Crimes Against Children

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...

New staff to greet CC/E students Aug. 20 (08/16/08)
By Kris Todd Daily Reporter Staff When the bell marking the start of the 2008-09 school year rings on the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 20, Clay Central/Everly students will be greeted in their respective buildings and classrooms by a handful of new staff members...

Laboranti taking the helm of CC/E High School (08/16/08)
As soon as he begins speaking, it's easy to tell that the new Clay Central/Everly High School principal is a native of Massachusetts. Albert "Al" Laboranti's accent is a bit different than that of a native northwest Iowan's. While his desire to cultivate strong students and teachers is on-target with that of other administrators nationwide, it's Laboranti's truly motivational outlook on life, and achieving success in all areas of it, that make him so likable. His enthusiasm is catchy...

Collective literacy focus 2008-09 goal for Spencer (08/15/08)
Thursday was their "warm-up" day. It marked the first official day of the 2008-09 school year for Spencer teachers and support staff members. After being treated to a catered breakfast sponsored by the Spencer Community School Foundation in the middle school commons area, "class" began at 8:15 a.m. in the building's gymnasium...

City of Spencer safe routes to school program (08/14/08)
The City Council of Spencer is committed to enabling and encouraging children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school. They aspire to make walking and bicycling to school safe and more appealing, and to facilitate the planning and development and implementation of projects that will improve safety, and reduce traffic, fuel consumption and air pollution in the vicinity of schools...

Activity transportation fees not imposed (08/13/08)
As Spencer parents and guardians registered their children for classes on Monday and Tuesday, those enrolling middle and high school students were treated to a surprise: They were not charged a new "activity transportation fee." As approved by board members early last month, the $25 and $35 fees for secondary-level students were designed to cover a portion of activity transportation costs, as well as pay for the cost of a student's activity ticket...

Spencer district welcomes new staff (08/13/08)
New Spencer Community School District staff met with administrators and board members Tuesday noon. They include, front row from left: Brian Sand, a Transition I teacher at Lincoln Elementary, Stephanie Anderson, a reading teacher/assistant elementary principal, and Teresa Goehring, a teacher assistant/guidance counselor at Johnson Elementary. ...

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...

Roughhousing near road leads to traffic scare (08/12/08)
An eight-year-old Spencer boy sustained minor injuries after some play near a city street spilled over into the traffic at about 6:56 p.m. Saturday. Michael Gabbard was one of three kids at play near the intersection of Second Avenue Southeast and Eighth Street Southeast. Two of the kids pushed Gabbard and he entered the roadway, according to a incident summary from the Spencer Police Department...

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...

'Footloose' opens tonight at Spencer Community Theatre (08/07/08)
Spencer Community Theatre presents the northwest Iowa premiere of "Footloose," opening tonight and running through August 10. One of the most energetic musicals to hit the silver screen will rock the live stage when the Spencer Community Children's Theatre presents their Summer Teen production of "Footloose." Featuring a talented group of teens and adults in and around the Spencer area, "Footloose" tells the story of a young man who, after his father leaves him, moves to a small town with a ban on dancing.. ...

The exit interviews: 'Star' finalists talk reality after the reality show (08/07/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff The course of their careers will go in different directions, but "Nashville Star" finalists Melissa Lawson, Gabe Garcia and Shawn Mayer faced the same question after confetti was swept from the floor of the Acuff Theater on Monday night:...

Classroom Collections to benefit over 490 students (08/06/08)
Classroom Collection - an annual project spearheaded by Southpark Mall and the KICD radio stations - once again will service the needs of Spencer area youth, collecting school supplies for over 490 students. Total cash contributions to the project totaled $4,300 and the items were unloaded at the Spencer Middle School Tuesday afternoon. ...

Kardell sisters donate to Locks of Love (08/06/08)
Sisters Liz and Gabby Kardell both donated to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially-disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss, Tuesday afternoon. The pair, who mark Bruce and Gwen Kardell of Spencer's eldest and youngest of five children, trusted Sam Madison of Design Masters to shear them as their mother, grandmother Shirley Wheeler and friend Jake Kluver watched...

Pettitt birdie clinches sudden death title (08/05/08)
There were really two stories at work Sunday as the 87th Annual Northwest Am Golf Tournament entered the final 18 holes of play in the championship flight. Could Wade Pettitt and Trent Peterson continue to battle stroke-for-stroke for another round in the humid weather, with a heat index topping 100 degrees?...

Traffic stop leads to meth charge (08/05/08)
A Denison man faces drug-related charges after deputies say they found materials related to methamphetamine as part of a traffic stop. A patrolling deputy pulled 33-year-old Jeremy Dave Frank over for speeding at 2:40 a.m. Saturday in the 4600 block of Highway 71...

Briefs 8-05-08 (08/05/08)
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. --- Sacred Heart School Registration Registration for all Sacred Heart Elementary School pre-kindergarten through sixth grade students will be held from 12-6 p.m. today, in the school library...

