Construction Contractors

Notice to proceed at Lower Gar set for Sunday, task force expects little local impact (03/20/10)

'Where's the flood?' (03/19/10)
On Wednesday, Governor Chet Culver signed a disaster declaration for the Army Corps of Engineers to provide assistance in Dickinson County. Thursday morning, representatives from the Corps' Omaha office were on site at Lower Gar, just northeast of Milford, meeting with potential contractors and local utility providers as a group of very unhappy Lower Gar area residents and Milford Mayor Don Lamb looked on...

Corridor delegates meet with Washington representation (03/13/10)
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) meets with delegates from the Iowa Great Lakes Corridor of Opportunity including Spencer City Manager Bob Fagen (seated to Harkin's left). The senator discussed upgrading Highway 86 during the Corridor's annual visit. The group also met with Sen. ...

Committee looks to promote census (02/18/10)
Stand and be counted. Or at least take 10 minutes to answer 10 questions for the 2010 U.S. Census. That is the message a committee of city and county officials will be trying to promote through public service announcements on radio and television as well as information posted on the Spencer and Clay County Web sites...

Little Lola wouldn't wait (02/05/10)
Most American babies have a hospital or clinic listed as their birthplace. Not Lola Snow Johnson. She was simply too impatient to wait for her dad Ira to navigate through rush-hour traffic and a construction zone from their home in Conifer, Colo., to a midwife clinic in Denver, where her mom, Robyn, was planning to have her delivered...

Old classroom becomes new home (01/12/10)
Lois Beck is excited about her new home in a Spencer historical landmark. Eager to move Friday afternoon into her brand new apartment in the former Spencer Middle School building, she's already splurged on a new television set to accentuate the space's open floor plan. She's also purchased a Christmas tree, which she plans to proudly display in her dwelling's large set of windows next holiday season. Beck will formally claim the space as her own when her Candlewick and Copenhagen Christmas plates, and the cup and saucer collection started years ago by her mother-in-law are placed in her daughter's former classroom. Cheryl Hurst, Beck's daughter, taught English in the same room that has now been remodeled into her mother's apartment. ...

Snow emergency issued, holiday travel discouraged (12/24/09)
The second winter storm to hit Spencer this month is looking like a grinch for those who had Christmas travel plans. "We're asking you to be aware of this as holiday plans begin to unfold," said meteorologist Todd Heitkamp who issued a storm update through streaming video on the National Weather Service Web site in Sioux Falls, S.D. "Travel will be impossible and not recommended across much of the Upper Midwest this holiday season."...

Save the dates! (12/19/09)
A public open house commemorating a newly-renovated Spencer landmark is set for the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010. Beginning next month, the former Spencer Middle School building located at 104 E. Fourth St. will host apartments owned by Community Housing Initiatives on the second and third floors. ...

Busy construction site (12/17/09)
Like the distinguished Hollywood starlet who wants to prolong her career, the Spencer Community Theatre building has gone in for a nip here and a tuck there. The region's theater fans can expect to see better performances from the ol' girl as a result...

Transportation projects roll on despite cuts (12/15/09)

A home for the holidays (11/28/09)
Amber Quail has two families to be thankful for this holiday season. One includes her daughter, Aubrey, who playfully scooted along the floor of her new home on a Sunday afternoon. It also includes Amber's father, Steve. He brings tears of gratitude to his daughter's eyes whenever she thinks of all the work that went into the house at 12 Hillside Boulevard...

THRIVENT BUILDS (11/24/09)

Holiday Family Adoption under way (11/10/09)
The Holiday Family Adoption program kicks off today with the first listing of families in The Daily Reporter. The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share in the holiday spirit and bounty...

Work on old SMS building progressing (11/03/09)
While lots of progress has been made at the old Spencer Middle School building, the general contractor acknowledges that all involved in the renovation project are entering a crunch time now. Demolition began in October 2008, reconstruction commenced in late January and tenants are expected to be able to move into apartments on the building's second and third floors by mid-January 2010. ...

Habitat house dedicated (10/31/09)
The cheerful yellow house across the road from Dairy Queen in Milford is now home to Kassi Cherry and her three daughters Amanda, Haley and Brandie Bushee. The Northwest Iowa Corridor of Habitat for Humanity dedicated the home on Sunday, Oct. 25. Ground was broken March 29...

Spencer denied REAP grant for Deerfield Park (10/15/09)
The fourth time wasn't a charm for Spencer Park Board members, who were notified this week that Spencer was not awarded a $125,000 Resource Enhancement And Protection (REAP) grant for proposed developments in Deerfield Park. The information stung a bit because the town's grant application placed just below the Iowa projects which were approved...

'Creating Grand Opportunities' -- a communitywide strategic plan (10/09/09)
Tarrel Storey and Dan Heissel, co-chairs of the Spencer Vision Coordinating Committee, unveiled a 36-project plan designed to make Spencer a better place to "Live Work and Play." Building on a theme originating with the Iowa Great Lakes Corridor of Opportunity, a team of approximately 40 Spencer area residents worked together under the label, "Spencer Area Strategic Planning Team," dedicating four-plus hours a month for the past 12 months to come up the project bases designed to build on the assets that Spencer already offers.. ...

