed U.S. embassies the opportunity to fly the rainbow flag beneath the American flag — with a few restrictions regarding size — as a means of demonstrating America's commitment to LGBTQ rights during Pride Month. ...

Delray Bredehoeft must be the most popular man in Spencer. Never has the image of a man in our paper raised so much ire from an angry population base. The thing which puzzles me is, I’m not quite sure why everybody is so riled up. The image I write of (inset) is an editorial cartoon which ran Monday, June 3, featuring a cartoon image of Delray created by former Spencer Daily Reporter writer, and current Dickinson County News staffer, Seth Boyes. ...

If you don't believe this country is in perhaps the most heated battle of faith and morality you haven't looked around lately. States are passing laws to make it harder for law enforcement to do their jobs while making it easier for those who would act outside the law to get away with their acts. ...

These past two weekends, many schools in the immediate area said farewell to the class of 2019 with graduation ceremonies recognizing the culmination of the first chapter in many of these young peoples lives. Now the door is wide open. What lies ahead?...

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day yesterday, especially all of you moms. I had the opportunity to visit with mom by phone for about 15 minutes yesterday as she lives in a Philadelphia suburb and enjoyed dinner with my mother-in-law Friday evening. Both are very special ladies and have done amazing jobs as both mothers and wives. My wife and I are both fortunate they are still part of our lives and we are able to speak with them often...

Had the opportunity to personally hear from the first Democratic contender to make their way to Spencer. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders had an enthusiastic auditorium of supporters in the ballroom at the Clay County Fair & Events Center Sunday afternoon...

I attended a program presented by my dear friend Kim Smith, with Shared Hope International, on sex trafficking last Monday which offered some very eye-opening information about the threat which exists to children and young adults across the country. And not just children and adults in metropolitan areas, but areas such as Spencer. With today’s modern technology, any young person, anywhere could be the next victim...

Sunday, I celebrated Easter with an amazing morning Mass with family, then ventured to Holstein to enjoy an Easter meal with my wife’s side of the family. Several of them live in Holstein so it just makes for a convenient location to get together. As a family we laughed, shared stories, enjoyed a great meal comprised of dishes brought by everyone and basically we fellowshipped. ...

Often when we talk about politics, we groan and roll our eyes. We are fatigued with the topic, avoid it at all costs and grow weary of the never-ending and what seems like unwinable debates. Saturday however we experienced the best of politics at Eggs and Issues in Spencer. ...

So here's your chance. Next Saturday morning elected officials at the state and federal level will gather together in Spencer to participate in a community forum where constituents are afforded a first-hand opportunity to speak to their elected officials...

I watched through tear-filled eyes for close to two hours as a former clinical director at Planned Parenthood told the story of her work and how she was transformed to stand alongside the anti-abortion advocates who once stood outside her gates in prayer...

I'm not going to utilize a great deal of space for this week's column for a couple of reasons. First I don't want to give Twitter trolls too much to hate on ― I mean c'mon last week's column was a call for a civil approach from all elected officials and citizenry as a whole and they found a problem with that. But you know what they say, haters gotta hate...

One of the things that I'm most proud of related to Coffee with the Editor on Friday mornings is the ability to have opposing views sitting around a table, all hopped up on super-charged caffeine, conversing with one another in a civilized fashion on matters which frequently divide both sides of the aisle in Washington, D.C., Des Moines and on cable television news shows nightly...

In last Monday's Daily Reporter, a local mother took time from her busy weekend to sit down with Daily Reporter Colin Van Westen to share her story. She was was concerned about the impact something called "Momo" was having on her daughters. Her concern for her own family prompted her to bravely speak out on the matter to help raise awareness regarding what she perceived as a threat to local children and subsequently their parents...

What you don’t know may actually hurt your children so let me provide you with some limited information available with regard to something being called the Momo Challenge. Maybe you’ve heard some of the news buzz, or perhaps you’ve seen the creepy image associated with Momo, or maybe you know nothing about this “Momo.”...

Why? Why in a world where there is already so much hate does an individual feel the need to create fake hate? Reports surfaced in January about an attack on Jussie Smollett, a member of the ensemble cast for TV’s “Empire.” Smollett reported two men allegedly wearing MAGA hats had attacked him. ...

I finally had a chance to dig into the Green New Deal legislation. First thoughts: Ambitious and ridiculous. Folks what has been proposed with such enthusiasm and excitement by freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey it just isn’t possible...

There are very few things harder for a parent is to watch a child work toward a goal only to come up just short. Saturday Spencer hosted the high school wrestling sectional. My sophomore Case, Spencer Tiger lightweight at 106, had been working toward this all year, looking to be one of the top two wrestlers in the sectional who would move on to Orange City for districts next Saturday — just a step away from a state berth...

Tuesday the state of New York’s legislators celebrated and my heart sank. The state, which has some of the most liberal abortion rights laws in the nation, took the continued assault on life and the right-to-life for our most defenseless a step further earlier this week when it boldly and proudly passed legislation affording women the right to terminate their pregnancy up to the point of delivery in the interest of the health of the mother. ...

I don’t normally pass along many Facebook requests to repost. Honestly I don’t spend near as much time as I used to perusing Facebook these days. It seems like a lot of political back-and-forth and people making remarks to one another they would normally not say to each other face-to-face...

I would have to say Friday may have provided me with the most disappointing news I have received in quite some time. Quite frankly I spent the better part of the afternoon working with office door closed, getting my work completed while trying to sort through my feelings of frustration and discouragement...

It seems like just a couple of months ago we wrapped up with perhaps the most politically brutal midterm election (in terms of rhetoric from both sides of the aisle) I can remember. After a brief respite — perhaps too brief for some — we are now beginning what will be a parade featuring candidates with 2020 on their mind...

I, for one, am anxious for a new year to begin. Let’s just say as far as years go, for me personally, 2018 wasn’t necessarily the greatest. But it did teach me a lot about myself and provided plenty of opportunity for growth. It also went a long way to revealing some pretty amazing people I’m lucky to be surrounded by...

Well Christmas came a bit early for me this year. As many of you know, I was diagnosed with renal kidney failure in March. While hospitalized with an immobilizing bout of cellulitis in my right leg, I discovered in addition to the horrible leg infection I had just 8 percent kidney function. So began a treatment process which began with aggressive in-center dialysis three days a week until October when I began my in-home dialysis program...

