Political Organizations

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."...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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." ...

Planning a rally? Better check the fire codes (09/11/09)
The commotion of Barack Obama's presidential campaign and the heat generated by the summer's health care town forums has raised some concerns with Spencer Fire Chief Doug Duncan. He brought up the issue of assembly capacities in public buildings at a recent city staff meeting, saying: "We're going to calculate what the occupancy load factor is, which is the number of people, and that's the way it is going to be."...

Spencer grad touts skills learned in debate (06/09/09)
Mark Woolsey credits a Spencer High School teacher and his 1976 start in debate with opening several of the most important doors in his life. Several of those doors have extended onto the international level. The 49-year-old son of Joanne Woolsey, who formerly served as the director of nursing at Longhouse Nursing Home, and the late James Woolsey, who served as a podiatrist in Spencer, has worked the past seven years as a speech and debate instructor at Yavapai College in Prescott, Ariz. The 1979 SHS graduate also debated in college on scholarship. Woolsey met his wife, Denise, while both were members of the collegiate debate team. On his way to rebuild flood-damaged homes in Cedar Rapids this past weekend with Sara Krogshede, the foreign exchange student from Denmark the Woolseys have hosted this past school year, the two stopped at Mel and Jan Myers' place in Spencer. There, he fondly recalled the interaction he'd had with other high school students as a debater, deeming it a "great cultural learning experience" for him. ...

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."...

Officers lobby for sex offender law reforms (04/22/09)
Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow was among the group of officers and prosecutors Monday night who called on the Legislature overhaul Iowa's sex abuse laws. Krukow supports a proposed bill, which divides persons convicted of a sexual offense into three tiers. ...

Hundreds join tax protest at Clay County Courthouse (04/16/09)
Wednesday's national tax day, tea party government spending protests weren't limited to state capitols and major metropolitan areas. About 275 people filled in around a makeshift podium on the courthouse square in Spencer for a local version of the Taxed Enough Already (TEA) Party. The event was organized by Kris Thiessen of Everly, who co-owns White Glove, a janitorial business in Spencer...

'Stations of the Cross' journey tonight (04/08/09)
Spencer Community Youth Ministries, an organization which unites youth workers from Spencer churches in fellowship, passion and purpose, is once again planning for the Community Cross Walk during Holy Week. This year's walk will take place on Wednesday, April 8. The walk will begin at Grace United Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude at Sacred Heart...

Community Cross Walk to feature 'Stations of the Cross' (04/02/09)
Spencer Community Youth Ministries, an organization which unites youth workers from Spencer churches in fellowship, passion and purpose, is once again planning for the Community Cross Walk during Holy Week. This year's walk will take place on Wednesday, April 8. The walk will begin at Grace United Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude at Sacred Heart...

Briefs for 2/18/09 (02/18/09)
Join the Okoboji Women's Connection at the Inn at Okoboji at 12:30 p.m. today for "Heart of the Occasion." Cost for the luncheon is $10. Jan Ostroot of South Haven, Minn., will be the speaker with her talk "Peace in any Circumstance." Learn how to overcome life's difficult situations from a woman who discovered the secret to contentment no matter the crisis. ...

UDMO Head Start earns national accreditation (02/17/09)
Upper Des Moines Opportunity's Clay County Head Start Birth to Five program is among the first early childhood program to earn accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) -- the nation's leading organization of early childhood professionals. ...

Eggs and Issues No. 2: Labor issues and taxes (02/17/09)
Labor issues and taxes, which are taking center stage this week as the Iowa Legislature enters its sixth week, also were at the center of several heated comments made during Saturday morning's Eggs and Issues session as the political ideologies of Sen. Jack Kibbie (D-Emmetsburg) and Rep. Marcie Frevert (D-Emmetsburg) differed with those of Sen. David Johnson (R-Ocheyedan) and Rep. Mike May (R-Spirit Lake)...

Briefs 11/08/08 (11/08/08)
A bake sale will be held by the Friends of Collin Hanson as a fundraiser at Southpark Mall today. --- The First Christian Church at 701 E. 18th St., Spencer, is hosting the Angel Food Ministry. Boxes of food may be ordered containing fresh meats, fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, and staple items. ...

Former Air Guard commander to speak at Veterans Day event (11/08/08)
In addition to Spencer's Veterans Day Celebration, which will begin at 11 a.m. at the Clay County Veterans Memorial, just north of Spencer Municipal Utilities office on Grand Avenue; VFW Post 3159 and Auxiliary will provide coffee and rolls to honor of the veterans from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11. All veterans and spouses are welcome...

Time to pick a president (11/04/08)
Polls open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, in Clay County for the 2008 General Election. Voting will take place at 13 voting precincts as follows: - Lake/Freeman -- at Dickens Community Center, 302 Main St., Dickens - Meadow/Sioux -- at VFW Club, 15 East 21st St., Spencer...

Briefs 9-26-08 (09/26/08)
"Artisans Road Trip: Before and After," currently on display at Arts on Grand, showcases over twenty-five of the regional artists involved in Artisans Road Trip 2008, which takes place on the weekend of Oct. 4--5. The artists reception for the exhibit will be at 5-6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, with a gallery talk at 5:30 p.m. The public is cordially invited to come and meet some of the artists for conversation and refreshments...

New law will assist disabled hunters this fall (09/25/08)
Rep. Mike May (R-Spirit Lake) discussed a new Iowa law that will promote many more nonresidents, age 21 years and younger and who are disabled or terminally ill, to hunt deer and turkey in the state. According to May, a growing number of national and community organizations have begun catering to disabled young hunters in recent years. ...

