Human Welfare

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...

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. ...

Spencer preschool contingent on state funding (02/25/10)
In light of Iowa's budgetary situation this legislative session, Spencer school officials are rallying behind the scenes to make sure another preschool appears locally next year. They've also declared if state funding does not come forward they'll have a for-pay preschool in place for area 4-year-olds this fall. ...

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

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...

Quail named essay contest winner (01/16/10)
Spencer High School sophomore Chayton Quail, the son of Joe and Anne Quail of Spencer, has been named the first-place winner in a Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest. The contest, which was sponsored by the Iowa Department of Human Rights, the Iowa Department of Civil Rights, the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and the Division on the Status of African Americans, challenged Iowa students to get involved and make a difference in their communities...

Area producer receives Iowa Beef Quality Assurance Award (01/07/10)
AMES -- A cattle producer and livestock auction market operator was named the 2010 Iowa Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Award winner for his focus on animal care practices. Morris Larson, Spencer Livestock Sales, of Spencer, was honored at the Iowa Cattlemen's Association Annual Convention in Ames on Jan. 5...

The unbreakable bond of friends (01/04/10)
Before South Clay, there was Gillett Grove Consolidated School. Four students from the former school's class of 1939 remain steadfast comrades to this day. They've also stayed avid supporters of the northwest Iowa community they grew up in. ...

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...

Providing a safe haven (12/18/09)
People for Pets isn't only a refuge for the dogs and cats found sheltered there, it's also considered a safe, welcoming place by many of the volunteers and supporters who frequent it. ...

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...

Holiday Family Adoption under way (11/10/09)
The Holiday Family Adoption program kicks off today with the first listing of families in The Daily Reporter. The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share in the holiday spirit and bounty...

Fourteen sentenced in lakes region meth ring (11/06/09)
"Drug dealers out there, we're coming to a town near you." This message provided courtesy of Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow in the aftermath of sentencing that will result in over 2,000 months of combined jail time for 14 individuals associated with a drug trafficking ring in northwest Iowa...

Rep. King wades into Limbaugh, Rams ownership (10/30/09)
U.S. Rep. Steve King used a Capitol Hill appearance by Roger Goodell to press the NFL Commissioner about conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh, who was removed from a group trying to purchase the St. Louis Rams. Goodell was testifying before a House Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday to examine the long-term effects of head injury among NFL players...

The Hotel: Iowa's first Dream Center (10/17/09)
If a local church has its way, The Hotel will become a "dream center" for the area. Rev. Kevin Grimes of DaySpring Assembly announced Friday, "KES Properties LLC, the owner of The Hotel on Grand Avenue, has offered to give us all of the stock in the corporation. ...

Public forum will focus on potential mental health service reductions (10/17/09)
Earlier this year, the Iowa Department of Human Services was directed by the Iowa Legislature to assist an appointed task force with an evaluation of the four state mental health institutions (MHI) at Cherokee, Clarinda, Independence and Mt. Pleasant...

Sirens 9-18-09 (09/18/09)
Jose Ramon De Leon Tavarez, 23, Paullina, was charged with driving while suspended and failure to file SR-22 insurance at 8:05 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, in the 180th Avenue of B-40 after a Clay County deputy initiated a traffic stop for a traffic violation. Hw was transported to the Clay County Jail and held on a $300 bond...

Spencer's second religious liberty draft policy (09/10/09)
Any discussion of the place of religion in public education must be grounded in the principle of religious liberty, or freedom of conscience, particularly as embodied in this nation's First Amendment to the Constitution, which states that: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or...

Spencer's second 'religious liberty' draft policy released (09/04/09)
Spencer Superintendent Greg Ebeling admits that portions of the district's second "religious liberty" draft policy have been taken from other sources and sample policies. The second draft's author also acknowledges it still needs some wordsmithing, which is currently occurring as feedback is being received from various groups throughout the community. ...

Teacher, student feedback received on draft 'religious liberty' policy (09/04/09)
***Community input to be sought on evening of Sept. 10

Egg industry responds to 'Hatchery Horrors' video (09/03/09)
"The footage you are about to see was recorded with a hidden camera at Hy-Line hatchery in Iowa, the world's largest hatchery for egg-laying breed chicks," the narrator begins. Footage follows of chicks being "roughly" sorted by sexers who separate the male chicks from the females. The females have their heads clamped and a portion of their beaks removed by a laser...

Spencer to tackle religion in the public schools (07/03/09)
Is there a place for religious expression in public schools? Should history be taught to students via the Bible and texts dealing with Darwinism in a public school district's classrooms? Spencer school board members, with hoped-for input from members of the public, are planning to address issues such as these with a draft religious liberty policy currently under consideration...

