Industrial Fires

Clay County collector, retrofitter farms with 'working antiques' (10/03/08)
When Lindell "Pete" Petersen began combining Monday night, he was excited to also initiate the process of familiarizing himself with a new implement. The Clay County farmer, who had traded his combine in two months ago, was recently told his former piece of equipment is now harvesting crops in Mexico...

Prairie Fire Children's Theatre, LCT present "The Wizard of Oz" (09/25/08)
Join our Dickinson county children in a wonderful journey through the Magical Land of Oz, as they take the stage this weekend along with two professional actor/directors, Ben Ratkowski and ErinRose Sincevich, in Prairie Fire Children's Theatre's original musical production of "The Wizard of Oz"...

Spencer showcased in 'Great Places' presentation (09/23/08)
From strolls downtown to evenings of theatre, more than 200 Spencer residents wanted to show the Iowa Great Places Citizen Advisory Board what they have to offer. City leaders did that Monday afternoon at the SCT Playhouse. If their hour-long presentation was successful, Spencer could receive a state "Great Places" grant of $250,000-$500,000. The city would disperse the money to about six different projects...

Spencer citizens called on for Great Places presentation (09/20/08)
The preliminary work has been done and Monday, a committee delegation comprised of Great Places Citizen Advisory Board members and Department of Cultural Affairs representatives will be in Spencer for a key step in the Iowa Great Places designation process...

Green Plains announces grand opening ceremony (09/19/08)
Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. will host a grand opening celebration at its ethanol plant in Superior on Saturday, Sept. 20. The festivities will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and include food and refreshments, courtesy of local livestock producers...

Abben Cancer Center construction progresses (09/18/08)
Construction on an addition to Spencer Hospital's Abben Cancer Center continues to progress, but current work will require those receiving services at the center to modify their arrival a bit. "The project is right on schedule and we're excited as we move closer to completion; however, many times the progress of construction creates a little inconvenience," said Doug Doorn, Spencer Hospital president and CEO. ...

Fire chars insulation at RR Donnelley (09/18/08)
Employees had to be evacuated and firefighters were at the scene for more than an hour after a fire broke out at the RR Donnelley printing facility in Spencer. The Spencer Fire Department was called out just after 5 p.m. Wednesday to the plant near East Seventh Street and Third Avenue East in Spencer...

Deerfield Park grant application not funded for third time (09/17/08)
"We came close, but we didn't hit the money," Spencer Park and Recreation Director Delray Bredehoeft told Spencer Park Board members Tuesday night as he informed them a Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant application for the development of Deerfield Park was not funded for a third time...

Faulty light fixture causes smoky scene (09/17/08)
Staff members at a regional housing agency arrived to find a smoky start to the day in south Spencer. But the damage should be minimal and clean up was already under way Tuesday at the Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority offices. Firefighters were called at 7:53 a.m. ...

Sparks may have caused fire (09/13/08)
The Clay County Sheriffs Office and the Iowa State Fire Marshals Office have concluded a fire investigation and listed the official cause of a structure fire north of Spencer as undetermined. Dickens and Fostoria firefighters were called out at about 1 a.m. Thursday to a fully-engulfed building at the Bill and Lisa Elliott farm, located at 3115 240th Avenue in rural Spencer...

Spencer council to discuss use of city's railroad spur (09/13/08)
By Randy M. Cauthron Managing Editor When the Spencer City Council comes together for its first meeting of September, at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 15 at city hall, a full agenda will greet it. The city staff has been working with an existing company to explore the possibility of utilizing the city's railroad spur that would allow it to expand its services. One of the challenges to accommodate it request allowing them to utilize the spur could potentially reclassify the spur as a short line...

Fire claims rural Spencer farm buildings (09/12/08)
Fingers of fire still emerged from piles of charred hay and debris more than 12 hours after a fire was called in at a farm north of Spencer. The hay will continue to smolder for a day or two, according to Fostoria Fire Chief Tim Kelsch. Letting fire under piles of hay burn itself out is easier than trying to spread the material out to extinguish the buried heat sources...

ILCC students aid in data collection (09/11/08)
Fairgoers will be able to offer their opinions on just how good the Clay County Fair is when they complete a survey at the fair this year. Iowa Lakes Community College, the Clay County Fair and the Clay County Auditor's office will be cooperating for the 11th year in a row to survey fairgoers about their opinions...