For the past few Sundays, I've risen early from my bed to take care of necessary health requirements before prepping for church. The reason I had been getting up earlier than normal had to do with my desire to accompany my mother to church at Hope in Spencer...

How long do you hold a person's ignorant remarks over their head? A day? A week? A month? I guess each person has their own level of both tolerance and forgiveness. And those two areas are probably governed in all of us a little differently based on the personal harm or substantive impact those words have on said person...

A good many of us will enjoy any number of popular traditions surrounding the celebration of Christmas. We will spend time with family and friends. Some will enjoy work socials. Parents and children will exchange gifts and cards, demonstrating our love for one another. There will be great food, cookies and snacks...

Blessings upon all of you as we officially make our transition from what we designate as the season of “thanks-giving” into the season of celebration surrounding the birth of the world's savior Jesus Christ. Like many of you, I had the opportunity to join with my family and enjoy a meal and share some laughs and love with those nearest and dearest to me. ...

It couldn’t arrive at a better time. Following bitter midterm elections, Thanksgiving couldn’t come at a better time. It’s time to give thanks. Not thank you because I’m not a Republican or a Democrat which might be your first impression if you’re still not over the polling doldrums, but genuine thank yous...

Aaaahhhh. That’s a sigh of relief in case you’re wondering. Relieved that the midterm elections are behind us and we have a couple of weeks off before the conga line of 2020 presidential hopefuls begin parading on the highways and byways of Iowa seeking to gain favor with residents in coffee shops and pizza places across the Hawkeye state...

President Donald Trump is taking a great deal of heat regarding his insistence on stopping the thousands of immigrants “caravanning” across Mexico, headed to the United States border with the intention of entering the country under the auspices of sanctuary...

Leading up to next week’s election, the Daily Reporter received a high compliment from one of the region’s elected officials last week with regard to fairness and unbiased coverage of news. Iowa's 4th District U.S. Rep. Steve King conducted a town hall meeting last week where he spoke and responded to questions posed by those taking. ...

Spencer area residents will have a couple of opportunities this week to engage those they charge with representing their views in both Des Moines and Washington, D.C. That's not something we should take lightly. I believe Iowa, unlike many other states, affords its voting body great opportunity to engage with their elected officials...

When then candidate Donald Trump made antagonistic statements on the campaign trail and during rallies — suggesting violent or inappropriate behavior toward those sharing different political views — I agreed with individuals in the media who made note at the time that such rhetoric was out of place in politics...

I received a letter last week from a concerned citizen who passed it along to me with hopes I could get a message out to our reading public. My hope is that you will share it with some friends of your own — both in and out of Spencer — who might otherwise not have access to the content as I feel it is important for the safety of our young children...

Following Thursday's Senate Judiciary Committee Circus Sideshow did anyone's feelings really change? After Christine Blasey Ford offered her testimony recounting what she described as a sexual assault perpetrated on her by Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh during their teen years. She faced sympathetic and supportive statements from a Democratic panel and a female attorney who handled questioning for the Republican members of the committee...

Take a second before you begin reading this to look at the page header — or if you're viewing online — please look to the subject bar underwhich this column is found. It says "Opinion." What that means is that the pieces written and placed on this page or under this heading are an opinion. ...

Hard to miss the big buzz in the community last week. No I’m not talking about that old Clay County Fair thing. I’m talking about a local business proprietor who went before the Spencer Planning and Zoning Commission seeking a zoning change which would allow him to convert his current steakhouse operation into a strip club ... ...

--- f people say your dreams are crazy, if they laugh at what you think you can do, good, stay that way. Because what non-believers fail to understand is that calling a dream crazy is not an insult, it’s compliment. Don’t try to be the fastest runner in your school, or the fastest in the world, be the fastest ever...

I’ve been able to sit back this week and just listen with sadness in my heart as the discovery of missing 20-year-old Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts’ body has turned into a political battle. Like many around the country, I was hoping for a better outcome. ...

As a Catholic I’m not sure how to react to the newest revelations involving members of the church’s clergy and hierarchy who have been linked to the latest allegations of sexual abuse and pedophilia in Pennsylvania. I’m not shocked ... sadly. This has become a tragic ongoing legacy hanging over the church like the blackest, most violent, storm cloud. ...

So you’re in San Antonio, Texas, enjoying a nice day out with the family and you decide to take them out for a special trip to the aquarium. It’s awesome. All the aquatic, colorful lifeforms — many of whom are not local to our various favorite fishing holes in northwest Iowa and southern Minnesota — just swimming by, just a nose away. An up-close opportunity to get a look at some unique water-based life forms...

My wife recently reposted a piece on Facebook which was authored by a mother dealing with a child who battled addiction for years before embracing sobriety for over a year now. Of course as anyone who has ever battled addiction — or those of you who know someone who has — the battle truly never ends. Addicts fight a day-to-day battle against the demon which wants to steal their life and leave others around them torn apart...

The state of Iowa’s senior U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley is recently “uncovered” one of what I suspect is many cases of government waste. Did I just write “waste?” Well in this case, it fits. Grassley, chairman of the judiciary committee, had his hawk-eyes (once again pun intended) in full focus recently after learning of the newest ridiculous spending disclosure to come out of Washington, D.C...

Lately I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my role in a world where we are constantly slammed by blasts of blatant evil. Sometimes it seems like in the grand scheme of things we’re very, very small. I’m sure I’m not the only one to experience those periods of insignificance when faced with brutal truths in the world...

This past weekend I think I finally received confirmation that the sport of soccer has broken the impenetrable wall of acceptance in America. And that's a good thing. While in Coon Rapids for the USA Cup, not to be confused with the World Cup — though both share the same international flavor — I watched Sunday morning as a hotel's breakfast room filled just in time for the start of the World Cup championship game between France and Croatia. ...

I listen to my kids regularly complain "there's nothing to do in Spencer." It's the same old song. My oldest kids said it although they never really seemed bored as they were always on the run. My youngest kids offer the same story line — though they too seem to have plenty to do...

I sat stunned Thursday afternoon as the details surrounding the deaths of five journalists at the Annapolis, Maryland, newspaper unfolded. Their deaths came at the hands of an armed madman who executed a calculated assault on the publication’s newsroom which in addition to the five deaths injured at least two others...