Rinehart: No need for new Fostoria four-way-stop (05/08/09)
Clay County Supervisors appeared to be in agreement with a request from the city of Fostoria representatives for placement of downtown stop signs, which would regulate traffic on the county road which serves as the main street in Fostoria. Scott Rinehart, the Clay County Engineer, however convinced that placement of the signs would not be a good idea during Tuesday morning's meeting...

Bond package concludes 2009 session (05/02/09)
The best thing about the 2009 Legislative session? The adjournment, according to the state senator and state representative serving Spencer and the Iowa Great Lakes. "The winners are the Iowa taxpayers because we're now out of session," said Assistant Republican Leader David Johnson. "We can't do any more damage than we already did."...

Same-sex couple looking forward to marriage in northwest Iowa (04/14/09)
Lee and Tony are eager to celebrate their 15th anniversary together. Ecstatic about an April 3 Iowa Supreme Court ruling unanimously rejecting a state law restricting marriage to a union between a man and woman, the same-sex couple hope to formally mark April 18, 2010, with their wedding...

Habitat for Humanity, Lowe's challenge women builders (04/10/09)
In the days leading up to Mother's Day, construction crews of women volunteers, including recording artist Trisha Yearwood, will be pounding nails and raising walls at Habitat for Humanity construction sites across the country in recognition of National Women Build Week, May 2-10. Lowe's and the Northwest Iowa Corridor Habitat for Humanity are looking for local women volunteers to work one day on the Milford Habitat construction site May 2...

Gronstal: King 'chicken' to run for governor (04/10/09)
One of the state's leading Democrats raised some eyebrows Thursday when he found a provocative way to predict U.S. Rep. Steve King would sit out the 2010 governor's race "Steve King is too chicken to run for governor because he knows he'd get his butt beat," Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal said...

Feeling the stress of the economic times? Protect your mental health. (04/04/09)
Today's economy has some people feeling nervous or scared. Along with the once local companies which have closed their doors, many other area businesses have downsized over the last half year. Jobs have been cut and workers have experienced reduced hours or been furloughed from their positions...

Wine Tasting event to benefit People for Pets (03/27/09)
People for Pets, a non-profit animal shelter in Spencer, recently announced its Second Annual Wine Tasting Party at Bogenrief Studios in Spencer. The event has been set from 4-6 p.m., Sunday, April 26. In addition to wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres, the fundraiser will feature live music performed by Lakes area vocalist, Tammy Hamlin. ...

Letters to the Editor 3-14-2009 (03/16/09)
The 2008-2009 Spencer varsity girls basketball season has ended. Many exciting and memorable moments have also come and gone. However, the great community support and involvement will never be forgotten. The support for our team during the 2008-2009 season was tremendous. Who will ever forget the crowd at Estherville in the Regional Final Game against No. 2 rated and then-undefeated Algona? The crowd that night was unbelievable...

Launch of Spencer school apartments celebrated (03/10/09)
A large crowd gathered Monday morning to witness -- and celebrate -- a viable example of what community partners can accomplish together in downtown Spencer. The ceremony, held on the third floor of the former Spencer Middle School building located at 104 E. Fourth St., marked an official launch of the Spencer school apartments project...

County, former employee settle federal lawsuit (03/05/09)
A former Clay County employee will receive a $105,000 settlement from the county's insurance provider to settle a dispute over her 2007 dismissal. Sally L. Becker, a former employee in the Clay County Treasurer's and Recorder's offices, filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the county on Dec. 27, 2007, at the U.S. District Courthouse in Sioux City...

Beaver named new children's librarian (03/04/09)
Sarah Beth (Fuchsen) Beaver has been named the new youth services librarian at Spencer Public Library. Monday, March 23 will mark her first official day on job. The 27-year-old daughter of Tom and Marianne Fuchsen, Spencer, is a 2000 Spencer High School alumna who also graduated from the University of South Dakota at Vermillion. Beaver is currently working to complete her master's degree in library science online from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee this December...

Families work to save activities (02/24/09)
Youth music programs, the local Future Farmers of America chapter, the boys swim team, debate and mock trial were identified in a list of reductions as the Spencer School District tries to shave about $700,000 from the 2009-10 budget. The district held a public hearing Saturday that drew students and their families in an effort to keep their activities off the chopping block...

Harkin, King disagree about talk radio (02/13/09)
U.S. Rep. Steve King on Wednesday chided U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin after hearing a exchange, about talk radio, between the senator and Bill Press on "The Bill Press Show." In one of the show's segments, Harkin complimented an op-ed piece by Press, which appeared in the Feb. 8 edition of The Washington Post....