Local group addresses housing needs (09/04/08)
A group of local residents and community leaders are banding together to help meet the need for affordable housing throughout Clay County. The Clay County Local Housing Trust Fund, Inc., was created to assist low income individuals, families and the elderly through grants and low- or no-interest loans to rehabilitate the county's aging housing stock...

City commissions study to track retail trends (09/03/08)
What Spencer residents buy, and what they leave town to buy, are part of what could be a revealing study approved Tuesday night by the Spencer City Council. Council members approved a $45,000 "Customers Retail Analysis Project" by the market research firm Buxton. The company typically researches buying trends for companies with an interest to locate in a specific community...

Council to consider "Historic Restoration" classification tonight (09/02/08)
A 5:30 p.m. Personnel and Finance Committee meeting, followed by a Committee of the Whole session at 6:15 p.m., and regular council meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. will make for a long evening for Spencer's governing body. The council will review the final filing of a proposed ordinance that will provide for a new section to the city code pertaining to substandard buildings; providing for an "Historic Restoration" classification...

Lawson: No impact on Spencer cameras (09/02/08)
DES MOINES (AP) -- The Iowa Supreme Court, in a split ruling on Friday, upheld the city of Davenport's use of traffic cameras to catch speeders and drivers who run red lights. The ruling involved the case of a man who challenged the city's ordinance, which authorized the use of cameras and sensors to catch motorists who violate traffic laws...

City leaders break ground on golf course upgrade (08/26/08)
The current clubhouse at the Spencer Municipal Golf Course gets a little damp and a little crowded at times. Monday morning's golden shovels were the first step in doing something about that. City and golf course officials came out for the groundbreaking to launch a $290,800 clubhouse construction in south Spencer. It's the first major expansion at the site since the course was expanded from nine holes to 18 holes for the 2001 season...

Spike in fire deaths alarms state officials (08/22/08)
State Fire Marshal Jim Kenkel is concerned.

'Safe Routes to School' study underway (08/22/08)
Public reaction to recommendations to occur Sept. 17-18

Council approves breed-less animal ordinance (08/19/08)
After lengthy discussions at two previous city council sessions, followed by a meeting with Dr. Tom Beall of Homestead Small Animal Practice, Monday night the Spencer City Council passed the final filing of an amended amendment dealing with unrestrained vicious animals in public...

VeraSun to fire up Hartley plant (08/16/08)
VeraSun Energy Corp. on Thursday announced the startup of its 110 million gallon per year ethanol biorefinery near Hartley. The Hartley plant is the 13th VeraSun biorefinery in operation. The opening pushed the company's annual production capacity to more than 1.3 billion gallons. "We are pleased to bring our Hartley ethanol biorefinery into production," said VeraSun CEO Don Endres, in a statement. "It is one of the largest and most efficient facilities in the nation...

Living History Farms sells plot to developer (08/14/08)
DES MOINES (AP) -- Living History Farms has sold 40 acres of its land to create an endowment that would help finance the museum's operations. Polk County Recorder records show the sale was finalized at the end of July to S&S Heritage Park LLC, which paid nearly $7.2 million for the property...

SMS auditorium talks underway (08/14/08)
As Spencer school board members, Friends of the Auditorium representatives and a Sioux City architect met Wednesday morning to broach the topic of what will be done with the auditorium area of the old Spencer Middle School at 104 E. Fourth St., they negotiated costs and responsibilities, and, in the end, reconnected as potential partners in restoring the "gem" to its original historic state and making it a better-functioning facility...

Milford woman wins Iowa Lottery promotion (08/13/08)
DES MOINES -- A northwest Iowa woman drove away from the Iowa State Fair in a new, 2008 four-wheel drive Chevy Tahoe Hybrid�, the grand-prize in the Iowa Lottery's "Set of Wheels" promotion. Nancy Fear of Milford was selected as the grand-prize winner in the promotion drawing Thursday on the Susan Knapp Amphitheater stage at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Fear said she was excited to share the news with her adult children...

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...

Corridor presents 'Priority Road Projects' to IDOT Commission (08/13/08)
A delegation of 18 people from the Iowa Lakes Corridor region traveled to Sioux City today to present priority projects and updates to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) commissioners during their public input meeting. The delegation consisted of representatives of each of the four counties -- Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet -- as well as Sen. David Johnson and Rep. Mike May...