The hot topic in national discourse this week has been the matter of immigration, in particular the enforcement of detaining immigrants coming in illegally at the border and separating the children from their parents. Unfortunately it’s not advancing the issue, it’s just serving as one more political wedge issue...

While I am unapologetically conservative and I make no bones about it, I find it odd that when a good idea is presented we as a society, and especially politicians, don’t necessarily look at the merit of the idea but rather the R or D behind the name who proposed to decide whether it’s a good idea or not...

I’ve never been in that place. I mean never. The place so dark you believe the only way out is to take your own life. Apparently many others have. This past week, celebrity fashion designer Kate Spade and cable TV sensation and chef Anthony Bourdain both found themselves in that very dark place and took the unimaginable step, tragically ending their own lives...

I’m pleased to see our state’s senior leader in the U.S. Senate assuming a role of responsibility in helping to craft the national legislation targeting sentencing reform and corrections. As someone with a bit of a law enforcement background, and a wife who works in the corrections industry, I take a great interest in the dialogue and efforts to improve our enforcement and correctional issues...

So once again, in what is becoming a far too frequent phenomenon, shots rang out in the halls of an American educational institution. The deadliest school shooting since February's Parkland, Florida, incident claimed 17 lives, Friday's attack by a student at his Santa Fe, Texas, high school resulted in the deaths of 10 people ― eight students and two teachers. This time, not in an urban community, but in a town a little bit larger than Spencer...

I'm not trying to ruffle feathers this week, and I'm sure I will when I applaud the recent passage of legislation which was signed into law. It seems fitting to recognize this particular piece of legislation as we celebrate the most noble and least paid of all jobs — motherhood. As we honor all mothers and their sacrifices, the timing of this new law couldn't be more appropriate...

Math, English and history took a back seat at Spencer High School last week. Instead the lessons came in the form of a reality check courtesy of the Power of Choice program and the dedicated team of coordinators and volunteers who poured their time into this "reality check.”...

I had another topic I was going to write about this week, then I heard the song “Even If" by Mercy Me. As a fan of Christian music, I listen carefully both to the lyrics and the message of the song I’m listening to. It’’s amazing how many times the perfect song offers me the words I need to hear...

With the exception of maybe Adolph Hitler, serial killers and perhaps a few others who have crafted heinous acts against humanity, there are very few deaths I would feel the need to celebrate. This past week this country lost one of its political matriarchs in Barbara Bush. ...

Look, I get it, complaining about the weather isn’t going to change anything, Just because it’s April and just because we’re a couple of weeks into spring and just because temperatures were approaching 60 degrees on Thursday does not mean the people of northwest Iowa should have hope that winter is over. As a matter of fact, I believe the good Lord is showing us his sense of humor by withholding the biggest storm of the season for April...

As I continue to adjust to what I’m calling my “new normal,” I’m finding my former night owl tendencies making way for a desire to crash and burn in the early evening between 8 and 9. Fortunately my legs are continuing to strengthen as my mobility returns a little more each day and I am finding myself able to function “normally.”...

I'm happy to report my return to duty Monday to the Spencer Daily Reporter newsroom. After an unplanned, and certainly unexpected, one month "staycation" — well I did get a luxurious week of pampering at the exclusive Sioux Falls Avera Medical Center — but for the most part the time off was spent at home, literally recovering from the time away...

Like many of you I send my kids off to school each morning under the assumption that they are going to walk through the doors, seek out their friends, engage with their peers, attend their classes, perhaps learn a thing or two and return home safe and perhaps sporting a bit more wisdom than they had a few hours earlier when I dropped them at the door...

A high school teacher in the El Rancho School District — who also serves on the Pico Rivera City Council in California — finds himself in danger of losing his job in the classroom, and possibly his council position as well, after he allegedly used his classroom stage to share his disdain for our military with his students...

Integrity in journalism still means something. At least to this 20-plus-year veteran of the industry. And apparently it matters to many others in the industry as we spent the better part of two days at the Iowa Newspaper Association’s annual conference talking about regaining the public's trust in our words and deeds...

At the risk of ruffling a few feathers (and I’m no stranger to that), I feel the need to defend our school system, our students and administration and our community which came under attack over the last few days for what I would like to suggest was poor journalism on both a locally and national level...

Try as I might, it’s really hard not to have something to say about the political landscape before us. I’ve stayed away from politics for a while, but I’m really finding it hard to hold my tongue. Now of course I realize that readers are not all going to agree with my respective take — but just like the title of this column suggests — it’s “One Man’s Perspective.”...

Full disclosure. I’m not a Minnesota Vikings fan. Sure I watch the team. We live in northwest Iowa — what other choice does Fox give me on Sunday’s at noon. Me, I’m a transplanted California boy who grew up watching the Ken Stabler Oakland teams and Joe Montana San Francisco dynasties during my formative sporting years so I have continued to be a “Silver and Black Attack, Just Win Baby, Chucky lovin’” Raiders and “Joe Cool, ‘The Catch’ making, Super Bowl ring counting” 49ers fan...

It's been odd to have been silent for a couple of weeks but that's what happens when your column is published on back-to-back holidays. Hopefully all of you readers had the opportunity to experience the true joy of the Christmas holiday and then celebrate the beginning of a new year with loved ones, family or friends...

I love Christmas music but I have a few rules. Nothing before Thanksgiving and nothing beyond New Year's. Every holiday needs its own space. Thursday, while dropping the boys off for school, “Twelve Days of Christmas” was playing on my radio. As I listened to the repeated verses and the continued list of generous gifts piling up, my mind took a bizarre turn as it sometimes does...

As we draw nearer to 2018 — I can’t believe I’m saying that, where has this year gone — we’re already transitioning into another election cycle. I’m not certain we really ever stopped. Things just seemed to continue following the 2016 General Election. Honestly, I believe it’s become a never-ending loop of political races and email blasts...

On Thursday I was afforded the opportunity to join third-grade students at Fairview Elementary School for an afternoon of reading. This is the third year I have gladly accepted the invitation from librarian Lynette Gross to spend the final hours of the school day engaging with the young people...

