Department Of Defense

Stephas: One of the few, the proud, the commissioned (01/23/10)
Today, Rick Stephas is truly one of the few, the proud. After being an officer candidate for 3 1/2 years, the Spencer man officially became a U.S. Marine Corps second lieutenant on Jan. 14. The 24-year-old celebrated his military advancement with family and friends during a commissioning ceremony steeped in Marine Corps traditions held Jan. 13, at the United Methodist Church in Royal. ...

Modernized Spencer armory rededicated (12/08/09)
A rededication ceremony and open house were hosted Sunday by the Iowa National Guard at Spencer's armory. The event commemorated the completion of renovations and an addition made to the facility at 11 E. 23rd St., Spencer. ...

Otto named Marine of the Year (12/05/09)
A local U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Lance Cpl. has been recognized by peers for his outstanding achievements and leadership abilities, as well as for being an inspiration to them. Joe Otto, of Spencer, was named Marine of the Year by Echo Company leaders of the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division during the annual Marine Corps Ball, held Nov. 7 at the Marriott Hotel in Des Moines. ...

Paying tribute to a SHS 'stairwell hero' (11/12/09)
The new picture of a Spencer High School "stairwell hero" was dedicated during a Veterans Day program held Wednesday on Dale Norton Field. The students and staff members who filled the bleachers overlooking the SHS football field learned of Leonard Borchard Jr. during the ceremony. An older, faded picture of the 1966 SHS graduate had graced the stairwell leading from their building's student center to its first floor classrooms.

Local comrades share service (10/13/09)
The mood was jovial among the local veterans who departed Spencer Monday afternoon in a van provided by H&N Chevrolet Buick of Spencer. After submitting applications and patiently awaiting responses from the trip's organizer, each of the seven World War II veterans knew their time had come...

Krause stumps for Grassley's seat at fair (09/15/09)
U.S. Senate aspirant Bob Krause (D-Fairfield) campaigned Saturday at the Clay County Fair. The 59-year-old, who acknowledges he faces stiff odds in his bid to defeat Iowa's senior senator, readily recited the handful of colorful statements his foe has made over the last few months, recited the incumbent's voting record and then forecast "that the winds they are a changing." ...

For firefighters, no emergency's too high (09/08/09)
There's only one towering building in Dickens and a lot of towns in northwest Iowa. Emergencies can happen atop the region's grain elevators, too. Members of three fire departments spent a portion of the Aug. 29-30 weekend dangling by a rope, scaling the walls of the 140-foot tall structures in Spirit Lake and Dickens...

More on Don Veitch (07/01/09)
The Greenville native, with expressive eyes and a subtle smile, can paint a rosy picture for even the grimmest of tales. Don Veitch's long-held philosophy is: "There are no bad days. Some days are just better than others." The 86-year-old Spencer resident was handed a "real low number" over six decades ago, which meant he didn't have very long to wait before being drafted...

Pietschs to be featured at Sunday's airshow (06/13/09)
While a good portion of the Flagfest weekend activities fall on Saturday, the 26th annual Northwest Iowa Regional Airport Fly-in Breakfast and Airshow remain among the few events that help fill Sunday. This year, Kent and Warren Pietsch - pilots and operators of the Pietsch Airshow will be featured as they take to the air for their comedy act, dead stick act, aerobatic act and performing dual act...

Hundreds pay tribute to fallen soldier (05/05/09)
American flags surrounded Army Staff Sgt. LeRoy Webster's old high school, and the graying soldiers of wars past arrived by the busload Saturday to honor the Hartley man who lost his life while serving his country. In all, about 700 people attended Webster's memorial service at the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School gym. ...

U.S. passport rules changing (05/05/09)
By Kris Todd Daily Reporter Staff Planning to cross a U.S. border this summer? As of June 1, 2009, anyone traveling out of the country will need to have a valid passport or passport card to re-enter the United States. This requirement marks the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative's second phase. ...