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. ...

Spencer YMCA announces additions (07/31/08)
The Spencer Family YMCA recently elected three new community members to their Board of Directors, Terri Rolfes, Michael Schauer and Joe VanOtterloo. Terri is employed at the Daily Reporter, Michael is at the Spencer Hospital in Human Resources, and Joe works at US Bank...

Weary legs build long term character (07/30/08)
What started out 10 years ago as a run to raise money for a recreation center called "The Centre" serving several small communities in northeast Iowa has transformed into something much bigger. Approximately 20 to 25 runners, support vehicle drivers and chaperones, ranging in age from 9 to 54 spent the night in East Leach Park in Spencer, after having completed day eight in their state of Iowa run. ...

New educators to greet Spencer students Aug. 19 - 20 (07/29/08)
As Spencer high school and middle school students commence the 2008-09 school year on Tuesday, Aug. 19, they'll be greeted by a handful of new teachers, including Nicole Stauffer and Amy Metcalf. Elementary students, who'll mark a day of parent-teacher conferences that day, will meet up with new teachers Stephanie Anderson, Teresa Goehring, Brian Sand, John Hansel and Laura Van Otterloo in their respective classrooms on Aug. 20th...

School districts notified about budget course (07/29/08)
Statewide coverage Monday, surrounding a letter issued in March, raised some eyebrows about school budget deficits. The Okoboji School District received one of 60 Iowa Department of Education letters regarding a perceived trend toward negative unspent balances. The form letter was cited in news coverage Monday from Des Moines...

Kids find unique uses for their air (07/26/08)
The Spencer Family YMCA hosted its annual summertime carnival Friday, offering all Spencer kids in kindergarten through sixth grades a variety of activities and games. Everything from competing in minnow races (above) to blowing up a balloon, as Kenny Rasch is doing (below), offered the participants plenty to do. ...

PSY among 24 community programs to receive federal drug free funds (07/26/08)
By Randy M. Cauthron Managing Editor Senator Chuck Grassley announced Thursday that the Office of National Drug Control Policy has awarded $2,208,689 in Drug Free Communities Support Program continuation grants to 24 Iowa communities. Among those communities, Spencer's Positively Spencer Youth group was awarded the top funding amount of $100,000...

Briefs 7-25-08 (07/25/08)
The Spencer Family YMCA will be hosting its annual carnival today at the YMCA. It is open to all Spencer kids in kindergarten through sixth grades only. All playground parks will be closed that day and will meet at the YMCA. Also, any child in Kids Kamp or childcare at the YMCA will be able to attend. Kids can purchase tickets at the YMCA or through any park counselor...

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...

Briefs 7-24-08 (07/24/08)
Registrations for the Spencer 3-6 grade teams, part of the Midwest Youth Football League, will only be accepted until Thursday, July 31. After that time only people who have newly moved to this area will be allowed to register. Fee is currently $150 per player, which includes all of his football gear as well as jerseys with names on the back the players get to keep. All players will have the opportunity to participate in six games...

Board to ready for 2008-09 school year Thursday (07/23/08)
Following a two-hour work session designed to review the new superintendent evaluation form, the Spencer Community Schools Board of Education will convene its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24 in the board room of the central administrative offices, located at 23 E. Seventh St...

Briefs 7-23-08 (07/23/08)
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. --- Don Piper, a best-selling author, speaker and minister, will share his message of hope and healing beginning at 7 p.m. ...

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. ...

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...

Briefs 7-16-08 (07/16/08)
Shaky Tree Coffee will be hosting Eric Taylor tonight. This sage musician is also a lyrical genius and master of the guitar. If you're not familiar with Taylor by name, you've probably heard his songs performed by people such as Nanci Griffith and Lyle Lovett. If you missed him the first time he was in Spencer, now is your chance. His show begins at 7:30 p.m. There is a cover charge...

Briefs 7-15-08 (07/15/08)
A newly-formed bike club, called Spencer Pedal Power, would like to invite any bicyclist to its weekly Tuesday night bike ride. Plan to arrive at the Spencer Middle School parking lot at 6:30 p.m. to leave on a 6:45 p.m. ride. All bikers in and around Spencer are welcome to participate...

Spencer native earns Buffett teaching award (07/15/08)
Initially, William "Bill" Scarborough believed the call notifying him that he was being honored with a prestigious teaching award was a joke. "I didn't believe it. I thought it was a joke because it's such an outstanding award for a teacher or an educator to receive," the physical education instructor at Burke High School in Omaha said of the Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award for 2008 he received recently...

Heroes welcomed home (07/15/08)
"He'll be on Daddy Duty for a while," says Amanda Johnson of Webb with a smile. Johnson has been hobbling around on crutches after breaking her foot. Her husband, Sgt. Dan Johnson, who was part of the "Task Force Thunder" Iowa National Guard group that returned to Storm Lake Friday after a year's deployment as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission in volatile Kosovo, is just glad to be home. "It's all about the family," he says...