Citizens Police Academy hosting seventh session (01/21/09)
The Spencer Police Department will be hosting its 7th Citizen Police Academy beginning March 17, and running through May 19. Classes will be held each Tuesday evening starting at 6"30 p.m. and concluding at 8 p.m. Topics that will be covered include, but not limited to: communication center operations, 911, Constitutional Law, search and seizure, laws of arrest, use of force, traffic enforcement, radar, lidar, OWI enforcement, DRE, crime scene processing, criminal investigations, drug investigations, search warrants, juvenile probation, adult corrections, jail field trips and ride alongs.. ...

Four seek Flagfest Youth Ambassador honor Sunday (01/17/09)
Four area students will compete for the title of Flagfest 2009 Youth Ambassador beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18 at the Spencer High School Little Theater. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Students participating in the competition include: Brittany Sikora, daughter of Jim and Mary Sikora. ...

Budget cuts have abuse shelters in peril (01/09/09)
The journey from victim to survivor is long enough. Rhonda Dean, the executive director of CAASA, the Centers Against Abuse and Sexual Assault, would at least like to minimize the windshield time. CAASA serves eight northwest Iowa counties, with its main office in Spencer. Agency directors around Iowa, including Dean, are concerned about their agency's place, or lack of a place, in a shrinking state budget...

Supervisors receive Compensation Board increase recommendations (12/31/08)
"They are not the best part of the population, but they'll never get any better if there's not someone there to help guide them." - Ken Chalstrom, Clay County Supervisor chairman on the important role the Discovery House in Spirit Lake plays. --- Randy Wiemers, chairman for the Clay County Compensation Board, met with four of the five Clay County Supervisors Tuesday morning to present the board's recommendation for compensation increases in the coming fiscal year...

Four to seek Flagfest Youth Ambassador honors (12/30/08)
Four area students will compete for the title of Flagfest 2009 Youth Ambassador beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009 at the Spencer High School Little Theater. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Students participating in the competition include: Brittany Sikora, daughter of Jim and Mary Sikora. ...

Holiday gifts distributed (12/23/08)
Spencer volunteer fire fighters and UPS drivers braved the elements Sunday to deliver Holiday Family Adoption gifts throughout Spencer. Ninety families in Clay County will have a merrier Christmas, thanks to the giving spirit of area residents. Spencer Rotary members delivered gifts to residents outside of Spencer. The program has been a part of Clay County Christmas seasons for nearly 30 years...

Final piece of Spencer Senior puzzle in place (12/17/08)
An informal agreement on the part of the Clay County Board of Supervisors Tuesday morning served as the final piece of a puzzle that will allow the Spencer seniors program to continue meeting at its current location in the North Gateway Mall until such time as it can move into its new location - the main floor of the old Spencer Middle School...

Holiday Adoption first drop off date Saturday (12/12/08)
Northwest Iowa, you did it! All 90 families on the list for the Holiday Family Adoption program have been "adopted," and will have a happier holiday thanks to the generosity of the area's residents. Now it's time to gather the gifts in anticipation of delivery by the Spencer Volunteer Firemen, UPS drivers and Spencer Rotary members...

Clay County housing needs receive a boost (12/11/08)
Nearly $3.3 million in grants approved by the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) board of directors will soon have a direct effect on thousands of Iowans' housing, including those in Clay County. Designed to aid in the development and preservation of affordable housing throughout the state, the State Housing Trust Fund's Local Housing Trust Fund Program grants will impact Iowa families through 17 local housing trust funds across the state. ...

Groups resolve senior situation ... temporarily (12/10/08)
Several steps and financial agreements - with area board members approving each - will need to occur in order for area senior citizens who participate in activities hosted at the Spencer Area Activity Center (SAAC) to continue to have a central gathering site after Dec. ...

Holiday Family Adoption Program 11 (12/04/08)
The Holiday Family Adoption Program continues with a listing of families in The Daily Reporter. The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share in the holiday spirit and bounty...

Holiday Family Adoption Program 10 (12/03/08)
The Holiday Family Adoption Program continues with a listing of families in The Daily Reporter. The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share in the holiday spirit and bounty...

Holiday Family Adoption Program (12/02/08)
The Holiday Family Adoption Program continues with a listing of families in The Daily Reporter. The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share in the holiday spirit and bounty...

Holiday Family Adoption Program 9 (11/29/08)
The Holiday Family Adoption Program continues with a listing of families in The Daily Reporter. The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share in the holiday spirit and bounty...

Dream Team in search of youth bikers, mentors (11/28/08)
Organizers of a Clay County Dream Team are looking for participants who'd like to train to ride The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). The idea for the Clay County group of bicyclists sprouted last spring with Dr. Bill Phelps, a local dentist who's also a biking enthusiast. ...

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