Spencer students compete at NASA (04/25/09)
With funding from the Spencer Schools Foundation, eight Spencer High School students and two teachers traveled to NASA in Houston, Texas. Abby Bedore, Aaron Brockshus, Craig Cunningham, Sara Dillard, Tyler Kramer, Mary Krull, Nick Lewis and Andrew Upah, chaperoned by teachers Dave Munson and Elli Wiemers, joined approximately 180 other students and chaperones from 24 northwest Iowa schools on a five-day trip to the Space Settlement Design Contest at Johnson Space Center in Houston...

Zellaha preparing for Afghanistan deployment (04/09/09)

Spencer graduate receives high military honors (04/07/09)
A Boone County native has earned the prestigious 2009 Russell Award, awarded to a Military Intelligence Noncommissioned Officer who has shown leadership and meritorious service to the Military Intelligence Corps. United States Army Sgt. Julian M. Jones, a 2003 graduate of Spencer High School, was presented the award March 3, in Fort Huachuca, Ariz., by retired Command Sgt. ...

Storm shelter, culvert route possible for Fair (03/11/09)
Emergency management officials may have an unexpected option for shelter space at the Clay County Fair. Ted Kourousis, executive director of Northwest Iowa Planning and Development is working with Iowa Department of Homeland Security about the potential of creating shelter space, under West 18th Street, for the fairgrounds...

Dillard named a World Food Prize international intern (03/05/09)
It's a good thing classes started two hours late on Wednesday. The delay gave Sarah Dillard the chance to check her mailbox for an important letter she'd been anticipating. As the 17-year-old daughter of Rod and Patricia "Trish" Dillard opened her family's mailbox at 9:30 a.m., she found a letter neatly tucked inside from the World Food Prize, which strives to advance human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. ...

Leading by example (02/28/09)
Laying in a hospital bed with nothing to look at but the ceiling for two months would drive most men crazy. It took its toll on Broghan Hawley, too. Just ask him. Two weeks into basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, Hawley slipped from the top of a 30-foot rope, burning his hands all the way down, and breaking bones in his left leg as he hit the ground. ...

Three deputies take on new roles (02/20/09)
Three longtime deputies with the Clay County Sheriff's Office have new assignments under Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow. "It's nice to have experienced officers that you can promote and rely on," he said. Veteran officer Denny Linn of Spencer was recently named the new Clay County Jail administrator. He replaces Brad Hawley, who was promoted to chief deputy in January...

Spencer graduate to run state recovery agency (02/10/09)
Gov. Chet Culver announced Thursday that Major General Ron Dardis, the retiring commander of the Iowa National Guard, will serve as Executive Director of the Rebuild Iowa Office effective February 9. Dardis was raised in the Spencer-Ruthven area and graduated from Spencer in 1961. His mother, Zerena, still lives in Spencer...

Area search under way for 'Kids Against Hunger' volunteers (02/10/09)
Area volunteers are being sought to take part in a March 7 event that'll not only be fun, but is guaranteed to fill the heart. The service project anticipated to be filled with fellowship will have interested individuals and groups signing up to package meals for Kids Against Hunger...

Spencer Hospital on mission to help children in Afghanistan (02/07/09)
It's sometimes easy to forget how important the simple things can be. Gary Knoer, a registered nurse at Spencer Hospital who also serves in the U.S. Army, is currently stationed in Afghanistan. While Gary is making a difference in a big way for citizens in Afghanistan, he's identified a small way that those of us in Spencer can help as well. He recently sent an e-mail to his daughter Christine Mehan, who also works as an RN at the hospital:...

Culver touts wind energy in Philadelphia (12/04/08)
Iowa Gov. Chet Culver used a private meeting with President-elect Barack Obama to emphasize the need for wind energy as part of federal infrastructure packages. Culver met with Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden during a meeting with fellow governors in Philadelphia...