New school board members welcomed, former SMS first-floor study approved (09/24/08)
The past service of two one-term Spencer school board members was recognized as two new people took their positions around the board table Tuesday night. In the presentation of the Sept. 9 election abstract for the two at-large board director positions up for grabs, it was reported that Dean Mechler and Les Zobrist received 274 and 210 votes respectively. ...

Briefs 9-12-08 (09/12/08)
The Dickinson County Friends of CAASA are proud to present their Second Annual Sweet Escape on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 7-10 p.m. at the Pierson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji. Local dessert makers will be preparing succulent desserts that will be judged by attendees. Local artists will be offering special pieces for auction with, and area musicians win providing entertainment...

Briefs 9-11-08 (09/11/08)
The Clay County Farm Service Agency will host USDA informational meeting at 1 p.m. on Thurs., Sept. 11, at Frederick's of Royal, located at 303 Main St. in Royal. The meeting will provide information on SURE (Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program), which was enacted as part of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill), to provide supplemental disaster assistance...

Obama sketches promise of America (08/29/08)
DENVER -- Barack Obama cast his presidential nomination as proof that no dreams are too high, savoring a historic moment for himself and the nation Thursday before setting out on a difficult struggle to break another barrier for a black American. Obama's success in obtaining the Democratic nomination was indeed a remarkable achievement, reached despite the misgivings of some Americans uncomfortable with electing the son of an African immigrant -- not "the typical pedigree," as he put it...

Official: Obama picks Biden for veep (08/23/08)

Briefs 8-21-08 (08/21/08)
The Spencer Family Aquatic Center will now only be open on the weekends of Aug .23-24 and Aug. 30-31. It will also be open on Monday, Sept. 1, Labor Day until 5 p.m. at which time it will close for the season. --- A new Spencer Area Singles group will meet at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Pederson Park concession stand. Questions, call Tim at 260-0616...

Harkin 'dismayed' by McCain's Paris Hilton ad (08/08/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff Large infrastructure projects and energy cost concerns were part of the discussion as U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin held a "Moving Iowa Forward" caf� stop Thursday morning at the Family Table Restaurant in Spencer. Along with local concerns, he also talked about national politics as the national nominating conventions approach for the major parties...

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...

Ride with American pride (07/28/08)
Support all of America's military, past and present, by joining in today's road trip. From a 10: 30 a.m. start at the American Legion in Le Mars, the ride will trek to the VFW in Cherokee and the American Legion in Storm Lake before finishing around 5 p.m. ...

Briefs 7-25-08 (07/25/08)
The Spencer Family YMCA will be hosting its annual carnival today at the YMCA. It is open to all Spencer kids in kindergarten through sixth grades only. All playground parks will be closed that day and will meet at the YMCA. Also, any child in Kids Kamp or childcare at the YMCA will be able to attend. Kids can purchase tickets at the YMCA or through any park counselor...

Iowans protest at Terrace Hill (07/22/08)
As the election season heats up in Iowa, more than 200 Iowans gathered at Terrace Hill Saturday to rally, protest and deliver a letter to Gov. Culver, telling him to: "End his vacation and get to work on critical issues affecting thousands of everyday Iowans."...

Briefs 06-21 (06/21/08)
Farmer's Market Wednesdays and Saturdays The Spencer Area Farmer's 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. Mercy Me to headline northwest Iowa's RiseFest...

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...

Obama proclaims himself the Democratic nominee (06/04/08)
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Barack Obama claimed the Democratic presidential nomination in a long-time-coming victory speech Tuesday that taunted Republicans on their own turf and reached out to heal Democratic wounds with lofty praise for his rival. "Let us begin the work together," Obama exhorted thousands of cheering supporters in a packed sports arena. "Let us unite in common effort to chart a new course for America."...

Briefs 5-23-08 (05/23/08)
The Avenue of Flags committee is in need of help. It takes a lot of work each year to prepare for Memorial Day. Before the display of flags can get put up, the over 1,200 pipes in the ground that the flags go into need to be found. The more helpers, the easier it is and the faster it goes for all...

Briefs 5-10-09 (05/12/08)
Johnson Elementary School and the Spencer Middle School are collecting pop cans to help defray medical costs for Beth Snow-Ketchum, a teacher at Johnson Elementary School. She has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Her husband, Mick is a wrestling coach and English teacher at Spencer Middle School. ...

Spencer teachers' 2008-09 master contract ratified (05/09/08)
Spencer school board members placed the finishing touches on employee wages as they ratified teacher contracts for 2008-09 Thursday morning. The 4.26 percent, or $391,569 total package, increase approved for Spencer Education Association (SEA) members also includes a $630 increase on teachers' base pay, raising it to $27,035 for beginning teachers, and a $150 increase for family insurance...

Briefs 5-9-08 (05/09/08)
Johnson Elementary School and the Spencer Middle School are collecting pop cans to help defray medical costs for Beth Snow-Ketchum, a teacher at Johnson Elementary School. She has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Her husband, Mick is a wrestling coach and English teacher at Spencer Middle School. ...

Briefs 5-8-08 (05/08/08)
The Spencer Area Concert Association will present "Simply Sinatra" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, at the Clay County Regional Events Center. Free transportation is available for both the concert and the pre-performance dinner for Spencer members who need it thanks to the Regional Transit Authority (Rides) and Spencer Municipal Utilities...

Support staff negotiations under way in district (03/19/08)
By Kris Todd Daily Reporter Staff Negotiations between the Spencer school district and the non-certified support staff union got under way Tuesday afternoon for the 2008-09 school year. Jack Lasiter, a representative for the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, presented the union's initial proposal...

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