Celebrity Children

Spencer police charge area man with abuse, possession (12/29/09)
Spencer Police officers were forced to kick in a door and taser 19-year-old Terrell Ramon Alfaro after responding to a call in the 2100 block of 10th Avenue East at 3:37 a.m. on Dec. 24. The entry led to multiple charges include domestic abuse and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver among others...

A gift of Christmas cheer (12/18/09)
Something classic, something new, something borrowed, and lots for you. That's what the Oak Ridge Boys will deliver when they roll into town on Sunday for the next to last date on their 2009 Christmas concert tour. The show will get under way at 7:30 p.m...

Elliott returns for Seasons Center 50th anniversary (11/21/09)
Iowa singer/songwriter Chad Elliott will perform live at the Clay County Regional Events Center on Saturday, Nov. 28, to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Seasons Center and Oak Haven. The Seasons Center's mission is "empowering individuals and communities for success through every season of life." The Seasons Center, located in Spencer, provides services such as crisis intervention, domestic abuse intervention, community support and much more...

'New Moon' pits vampire vs. werewolf, sells out local theater (11/20/09)
With advance tickets in hand for the premiere midnight showing of "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," eager moviegoers still found themselves waiting in line to pack the sold-out Spencer 7 theaters Thursday night. The tremendous following surrounded author Stephenie Meyer's vampire-werewolf-schoolgirl love triangle played out in her series of books, which are now making their way onto the big screen. ...

Hogs, heart and help (09/18/09)
Three years ago, when Jerry Faulkner, grandfather of Shayla Kaye Rohrbaugh, was working to establish a special fund to assist working class families with medical needs in his late grandchild's honor, he said, "...I hope it to be a legacy instead of just a one- or two-year thing."...

Jesse James is a travelin' man (09/17/09)
The more things change for Jesse James, the more they stay the same. At least that's the way it seemed for the reality television star as he conducted a telephone interview from Long Beach, Calif. Fame hasn't altered what he wants to accomplish on a Wednesday morning...

Rembrandt man face vehicular homicide charge (09/05/09)
Felony charges, including vehicular homicide, have been filed against a Rembrandt man involved in a head-on collision earlier this summer. Troopers from the Iowa State Patrol and deputies from the Buena Vista County Sheriff's Department took 39-year-old Matthew Wrather into custody on Thursday. He was booked into the Buena Vista County Jail on charges of felony homicide by motor vehicle, felony serious injury by motor vehicle and felony child endangerment resulting in death...

Jury sides with Royal in wedding chapel dispute (08/01/09)
The dispute between Royal Wedding Chapel, Inc. owner Gerald "Lee" Youde and the city of Royal began with a business permit application. It ended with a 8.5-pound court file and a July 22 jury verdict at the Clay County Courthouse. Yes, Youde can still conduct wedding ceremonies out of the decommissioned Lutheran church he bought back in 2003. ...

Elliott to open Mainstreet Market schedule (07/16/09)
Mainstreet Market is returning to the Clay County courthouse square July 16 for the first of five Thursday evenings of live entertainment, fresh produce, art and food. Chad Elliott will perform on the opening night. Now in its fifth year, Mainstreet Market takes place Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. On July 23, it will move downtown for Crazy Days, but the following week it will return to the courthouse square, 215 W. 4th St., Spencer...

Sex offender classification under way (07/16/09)
Technology specialists are reviewing the profiles of about 5,000 Iowans on the state's sex offender registry as part of a new law that attempts to more closely monitor the most dangerous offenders. James Saunders, assistant director for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said work is well under way and could be completed in about a month. Beginning July 1, people with a sexual offense in their history were to be classified into three tiers...

Elliott named top writer in festival contest (07/07/09)
Iowa singer/songwriter Chad Elliott was recently named the winner of the Woody Guthrie Festival songwriting contest with his original song, "Same Old Way." "It is such an honor for me to receive this. Woody Guthrie has been very influential on me as a songwriter. The song that won first place is all about walking down the highway and facing change, something Woody knew too well," Elliott said...

Cybercrime unit searches Spencer, Storm Lake homes (05/28/09)
State and federal agents went to three areas homes - two in Spencer and one in Storm Lake - Tuesday after suspicious Internet traffic was detected by authorities. Investigators used Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to trace suspicion of child exploitation to specific computers. Agents then executed the first of three search warrants at about 8 a.m. Tuesday at 1342 S. Grand Plaza Dr., in Spencer. A second search, at 906 Second Ave. SE, was completed just before noon...

'World's Longest Running Phantom' returns to 'World's Greatest County Fair' (05/12/09)
Franc D'Ambrosio, known for the longest-running portrayal of the Phantom from Andrew Lloyd Weber's The Phantom of the Opera, will be making a return appearance at the 2009 Clay County Fair. D'Ambrosio will perform two shows in the Events Center Grand Ballroom on Saturday, September 19, at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., with a meet and greet from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m...