Culver appoints Orr as guard's 28th adjutant general (11/26/08)
The Iowa National Guard's next adjutant general says he will continue the efforts of a 1961 Spencer graduate who is about to retire from the position. Gov. Chet Culver on Friday announced the selection of Col. Timothy E. Orr as the next adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard. Orr will become the 28th leader of the Iowa National Guard. The first adjutant general was appointed in 1839...

Remembering, honoring those who served (11/13/08)
This West Point graduate was later killed when his convoy was hit by an explosive device east of Bagdad, Iraq. Five days after writing this letter, Private Robinson caught his foot on a trip wire, setting off a mine that killed him instantly. "Captain Pete Cleary and Captain Lenny Lenore had just finished going over the final details for the day's combat mission over southern North Vietnam. ...

Many weather snow to honor veterans (11/12/08)
With inclement weather stretched across northern Iowa and southern Minnesota, many scheduled Veterans Day ceremonies were cancelled. But with snow falling all around him, Brigadier General Allen J. Smith, retired Commander of the Iowa Air National Guard reminded those gathered at the Clay County Veterans Memorial, just north of Spencer Municipal Utilities on Grand Avenue, that those that were being honored Tuesday had endured far worse...

Vietnam veteran proud of family's military service (11/11/08)
An upstairs room in Gerald "Gerry" Johnson's Clay County farmhouse is filled to the brim with items representing well over 100 years of family military service. The wall jutting from the room's door frame proudly hosts three framed, embroidered military patches of Johnson's late father and two late uncles. ...

Red Cross garage sale raises funds (11/11/08)
The Iowa Great Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross held a garage sale Saturday at the Gateway North center in Spencer. The sale was aimed at raising funds for the local chapter's contribution to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The sale raised over $3,000, toward the local chapter's $30,000 goal. ...

Former Air Guard commander to speak at Veterans Day event (11/08/08)
In addition to Spencer's Veterans Day Celebration, which will begin at 11 a.m. at the Clay County Veterans Memorial, just north of Spencer Municipal Utilities office on Grand Avenue; VFW Post 3159 and Auxiliary will provide coffee and rolls to honor of the veterans from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11. All veterans and spouses are welcome...

Dardis plans recovery before retirement (11/08/08)
Maj. Gen. Ron Dardis isn't exactly easing into retirement. Thank the governor for part of that: Following the floods of 2008, Gov. Chet Culver appointed Dardis to serve as the Chairman of the Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission. "General Dardis was one of the first people I turned to in order to lead our efforts to rebuild Iowa after this year's historic storms, and we are all fortunate that he will continue to serve in this important role for our state," Culver said...

Local Red Cross chapter seeking support: Sale planned to help generate dollars toward $30,000 goal (11/06/08)
While the rest of the nation watched polls, listened to talk radio and tracked television coverage of Tuesday's general election, local Iowa Great Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross Director could be found pushing a rack of clothing and other miscellaneous items down the corridor at the Gateway North Mall Tuesday afternoon...

Authorities find meth lab in old schoolhouse (10/01/08)
The toxic residue from a methamphetamine lab required emergency response from Clay County officials Sunday afternoon. A property owner discovered the possible meth lab in an abandoned schoolhouse in the southwest corner of Lake Center, which is just west of Trumbull Lake in far northeast Clay County. Deputies with the Clay County Sheriff's Office are still trying to find who is behind the cooking operation...

Candidate for Congress makes fair stop (09/10/08)
Congress "doesn't look at the problems, they don't answer the problems," according to Rob Hubler, the Democratic nominee who will challenge U.S. Rep. Steve King for the 5th District seat serving western Iowa in Congress. Hubler made his remarks Tuesday morning during a visit to the Clay County Democrats booth on the Clay County Fairgrounds...

