Animals

Vicious dogs back on a agenda (08/18/08)
The Spencer City Council will consider a more defined ordinance to deal with vicious dogs as part of its 6:30 p.m. meeting Monday in council chambers. But committee work suggests specific breeds won't be singled out in the ordinance language. Some residents were concerned about language that specifically mentions the Staffordshire terrier breed, American pit-bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, or any dog which has the appearance and characteristics, or being predominantly of those breeds.. ...

Local competitors 'fair' well (08/16/08)
Several Clay County residents participated in judged events at the Iowa State Fair. Here are some of the local results: Breeding Beef Dustin Biedenfeld, Peterson, Limousine, Purple- Reserve Champion and Blue; Jenna Biedenfeld, Peterson, Limousin, Purple;...

Innovative national sheep event set for Spencer (07/25/08)
Sheep producers seeking more return on rising feed and fuel costs are relying on proven genetic tools, like the National Sheep Improvement Program(NSIP) to enhance profitability. Producers using NSIP data can earn a greater return on their sheep operations, since top NSIP sheep are expected to produce more prolific, productive offspring in less time on feed...

Briefs 7-22-08 (07/22/08)
Young people and their families are invited to "Bee" at the library tonight at 6:30 p.m. for the "Pockets Full of Fun" program. Join Lisa Laird of Orange City, and her friends from "Pockets Full of Fun" as they learn about some interesting creatures in the insect world. ...

Briefs 7-19-08 (07/21/08)
Young people and their families are invited to "Bee" at the library on Tuesday, July 22 at 6:30 p.m. for the "Pockets Full of Fun" program. Join Lisa Laird of Orange City, and her friends from "Pockets Full of Fun" as they learn about some interesting creatures in the insect world. ...

Briefs 7-18-08 (07/18/08)
The Fifth Annual Cruise In will be held from 6-9 p.m. tonight in the McDonald's parking lot at the Southpark Mall in Spencer. Plaques for the first 75 cars. Registration from 6-7:30 p.m., with awards given at 8:30 p.m. Trophies for the top three "peoples choice." Prizes also. Rain day has been set for Friday, July 25...

DNR officials pleased with Milford turnout (07/18/08)
About 60 area residents attended a wide-ranging public forum hosted by the state's top conservation official Wednesday night. Richard Leopold, director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, held the forum at the Gull Point State Park lodge. "I think the tone was pretty positive for the most part," said Tammie Krausman, the public affairs coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "Sometimes those public meetings can be quite contentious."...

Briefs 6-4-08 (06/04/08)
All area women are invited to the "Let's Have Flowers" prayer connection at 10 a.m. today in the home of Bonnie Neisess, Treasure Village on Highway 86. It is a time of sharing and supporting each other with prayer and fellowship. Okoboji Women's Connection is a part of Stonecroft Ministries...

Briefs 5-29-08 (05/29/08)
Single Spirits will hold its next meeting tonight at the Spirit Lake Public Library. A potluck is set for 6:30 p.m., with a meeting to follow. Activities for the next five weeks will be planned. Single Spirits is an organization open to singles of all ages in the area...

Werk to join the Clay County Fair Staff (05/28/08)
Robyn Werk, a West Central Minnesota native and recent South Dakota State University graduate, will take on the position of assistant to the secretary manager of the Clay County Fair. Werk graduated with a degree in agriculture journalism and a minor in animal science...

Briefs 5-28-08 (05/28/08)
Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School students will present their annual end-of--the-year musical titled "Livin' Inside Out in an Upside Down World," based on Psalm 51:6, at 7 p.m. tonight at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 500 Fourth Ave. S.W., Spencer...

Briefs 5-27-08 (05/27/08)
The Clay County Relay for Life "Out of the Blue" team is sponsoring a dog show. "Paws for the Cause" will be held at Oneota Park in Spencer from 2 - 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 8. Activities will include a costume pet parade, an agility competition, and a retrieving and obedience contest. Trophies and prizes will be awarded...

Meetings 5-10-08 (05/12/08)
The Northwest Iowa Airport Board of Trustees will meet at 3 p.m. Monday, May 12 in the conference room at the Terminal Building. --- The Ruthven-Ayrshire Community School District Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m., Monday, May 12 in room 211. ---...

Another great Walleye Weekend in the books (05/07/08)
This year, 1,161 anglers registered for their opportunity at a prize-winning catch on Iowa's Great Lakes during the 26th Annual Iowa Easter Seals Great Walleye Weekend May 3 and 4. No tagged fish were caught in this year's tournament. The Easter Seals Great Walleye Weekend kicks off the official start of the walleye season and is sponsored by the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, Pure Fishing, Oh Shuck's Bait and Tackle, Kabele's Trading Post, Pioneer Beach Resort, Parks Marina and KUOO FM.. ...

Pepper makes a new friend (05/06/08)
Doggie kisses. Can't beat them. At least that's what Shirley Tutt, a resident at Northshire, thought after getting a big, wet doggie kiss from Pepper - one of the many animals at the Humane Society of Northwest Iowa in Milford. The pets and their handlers paid a visit to both Northshire and St. ...

BEAT THAT DONKEY (05/06/08)
Cyro Baptista and Beat the Donkey got the fourth and final season of the SPOT/Hancher Family Arts Adventure program started with a bang over the weekend with several activities geared for children and families on Sunday, followed by grade school specific programming at the old Middle School Auditorium during the day on Monday. ...

SPOT enters its final year in Spencer (05/02/08)
By Randy M. Cauthron Managing Editor Cyro Baptista and Beat the Donkey will be in Spencer this weekend, performing a unique blend of music and offering a variety of special sessions for the public to kick off the fourth and final season of the SPOT/Hancher Family Arts Adventure series...

Mailbox case returned to Clay County (03/25/08)
Federal authorities are going to loosen their grip on a local "MacGyver bomb" case, according to Clay County Attorney Michael Houchins. Seventeen federal felony charges of destruction of letter boxes were originally filed on Saturday, March 8, after a group of teenagers were suspected of planting explosive devices in the mailboxes in and around Spencer. Seven state felony counts of destruction of letter boxes with an explosive device also were filed...

A bird's eye view (03/19/08)
This picture was taken by Esther Connell last week when she saw an eagle flying over the parking lot at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. It landed in the big blue spruce just to the east of the school building, allowing her to get some great pictures.