Government Business And Finance

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. ...

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...

Area entities receive foundation grants (03/12/10)
The Clay County Community Foundation strives "to connect donors who care with causes that matter and to serve as a trusted resource for addressing issues that impact the quality of life in Clay County."...

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...

Ruthven-Ayrshire considers sharing administrators (03/05/10)
When Ruthven-Ayrshire school board members began the process of replacing their retiring superintendent in November, they requested a lot of information from seven neighboring districts. As they've pondered hiring a full-time replacement, sharing an administrator with a neighboring district and sharing with another district further away, the board recently met with Sioux Central and Clay Central-Everly (CCE) administrators and tentatively narrowed down their decision to sharing with one of the two non-bordering school districts.. ...

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.

One Man's Perspective: Little picture makes a big impact (02/27/10)
There was no mass marketing campaign. We've been hearing about "Shutter Island" and "The Wolfman" for months leading up to their recent release. TV ads, previews in theaters, radio spots, large ads in major newspapers. And it worked. Viewers flocked to the theater for both and made the film producers and movie studios quite a bit of cash...

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. ...

Public's input sought on district facilities (02/25/10)
Local representatives believe the Spencer school district is in need of a new long-term facility plan. And, they're searching for a few people who'd like to offer their input on the matter. "The district needs to have a plan for how we handle our district facilities, what needs to be improved, what needs to be upgraded and for what the vision for the future with our facilities is," Superintendent Greg Ebeling told school board members Tuesday night...

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. ...

Agriculture, economy go hand-in-hand (02/18/10)
Economically speaking, the U.S. has two choices, Virginia Tech Professor Emeritus David Kohl told a large group during his Ag Outlook keynote address Tuesday afternoon. "We're either going to pick ourselves up like we did in the 80s ... or we're going to move toward a European-style economy (with) more regulation and we're probably not going to be a world-dominant economy," Kohl said...

Will Iowans get "Fair Share"? (02/16/10)
Saturday's Eggs and Issues legislative forum at Spencer City Hall had a common theme threaded through it: unions. Sen. Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg; Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan; and Rep. Mike May, R-Spirit Lake discussed everything from same-sex marital unions to "Fair Share" Legislation, which would require all employees to pay fees to unions for negotiated benefits. ...

Early morning gas leak attributed to roof collapse at RR Donnelly (02/16/10)
The hole wasn't visible from the street, but the smell that it caused stretched out for blocks early Monday morning. A roof collapse at the vacant RR Donnelly building on Third Avenue East during the overnight hours resulted in a 4:15 a.m. wake up call for an already weekend battle-weary Spencer Fire Department (see General Traffic Controls fire story)...

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. ...

Real heroes share red (02/09/10)
When it comes to heroes, the American Red Cross recognizes them by the pint. The Iowa Great Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross enters the second day of its local blood drive, and many have stepped up to answer the call. Doors at Hope Reformed Church of Spencer's Harbor Room will remain open today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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...

DNR specialists explain stream assessments (02/04/10)
What is in the water? Iowa Department of Natural Resources environmental specialists Chris Spoelstra and John Warren have personally evaluated many of Iowa's streams and Lee Wagner has written National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits for entities discharging into those streams...

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."

Multiyear contract proposed to Spencer teachers (01/28/10)
For the first time, representatives for the Spencer school district have proposed a multiyear contract to members of the Spencer Education Association (SEA). Superintendent Greg Ebeling opened Wednesday's open session with SEA representatives Scott Rettey and Duane Davis by saying, "This initial proposal is reflective of the district, state and nation's current economic crisis. The board does not believe that typical raises are responsible under these circumstances. ...

Negotiations commence for Spencer's certified school staff (01/26/10)
The Spencer Education Association (SEA) presented its initial contract proposal for the 2010-11 school year to officials with the Spencer Community School District Monday afternoon. The SEA, which represents full- and part-time teachers in the district, requested a 4.96 percent total package increase totaling $489,634.

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...

Spencer: The 'one place to get all things Dewey' (01/22/10)
The popularity of Dewey Readmore Books, Spencer Public Library's late resident feline, spans the world today. In addition to the countless tours of his former home and town occurring locally, plans are currently in the works to boost his appeal to even more visitors to northwest Iowa's newest destination city. ...

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. ...

'I want my, I want my, I want my MTV' (01/14/10)
As the Spencer Municipal Utilities (SMU) cable customers may be chanting the opening line to Dire Straits' popular tune "Money For Nothing," -- "I want my, I want my, I want my MTV." SMU customers could see several channels go dark over the next few days...

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. ...

Cycle Country chairman resigns amidst allegations of misappropriated funds (01/12/10)
Cycle Country Accessories Corp. announced Friday that it uncovered a misappropriation of funds by its Chairman of the Board of Directors L. G. (Bob) Hancher, Jr. The discovery occurred in connection with the audit of the company's financial statements for the period ending Sept. ...

Parker Museum celebrates 50 years (01/09/10)
For Cindy McGranahan and many others associated with the Parker Museum, the recent signing of paperwork securing the purchase of the former Johnston Automotive building on Grand Avenue is a wonderful 50th anniversary gift. The local museum, which houses many significant artifacts, historical information and stories associated with the history of Spencer and Clay County, turns 50 years old on Jan. ...

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...

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