Media

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...

Licht joins Reporter news staff (01/19/10)
New Spencer Daily Reporter staff writer Gabe Licht never intended to be a journalist. In fact, his first experience with journalism did not come until he transferred to Dordt College in 2007, when he took Introduction to Journalism, a prerequisite for his communications major...

'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...

Mitchell to take over editor job at DCN (01/04/10)
Spencer native Russ Mitchell, a staff writer at the Daily Reporter, has been promoted to the position of editor with the Dickinson County News. Mitchell will assume his new duties beginning Jan. 4. ...

Mediacom: No Insight Bowl after all (12/30/09)
Iowa State-Minnesota bowl game blacked out The Mediacom customers in Spencer and Iowa Great Lakes won't be able to see the Insight Bowl at home on New Year's Eve after all. The 5 p.m. game matches Iowa State and Minnesota and is only being carried in central Iowa -- with permission from NFL Network...

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."...

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...

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...

Campbell presented 2009 Wedel award (10/13/09)
Longtime broadcaster and current Iowa Great Lakes Red Cross Director Bill Campbell was announced the Jack Wedel Community Service Award winner for 2009 at Monday evening's Spencer Chamber of Commerce annual meeting. "Since the age of 18 this person has been very vocal -- in more ways than one," teased last year's winners Sam and Suzi Harper prior to naming Campbell...

Bill Monroe featured speaker at the Spencer Chamber annual meeting (09/11/09)
The Spencer Chamber of Commerce annual meeting is set for Monday, Oct. 12, at the Clay County Regional Events Center. Social time will begin at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. The program, including the unveiling of the 2009 Jack Wedel Award winner, presentation of the Chamber board members and featured guest speaker, Bill Monroe, deputy executive director of the Iowa Newspaper Association, will begin at 7:30 p.m....

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

'Dewey' movie on fast track (05/08/09)
The woman who's agreed to write the script for the upcoming movie based on Dewey Readmore Books' life is a natural for the job at hand. Pamela Gray has a cat paraphernalia collecting fever. She's been visiting people and places in Spencer this week, and she's jotting her important notes worth remembering in a notebook covered with cartoon cats. She currently has 10 cats of her own. The woman even has a tiger stripe tattoo -- based on the stripes of tigers she fell in love with while serving as a volunteer zookeeper -- inked on her right shoulder. --- It's safe to say that Vicki Myron, Spencer's former librarian-turned-author, feels a bit overwhelmed at times. She's busy. Even before her and Bret Witter's "Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World" book became a No. 1 bestseller, Myron had been working the media channels to promote it...

ART -- a pART of all of us (05/02/09)
Spencer artists Anthony Vodraska and Anita Gilbert have donated a limited-edition fine art print to the Spencer Area Arts Council to be used as a special premium in this year's telethon for Arts on Grand. The telethon will be held live on the Spencer Channel (SMU Cable Channel 3) from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, May 3. This year's theme is "ART--a pART of all of us."...

Blue Collar Comedy Tour's Engvall headed to Fair's grandstand (04/25/09)
Comedic sensation, Bill Engvall, will appear in front of the Grandstands the first Saturday of the Clay County Fair, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12. Engvall, a Texas native, didn't originally aspire to be a comedy star. In fact, he worked as a disc jockey with plans of becoming a teacher. ...

ART -- a pART of all of us (04/24/09)
Arts on Grand is asking the community to call in during their second annual telethon held live on the Spencer Channel (SMU Cable Channel 3) from 1-5 p.m., Sunday, May 3. The telethon is a fundraiser and membership drive dubbed "ART--a pART of all of us," and is aimed at raising $15,000 for operational funds for Arts on Grand...

TNA match, media raise nearly $2,000 for Shayla Bee (03/31/09)
Brother Devon, sporting a Shayla Bee T-shirt hoists a young fan in the air after presenting him with a piece of autographed table in the ring Saturday night at the Clay County Regional Events Center. TNA Wrestling was making its second visit to Spencer. ...

There's room at the tables for comedy fans (03/12/09)
Keep your map. Chicago comedian Paul Kelly knows his way around Spencer, Iowa. He's also hoping audience members find their way back to the Clay County Regional Events Center on Friday night, when the Chicago Style StandUps make their return. Tickets are still available for the 8 p.m. ...

Board suggests residents pay for some transportation (02/21/09)
Spencer school board members threw a late twist in their 2009-10 budget-cutting discussions Thursday night as they moved to reduce discretionary in-town busing and turn it into a pay-for situation. The very last motion made during the evening work session -- approved 3-2, with Todd Korbitz and Marti Bomgaars dissenting, -- moved the $25,127 discretionary transportation item below the proposed cut line...