'Dewey' movie on fast track (05/08/09)
The woman who's agreed to write the script for the upcoming movie based on Dewey Readmore Books' life is a natural for the job at hand. Pamela Gray has a cat paraphernalia collecting fever. She's been visiting people and places in Spencer this week, and she's jotting her important notes worth remembering in a notebook covered with cartoon cats. She currently has 10 cats of her own. The woman even has a tiger stripe tattoo -- based on the stripes of tigers she fell in love with while serving as a volunteer zookeeper -- inked on her right shoulder. --- It's safe to say that Vicki Myron, Spencer's former librarian-turned-author, feels a bit overwhelmed at times. She's busy. Even before her and Bret Witter's "Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World" book became a No. 1 bestseller, Myron had been working the media channels to promote it...

Blue Collar Comedy Tour's Engvall headed to Fair's grandstand (04/25/09)
Comedic sensation, Bill Engvall, will appear in front of the Grandstands the first Saturday of the Clay County Fair, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12. Engvall, a Texas native, didn't originally aspire to be a comedy star. In fact, he worked as a disc jockey with plans of becoming a teacher. ...

ACM award winner Adkins returning to fair (04/21/09)
The 2009 Clay County Fair will feature a night with a pair of country's hottest stars on Sunday, Sept. 20. Louisiana-native Trace Adkins, burst onto the county scene in 1996 with his debut album Dreamin' Out Loud. The album garnered his first Billboard number one hit with "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing." Other hit singles produced from that album including "Every Light in the House" and "I Left Something Turned on at Home."...

School resource officer on council agenda (04/04/09)
Spencer City Council members will consider a plan to sustain the local school resource officer program as part of its meeting Monday night. The request, from Spencer Police Chief Mark Lawson, is on the agenda for the council's regular meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at Spencer City Hall. A finance and personnel meeting begins at 5:30 p.m...

The family that plays together... (04/01/09)
Spencer Middle School students and their parents enjoyed an evening together Tuesday at the Student/Parent Interactive Night. Dinner was served followed by games of action and skill. Pierce Jensen (above) shows off his dance moves during a Name That Tune contest, pitting the parents against the kids. Rachael Getting and Olivia Baxter share a laugh after missing the return in a game of Super Volleyball against their elders...

Spencer teen faces drug distribution charge (04/01/09)
Police charged a 15-year-old Spencer male with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver after they suspect he was trying to sell pills in the area of the Spencer High School parking lot. The charge could carry an enhanced penalty because the alleged crime took place within 1,000 feet of a school. Officers made the arrest at 10:54 a.m. Friday in the 800 block of East Third Street...

Learn to walk before you jump (03/31/09)
Third and fourth grade students at Fairview (top), Lincoln, Johnson and Sacred Heart elementary schools in Spencer began changing the local culture Monday as they took part in a program aimed at increasing exercise levels. The eight-week program, which will continue through May 22 and is funded in part through a grant from the Department of Transportation, will have students either walking outside or inside their school buildings during their Monday, Wednesday and Friday lunch breaks. ...

Students to learn to start own business (03/27/09)
Entrepreneurship is on the rise as the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation has expanded its entrepreneurial efforts to include students in grades 7-9. A week-long Entrepreneurship Academy will be held July 27-31 at the Spencer Campus of Iowa Lakes Community College...

Spencer students participate in 'Kick Butts Day' activity (03/26/09)
Students across Iowa rallied against tobacco Wednesday as they joined thousands of young people nationwide for the 14th annual Kick Butts Day, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The specially designated day raised awareness about continued tobacco marketing to kids and the need for Congress to crack down on such practices. ...

School board acts on contract terminations, adopts 2009-10 budget (03/25/09)
Spencer school board members adopted the $19.3 million certified 2009-10 budget presented to them Tuesday. It is based on a 4 percent allowable growth rate and sets the overarching statutory and taxing rate limits for next school year. With some board discussion about changing the Instructional Support Levy (ISL) state income surtax from the current 4 percent to a 5 percent surtax rate next year, specifically with David Schlichtemeier's concerns about making such a move, the board approved a 5 percent ISL rate.. ...

Author/Illustrator coming to Spencer (03/24/09)
Children's author and illustrator Lisa Campbell Ernst will be visiting Spencer elementary schools on March 31. Besides entertaining students, her programs at Johnson, Lincoln and Fairview schools will be designed for parents and community members interested in early childhood education...

