Consumer Product Manufacturing

ISU Extension Connections at the Clay County Fair (09/05/08)
The public is invited to make an ISU Extension Connection during the 2008 Clay County Fair, Sept. 6-14. Visit the Ag Learning Center (Stub's Stable Building) just west of the small animal barn and connect with ISU Extension staff from northwest Iowa. ISU Extension Field Specialist and County Directors will be on hand to share information, answer questions, and visit with you about what ISU Extension can do for you...

Briefs 9-05-08 (09/05/08)
Fair booster tickets will be sold individually for $5 each, a savings of $2 from the regular daytime gate admission price for adults. Individuals and businesses may take advantage of the savings by purchasing tickets from a fair booster ticket location or a fair booster representative prior to 5 p.m. ...

BatschStein Salsa to add zest to fair (09/04/08)
Iowa's "fine home-made" BatschStein Salsa is now a limited liability corporation. Company founders Ethan Batschelet, 18, and Tyler Steinkamp, 20, began making their Clay County-based concoction when they amassed an extra-bountiful harvest of vegetables in 2006. Today's fine-tuned BatschStein Salsa recipe comes in mild, medium, hot and "super nova" varieties. The duo estimate they've prepared 600 pint jars of salsa between this spring and late summer...

Farm expo planned at Iowa Lakes Community College Farm Lab (09/04/08)
The Farm Lab of Iowa Lakes Community College will host its annual Farm Field Day and Expo on Thursday, Sept. 4. All area residents, as well as past alumni of Iowa Lakes, are invited to tour the Palo Alto Corn and Soybean Growers Association plot, various agricultural exhibits and the Farm Laboratory starting at 4:30 p.m...

Briefs 9-04-08 (09/04/08)
Arts on Grand will host an "open mic" event at 7 p.m. tonight. This is an excellent opportunity for local artists to share their talents in a casual, supportive environment. Interested musicians, poets, or anyone else who would like to take part may sign up in advance at Arts on Grand or just show up that evening...

ISU Extension Connections at the Clay County Fair (09/02/08)
The public is invited to make an ISU Extension Connection during the 2008 Clay County Fair, Sept. 6-14. Visit the Ag Learning Center (Stub's Stable Building) just west of the small animal barn and connect with ISU Extension staff from northwest Iowa. ISU Extension Field Specialist and County Directors will be on hand to share information, answer questions, and visit with you about what ISU Extension can do for you...

Former Congressman Bedell named chairman of Hubler's campaign (09/02/08)
COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Berkley Bedell, who served western Iowa in the U. S. House of Representatives for 12 years, will serve as General Chairman of the Hubler for Congress Committee, it was announced today by the Hubler campaign. Bedell, who founded Berkley and Company in Spirit Lake in 1945 after returning from World War II, will join Hubler on Wednesday on a six-city swing the campaign is calling the "Bringing Back Real Representation Tour." Hubler, the Democratic nominee for Congress in Iowa's 5th district, has used "Real Representation" as his campaign slogan.. ...

OCM to host event at Clay County Fair (08/29/08)
LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) is sponsoring a major event to raise awareness about concentration of market power in the seed industry and the impacts on rural Iowa. The event, "Taking It Back: Bringing Fairness and Competition Back to the Seed Industry for Our Farmers," will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11, in the 4H building at the Clay County fairgrounds in Spencer...

Briefs 8-29-08 (08/29/08)
A retirement coffee for Elmer Williams, city of Spencer street superintendent, will take place from 2-4 p.m. today in council chambers at City Hall. --- The Photography Department will be accepting entries from 12-7 p.m. today and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30. The photography department is now located just east of the Pork Producers Chop Shop and directly south of the outdoor horse arena. Pre-registration is encouraged...

Clay County Growers annual field day (08/29/08)
Following a steak dinner, the 2008 Clay County Growers' "field day" featured Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, Iowa State University College of Agriculture Dean Dr. Wendy Wintersteen, Dr. Palle Pedersen, an ISU soybean specialist, plot manager Dave Hessman and Paul Kassel, an ISU Extension area agronomist, as speakers Thursday evening in the Clay County Regional Events Center. ...

