Government And Politics

'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...

Spencer project included in D.C. delegations (03/18/10)
Fifteen delegates. Eight projects. Four counties. Two days. Those numbers paint the picture of recent delegations between representatives of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Region and their representatives in Washington, D.C., last Thursday and Friday. The delegates representing Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet counties advocated for overall support as well as an estimated $10.4 million in assistance for eight projects. ...

No fireworks in final Eggs & Issues session (03/16/10)
With Democrats Sen. Jack Kibbie and Rep. Marcie Frevert -- both of Emmetsburg, -- absent from the final Eggs & Issues session Saturday, Spencer City Council chambers never really heated up with back-and-forth dialogue. Rep. Mike May who was participating in his final Spencer Chamber of Commerce legislative event, took the opportunity to thank those he has served in District 6...

Mayor, council disagree on tree-trimming refunds (03/16/10)
Of 125 individuals who were not compliant with Spencer's tree-trimming ordinance last fall, 45 have filed affidavits for refunds and another 38 citizens notified the city they wanted their fees canceled, for a total of $7,337.50 in reimbursements, City Manager Bob Fagen said during a Committee of the Whole meeting Monday...

Tree-trimming revisions to be reviewed by council (03/13/10)
Community feedback caused the Spencer City Council to rethink a tree-trimming ordinance last fall. On Monday, the council will meet during a 5:45 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to receive updates on the situation. When the council began enforcing the ordinance, many residents disagreed with the process...

Spencer building listed on National Register of Historic Places (03/09/10)
It's official. Spencer's former high school and middle school building at 104 E. Fourth St. is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Administered by the National Park Service, this program is the U.S. government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation...

Conlin concerned about health care (03/09/10)
The availability of health care is a top priority for U.S. Senate candidate Roxanne Conlin, largely because she can relate to those without insurance. When she was 14, she got an ear infection. With no money for medication, no insurance and no car to take her to a doctor, she was forced to let the infection run its course, resulting in permanent, partial hearing loss in her left ear...

Conlin to stop in Spencer Saturday (03/05/10)
U.S. Senate candidate Roxanne Conlin will make an extensive weekend swing through Northwest Iowa. Conlin will stop at the Spencer Area Activity Center at 3:15 p.m. Saturday. Conlin, a Democrat, is bringing her "Fight to Fix It" tour to the city for the first time...

City, county officials launch task force (03/05/10)
As the sun shines and the snow melts, not only are water levels in area rivers and streams expected to rise, but flood concerns will be rising, as well. To alleviate some of those concerns, Spencer and Clay County officials have formed the 2010 Flood Outlook Task Force...

Legislators discuss rising health care costs, texting while driving (03/02/10)
When the third Eggs and Issues legislative forum of the season began Saturday morning in Spencer, attendees were encouraged to not ask the three participating state legislators about same-sex marriage or right-to-work issues, common themes of the first two sessions held this year. Even with the majority party not represented at the gathering, Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan; Rep. Mike May, R-Spirit Lake; and Rep. Royd Chambers, R-Sheldon; addressed a variety of issues ranging from oversight of the Department of Natural Resources and texting while behind the wheel to health care concerns and statewide budget cuts. ...

City council approves refinancing bond (03/02/10)
A high bond rating has allowed the city of Spencer to entertain eight different refinancing bond offers from 15 different underwriters.

Health care, job bills on Grassley's agenda (02/27/10)
Following his participation in a 7 1/2-hour, televised health care summit involving President Barack Obama and 38 lawmakers Thursday, Sen. Chuck Grassley's concerns about sweeping health care reform have not waned. "What's the point of negotiating, you know?" the frustrated Republican from New Hartford asked. "Maybe sprinkle in a couple Republican ideas and you've got a bipartisan bill? Well, I don't think so."...

Castillo-Alvarez back in Clay County Jail (02/26/10)
"He's back." Those words, spoken by Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow, referenced the return of Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez to the Clay County Jail. Clay County Sheriff' deputies transported Castillo-Alvarez from Newton's state prison back to the Clay County holding facility on a felony charge for furnishing an intoxicating beverage to inmates at a detention facility during his previous year-and-a-half stay. ...

Implications of local charges far reaching (02/20/10)

Lt. Gov. Judge emphasizes jobs (02/19/10)
In an exclusive interview with The Daily Reporter Thursday, Lt. Gov. Patty Judge focused on jobs from start to finish, as she discussed items she and Gov. Chet Culver hope to see accomplished during a shortened, 80-day legislative session. "We're very much aware -- as everyone in the state is -- that we're in the midst of a worldwide recession and people are concerned, and rightfully so," Judge said. ...

Tea Party to Iowa legislators: You're not listening (02/19/10)
DES MOINES - Kris Thiessen used to get tired of people who talked politics. Now she's one of them. The Everly business owner was talking politics at the Capitol on Tuesday along with a couple of dozen fellow Tea Party activists. High among their talking points were legislative proposals they say will weaken Iowa's election laws, gun rights and other proposals that expand government and limit freedom...

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...