Despite messages to the contrary in the form of decorations, carols and sales we've experienced at some of our favorite shopping local venues — Christmas actually follows Halloween and Thanksgiving. Now that the two aforementioned holidays are in the rearview mirror for another year, we can deliberately and without regret turn our attention to Christmas...

So I received the following news release this week. “WASHINGTON — Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa as well as Senators Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Ron Johnson, R-Wis., Cory Booker, D-N.J. and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, have today introduced a senate resolution that would mandate sexual harassment prevention training for all employees of the Senate.”...

There’s plenty of negative out in the world this past week, but I’m looking for a light amidst the darkness and I actually found it inside the Spencer High School fine arts auditorium this weekend. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed the Spencer High School Drama and Music Departments production of “Fiddler on the Roof.”...

I've heard it for years. We need to get tough on crime. Then, our policy suggests just the opposite. In recent weeks, legislators have worked to soften the penalties on criminal activity and reducing the consequences. Heck we've got policies in place that allow the governors and presidents to overturn court determined sentences and just set people free...

I have no idea what happened. I wasn't there. What I do know is there is a Spencer teenager who was fighting for his life from a Sioux Falls hospital bed following an after school incident Thursday which occurred on the high school grounds. I've heard multiple varying accounts of what happened, who started it, what instigated it and who is to blame. ...

So let me get this straight, earlier in the week, the NFL told the players they “should” stand for the national anthem. Jerry Jones put on the black cowboy hat and played the “wink-wink” bad guy, telling his Dallas players they will not take a knee during the national anthem or they would not play...

In light of the recent violent, deadly and tragic terror incident in Las Vegas which has impacted so many beyond the borders of the town affectionately known as “Sin City,” one might think the courageous show of unity in the face of danger might change some hearts. Both professional responders and concerned civilians worked side-by-side to rescue those in the face of imminent danger and tended to the injured. Such fearless dedication should serve as an example to the rest of the world...

For the first couple weeks of the NFL season, the games were less than spectacular and it was status quo with a few guys taking a knee during the national anthem to protest what they believe to be social injustice. Then President Donald Trump, speaking to a group of supporters on the campaign trail in Alabama for a contested U.S. ...

It’s hard to think of a more disgusting criminal act than human trafficking, and that’s saying something because there are some very disturbing illegal activities going on in this planet courtesy of some very depraved people. But the human trafficking horror attacks children and teens predominantly and steals not only their freedom and innocence but it destroys their lives...

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been visiting with a lot of people regarding the whole DACA matter, President Trump’s decision to give Congress six months to fix it and the idea of sending 800,000 people packing. As a proud, card-carrying conservative — I’m sure this doesn’t come as a surprise to many of you unless you’re a first-time reader — I’m a bit troubled about how to best deal with the whole “Dreamers” scenario. ...

So it’s finally here. We’ve enjoyed a great deal of build up and now it’s finally upon us. No, I’m not talking about the annual football showdown for the pride of Iowa between the Hawkeyes and Cyclones; nor am I referencing the start of the NFL season — both huge events in my personal life...

It seems we have reached a place in time where the truth, spoken sincerely and backed up with video footage, can still be classified as racist and bigoted if it fails the political correctness test. Last week I received a letter to the editor taking me to task for some of my remarks regarding the ugly race-related aggressions that turned ugly in the streets of Charlottsville two weekends ago. ...

Had I not prepared to write a column last week on the experience of taking my only daughter to college, I would have weighed in on the horrific events in Charlottesville. Having had a week to watch as things have continued to unfold, I’m glad I didn’t rush to react, but instead took a little time to observe the days that followed and listen to reactions from many voices on the subject...

My wife and I sent our daughter off to college Friday. We took her — and about every scrap of clothing, piece of makeup, accessorizing trinket and comforting blanket she owns — along with all the college dorm and necessary lifestyle items befitting a first-year college student, loaded them into our deluxe Town & Country van and dropped her off in her new home at Iowa State University in Ames...

Sunday my spiritual family at Sacred Heart Catholic Church grew a bit as we officially welcomed parishioners from St. Louis of Royal as well as other local churches caught up in the realignment of Catholic churches throughout northwest Iowa. And it was awesome. Church was packed and we are very happy to invite our new congregational brothers and sisters in Christ. It will serve to make Sacred Heart a richer, worship experience...

Currently wrapping up vacation after a weeklong visit to South Carolina to see my son, Hunter, and his new wife, Becca. Hunter is stationed at Camp Beaufort in Beaufort, South Carolina, right next to Paris Island. With his upcoming deployment just a couple of months away, we wanted to get down there to see the newlyweds as they settle into their new home...

　 While many Americans — including folks right here in Spencer — remain on high alert with regard to another attack somewhere on U.S. soil carried out by radical extremists, many working under the guise of some corrupted version of religion, we have a problem brewing in our own backyard. Well about two hours away to be exact, but in the grand scope of this country and the world at large, it's definitely in our backyard, and we better take notice before it's too late...

Like many of you I find myself watching with a breaking heart as a young British couple faces the likely prospects that their young child, Charlie Gard, is going to die. Charlie has mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome which causes muscle weakness as well as the loss of functions including eating, talking, breathing and walking. He remains on life support as he has for the last eight months as medical professionals sought to care for the rare genetic condition...

As pro-con debates continue to rage on regarding Iowa's new fireworks legislation, we prepare to celebrate the true spirit of the Fourth of July tomorrow. We barbecue, we head to the Lakes, we watch spectacular community fireworks displays and this year, we have the opportunity to legally partake in a little fireworks fun of our own should we choose to...

Well Johnny Depp has joined a long list of celebrities to suggest the death of the U.S. president would somehow be a good thing. First we had Madonna belching out her thoughts about blowing up the White House as President Donald Trump was inaugurated and now the chameleon actor who can portray any bizarre fantasy character and dresses like a Hot Topic clearance table model suggests its time for a Hollywood type to follow in the footsteps of John Wilkes Booth...

“The city manager isn’t doing enough to bring jobs to Spencer.” “The supervisors aren’t doing anything to help grow the population to Clay County.” “The Iowa Lakes Corridor needs to do more to bring more manufacturing jobs to the area.” It’s a pretty regular thing I hear. So apparently there’s a lot of blame to go around for the woes we face in Spencer and Clay County when it comes to “good” jobs and the continuing trend of reducing numbers locally...