Payne escapes prison time in conviction (08/27/08)
Despite an emotional appeal from the victim and her mother in court Monday, Kyle Dean Payne will serve no prison sentence for his conviction on three crimes related to an incident in which he partially stripped an unconscious fellow Buena Vista University student, photographed himself fondling her body, and later installed the images and video on his computer...

AREA SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES PROFILED - CC/E candidate answers questions (08/26/08)
One position with the Clay Central/Everly school board is up for grabs in the upcoming Sept. 9 election. Clay Central/Everly candidate Brad Phelps, of 209 S. Washington in Everly, is featured today. The one-term board member has filed nomination papers for another one-year term for the District 2 seat he currently holds...

Board to commit financially to SMS auditorium design study (08/23/08)
The Spencer Community Schools Board of Education will convene its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26 in the board room of the central administrative offices, located at 23 E. Seventh St. Approval of consent items, including minutes from the July 24 and Aug. 13 board meetings, bills, student open enrollment applications, and personnel recommendations will be sought...

Briefs 8-19-08 (08/19/08)
The Iowa Great Lakes Region Antique Automobile Club will be on display through Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Southpark Mall in south Spencer. Car enthusiasts and history buffs will enjoy this display. On Aug. 24 The Hands of Harmony Swinging Seniors will be entertaining us at 2:30 p.m. Come enjoy the display and entertainment...

VeraSun to fire up Hartley plant (08/16/08)
VeraSun Energy Corp. on Thursday announced the startup of its 110 million gallon per year ethanol biorefinery near Hartley. The Hartley plant is the 13th VeraSun biorefinery in operation. The opening pushed the company's annual production capacity to more than 1.3 billion gallons. "We are pleased to bring our Hartley ethanol biorefinery into production," said VeraSun CEO Don Endres, in a statement. "It is one of the largest and most efficient facilities in the nation...

SMS auditorium talks underway (08/14/08)
As Spencer school board members, Friends of the Auditorium representatives and a Sioux City architect met Wednesday morning to broach the topic of what will be done with the auditorium area of the old Spencer Middle School at 104 E. Fourth St., they negotiated costs and responsibilities, and, in the end, reconnected as potential partners in restoring the "gem" to its original historic state and making it a better-functioning facility...

Milford woman wins Iowa Lottery promotion (08/13/08)
DES MOINES -- A northwest Iowa woman drove away from the Iowa State Fair in a new, 2008 four-wheel drive Chevy Tahoe Hybrid®, the grand-prize in the Iowa Lottery's "Set of Wheels" promotion. Nancy Fear of Milford was selected as the grand-prize winner in the promotion drawing Thursday on the Susan Knapp Amphitheater stage at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Fear said she was excited to share the news with her adult children...

Briefs 8-13-08 (08/13/08)
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Hartley, is sponsoring a community-wide benefit for the family of Jan Hall to help defray medical bills incurred during Jan's battle with illness. The free-will dinner and auction will be held at the Hartley Community Center on Thursday, Aug. ...

Briefs 8-12-08 (08/12/08)
Losing a loved one is indescribable to someone who has not felt the loss of death. Hospice of Northwest Iowa's professional team understands the tragedy of losing a loved one and they identify with the difficult decisions and emotions that the person left behind faces. To help people cope with the death of a loved one, Hospice of Northwest Iowa is offering an 8-week Understanding Grief Support Group. The group will meet each Wednesday evening through Sept. 24 from 6:30-8 p.m...

Car enthusiasts showcase beauties (08/12/08)
The Old Iron Company's 30th Annual Micro-Mini Nationals celebration brought hundreds of drivers and passengers of classic, custom, street rods and muscle cars to Spencer and Arnolds Park this past weekend. Over 200 registrants from Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas and Arizona arrived in Spencer Friday night for a kickoff party and car show, where this gray 1937 Chevrolet owned by John Vetter of Ames and this red 1957 Chevrolet owned by Jim and Paulette Tuton of Spencer were displayed. ...