Grand Avenue enhancements to begin this month (09/01/09)
The $2.4 million Grand Avenue bridge and boulevard enhancement projects that are being rolled into one over the next construction year are a bit shy of funds to be truly grand, organizers told a group that gathered Monday night in Spencer City Hall's council chambers. Because of this, residents can expect to see modifications occur with the project, as well as be asked to help pay for a small portion of it. In particular, property owners along Grand Avenue will be asked over the next three weeks to chip in a tax-deductible contribution to assist with the replacement of all the area's sidewalks. ...

RIDES awarded $1.6 million in federal stimulus funds (08/06/09)
RIDES fared well in the recent doling out of federal stimulus dollars. The Spencer-based Regional Transit Authority was awarded $1.669 million in stimulus funds. Of this amount, $1.519 million is earmarked for the purchase of 23 new vehicles, ranging from minivans to light duty buses. ...

Grand Avenue set to become beautified (08/04/09)
Light will be shed on a Spencer beautification project that's been nine years in the making as it finally begins to see its first visible phase unfold within the next few weeks. Spencer Park Board and Spencer City Council members approved awarding a $1.4 million contract to Midstates Builders, Inc. Monday night. With the approved contract in hand, the local general contractor is scheduled to enhance the town's Grand Avenue bridge and Grand Avenue boulevards from Eighth to 18th Street over the next year.

Next up: An occupant (07/31/09)
Heavy construction equipment and ceremonial golden shovels cleared the way for some progress Thursday morning on the east side of Spencer. The Spencer Industries Foundation broke ground on its sixth building. The newest one is going up on a 9.2-acre lot in the southwest corner of the Green Industrial Center, Spencer's newest industrial park...

SCT joins with Events Center for 50th year anniversary (07/24/09)
Spencer Community Theatre's productions will look a little different in the upcoming season. That's because they'll be performed on stage at the Clay County Regional Events Center. Both organizations are excited about the prospect of cooperating to produce SCT's 50th season of theater...

Terril home project taking shape (07/18/09)
A home repair and rebuilding ministry aimed at assisting lower-income Clay and Dickinson County families has officially taken off. The work currently being accomplished on a Terril home -- the first project house in need of major repairs approved by local Fuller Center for Housing (FCH) partner board members -- began occurring in May...

Fourth time a charm? (07/16/09)
Spencer Park Board members are hoping the fourth time's the charm. This week they approved submitting a fourth $125,000 Resource Enhancement And Protection (REAP) grant application for the potential development of a shelter house, trails and "green" elements -- such as a rain garden, upland and hydric prairie areas -- in Deerfield Park.

City signs off on police dog proposal (07/07/09)
Fundraising continues, but Spencer Police Chief Mark Lawson said the department is ready to take on a K-9, or law enforcement dog. The four-legged officer may be an available resource for the Spencer Police Department by fall, Lawson told the Spencer City Council at its meeting Monday night...

Spencer grad touts skills learned in debate (06/09/09)
Mark Woolsey credits a Spencer High School teacher and his 1976 start in debate with opening several of the most important doors in his life. Several of those doors have extended onto the international level. The 49-year-old son of Joanne Woolsey, who formerly served as the director of nursing at Longhouse Nursing Home, and the late James Woolsey, who served as a podiatrist in Spencer, has worked the past seven years as a speech and debate instructor at Yavapai College in Prescott, Ariz. The 1979 SHS graduate also debated in college on scholarship. Woolsey met his wife, Denise, while both were members of the collegiate debate team. On his way to rebuild flood-damaged homes in Cedar Rapids this past weekend with Sara Krogshede, the foreign exchange student from Denmark the Woolseys have hosted this past school year, the two stopped at Mel and Jan Myers' place in Spencer. There, he fondly recalled the interaction he'd had with other high school students as a debater, deeming it a "great cultural learning experience" for him. ...

Urban renewal approved for old school, Green Center (06/02/09)
The city of Spencer has two new urban renewal areas as a result of council action Monday night. City Council members voted to establish urban renewal areas for the Green Industrial Center and for the former Spencer Middle School building on East Fourth Street. ...

Spencer's industrial development breaks ground (05/28/09)
"Welcome to the celebration," said Kathy Evert, president of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation, greeting those gathered for Wednesday's ground breaking at the site of Spencer's new industrial park. The project marks the city's first green development...

Region set to break ground at Green Center (05/26/09)
After months of contract details, annexations and public hearings, the city of Spencer is ready to mint its new industrial park with a ceremony. The groundbreaking for the Green Industrial Center will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, near the East Milwaukee Street and 10th Avenue East intersection. Parking is at the Spencer Cardinal baseball field...

Spec building purchase on council agenda (05/16/09)
Calling it "a testament to the willingness of the community working together," Spencer City Manager Bob Fagen is going to recommend a financing plan for a $1.05 million, 40,000-square-foot spec building in the Green Industrial Center. The recommendation will be considered by Spencer City Council members at their 6:30 p.m. meeting Monday at Spencer City Hall...