Obama sketches promise of America (08/29/08)
DENVER -- Barack Obama cast his presidential nomination as proof that no dreams are too high, savoring a historic moment for himself and the nation Thursday before setting out on a difficult struggle to break another barrier for a black American. Obama's success in obtaining the Democratic nomination was indeed a remarkable achievement, reached despite the misgivings of some Americans uncomfortable with electing the son of an African immigrant -- not "the typical pedigree," as he put it...

'Iowans statewide have been affected by severe weather' (08/20/08)
Iowa Gov. Chet Culver on Friday asked the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to consider 82 counties in a Secretarial Disaster Designation due to damaged plants and production losses in 2008. Iowa State Emergency Board members met Aug. 12 in Des Moines to review damage assessments and loss reports from county officials...

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...

Veteran's clinic celebrates successful first year (08/08/08)
By Caroline Rusk Special to the Daily Reporter In its first 12 months of operation, Spirit Lake's Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) treated 2,184 veterans from northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota -- exceeding the expected 1,500 veterans in the clinic's initial year...

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...

Public land grazing could be allowed (07/25/08)
Gov. Chet Culver on Thursday announced steps that the Iowa Departments of Natural Resources and Transportation are taking to assist farmers affected by this year's flooding and severe weather. The governor said he will encourage the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to consider the value of haying and grazing as an alternative to burning and for control of brush invasion into grassland areas...

Osman and Hilsabeck finish 14th in the nation (06/24/08)
Melissa Osman and Leah Hilsabeck argued their way to a 14th place finish June 16-20 at the National Forensic League Speech and Debate Nationals in Las Vegas. The Public Forum debaters discussed "Resolved: United States policies established after 9/11 have substantially reduced the risk of terrorist acts against the United States." The OSL seniors were undefeated with two splits in six preliminary debates...

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...

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. ...

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...

Supervisors approve Terramech loan (05/09/08)
Members of the Clay County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a six-year, $100,000 loan to help a new company get a foothold in Spencer. The vote, to assist a prospective company called Terramech, came with a recommendation from the county's recently-created Revolving Loan Board...

Briefs 5-9-08 (05/09/08)
Johnson Elementary School and the Spencer Middle School are collecting pop cans to help defray medical costs for Beth Snow-Ketchum, a teacher at Johnson Elementary School. She has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Her husband, Mick is a wrestling coach and English teacher at Spencer Middle School. ...

Arnold Motor Supply supports Guard and Reserve (05/08/08)
Continuing to stand by the citizen soldiers who work with them and protect them, Arnold Motor Supply Company on Tuesday signed 53 Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve certificates. This number represents every one of the company's locations and its Spencer headquarters...

Briefs 5-7-08 (05/07/08)
All area women are invited to the "Jee-purse it's Spring" Prayer Connection beginning at 11 a.m. at Santee Crossing in Jackson, Minn., today. It's a time of sharing, and supporting each other with prayer and fellowship. We know everyone is not comfortable praying out loud so bring your concerns, someone will pray for you and you will feel spiritually stronger as you continue your week...

Deputies press King for federal grant support (05/03/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff Funding for the Iowa Great Lakes Task Force was a central point of conversation Friday as U.S. Rep. Steve King met with Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow in Spencer. Krukow is concerned about cuts to the Byrne-JAG (Justice Assistance Grant) program. The grants were established in 2005 to allow states and local governments to support improvements to the criminal justice system...

Briefs 04-26 (04/26/08)
Lutheran World Relief Rummage Sale Bethany Lutheran Church will host a rummage sale to benefit Lutheran World Relief from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. today in the church basement dining room. Celiac Sprue group to meet today The Northwest Iowa Celiac Sprue support group will have a general meeting from 2-4 p.m. today in the Cedar Room at Spencer Hospital...

Briefs 4-23 (04/23/08)
Photographers exhibit at Lakes Art Center Members of the Northwest Iowa Professional Photographers Association will have an exhibit in the Pearson Lakes Art Center Secondary Space thru May 22. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, April 24, from 6-7 p.m...

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