Chicago theater unites four Spencer grads (08/12/08)
In what seem to have been several "fated" coincidences, four Spencer High School graduates, all of whom were bitten locally by the theater bug, have connected in Chicago. Known for its intimate "storefront" theaters that seat between 30 and 100 people, Josh Odor, Ben Fuchsen, Aaron DeYoung and Eric Van Tassell can all testify to the inner workings of the "The Windy City's" theaters...

Pilot walks away from 'gear up landing' (08/12/08)
The pilot of a 1960 Beachcraft Bonanza walked away from the scene of a plant crash at the Spirit Lake Airport, located in Okoboji, Sunday night at approximately 7:30 p.m. Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue was dispatched to the airport at approximately 7:36 p.m. for an airplane that had crashed upon landing. Upon arrival of the department, it was determined that pilot, Bill McGinn of Council Bluff's, the only person on board the plane at the time of the accident, was not injured...

Will rural public safety be pinched by FCC action? (08/07/08)
By Kris Todd Daily Reporter Staff Law enforcement officials, like many individuals today, depend on cell phones to keep in contact with others. But if this form of communication is not supported adequately by cell phone towers and other related-infrastructure, which occurs in some rural areas yet today, individuals may find themselves placed at a disadvantage...

Briefs 8-06-08 (08/06/08)
Losing a loved one is indescribable to someone who has not felt the loss of death. Hospice of Northwest Iowa's professional team understands the tragedy of losing a loved one and they identify with the difficult decisions and emotions that the person left behind faces. To help people cope with the death of a loved one, Hospice of Northwest Iowa is offering an 8-week Understanding Grief Support Group. The group will meet each Wednesday evening through Sept. 24 from 6:30-8 p.m...

Autocross competition in Spencer this Saturday (08/05/08)
Needing some speed? Spectators and drivers alike are invited to watch and participate in the University of Okoboji Corvette Club's autocross competition being held this Saturday at the Spencer airport. Speeds are expected to reach up to 80 mph. Corvettes, modified cars and automobiles of any make or model will race, rain or shine...

Soybean producers invited to Everly event (08/05/08)
Interested farmers from Crop District 1 in northwest Iowa are invited to hear from two Iowa State University (ISU) experts at a special event sponsored by the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and the Iowa Pork Producers Association on August 19. The event, which is part of ISA's All in a Day's Work program, will feature ISU Climatologist Elwynn Taylor talking about crop weather in 2008 and beyond and Professor of Economics Dermot Hayes on balancing food and fuel and the prospects for pork exports...

Briefs 8-02-08 (08/04/08)
The American Legion Hall in north Spencer will be hosting an omelet breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 3. Enjoy omelets, homemade cinnamon rolls, coffee, juice and milk. Open to the public. Free will offering. --- The Spencer Area Farmers Market will be held every Wednesday and Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Southpark Mall parking lot. Come see the homegrown, fresh produce for sale...

Briefs 7-31-08 (07/31/08)
Registrations for the Spencer 3-6 grade teams, part of the Midwest Youth Football League, will only be accepted until tonight. A final registration will take place at Scharnbrg Park's shelter house from 6-8 p.m. tonight. At that time, late registrations who haven't had their sizes taken yet will be fitted. ...

Rare Boeing 40C crashed in Oregon in 1928 (07/26/08)
By Jim Camden Spokesman-Review staff writer When the big Boeing biplane lifts off from Felts Field this afternoon, its open cockpit and wood-paneled passenger cabin will carry the history of American aviation back into the skies. It will fly again after nearly 70 years on a mountainside, a few years in a horse trailer, and nine years in a hangar at Felts, where some 61 volunteers spent about 18,000 hours meticulously restoring it to life...

Ideas offered to trim district's transportation budget (07/25/08)
The Spencer school district's new transportation director presented several recommendations Thursday night aimed at trimming the district's transportation budget and combating high fuel prices. As Julie Nemmers reported to board members that Spencer's in-town bus system is often referred to locally as "a glorified taxi service," she then encouraged eliminating 16 of the over 140 bus stops within city limits...