Representative daycare (07/10/08)
State Rep. Mike May (R-Spirit Lake) accepted the invitation of local childcare provider Judy Elliott to attend her special deep sea daycare event at her home which also doubles as Elliott's Home Family Child Care. May, with the assistance of Elliott (above), had the opportunity to sit down and be involved in a sing-a-long with the children present, sharing a story accompanied by music about the creatures in the water. ...

SCT ready to debut 'The AristoCats' (07/10/08)
The Spencer Community Children's Theater is jumpin' with jazz in this exciting Disney classic, "The AristoCats." SCT's "The AristoCats" features a cast and crew of more than 50 children between the ages of 6 and 14 from Spencer and the surrounding communities. Directed by Leah Marshall, with Jeremy Devine as music director, "The AristoCats" is a treat for the whole family. Performances begin tonight and continue Friday, and Saturday July 10-12 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 13 at 2 p.m...

Celebration Iowa Singers and Jazz Band to present show in Spirit Lake (07/09/08)
Celebration Iowa Singers and Jazz Band (formerly known as the State Fair Singers and Jazz Band), an elite ensemble of Iowa high school musicians, is pleased to announce their upcoming performance in Spirit Lake on Wednesday, Aug. 6. The show begins at 7 p.m. and will be held at the Sami Bedell Center for the Performing Arts...

School board filing period begins (07/08/08)
Candidates can begin filing for open seats on their local school board, but changes in Iowa law may affect how long they stay in office. The state moved away from holding school board elections annually following legislation passed in the 2008 session. Under the new law, school board elections will be held only in Septembers of odd-numbered years...

Traffic stop leads to drug charges (06/24/08)
A traffic stop Saturday by a Clay County deputy landed three Spencer residents in the Clay County jail. Deputies pulled over a vehicle driven by 33-year-old Travis Stoyke of Spencer at approximately 3:36 a.m. for a minor traffic violation. Upon investigation, it was found that the front female passenger, 24-year-old Amanda (Schaunaman) Schley of Spencer, was wanted on two Clay County arrest warrants for fifth-degree theft and had a $900 cash only bond. ...

Briefs 06-21 (06/21/08)
Farmer's Market Wednesdays and Saturdays The Spencer Area Farmer's 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. Mercy Me to headline northwest Iowa's RiseFest...

International banker McAlpine finds 'something more' in priesthood (06/20/08)
By Kris Todd Daily Reporter Staff It took Rev. Harry McAlpine a few years to respond to God's call. "I had other plans," the retired priest said with a smile this week while seated in his Spencer living room. Before entering the seminary 25 years ago, the Sheldon native spent nearly 25 years working for the former Northwestern National Bank, currently known as Wells Fargo. ...

Fire creates smoky scene near Fostoria (06/20/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff The Heikens family is due for a little luck -- the good kind. First came the tornado outbreak of June 2004, which took out a barn on the farm. Another storm, two years later, took down half of their garage. And there's the December burglars who broke into the house a couple of years ago...

English continuing his 'battle for good public policy' (06/14/08)
By Kris Todd Daily Reporter Staff Bryan English found himself "just showing up and volunteering" on the political front about five years ago. As he found the opportunities to be endless if he simply raised his hand and said, "I'd be happy to do that," he also realized a new career...

Iowa Lakes soccer coming to Spencer (06/07/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff "When" is only half the story for local soccer fans: Starting in the fall of 2009, Iowa Lakes Community College will field mens and womens soccer programs. "Where" is a first for the college. The Lakers will play their games at the Spencer Soccer Plex, which is along 10th Avenue East near the site of the current Spencer Middle School...

Briefs 6-6-08 (06/06/08)
The Abben Cancer Center in Spencer's fourth annual cancer survivor's day celebration "Seed of Hope" has been postponed to Wednesday, June 25. Join the staff at the Abben Cancer Center at 6:30 p.m. in the Spencer Hospital's Grand Avenue Park. Music will be performed by Laura Carlentini, Ryan Sather and Jack Ryan as you stroll through the gardens. ...

Supervisors race features six candidates (05/31/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff Republicans have a choice on the ballot as the party tries to find two nominees for a pair of available seats on the Clay County Board of Supervisors. Incumbent Del Brockshus of Spencer is near the end of his fourth term. He has filed to run again...

The Parkersburg tornado:Former Royal woman's family starts again (05/30/08)
Home can't be home again until a structural engineer says it's OK to go back in. The family's show cattle are a source of pride -- and more than half of them are lost Dirt and water have likely ruined the furniture. The garage is gone. The in-laws, a mile away, lost their home completely...

Central Academy yields third round of goal accomplishers (05/30/08)
Seventeen Central Academy students observed a life accomplishment during a graduation celebration which took place Thursday evening in the Spencer school district's central administrative offices. Central Academy Instructor Anne Roberts opened the evening's proceedings with the story of a pancreatic cancer survivor who had been given six months to live, but recently marked his ninth month battling the disease...