In early May, Art Institute of Washington Media Arts and Animation Department Professor John Griffin shared a post on his Facebook page, “objecting” to the American Health Care Act passed by U.S. House Republicans. His comments were attached to a Washington Post opinion piece he reposted suggesting GOP members who voted for the legislation — or “abomination” as the Post referred to it — “must be held accountable.”...

I know by now it’s kind of old news, but people keep bringing up the whole Kathy Griffin — headless Trump social media explosion that I thought I would throw in my two cents. Let me begin by saying Griffin had the absolute right to do what she did. Freedom of speech applies to the brightest of remarks as well as the most ignorant and repulsive. ...

Saturday night, as I flipped on the television, I found myself staring at the aftermath of yet another gruesome terrorist attack, once again in the United Kingdom, less than a week following a terrorist bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. This time, reportedly a van rammed into a group of people and then some persons inside leapt from the vehicle and began stabbing bystanders with knives...

Like many columnists in community papers this time of year I generally like to throw a few thoughts toward our area graduates as they transition from this special milestone in their life — high school graduation — to the next step, whatever that might be...

Not to complain but it’s a crazy time in the Cauthron household. In a good way. So finding me in the office this week is going to be difficult. I’m scheduled to be off through next Tuesday (May 16) so I can both assist and recover from the coming storm of family engagements...

We have interesting discussions at Coffee with the Editor on Tuesday mornings. The Daily Reporter buys the coffee at 7 a.m. Tuesdays in the dining room at the Dream Center and we talk about whatever is on people’s minds. Sometimes we bring in special guests and let them share. ...

In Spencer, we pride ourselves on volunteerism. It’s how we get things done and why this community functions the way it does. From the time students are in elementary school they are encouraged to become involved and donate their time to worthy causes. For most that carries over to a teen and adult behavior...

I’m sure some of you are thinking, spending Easter at the movies doesn’t exactly seem like a very Christian way to spend a day set aside to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And normally I would agree with you. However, there is a film that just opened locally which I think would be a very good watch this weekend, not just for Christians, whom I am certain will appreciate it, but more-so, non-Christians and specifically those who are the most hardened cynics when it comes to recognizing Jesus as the Son of God.. ...

I was going to go with ‘Hey Assad, You’re Fired!’ but I just couldn’t So I wake up Friday morning to the news that President Donald Trump delivered a serious message to some of those folks he credited with “heinous” acts against innocent men, women and children...

Drexel University must be so proud. One of its own esteemed faculty just took an opportunity to tweet out about the generosity of a fellow passenger, and twisting what he viewed into an ugliness that certainly tells a great deal about what kind of person he is...

I had the opportunity to catch “The Shack” last week and had planned to review it, but decided instead I would reserve my comments for this space. The popular book turned film tells the story of a man who has his young daughter abducted while on a camping trip and evidence discovered in a rural, mountain cabin suggest the young girl died in a brutal fashion at the hands of her kidnapper. ...

Friday morning, I had the opportunity to sit down with Eric Johnson of the The Arnold Group to discuss an upcoming exhibit scheduled for the Clay County Heritage Center focusing on the automotive history in Clay County. During the conversation, we both agreed that the local showcase, highlighting some of the significant impact moments and artifacts from years gone by in Clay County, is really a great addition to the region and should certainly be trafficked a bit more...

The editorial department at the Spencer Daily Reporter is in the midst of a major transition which began on Wednesday of this week as our new staff members settle in and learn their way around and we get used to the loss of a couple of talented and well-liked writers...

I had the opportunity this week to share a piece in Friday’s Daily Reporter about First Congregational Church honoring Revs. Tom and Wendy Van Tassell who recently celebrated their 20th anniversary of serving the local church of faith-filled attendees...

In today’s critical political climate, any story in print or broadcast media is under scrutiny for the “slant” or “angle” from which it is intended to sway public thought. While most of this targeted rhetoric focuses on the large scale, national media outlets, small community paper’s such as the Daily Reporter, are by no means outside the circle of ridicule by conspiracy theory enthusiasts who assume that everything comes with a hidden message of some sort...

I’m playing nice with “others” this week, especially since the others I’m referencing happens to be Russ Mitchell, managing editor of the Dickinson County News, our sister paper in the Lakes region. Of course as many of you know Russ is a Spencer native who worked for the Daily Reporter while in high school and as an adult. ...

It’s funny. One minute we’re a “right-wing rag.” The next minute, we’re “a liberal, progressive paper.” Of course these accusations are always made online by people without the strength of their convictions, who conveniently hide behind fake names. I can assure this is not a right-wing nor a liberal paper. It’s a paper that shares the stories of the community, county and region we serve...

Based on the first full week of the Donald Trump presidency, it’s going to be a wild four-year ride — and whether it’s a good ride or a bad ride is going to depend largely on your perspective of our new commander in chief and which side of the aisle you reside upon...

I had a different column planned for today, but as I prepared to write it, I found myself glued to the coverage of the inauguration of our 45th United States President Donald Trump. Among the thousands upon thousands, gathered in Washington, D.C., and the vast majority of the rest of the country watching at home, it is certainly fair to say that emotions varied a great deal — stretching from spectrum to spectrum — depending on where you stand on the political scale...

Tuesday, as a country we will recognize a National Day of Racial Healing, two days after the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and three days ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump as the country’s 45th president. Initiated by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation enterprise, the special day is designed to “help Americans heal and overcome deep racial divisions.”...

For some, I’m sure the column’s title caused great celebration. To you, I would say, “Now who is going to give you a reason to hate every week?” To the rest of a you, I bid a fond farewell. It’s been a great run, but all good things must come to an end...

This is my final column before Christmas. Actually this is my final column before we transition into 2017. Since Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on a Sunday this year, there will not be a Saturday Daily Reporter those two weekends. So I want to take some space this week to share a Christmas message with the readers who pick up our paper to find out what’s going on in this fine community and county...

Before I get rolling this week, I want to apologize to Garry DeLoss who very thoughtfully delivered a DVD copy of “Babette’s Feast” to me last week with hopes that I might be able to sit down and view it, and then present a review for readers in advance of its “Book To Movie” Night showing at the Spencer Public Library at 6:30 p.m. ...

