Insurance

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...

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. ...

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. ...

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...

Hospice: 'There is help available' (11/14/09)
Ron Ricketts' cancer started in his lungs, but has metastasized to his brain and into his bones. He was told following a biopsy earlier this year, "There's nothing we can do to help, so you'd be better off just leaving it alone."

Local dentists take part in statewide effort (10/30/09)
A pair of local dentists and members of their support teams joined other dental professionals recently to take part in the second-annual "Iowa Mission of Mercy." Drs. Gary Van Hofwegen and Josh Munter, along with portions of their dental teams, traveled to Iowa Speedway in late September to take part in a two-day program serving 1,500 patients free of charge. The volunteer efforts of the 1,200 dental professionals involved was valued at over $800,000...

Insurance agent's activities draw theft charge (10/15/09)
Spencer Police filed criminal charges against a Spencer insurance agent and securities broker Wednesday after investigators suspect he unlawfully took more than $100,000 from clients and used the money for personal expenses. Spencer Police charged 54-year-old James Harold Opheim with first-degree theft, a Class C felony and ongoing criminal conduct, a Class B felony for allegedly diverting money from his clients to pay for personal expenses between 2003 and 2009...

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." ...

'Patriots' return to protest health care reform (07/30/09)
A visit by Nathan Vander Plaats, staff member for Sen. Tom Harkin, to conduct a listening post on the issue of health care reform at the Spencer Public Library Wednesday morning, served as a call to arms for a small group of area Tea Party Patriots...

Hog confinements damaged in Monday afternoon fire (05/06/09)
Insurance adjusters were on the scene Tuesday evening, still trying to assess the loss after an extensive hog confinement fire 24 hours earlier. Five fire departments responded Monday afternoon when a set of occupied hog confinements caught fire south of the junction of A34 and M27, about 10 miles west of Milford. An insurance company agent will have to review the producer's inventory for an official count, but more than 1,000 sows and piglets were lost...

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...

'We make No Apologies!' (01/09/09)
That's the shout made by many teenagers who will be returning to the 8th Annual No Apologies events scheduled for Jan. 20 and 21. No Apologies is a program for kids that "tells the life, love, and sex." It is sponsored and organized by Cherish Center, formerly known as Shepherd's Fold, for students, parents, and teachers. ...

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. ...

American Family Insurance and Trust supports Flagfest (07/01/08)
Mary Prentice, representing American Family Insurance, is thanked for providing $500 of services by Flagfest Committee chairpersons: Bill Campbell, Jodi TenKley and Tracy Coleman. The donation was used to offset the costs associated with the annual community celebration, recognizing Spencer as the "Flag City," the second weekend in June each year...

Annual Health Fair set for Thursday (05/17/08)
The Annual Health Fair, sponsored by the Spencer Area Activity Center and the RSVP Volunteer Program, will be Thursday, May 22, starting at 9 a.m. at Gateway North Center. People of all ages are invited to participate. A new addition to this year's Health Fair is the opportunity for participants to attend several workshops, including the following:...

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...

First-ever Corridor Art Trail open for viewing (05/08/08)
The first-ever Corridor Art Trail is now open with 21 artistic Adirondack chairs on display throughout the counties of Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet. The project, organized by the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation in a partnership with ArtsLIVE, will showcase local artists' abilities through Sept. 28...

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