Briefs 3-14-09 (03/14/09)
A bird house workshop will be held at 1 p.m. today at Lost Island Nature Center, north of Ruthven. To build a wren house, just bring a hammer. Call (712) 837-4866 for more information. --- A bake sale will be held today at the Southpark Mall. The groups will be: "People to People Ambassador Program" for Devan McCord Fund Raiser and DreamTeam...

Patrick: The woman behind the productions (03/14/09)
Nancy Patrick is what you'd call a true artist. She's not only trained vocally, she's taken piano, organ, saxophone and dance lessons. Even so, she comes by her artistic, creative ways naturally. Patrick, the eighth of 13 children born to the late Sylvester Joseph "S.J." and NaDyne Patrick, was raised to value family, church and education. The native of Mapleton still holds those priorities near and dear today...

Clay Central-Everly students to present Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" (03/14/09)
The Everly school gymnasium promises to transform into a make-believe world filled with whimsy and romance this week when Clay Central-Everly High School students perform Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." With close to 70 CCE students involved in the production -- and many community members also stepping forward to assist with the love story featuring Belle (Jacque Ginger ) and Beast (Kasey Kunzmann) -- Director Nancy Patrick guarantees the big show will delight young and young-at-heart alike...

Briefs 3-13-09 (03/13/09)
A soup and pie fundraiser will be held from 5-8 p.m. tonight at DaySpring Assembly of God Church, 1410 W. 18th St., Spencer. Chef Dr. Darrel Forslund will be serving home-style chicken noodle soup, "27 Spice" chili, and an international selection: Mongolian hot pot soup. Many...

Positively Spencer Youth to host Irish gig (03/12/09)
The ground isn't green yet, but that will be the color of choice for a lot of high school students Saturday night. Positively Spencer Youth is hosting a St. Patrick's Day weekend dance beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday at the ballroom of the Clay County Regional Events Center...

Briefs 3-12-09 (03/12/09)
Spencer City Councilman George Kruger will host a Ward 1 meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at the Spencer Public Library. Bob Fagen, Spencer's city manager, will be the featured guest speaker. --- Spencer Hospital will be holding classes for individuals considered to have "pre-diabetes" -- those with blood sugar levels higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be considered a diabetic. ...

Spencer schools proposing to not change 2009-10 tax asking (03/11/09)
Spencer school board members have previewed preliminary budget numbers for next school year and scheduled a 5:30 p.m. public hearing on Tuesday, March 24 for residents to offer their feedback on the certified budget proposed for 2009-10. A second public hearing is set for the same time and date in regard to a budget amendment proposed for this year in the categories of instruction, total support services, non-instructional programs and total other expenditures...

Newhouse: From student to ILCC's new CEO (03/07/09)
Valerie Newhouse will mark her first day as Iowa Lakes Community College's president on Tuesday, Feb. 17. The 50-year-old woman will be the college's seventh CEO. But unlike her predecessors, Newhouse, a native of West Bend, has strong roots throughout ILCC's five-county area. ...

Quinn grateful for generosity of Iowans (03/04/09)
Jennifer Quinn is one grateful native of Spencer, Iowa. She asked for help in getting her second-grade students at Leadership Preparatory Charter School in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn to see a Broadway production of "The Lion King" this June...

Beaver named new children's librarian (03/04/09)
Sarah Beth (Fuchsen) Beaver has been named the new youth services librarian at Spencer Public Library. Monday, March 23 will mark her first official day on job. The 27-year-old daughter of Tom and Marianne Fuchsen, Spencer, is a 2000 Spencer High School alumna who also graduated from the University of South Dakota at Vermillion. Beaver is currently working to complete her master's degree in library science online from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee this December...

Spencer to roll out new district motto (03/03/09)
Spencer school officials plan to unveil a new motto at the start of next school year. A majority of the 1,214 people casting votes on the matter selected "Learning Today...Leading Tomorrow" as the district's new maxim. Focus groups consisting of businesses, students, parents and school staff reviewed 19 potential district mottos this fall. Spencer school board members narrowed the list down to four on Nov. 24...

Six teens will vie for Miss Shamrock Sunday (03/03/09)
The 2009 Miss Shamrock Pageant will be held at 7 p.m., Sunday, March 8 at Corrigan Hall in Emmetsburg. There are six contestants in the pageant. Competition in the Miss Shamrock Pageant includes an interview with the panel of judges, introduction in casual wear, talent performance, formal wear and an on-stage question...

Local veterans pay patriotism forward (02/28/09)
Spencer veterans Norman Bensene, Bob Faulkender and Ken Heimgartner, from left, along with LeRoy Spears, not pictured, participated in an exhibition for area students Friday afternoon on the proper way to fold the U.S. flag. This marks the fourth year that members of the American Legion Glen Pedersen Post No. ...