Chicago Style StandUps return to Spencer (02/19/09)
The boys are back in town. Four Chicago Style StandUp Comedians are returning to the Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer on Friday, March 13, for an 8 p.m. show. "Chicago-style" comedy is a term created by the group and offers a unique, fresh approach to humor. ...

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....

Daily Reporter recognized with INA honors (02/11/09)
The Daily Reporter, serving Spencer and neighboring communities, was recognized with six first place awards in the small dailies category at the 2009 Iowa Newspaper Association Convention in Des Moines Friday night. All totaled, the Daily Reporter received recognition in 14 categories at the annual event, competing in the Dailies Class 1 which includes papers with circulations under 10,000...

Watching the future become present (01/21/09)
The halls and classrooms at Spencer High School were quiet Tuesday as students and staff alike watched intently as Barack Obama became the nation's 44th president. CNN was the television channel of choice in the school building's teachers' lounge. Generally off-limits to students, the lounge was filled with nine cooks, 14 students, teacher Jan Myers and substitute teacher Joe Enderlin at 11 a.m. ...

Residents to start tackling school budget cuts Monday (01/17/09)
The 25 "additional" budget packages being offered for consideration by community residents at 7 p.m. Monday night (See "2009-10 Spencer School Additional Budget Packages" on Page 2) total a potential $823,000 worth of staff positions and programs which could be trimmed from Spencer school district's 2009-10 budget...

Profile of Spencer's art, culture to be part of IPTV program (01/09/09)
A crew from Iowa Public Television's award-winning series "The Iowa Journal" visited Spencer this week to tape footage for an upcoming program. IPTV produces "The Iowa Journal," which offers an in-depth look at issues that impact Iowans. The series analyzes issues and events that are in the news, and explores the state's variety and diversity...

Walk steps away (01/06/09)

Rural dentist morphs into nationally-known author (12/02/08)
While working on patient's teeth during the work day, Dr. Nathan Jorgenson finds himself recanting a comment he used to make to his wife: "Why would anybody want to be a writer? What a dumb thing to want to do." Jorgenson, who grew up on a farm near Jackson, Minn., is a Fairmont, Minn. dentist who can chuckle today as he vividly remembers working in Spencer's former packing plant as a college student. He deems the two summers a "quite memorable" time...

Homecoming: A Mayer Family Reunion (11/25/08)
(Photos and text by Randy M. Cauthron) Coffey, Shawn Mayer, Gabe Garcia, Melissa Lawson. One has already secured their spot on the country charts, claiming the 2008 Nashville Star title on the national NBC program and launching her popular country hit, "What If It All Goes Right?" Lawson and her fellow final four members of the TV show put on a wild show for the fans at the Clay County Regional Events Center Saturday night as they concluded their national tour. ...

Holiday Family Adoption Program begins today (11/12/08)
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...

Local Red Cross chapter seeking support: Sale planned to help generate dollars toward $30,000 goal (11/06/08)
While the rest of the nation watched polls, listened to talk radio and tracked television coverage of Tuesday's general election, local Iowa Great Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross Director could be found pushing a rack of clothing and other miscellaneous items down the corridor at the Gateway North Mall Tuesday afternoon...

Area newspapers merging (11/04/08)
Subscribers to The Hartley Sentinel and The Everly-Royal News will view a "new" newspaper this Thursday when the Sentinel-News appears in their mailboxes. The two weekly newspapers are merging. According to Ed Robinson, who will serve as co-publisher and co-editor of the newly-merged newspaper along with his son, William "Will" Robinson, talk of a possible merge began over one year ago...

Tailgate raises funds for Tailtwisters (09/05/08)
Clark Cunningham, with Community State Bank of Spencer shakes hands with Dana Anderson, president of the Spencer Tailtwisters organization following a very successful tailgate party Friday night prior to the Spencer High School football team's home opener. The feed grossed approximately $1,250 for the club. Community State Bank picked up all the costs associated with the event, allowing all of the profit to be collected by the club...

Publisher interviewed for CBS Sunday Morning 'Dewey' segment (09/05/08)
Daily Reporter Publisher Paula Buenger is interviewed by CBS Sunday Morning's Martha Teichner for a segment that will air later in September regarding the impact of Dewey Readmore Books on the city of Spencer. The piece is tied to the release of former Spencer librarian Vicki Myron's novel, "Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World." Myron will be signing copies of the book during the Clay County Fair...