Poet to expand in Emmetsburg (02/18/10)
While the parking lots outside resembled pickup truck sales lots, the ballroom featuring Northwest Iowa Ag Outlook keynote speakers inside the Clay County Regional Events Center touted the simultaneous messages of using alternative energy, making money, creating jobs and reducing the nation's dependency on foreign oil this week. ...

Snow removal takes big bites out of budgets (02/13/10)
Snow and slush flies out of the way as Tom Walker maneuvers his snowplow through Spencer's streets. He and his coworkers in Spencer's street division have spent a lot of time on those streets this winter. Clay County road workers can say the same about their routes...

Early-retirement package approved by school board (02/12/10)
As Spencer school board members approved offering a new early-retirement package to eligible teachers Thursday night, they stressed it will be a one-time offer that could help "make ends meet" if enough apply. The benefits authorized would give qualified teaching staff a severance payment of 30 percent of their 2009-10 teaching contract, to be paid in November, and single medical insurance coverage for a maximum of seven years, or until the applicant is eligible for Medicare. ...

Eat the eggs, listen to the issues (02/12/10)
Local legislators Rep. Mike May (R-Spirit Lake) and Sen. David Johnson (R-Ocheyedan) will be among the elected panelists at Saturday's scheduled Eggs & Issues session which will take place from 9-10:30 a.m. Expected to join May and Johnson, Rep. Royd Chambers (R-Sheldon), Rep. ...

Grant applications for four trail projects submitted (02/11/10)
Spencer Park Board members plan to file grant requests for the placement of trails in three city parks and for a trail connecting East 10th Street and Stolley Park via 18th Street. The first grant application -- which lists potential trails in North School, Deerfield and Westview parks -- could be awarded through a second federal stimulus package deemed Stimulus II. ...

Eggs & Issues: Legislators weigh in on status of the state (02/02/10)
There were eggs - eggs sandwiches to be exact. And there were issues - there are definitely issues. Local state legislators met in council chambers at Spencer City Hall Saturday morning to take part in the first of four scheduled Eggs & Issues forums. Republicans: Senator David Johnson (Ocheyedan) and Representatives Mike May (Spirit Lake) and Royd Chambers (Sheldon),...

Budget, street projects top council meeting (02/02/10)
Before diving into a department-by-department breakdown of Spencer's budget at Monday's city council meeting, City Manager Bob Fagen made one thing clear. While the tax rate is not increasing, the amount of taxes paid by residents will increase due to a change in the state of Iowa rollback.

Council meeting to include budget overview (01/30/10)
It's that time of year again; time for the city council to work on hammering out the city budget. Monday's 6:30 p.m. meeting will include budget overview as part of that process. The state rollback for residential profit is increasing from 45.59 percent in fiscal year 2009-2010 to 46.91 percent in 2010-2011. For example, taxes on $100,000 will cost $1.29 more per month, compared to the previous year...

Roberts concerned about spending (01/29/10)
"Money doesn't grow on trees... Until I was first elected to the Iowa House, I thought all adults were like that," Rod Roberts told a small, vocal group of about 25 individuals at the Clay County Regional Events Center Thursday night. "(Other elected officials) began making decisions and acting like there's an orchard out back the capitol."

Caucuses kick off election season (01/26/10)
What a difference two years can make. On Jan. 3, 2008, about 900 Democrats met across Clay County and more than 600 Republicans convened to participate in the Iowa Caucuses. While Saturday marked the 2010 Iowa Caucuses, participation numbers were anemic with eight Democrats gathering at Iowa Lakes Community College as about 60 Republicans assembled at the Clay County Regional Events Center...

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. ...

High Court: Castillo-Alvarez case won't be reviewed (01/22/10)
Clay County Attorney Michael Houchins on Friday confirmed a decision from the Iowa Supreme Court to deny further review of the 1997 gang-related murder of Estherville teenager Gregory Sky Erickson. Judge Don Courtney found former Estherville restaurant owner Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez responsible for orchestrating Erickson's death, based on a January 2008 ruling at the Palo Alto County Courthouse in Emmetsburg...

Branstad's back (01/22/10)
He's not Michael Jordan and he has probably never had quite the following of M�tley Cr�e, but Terry Branstad has launched his very own comeback campaign, which stopped at the Spencer Public Library Thursday. ...

Rants emphasizes lowering property taxes (01/21/10)
A perfect storm is brewing in Iowa, gubernatorial candidate Chris Rants, R-Sioux City, told a group of about 50 people at the Clay County Regional Events Center Tuesday night. The former Speaker of the House identified a lack of job development, escalating taxes and an outdated, unconstitutional school aid funding formula as the three biggest problems currently facing the state at the Informed Voter Forum sponsored by the Clay County Tea Party Patriots...

'Purple Monkeys' advise council on SMS safety issue (01/21/10)
Taken out of context, the fact that the Spencer City Council are looking to Purple Flying Monkeys to solve a perceived safety issue facing the Spencer Middle School might have residents questioning their decision at the voting booths. But during Monday night's council meeting, the "Monkeys," comprised of the middle school's female Lego League members, presented a study that demonstrated pedestrian dangers for students arriving at the middle school in the morning...