Pipe bomb found during warrant check (02/28/09)
Time and the judicial process will have to determine the accuracy of a novelty T-shirt worn by Alexander Larson as he was photographed during processing at the Clay County Jail. For now, the 19-year-old Spencer man -- who in his mug shot sports a T-shirt that features a definition of the word "loser" -- faces some fairly serious charges...

District patrons asked for help (02/28/09)
Spencer school board members have voted to reduce up to $741,812 from next year's budget. Right before they did so, though, board member Ed VerSteeg apologized to the area residents who had gathered in the standing-room-only conference room Thursday night. By that point, board members had listened to well over two hours of public comments...

Board makes final budget decision (02/27/09)
With a few tears shed, a handful of harsh words exchanged and plenty of emotional public input, Spencer school board members voted to keep nine items above the cut line for 2009-10 Thursday night. At a cost of $348,176, these included an elementary classroom teacher, a vocational agriculture instructor and FFA sponsor position, the debate program, the mock trial and boys swimming programs, a high school social studies instructor, two middle school basketball coaches' salaries, a $103,593 package tied to full-time benefits for 15 teacher and library associates, and Activities Director Roger Johnson's position.. ...

Norgaard at Shaky Tree tonight (02/26/09)
Amber Norgaard will be performing at Shaky Tree Coffeehouse at 7:30 p.m, tonight,. with a $5 suggested donation. Norgaard currently makes her home in Tuscon, Ariz., where she is a singer/songwriter. The rock performer, described as the love child of Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant and Melissa Etheridge is a former Iowa farm girl. Her song, "Rectify," was selected for the Women of Rock compilation CD...

Getting ready for a trip to the 'Well' (02/26/09)
The Spencer Tigers will open girls state tournament play at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Tuesday, March 3 against No. 8 Pella or No. 9 Knoxville. Game time is set for 8 p.m. -- the final 3A game of the day. Pella, the defending state runner-up to Sioux City Heelan, is making its third straight trip to the state tournament. The Tigers are making their second back-to-back appearance since 2002-03...

Spencer administration to take hit in 2009-10 budget cuts (02/25/09)
As Spencer school board members readjusted potential items and positions they plan to reduce next school year to keep the district's general fund balance in the black during a work session held last night, two people's positions -- a maintenance person and the activities director role -- and a portion of a third person's were dropped below the cut line. The moves, which followed feedback received during a public hearing held Saturday, would put potential reductions at the $700,000 mark...

The moral of the story is ... (02/24/09)
As the Spencer High School students enrolled in Michele Dirkx's Creative Writing class huddled in Fairview's hallway near the elementary school building's office Monday morning prior to reading the children's stories they'd written and illustrated, they were instructed by their teacher to do four things:...

Budget cuts concern district patrons (02/24/09)
Members of the Spencer School Board now have two hours of feedback to consider as they re-stack the priorities for another difficult round of budget cuts. Spencer School District Superintendent Greg Ebeling said the district needs to reduce its budget by about $700,000 due, mostly, to continued enrollment declines. He and the Spencer School Board identified 34 areas for potential reduction in a list handed out to district patrons at a public hearing Saturday morning...

Families work to save activities (02/24/09)
Youth music programs, the local Future Farmers of America chapter, the boys swim team, debate and mock trial were identified in a list of reductions as the Spencer School District tries to shave about $700,000 from the 2009-10 budget. The district held a public hearing Saturday that drew students and their families in an effort to keep their activities off the chopping block...

Board suggests residents pay for some transportation (02/21/09)
Spencer school board members threw a late twist in their 2009-10 budget-cutting discussions Thursday night as they moved to reduce discretionary in-town busing and turn it into a pay-for situation. The very last motion made during the evening work session -- approved 3-2, with Todd Korbitz and Marti Bomgaars dissenting, -- moved the $25,127 discretionary transportation item below the proposed cut line...

CCE looking to trim 2009-10 budget (02/21/09)
Clay Central-Everly school board members officially heard from Superintendent Monte Montgomery this week that they'll need to trim approximately $100,000 from next year's budget. "We are going to have a smaller budget than we had this year, and this year's was smaller than last year," Montgomery told them in regard to CCE's projected 2009-10 budget figures...

School board to act on 2009-10 reductions next week (02/21/09)
The Spencer Community Schools Board of Education will convene a special meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24 to make adjustments to potential 2009-10 budget reduction packages following feedback received during a 10 a.m. public hearing on the matter today...

Singing the praises of George Washington Carver (02/21/09)
Opera Iowa performed before for third through sixth grade students attending Spencer schools Friday morning at the old high school auditorium. The collective performers told the story: "A Dream Fulfilled - The Saga of George Washington Carver," detailing the rise, in Iowa, of one of the first men to break the color barrier. ...

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