Monsanto Mobile Technology Unit stops in Spencer (08/13/08)
Monsanto's unique Mobile Technology Unit made a stop in Spencer and will remain in town through today as part of its tour through the United States, showcasing innovations in plant breeding and biotechnology to support farmer success. The new 53-foot-long traveling unit, (top right) with 1,000 square feet of exhibit space, will remain in place just west of the Clay County Regional Events Center in the parking lot through today, extending tour offers to groups throughout Clay County. ...

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...

Ambassadors tour new Audio/Video Connection (08/06/08)
The Spencer Ambassadors visited the new location of Audio Video Connection, and met with owner Randy Swanson. Swanson, who ran the business for 11 years at his South Grand Avenue location, moved to the downtown district, operating now out of the former Northwest Aging building, directly south of the Spencer Fire Department. ...

Briefs 8-06-08 (08/06/08)
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...

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. ...

Clay Mutual supports Royal fire truck purchase (07/29/08)
Jeff VanWesten with Clay Mutual Insurance Association presented Jarod Olson, fire fighter for the Royal Fire Department, a check towards the purchase of a new fire truck.

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...

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...

King touts domestic energy solutions (07/22/08)
On a Friday afternoon when travelers were planning their weekend getaways, U.S. Rep. Steve King also was on the road. The congressman included Spencer in a series of stops around the region. "I need to put my ear to the ground constantly to pick up the voice of the people," he said...

Briefs 7-19-08 (07/21/08)
Young people and their families are invited to "Bee" at the library on Tuesday, July 22 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. ...

Fire claims Spencer couple's home (07/19/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff The Iowa Great Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross has been contacted to help a Spencer couple who lost their home in a trailer fire Friday afternoon. An officer with the Spencer Police Department spotted smoke and called for assistance at 2:41 p.m. Friday. The officer saw flames as he approached the trailer on lot 4 of the trailer park at 317 West 18th Street...

Briefs 7-18-08 (07/18/08)
The Fifth Annual Cruise In will be held from 6-9 p.m. tonight in the McDonald's parking lot at the Southpark Mall in Spencer. Plaques for the first 75 cars. Registration from 6-7:30 p.m., with awards given at 8:30 p.m. Trophies for the top three "peoples choice." Prizes also. Rain day has been set for Friday, July 25...

Arson fire injures Primghar man (07/18/08)
Authorities say a resident of a group home for adults near Primghar was burned in an arson fire. The Primghar Fire Department was called out at 12:23 a.m. Wednesday to the Pride Group Home, which is at 6059 390th Street and east of Primghar. The fire began in the center part of a storage building. It is believed a liquid accelerant was used to start the fire...

Trustees learn about fire facility (07/16/08)
The Board of Trustees of Iowa Lakes Community College held their monthly meeting Tuesday in Emmetsburg and learned about the recently completed Regional Emergency Response Training Center. Steve Dobbins, Fire, EMS and Health programmer, thanked the advisory committee on this project by offering their insight into the needs of area emergency services personnel...

Curiel's art-inspired vision building area's skill sets (07/01/08)
Louis "Tony" Curiel was mentored by several "substantial and influential people" during his student days at Rio Hondo Community College in California. The noted neon-glass blowing craftsman is returning that favor today at the Curiel/Reynolds School of Visual Arts...

Fire destroys Tweeter's Bar and Grill (06/24/08)
An early morning fire gutted a popular Lakes area restaurant yesterday. Tweeter's Bar and Grill, located just north of the Highway 9 bridge in Okoboji, was declared a total loss. "It looks like it was an electrical malfunction in the dining area of the bar, probably from an electrical circuit that fed three TVs in a trophy case," said Deputy State Fire Marshal David Schipper of the Iowa State Fire Marshals Office. "It's probably going to be a total loss."...

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...

City Info 6-5-08 (06/05/08)
The City of Spencer has numerous boards and commissions that serve the citizens of Spencer. The mayor would like to keep on file a list of persons who would be interested in serving on a city board or commission. From time to time positions become vacant and are filled by appointment of the mayor, with council approval...

Around Campus (06/02/08)
Missouri State University recently awarded scholarships to incoming students for the 2008-09 academic year. These students were selected from those who applied based on their ACT (American College Test) scores, standing in graduating class and leadership shown in the community and school activities...

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...

Spencer council to meet Monday (05/31/08)
By Randy M. Cauthron Managing Editor Monday night's Spencer City Council meeting appears to have some pretty light lifting. When the council convenes at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at Spencer City Hall, Monday, June 2, it will consider a property sale, the establishment of a library reserve fund, and the retention of Kruse, Cate and Nelson as engineer for a local project, along with multiple items on the agenda...