Advocates push for revamped drug penalties in Iowa (07/16/08)
DES MOINES (AP) -- Some Iowa lawmakers and legal advocates say state drug laws that include methamphetamine and crack cocaine penalties need to be revamped. A legislative study committee agreed Wednesday to take steps that could lead to a major revision to the state's drug laws. Some say the laws are unfair or racially biased...

Firecracker 50 debuts at Clay County Speedway (07/10/08)
Chad Simpson made his own fireworks as he drove the World Dirt Racing League win at Clay County Speedway. Simpson would lead all fifty laps despite a series of caution flags that kept the field close. Chad Simpson (Mount Vernon, IA) started on the outside front row and had the lead as he and pole-sitter Denny Eckrich came off of turn two. Simpson rode the top shelf to the win all night...

Jack and the Beanstalk opens July 8 (07/09/08)
In this age-old story, Jack and his mother are struggling as prices and taxes rise. During Jack's search for help he climbs an enormous beanstalk and discovers a giant's world! Jack must rescue the singing harp and goose that lays golden eggs before the giant discovers him...

Curiel's art-inspired vision building area's skill sets (07/01/08)
Louis "Tony" Curiel was mentored by several "substantial and influential people" during his student days at Rio Hondo Community College in California. The noted neon-glass blowing craftsman is returning that favor today at the Curiel/Reynolds School of Visual Arts...

Northwest Bank Relay Riders generate $20,000 (06/23/08)
Northwest Bank Executive Vice President, Greg Post, and Spencer Market President, Dean Jacobsen raised over $20,000 by completing their pledged 150 mile bike ride from Estherville to Fort Dodge in 11 hours and 55 minutes. One flat tire, and a hot sun couldn't deter the Northwest Bank team from completing the commitment they made to Relay For Life. ...

Northwest riders raise dollars for Relay (06/20/08)
A group of riders began the day at Estherville, leaving the Northwest Bank branch at 6 a.m. and continuing to Spirit Lake, Spencer and eventually Fort Dodge where the 150-mile fundraising bike ride ended. Greg Post, executive vice president, and Dean Jacobsen, Spencer market president led the charge through all 150 miles of Thursday's ride and were joined along the way by other members of the bank staff...

Stretching boundaries with Rubberbandance Group (06/06/08)
The acclaimed Rubber-bandance Group's hybrid style of dance -- which combines hip hop, break and ballet -- will grace various Spencer stages, as well as be highlighted during interactive workshops scheduled through Monday. The Montreal-based dance troupe's "Elastic Perspective" show, which will be performed Monday night in the old Spencer Middle School auditorium, will also mark the "final hurrah" of the four-year SPOT project's collaborative effort in Spencer...

Meet Your Neighbor: Chef Overbeck 'can't foresee doing anything else' (06/06/08)
Josh Overbeck answers to "Josh," "Joshua" if his mother says it, and "Chef." The 25-year-old has spent more than half his lifetime working in kitchens, fine-tuning his culinary skills. "I've been in kitchens pretty much all of my life," said the Northwood native who moved to Dickinson County four years ago. "I started as a dishwasher, moved up to a fry cook, then to a line cook, and have been running my own kitchen."...

Four arrests made in local vandalism (06/05/08)
Four arrests have been made at the conclusion of a joint investigation by the Spencer and Sioux Rapids police departments, following up on reports of several vandalism incidents where vehicle tires and windows were damaged between May 7-15. A subsequent investigation led to criminal mischief first degree charges - a class C felony -- being filed against four indivduals who are believed responsible for damaging over $13,000 in property in Spencer...

Spencer JCPenney honored with national award (06/04/08)
A local store and its manager have been recognized as being one of the national company's "best-performing teams." Al Phillips, store manager of JCPenney at Southpark Mall in Spencer, was recently presented with the Chairman's Award, the company's highest honor for performance excellence, by Myron "Mike" Ullman III, JCPenney chairman and CEO...