'Nashville Star' finalist plans fair stop (09/04/08)
"Nashville Star" finalist Shawn Mayer is getting a chance to come home -- with the help of the Clay County Fair and local radio stations KICD, CD107.7 and Lite 104.9. Mayer is from May City in rural Osceola County and finished third in NBC's country music competition series this summer. Barring any travel snafus, Mayer will sign autographs from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the KICD Courtyard stage on the fairgrounds...

Area's Pettits are 'Hall of Fame' singers (08/20/08)
The children of Claude and Marie Pettit of Emmetsburg have been referred to as "The Pettit Family," "The Kids Next Door," "The Singing Pettits," and "The Petites" over the past 50 years. While all seven sang at one time or another, the five primary singing siblings will be recognized for their state and national successes next weekend in Arnolds Park as they're inducted into the 2008 class of the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Music Association's Hall of Fame...

Station navigates tricky equipment upgrade (08/16/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff The forecast Friday morning called for a crane and some heavy lifting at radio station KICD. A construction crew from Midstates Builders of Spencer helped the station install a new Doppler radar dome in north Spencer. The snow globe-shaped cap has the station's call letters on it and should be more durable in the elements...

National writer wonders: Does 'Dewey' mark end of publishing's 'dog' days? (08/09/08)
Self-professed dog person Craig Wilson probably didn't believe the assignment when he heard it the first time, either. "One of the editors came over to my desk yesterday or the day before," Wilson said. "He'd gone to the meeting -- they have a monthly meeting that tells everybody all the cover stories for the month ahead -- so he said: 'So, you're going to Iowa to do a story on a cat that's dead.' I said 'yes, I kind of wish the cat was still alive.'"...

The exit interviews: 'Star' finalists talk reality after the reality show (08/07/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff The course of their careers will go in different directions, but "Nashville Star" finalists Melissa Lawson, Gabe Garcia and Shawn Mayer faced the same question after confetti was swept from the floor of the Acuff Theater on Monday night:...

Classroom Collections to benefit over 490 students (08/06/08)
Classroom Collection - an annual project spearheaded by Southpark Mall and the KICD radio stations - once again will service the needs of Spencer area youth, collecting school supplies for over 490 students. Total cash contributions to the project totaled $4,300 and the items were unloaded at the Spencer Middle School Tuesday afternoon. ...

Comedy veteran Moulton returning to Spirit Lake (07/18/08)
Collin Moulton's loose conversational style and natural likeability makes his one of the funniest shows available, and Friday and Saturday, July 18-19, Moulton will headline four shows at the Funny Barn starting tonight. The Monterey, Calif. native brings new observations and ideas to every topic at a relentless pace. And just when you think it's "Adios," he whips out his guitar and hammers out some originals, like "Gay Gunfighter" and "Scared of the...

Iowa Lakes soccer coming to Spencer (06/07/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff "When" is only half the story for local soccer fans: Starting in the fall of 2009, Iowa Lakes Community College will field mens and womens soccer programs. "Where" is a first for the college. The Lakers will play their games at the Spencer Soccer Plex, which is along 10th Avenue East near the site of the current Spencer Middle School...

Briefs 05-31 (05/31/08)
Final opportunity to register for fall football Two final opportunities to register for the MYFL Spencer Youth Football League will take place from 1-3 p.m. today at League Director Randy Cauthron's home, 207 35th Ave. W. These will be the last two opportunities to get equipment sized and register before jerseys are ordered and the league fee increases by $50. ...

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...

Briefs 5-30-08 (05/30/08)
register for fall football Two final opportunities to register for the MYFL Spencer Youth Football League will take place tonight from 7-9 p.m. and Saturday from 1-3 p.m. at League Director Randy Cauthron's home, 207 35th Ave. W. These will be the last two opportunities to get equipment sized and register before jerseys are ordered and the league fee increases by $50. ...

Chamber tops in beef eating (05/22/08)
The Spencer Chamber of Commerce team, made up of Chamber president Craig Wampler and Dan Heissel took top honors in the Clay County Cattlemen's Beef Eating Contest, held Tuesday at the Clay County Regional Events Center, in conjunction with the Business After Hours event hosted by the Cattlemen and Cabernet Catering. ...

Local teen finds success in pageant world (05/12/08)
In a little over two months, Spirit Lake High School freshman Alexandria "Lexi" Schuchert will be onstage speaking, modeling and interviewing to the best of her ability in front of hundreds of people. This July, Lexi, daughter of Chad and Jennifer Schuchert, will travel with her family to the windy city of Chicago to compete in the Miss Teen International Pageant...

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