Grand opening at remodeled SMS (01/15/10)
The "familiar partners" who chose to collaborate in "unfamiliar territory" on Spencer's newest $5 million rehabilitation project officially celebrated their endeavor being completed "on time and on budget" Thursday in downtown Spencer. Those partners -- the Spencer school district, the Friends of the Auditorium group, Community Housing Initiatives (CHI) and the Spencer Area Activity Center (SAAC) -- gathered with other key participants and members of the general public to mark the grand opening of the Spencer School Apartments and the town's senior center in the former Spencer High School and Spencer Middle School building located at 104 E. Fourth St. ...

Spencer among stops on Branstad's 'Iowa Comeback Tour' campaign (01/15/10)
URBANDALE -- The Branstad 2010 Committee have released a detailed schedule for former Gov. Terry Branstad's "Iowa Comeback Tour" events, where he will announce his run for governor. The tour begins at the Iowa State Historical Society building in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 19, and will cover 17 cities in four days...

' ... We're going to win in November, (01/14/10)
"We're going to win in June, then we're going to win in November, then we're going to lead." Those words at the conclusion of Iowa GOP Gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats presentation to a small group of voters Tuesday night drew a round of applause. ...

Local Tea Party members bring GOP candidates to Spencer (01/08/10)
Local Tea Party Patriots are calling for the area citizenry to "get informed and get involved." And they are offering a way to do it. Plans for two voter forum opportunities with a pair of the GOP gubernatorial candidates have been announced by the Tea Party Patriots, organizers of the event...

Linn recognized for service (01/05/10)
After more than three decades of public service, Clay County Deputy Sheriff Dennis Linn is retiring. The 53-year-old retiree was surrounded by family and friends Monday afternoon during a retirement reception held in his honor at the Clay County Administration building in Spencer. ...

Whiting second to announce plans for District 6 seat (01/05/10)
Spirit Lake native Zach Whiting announced Monday that he will seek the Republican nomination for the District 6 seat in the Iowa House of Representatives. The seat is currently held by Mike May, who has announced that he will not seek re-election in November...

Governor appoints Clay County native IDED director (12/29/09)
DES MOINES -- Governor Chet Culver continued his efforts to reorganize state government by making two new appointments for key government positions. In addition, the Governor took further steps to streamline state government by moving a key housing program from the Department of Economic Development to the Iowa Finance Authority...

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."...

Kibbie: Education to remain a priority in 2010 (12/24/09)
Sen. John "Jack" Kibbie told Spencer school board members this week that education will remain a priority in 2010. He also forewarned that state legislators will be looking at the possibility of more school districts sharing in order to save money. Incentives for them to share and discussions about more distance learning occurring will transpire this upcoming legislative session, he said Tuesday evening via a teleconference connection with board members...

Board members, legislators mull over upcoming legislative session (12/17/09)
Spencer school board members have received predictions, as well as advance warnings, from three area legislators in regard to what challenges the district's coffers and local taxpayers' wallets may expect in response to Iowa's budget shortfall and across-the-board cuts ordered by the governor. During a nighttime work session held this week, Sen. David Johnson, Reps. Royd Chambers and Mike May told the locally-elected representatives that the upcoming legislative session will probably be a "compressed situation" that will be "all about budget and very little about policy." ...

Area economic development programs adapt to loss of funds (12/17/09)
Despite a cut of over $7 million reaching state economic development services, many Lakes area corridor organizations under this umbrella are keeping their heads above water. The solvency of programs including the Mainstreet/Rural Mainstreet Program in Spencer, the the Iowa Lakes Corridor Corporation and the regional offices of Iowa Workforce Development are the result of a number of financial alternatives, including federal funding, local business support and grants...

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

Natural resources at risk in State cuts (12/12/09)
Iowa's natural resources have not been spared in the State's 10 percent across-the-board budget clear-cutting, and northwest Iowa environmental leaders wonder how deep the roots of economic damage may run. One of the largest expenditure cuts from the DNR falls in the state parks funding...

DHS program changes to save millions (12/11/09)
In order to slash over $132 million from its budget this fiscal year, Iowa's largest service agency is looking at sizable cuts to jobs, provider rates and service delivery. While an Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) spokesperson describes the impact of the cuts being made as "drastic" and "quite severe," Roger Munns is also trying to assure state residents and DHS clients that the state will make it through and the situation will turn around eventually...

Justice: At what cost? (12/10/09)
Need a sign of the times? Look for one taped on the locked clerk of court's door, below a holiday wreath, at the Clay County Courthouse. "Iowa Court Offices Closed," it said, on the first of 10 days targeted by the judicial branch for a cost-saving shutdown...

WEATHER UPDATE: Blizzard warning issued; sheriff calls for no travel (12/08/09)
A winter storm warning was cancelled for the area and a blizzard warning was put in its place by the National Weather Service at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow urged residents to stay home, saying deputies will only respond to "medical, life-or-death situations" as the sun goes down...

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. ...

City, employees agree: 1 percent increase (12/08/09)
The city and the Spencer Employees Association concluded negotiations Monday night following Spencer City Council approval of a one-year contract. The agreement received unanimous support and calls for a 1 percent across-the-board increase in the salary matrix for city employees...

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