Living History Day to highlight Father's Day events at Parker (06/03/08)
Bring the family to Parker Museum from 1-4 p.m., on Father's Day, June 15 for an afternoon of family fun at Living History Day. The afternoon will feature displays and hands on activities about the Amazing Grain--Corn. Admission to the museum grounds will be $5 for adults and $3 for children 5-12 years, 4 and under are free or a family admission of $15...

2008 Clay County Pork Producers scholarships awarded (05/30/08)
The Clay County Pork Producers recently awarded eight high school seniors with scholarships totaling $4,200. These scholarships, which are awarded at the beginning of the second semester of college, were awarded to: Heather Clark, the daughter of Steve and Jolene Clark of Hartley. She is a graduate of Clay Central/Everly (CCE) High School and plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa and major in biology...

Clay County teens tantalize taste buds with BatschStein Salsa (05/29/08)
Don't even try to get Tyler Steinkamp and Ethan Batschelet to tell you what the secret ingredient in their salsa is. The two 18-year-old Clay County residents won't disclose the special ingredient that gives their Batschstein Salsa (a combination of their Swiss and German names) its special taste...

City marks 44th Memorial Day program (05/27/08)
From the War for Independence to Operation Iraqi Freedom, the sacrifices of fellow Americans span more than 230 years. Monday was a day to pay tribute to the nation's fallen war heroes. In Spencer, cars lined up along the streets leading to Riverside Cemetery -- site of the city's 44th Memorial Day program. Maj. Neil Schroeder was on hand as the keynote speaker...

Schroeder to keynote 44th Memorial Day ceremonies (05/24/08)
By Amy Quail Daily Reporter Staff Maj. Neil Schroeder will be the keynote speaker at this year's Memorial Day ceremony at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer. The graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. is a trained computer and information officer and has assisted on several operations, including Operation Allied Force, Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom. ...

Chamber tops in beef eating (05/22/08)
The Spencer Chamber of Commerce team, made up of Chamber president Craig Wampler and Dan Heissel took top honors in the Clay County Cattlemen's Beef Eating Contest, held Tuesday at the Clay County Regional Events Center, in conjunction with the Business After Hours event hosted by the Cattlemen and Cabernet Catering. ...

Briefs 05-17 (05/17/08)
Kid's Fish Day The Upper Great Plains Muskie Club and Spirit Lake Kiwanis will be hosting a Kid's Fish Day from 1-3 p.m., today at the Spirit Lake Hatchery. The event is open to all kids, ages 6 and over. Kids 6-12 need adult supervision. A free afternoon meal of hot dogs, chips and pop is included. Free t-shirts to the first 100 kids registered by 2 p.m. Teaching stations will be set up on the hatchery grounds to present a wide range of fishing principles by area anglers...

Two 'High School Musical' stars to perform at Clay County Fair (05/17/08)
Corbin Bleu a star of Disney's High School Musical and High School Musical 2 and Drew Seeley, who co-starred with Bleu in the High School Musical: The Concert, will be appearing at the Clay County Fair, Sept. 13 -- the final Saturday night of the fair...

County Growers Field planted (05/15/08)
One hundred corn hybrids were planted in the Clay County Growers Field earlier this month. This marks the 21st year for the corn plot. Projects other than the Corn Hybrid evaluation are a Planting Population study and the use of Fungicide on corn. The corn is on land owned by David and Jan Hopkins and farmed by Al Patten...

Airshow features high-flying talent (05/14/08)
Spencer Airshow Coord-inator for 2008, Gayle Brandt, announced the airshow entertainment line-up for the June 15 annual Flight Show and Flight Breakfast. This year's event, which helps conclude the community's Flagfest activities and also falls on Father's Day, will feature high flying performers Chandy Clanton in her Edge 540, Doug Rozendaal with the "Gunfighter" P51 Mustang, and Kyle Franklin in his "Mystery Ship" Waco...