OK, I can’t seem to get a straight story on this minimum wage issue. Some counties in Iowa are making minimum wage adjustments on their own. Now Gov. Terry Branstad has reportedly indicated that he doesn’t want multiple minimum wage numbers around the state so he’s suggesting a statewide increase. ...

So now we’ve settled in for a nice weekend after gorging ourselves on Thanksgiving, throwing elbows with the best on Black Friday and getting our fingers good and limber for a keyboard onslaught on Cyber Monday. After all isn’t that what the holiday season is all about?...

I’m sure last week many readers were a bit surprised that I didn’t use my available space to celebrate the victory of Donald Trump — our new president of the United States. Well, that’s it. You just saw it. That’s about the end of my celebration. Besides I couldn’t do any better than this guy:...

The good Lord works in mysterious ways. And as mysterious as they are, they are always for our benefit. That was a takeaway from my recent journey to California. The trip was arranged by my wife Leah for my recent 50th birthday. She had arranged with some friends of mine back in the area for me to return to Bakersfield for a week to visit the old stomping grounds, enjoy the company of some high school friends and former roommates, share some laughs over meals engaging in memories of deeds for which the statute of limitations has run out on ... ...

I'm all good with this whole adult coloring books thing. I get it. I loved to draw and color as a kid, why wouldn't I enjoy it as an adult. Heck, there are some guys making pretty good money for creating some pretty colorful heroic characters that have leaped from the pages of comic books onto the big screen. I also appreciate the theraputic idea as well. Coloring is a calming release...

As you read this I am preparing to meet some old high school classmates and former roommates from California. And when I talk to all of them, I will get the same question: Why are you living in Iowa? Coincidentally enough, the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is in the midst of its campaign to try and grow the Corridor region population by 5 percent over the next five years. ...

In case you haven’t heard, we’re in the middle of a major election cycle. Don’t fear my liberal friends, I’m not going to do any candidate advocating, though I’m sure most of you who read this column regularly can be pretty certain how I’m going to vote...

Today will be a special day for me. I will be taking the football field one last time to coach one of my sons. The Spencer sixth-grade MYFL football team earned a spot on Championship Saturday in Spirit Lake. The fifth-grade team — coached by my good friend Scott Busch — did as well. So the young men from Spencer, in their final MYFL game, will get to play for a championship. I couldn’t be prouder of this young group of 28 boys who have played their hearts out this year for the opportunity...

Live in fear Spencer. Clown sightings actually began in Spencer 15 years ago and it can all be traced back to 3-year-old Chloe Mohr who came out on her Facebook page this week as the trend originator. Now you know who to blame. I don't get it, but I do...

I honestly don't know why either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton want to step into President Barack Obama's shoes. They're inheriting a country in complete turmoil and unrest. We don't need to be worrying about invaders from outside our borders right now. The Islamic State group is the least of our worries. We're doing a pretty good job of tearing ourselves apart right now all on our own -- American versus American...

Two days and counting. Then we can begin the countdown to the 100th anniversary of the Clay County Fair. But I've still got a couple more days to scarf down some of those fair favorites and take in the sights and sounds that make the Clay County Fair unique to any other county fair I've ever experienced...

So here it is, and by it I mean the big "it" in Clay County -- the Clay County Fair. The self-proclaimed "World's Greatest County Fair" which every year seems to live up to its billing, drawing more than 300,000 visitors through the gates in a county where the population doesn't even top 20,000...

There has been a great deal to wring your hands about this week. And it seems like every time I turn on the television I'm being popped with something else that seems to just up the ante. So I'll start this week with a favorite player of mine on one of my favorite teams -- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his continued show of defiance -- refusing to stand for the playing of the national anthem...

Thursday evening, the Spencer Cross Country teams kicked off their campaigns, hosting a large event at the Spencer Municipal Golf Course. The meet was held in conjunction with a special pink-out effort to raise breast cancer awareness. Music, pink shirts, some refreshments and an evening where foot traffic took over the local links...

I'm convinced that nobody understands this bullying thing. Last September, Gov. Terry Branstad joined Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and signed Executive Order 86 during a dedication ceremony at Arthur Elementary School in Cedar Rapids. The ceremony dedicated a "Buddy Bench" to recognize the bullying prevention work of Isaac Taylor, a middle school student who has been working to raise money to install Buddy Benches on at least 17 additional school playgrounds in the Cedar Rapids area to foster friendship.. ...

Well we're about halfway into the 2016 Olympics, and as a sports enthusiast, it's really about all you can ask for. The performances, in particular those by the American athletes, have been outstanding to say the least. From the amazing iron man -- or iron lung -- capabilities of the age-defying Michael Phelps in the swimming pool as he continues to add to his medal collection to aquatic star teammates and fellow water frogs; from the first American gold in Rio -- won by 19-year-old Ginny Thrasher in the obscure -- and previously unbeknownst to me -- 10-meter air rifle competition to the comeback cycling mom, Kristin Armstrong who too took top honors; from Kayla Harrison who demonstrated that age is no boundary as she claimed the top of the medal stand in the women's judo competition at 78 kg. ...

On Friday, I received an email from Will Jones, chairman of the Clay County Republican Party, copying me on a letter sent to Iowa District 1 Sen. David Johnson, I-Ocheyedan. The letter (see story on Page 1A) is signed by all five Republican county party chairs in District 1 and basically condemns Johnson's decision and subsequent announcement that he is renouncing his affiliation with the Republican Party a few weeks back...

Before I get into this week's column, I want to reach out to our readers for input. On Wednesday morning, I will have an opportunity to visit with U.S. Rep. Steve King. I'm asking for questions from our reading audience. I've received a couple, but am really looking for some more to choose from. ...

Some of you may think this column stinks, and believe me I understand. But don't shoot the messenger folks, I just report the news. Based on a report from The Hill, former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders' endorsement of his opponent -- former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been hard for some of his followers to swallow. And even harder for some others to process as they seem to be suffering from complications associated with digesting the news...

In the aftermath of the racial outrage related to a pair of police-related shootings of black men in Minnesota and Louisiana, followed by the rage-driven sniper assault at a peaceful protest rally in Dallas targeting white police officers that left five law enforcement officers dead -- tensions have been extremely high in many segments of society...

Late Friday afternoon, Gov. Terry Branstad called for all flags in the state to be lowered to half-staff to honor the victims of the sniper attacks in Dallas, Texas. It just goes to show that these incidents don't just effect Dallas, or Texas, but take the breath away from all Americans...