Funding paves way for smooth landing (05/09/09)
Federal funding came through for an extensive improvement project at that Northwest Iowa Regional Airport. U.S. Senators Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley announced a $153,614 grant for the city of Spencer to make repairs at the airport's shorter, north-and-south runway...

City pauses to remember Schmidt (05/06/09)
Spencer City Hall will be closed from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday as staff members remember a longtime Spencer Airport Board member and public servant. Warner Funeral Home in Spencer is in charge of the arrangements for 84-year-old Al Schmidt, who passed away Sunday, May 3, at St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer. Visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m. today, with the family present from 6-8 p.m...

Elliott named Panorama superintendent (04/30/09)
Spencer Assistant Superintendent Kathy Elliott has been named the new superintendent at Panorama Community School District. Following a full day of interviews with board members and different focus groups, Elliott was offered a two-year contract for next school year and the following year by Panorama board members around 9 p.m. Tuesday night.

Extreme Makeover crowns Galm 'big winner' (04/28/09)
For Kay Galm entering the Extreme Home Makeover's "American Home Edition" contest was a no brainer. "I habitually enter contests, so I entered this one," Galm said. Winning however was an entirely new experience. "I entered it, but then I kind of forgot about it. I never win," she continued. "Finally, I get a call from ABC, saying I'm a finalist. I just screamed . I was so excited...

Ver Steeg turns over construction reins (04/25/09)
Ed Ver Steeg recently placed ownership of his construction company's assets in the apt hands of Mark and Cindi Hinton. Circumstances are what prompted the 36-year-old Spencer man, who'd spent the last nine years running his namesake, to let his friends assume responsibility of the charge he loved. Circumstances such as family, job loss, legal issues and perceived growth. Another determining factor was trust. All parties involved in the business transaction are confident their friends, as well as the area at large, will benefit from Ver Steeg Construction becoming Crown Inc.

Board supports dog, bike park concepts (04/16/09)

Habitat for Humanity, Lowe's challenge women builders (04/10/09)
In the days leading up to Mother's Day, construction crews of women volunteers, including recording artist Trisha Yearwood, will be pounding nails and raising walls at Habitat for Humanity construction sites across the country in recognition of National Women Build Week, May 2-10. Lowe's and the Northwest Iowa Corridor Habitat for Humanity are looking for local women volunteers to work one day on the Milford Habitat construction site May 2...

Council signs off on projects, resource officer (04/08/09)
The effort to re-establish a school resource officer in the Spencer School District took another step forward Monday night. The Spencer City Council authorized police chief Mark Lawson to apply for a grant to fund the position of a school resource officer in Spencer for three years. ...

Board commits $1.5 million for capital projects (04/07/09)
Spencer school board members committed $1.5 million in physical plant and equipment levy (PPEL), city and state sales tax revenues for 31 capital projects over fiscal year 2009, which ends June 30, and fiscal year 2010 Monday night. As Superintendent Greg Ebeling noted Spencer is one of a few districts in the state to have city sales tax revenues to draw funding from, he also indicated the district took out an approximately $2.4 million loan against this specific source of funding to pay for the Energy Service Group facility improvements it has undertaken districtwide over the last few years. ...

Hanson purchases Lundt & Sears Plumbing & Heating (04/04/09)

Milford Habitat for Humanity groundbreaking scheduled for Sunday (03/26/09)
The local alliance between Habitat for Humanity International and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans continues to build hope for low-income families as the mortgage crisis unfolds nationwide. Since 2005, this alliance has given thousands of families across the nation an opportunity to achieve the American dream of homeownership...

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...

Property valuations can lead to questions (03/13/09)
While national statistics show otherwise, properties in Clay County and indeed throughout the state of Iowa have seen increases in value over the past two years. That contradiction could cause some extra headaches over this year for county officials charged with valuing your home or businesses for tax purposes. The public perception and the market realities can be very different...

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...

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. ...

East Milwaukee gets to stretch (03/11/09)
The city of Spencer is seeing the first drops of a $789 billion economic stimulus bill signed by President Barack Obama in February. The money was funneled through the Iowa Department of Transportation, to Spencer on Tuesday. The city will receive $422,500 for an extension of East Milwaukee Street through a Revitalize Iowa's Sound Economy (RISE) grant...

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...

Royal annexation, drainage issues raise concerns (02/25/09)
Royal Mayor Pam Virelli joined the Clay County Supervisors Tuesday morning as the governing board was asked to moved forward with a process that may eventually annex multiple properties in Royal to deal with drainage district issues. Frank Rouse, the county's drainage engineer, explained to Virelli and the board that the discovery of some properties currently utilizing Drainage District 108 are not being charged for the service and are not currently being charged with any associated drainage ditch. ...

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...

Aerobatics competition coming to Spencer (02/18/09)
An air show is fun. An aerobatics competition is seriousfun. The half-loops, rolls and spins are still in, but a panel of judges replaces the trails of smoke when the International Aerobatic Club (IAC) brings a sanctioned, major-regional event -- the Doug Yost Challenge -- to Spencer for the first time...

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