Beginning Thursday morning and concluding Sunday evening, Clay County residents have come together from different churches to stand outside the Clay County Courthouse and read the Bible from cover-to-cover. With more than 320 15-minute shifts, organizers from Faith Pentecostal Church in Spencer believed that the Bible could be read in its entirety if the reading continues 24/7...

Often times when I talk about prayer, or needing to pray about something, I get this puzzled or bizarre look from folks. I generally pay it little mind as I don't feel the need to justify my Christian beliefs or practices to people who choose to rely on their own luck and chance when it comes to the decision making processes in their lives...

Those closest to him participated in private services Thursday morning in Louisville, Kentucky. Thousands more who loved and adored the former heavyweight champion mourned his loss Friday in more public ceremonies -- including a procession down a street named in his honor...

With Tuesday's Iowa primary election on the horizon, I want to encourage you to make sure that you exercise your right to vote. Well unless you're a convicted felon in which case you're going to have to wait for the courts to change the laws. But all of the rest of you, who can and are legally registered to vote, I want to encourage you to make your voice heard on Tuesday...

Sadly, the city of Spencer's population has declined by one. That happens. People move. They leave for a wide variety of reasons. To go to school. A new job opportunity. It's winter. Many reasons. Many acceptable reasons. But one reason that is not acceptable is bullying, and that's the reason behind the departure of this one particular individual -- a seventh-grade teen who had enough and decided along with his mother that his best option for the time being was to leave the friends he had behind here and relocate to a smaller South Dakota community where he could get a fresh start.. ...

Since I will probably never be asked to speak at a graduation I'm forced to use my limited space here in the Daily Reporter this week to address the Class of 2016 as they prepare to walk across the stage, receive their well-deserved diplomas, have their tassel's moved and get chapped palms from all the congratulatory handshakes...

So last week, right here in "One Man's Perspective," I discussed the idea of the move to coed bathrooms as a means to help ease the anxiety being experienced by transgender persons with regards to which bathroom they have to use and which bathroom they feel like using...

I'm beginning to wonder if I'm the only one who cares about this whole shared bathroom concept. Well, perhaps that's a bit of an exaggeration. I'm far from the only one. But I asked a lot of people about the topic last week as it continued to circulate through the news in light of Target's decision to allow a person to No. 1 or No. 2 in the little girls or little boys rooms as they see fit regardless of personal plumbing...

I know we're saying goodbye to April and getting ready to welcome May. There's still a chill in the air and the bloom is not yet on the flowers, but I've got to be honest, I've found myself in a football state of mind lately. Last Saturday morning, I sat in a room full of fellow Midwest Youth Football League community directors as we reviewed rules and safety procedures for the upcoming fall season. ...

If you're looking for something to do around Spencer this weekend, you won't have far to look. Especially if you like to give back to the community in which you live. Let me set an itinerary for you. Let's start with a visit to help plant some trees out at the Spencer Soccer Complex beginning at 9 a.m. ...

Last week, I remarked about the fact that we were celebrating Victims Rights Week while at the same time our Iowa Supreme Court is wrestling with a language issue that may restore voting rights to a great number of dangerous, violent felonious criminals...

Math, English and history took a back seat at Sioux Central Wednesday. Instead the lessons came in the form of a reality check courtesy of the Power of Choice program and the dedicated team of coordinators and volunteers who poured their time into this "reality" check...

As we sit and await the Iowa Supreme Court decision regarding voting rights for criminals who have committed some of the state's most serious offenses, we gear up to celebrate National Crime Victims' Rights Week starting tomorrow. National Crime Victims' Rights Week is conducted to promote victims' rights and to honor crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. ...

Iowa Supreme Court justices have been burning brain cells this week "struggling" according to news report to decide whether or not to restore voting rights for tens of thousands of felons. The challenge, interpreting Iowa Constitution language from the 1850s that forbids those convicted of "infamous crimes" from being able to be heard via the Iowa voting booth...

Late last week and again earlier this week, both President Barack Obama and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton were calling on the American people -- specifically the conservative right -- to tone down the angry rhetoric toward Muslim extremists, suggesting it isn't helping matters and only serving to aggravate an already tense situation...

We're living in a world that seems to be teetering on the edge. Violent attacks around the globe by terrorists are bent on the elimination of Christians and anyone who does not prescribe to the radical Muslim agenda. Presidential candidates have tossed any form of dignity out the window in exchange for attacks on hair, ears and wives...

Being a member of the Spencer School Board, or any school board for that matter, is an unsung job. Unlike the City Council members and board of supervisors, these elected offices are unpaid and the level or responsibility and trust we as taxpayers, community members and parents place on their shoulders is certainly deserving of some compensation and thanks...

I had a press release come across my desk earlier announcing that U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst was backing legislation to bring civil action against a website linked to human trafficking. And I'm asking myself, why is this is necessary. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for Iowa's senator pursuing these animals full throttle. You go girl...

Ah Chicago. Where the winds blow. The dead vote. And discontent is the rule of the day. So where else would you expect the First Amendment to be put to the ultimate test last Friday. With a Donald Trump presidential rally on the docket and thousands gathered to hear from the GOP frontrunner, a huge contingent of non-Trumpites rallied outdoors in protest of the businessman's scheduled appearance...

Just some fun facts as we approach St. Patrick's Day. Of course we all know in this area if you want to get your "green" on, it's best to snatch up your pot of gold, grab your shillelagh and head over to Emmetsburg where they love to let celebrate with the best of Irish traditions...

If this is my last column, I ask for you to pray for my eternal peaceful rest and quick journey to the kingdom. Know I lived my life well, strove to be a loyal loving husband and devoted father. And it's important to know that I was always willing to fight the good fight, especially when it comes to be battling confused liberals. That's why I'm no longer here. I fought my last battle. I'm certain today's battle created an aneurysm which will undoubtedly explode tonight while I sleep...

Dr. Ben Carson, who proved to be one of the most honorable men running for the GOP presidential nomination bowed out of the race this past week. Peaking a few weeks ahead of the Iowa caucus, he slowly fell from the top tier of the candidates after challenging Donald Trump for a brief period of time...

Spencer High School seniors got their first real look at the world that awaits them when they bolt across the stage, snatch that diploma from Superintendent Terry Hemann's hand and make a run for it in May. SHS careers teacher Liz Kluver working with many area volunteers and partnering with the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation put together The Game of Life for the school's seniors on Wednesday, offering them a look at what financial expectations await them when they venture beyond the comfortable walls of high school and home.. ...

I'm sure they didn't realize the man was a Marine hero. I doubt he was wearing his camouflage or sporting his dress blues decked out in medals. He was just a young guy sitting down to a meal in a McDonald's, minding his own business. I'm guessing he had no idea what was about to happen to him...

Wednesday, civil rights organizations visited the Iowa Capitol to make their case for reform in the criminal justice system. The advocates for change pushed for a ban on racial profiling, keeping juvenile records confidential, and expanding work opportunities for people with criminal histories...

So I'm sitting here with a fresh smudge of ashes newly applied on my forehead after returning home from Mass on Ash Wednesday, The Catholic tradition serves as a reminder, kicking off the build up to the Easter celebration, that from dust we came and to dust we shall return. And quite honestly, as I sat there in church, for a number of reasons, I wasn't feeling the spirit as I should have been...

I don't know if any local workers were involved as I didn't notice any large walking groups on Grand Avenue, but on the day of the final GOP debate prior to the Iowa caucus, fast food workers in Des Moines participated in a walk-out, striking to increase their wages. And on that day, waist lines around the state Capitol rejoiced...

Every four years the Hawkeye state takes center stage on both the national and world stages as the Iowa caucus turns the political focus to the simple perspectives that Iowans typically call common sense. And this year Iowans outdid themselves, with extremely strong numbers -- record-setting as a matter of fact on the Republican side -- with extreme views and avid debate on behalf of all candidates on both sides of the political race...

So after the horrific revelations, caught on tape, were revealed linking Planned Parenthood representatives to the marketing of aborted baby parts, I expected there would be legal ramifications to follow. C'mon folks. Selling aborted baby limbs and pieces for financial gain. Sounds like something out of a horror movie that even by today's standards would be too sick to be made...

"What difference does it make?" I remember when she said it. Our Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressing the U.S. House Oversight Committee in May 2013 discussing the events of Sept. 11, 2012, at an ambassador's residence and covert CIA facility in Benghazi, Libya, that resulted in the death of the ambassador and others including military operatives...

I'm having almost as hard a time deciding who I'm going to stand behind at the Iowa caucus as I am trying to understand why sub-$27 a barrel oil is selling for $1.84 at the Spencer pumps. Tis a mystery, tis a mystery. But at least I'll be able to solve my voting crisis in the next couple of weeks. That gasoline question will likely go unanswered for eternity...

Last weekend I was able to be a fly on the wall -- well, perhaps that's a bit of a stretch -- a very large fly on the wall. My daughter and son were among a group of young people who came together at Hope Reformed Church in Spencer Sunday night to participate in The Bridge. The Bridge was a youth worship service bringing young Christians from multiple Spencer churches, as well as churches in Spirit Lake and Orange City...

Covering the sport of high school wrestling for more than 20 years, I've seen some pretty special things play out. As both a sports editor and broadcaster for SMU's Channel 3, I've had the privilege of watching some exceptional talent do some incredible things. I've cast my eyes on state champions, inspirational coaches, a wrestler with no legs and special moments that linger in one's memory and lend themselves to stories in reflection...

Things got a little exciting at the Spencer City Council meeting, and by exciting, I don't mean that Mayor Reynold Peterson banged his gavel extra hard as the councilmen raced to see who could be the first to move for adjournment. No, this excitement is surrounding a ordinance set to allow limited usage of all-terrain vehicles -- or ATVs for those outdoor-in-the-know kinda folks -- on Spencer city streets. ...

So 18-year-old Ethan Couch and his momma got nabbed in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, last week after fleeing Texas to run away from his probation violation. That's a good mommy, when things go bad, take your kid and make a run for the border. No, they're not the new spokespeople for Taco Bell's late night menu, they're a couple of people who have lost all touch with reality and you can help our jacked up court system in assisting in the process which helped them separate themselves from what most of us recognize as the real world.. ...

It's been a rough week and that's putting it mildly. And I don't want to linger on it except to wish all of those closest to Austin Roberts God's healing as they attempt to move forward from what I'm sure was almost a slow-motion week. I know it was for me, just never could seem to clear my head and function so I can't even imagine how his family, friends and classmates are feeling...

It seemed surreal. The kind of thing you hear about in the news or see on television in some other part of the country. A well-conditioned athlete in the prime of his or her life, with so much left to do, passed away. That doesn't happen here in Spencer. But Saturday it did and it really, really hurts. He was big and strong and his coaches described him as "larger-than-life" and Saturday Austin Roberts left us unexpectedly at his life was just-getting-started age of 18...

It's a great week to be a geek. Christmas came early this week for geeks around the world, most of whom will or have united at movie theaters across the globe by this weekend to enjoy the newest installment of the "Star Wars" chapter. Because we will not have a paper on Christmas day -- next Friday -- where I would traditionally offer my review of "The Force Awakens," I figured I would instead use my column this week to offer some thoughts on the one motion picture series that continues to take me -- and many like myself -- back to our childhood.. ...

We live in a dangerous world. Watch the national news sometime. Heck, watch the local news broadcast out of Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Des Moines or wherever. Doesn't matter. Usually the first few minutes are filled with who's doing what to who. Acts of violence, theft and crime...

As I prepare for what has been the talk of the town this week, Donald Trump's arrived today for an 11 a.m. appearance at the Clay County Regional Events Center, I've found myself looking forward to covering this event. Without a doubt, this is the biggest presidential candidate appearance to hit the area yet through this election cycle as it will undoubtedly bring with it a swarm of national media, a platoon of secret service agents and perhaps a protester or two. ...

Now we can officially begin Christmas season. Thanksgiving has passed so now I'm ready to turn my attention to all the fun and excitement attached to the Christmas celebration. Despite the retail outlets efforts of playing Christmas music while I stare at masks of ghouls and Halloween T-shirts, it's really hard for me to make that shift until I take my time to usher out fall, honor those who deserve our thanks, slam down some turkey and ingest some football ― or is it slam down some football and ingest some turkey, I can never keep it straight. ...