Political Unrest

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...

'Dewey' story debuts at No. 13 (09/26/08)
Boba Fagena. Sounds like a character from the Star Wars franchise. In actuality, it's the name of the Spencer City Manager in the Polish version of "Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World." Other Spencer residents have "owi" attached to their names in the foreign version...

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...

Candidate for Congress makes fair stop (09/10/08)
Congress "doesn't look at the problems, they don't answer the problems," according to Rob Hubler, the Democratic nominee who will challenge U.S. Rep. Steve King for the 5th District seat serving western Iowa in Congress. Hubler made his remarks Tuesday morning during a visit to the Clay County Democrats booth on the Clay County Fairgrounds...

Veterans honored in special ceremony (09/09/08)

Former Congressman Bedell named chairman of Hubler's campaign (09/02/08)
COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Berkley Bedell, who served western Iowa in the U. S. House of Representatives for 12 years, will serve as General Chairman of the Hubler for Congress Committee, it was announced today by the Hubler campaign. Bedell, who founded Berkley and Company in Spirit Lake in 1945 after returning from World War II, will join Hubler on Wednesday on a six-city swing the campaign is calling the "Bringing Back Real Representation Tour." Hubler, the Democratic nominee for Congress in Iowa's 5th district, has used "Real Representation" as his campaign slogan.. ...

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...

Biden no stranger to Spencer Democrats (08/26/08)
U.S. Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware hoped for the top spot on the ticket less than a year ago when he stopped at the Clay County Fair. Friday he was selected as presumptive nominee Barack Obama's running mate. Democrats hope Biden's expertise in foreign policy and his blue-collar appeal will be a draw for voters in the Nov. 4 general election...

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...

Opening day of school (08/21/08)
The first day of classes for the 2008-09 school year at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Spencer commenced Wednesday with students and staff members parading outside to witness a flag presentation and flag-raising ceremony. The tradition began in 1970, when the building was officially opened and the late Bob Conlon, an Army corporal who served in World War II, presented a flag to school representatives and students...

Funny Barn favorite Foss returns (08/14/08)
West Virginia native Tom Foss will return to the Funny Barn for a third straight year. Foss will entertain from the local stage, beginning Friday night, for a four show run concluding Saturday night. Prior to his return in 2006, Foss toured the Middle East with a group called, "Comics on Duty," performing for the United States troops. ...

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" café 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. ...

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...

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."...

Osman and Hilsabeck finish 14th in the nation (06/24/08)
Melissa Osman and Leah Hilsabeck argued their way to a 14th place finish June 16-20 at the National Forensic League Speech and Debate Nationals in Las Vegas. The Public Forum debaters discussed "Resolved: United States policies established after 9/11 have substantially reduced the risk of terrorist acts against the United States." The OSL seniors were undefeated with two splits in six preliminary debates...

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."...

City marks 44th Memorial Day program (05/27/08)
From the War for Independence to Operation Iraqi Freedom, the sacrifices of fellow Americans span more than 230 years. Monday was a day to pay tribute to the nation's fallen war heroes. In Spencer, cars lined up along the streets leading to Riverside Cemetery -- site of the city's 44th Memorial Day program. Maj. Neil Schroeder was on hand as the keynote speaker...

Schroeder to keynote 44th Memorial Day ceremonies (05/24/08)
By Amy Quail Daily Reporter Staff Maj. Neil Schroeder will be the keynote speaker at this year's Memorial Day ceremony at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer. The graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. is a trained computer and information officer and has assisted on several operations, including Operation Allied Force, Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom. ...

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...

Breifs 5-15-08 (05/15/08)
Anyone wishing to have a flag dedicated into the Avenue of Flags on Memorial Day needs to get it in today. The only information that is needed to have a flag dedicated are birth and death dates, branch of service and war served. A donation to help pay for the flag and pole are appreciated...

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. ...

Keeping the memory of a hero alive (05/08/08)
Dayton Peters, a third grade student at Fairview Elementary in Spencer, has spent hours gazing at the 945 football, baseball and a few Star Trek trading cards he recently received from the mother of a fallen hero. Dallas Cowboys cornerback Issiac Holt, Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Tim Irwin and punter Harry Newsome, and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell rank among his favorites...

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...

Briefs 5-7-08 (05/07/08)
All area women are invited to the "Jee-purse it's Spring" Prayer Connection beginning at 11 a.m. at Santee Crossing in Jackson, Minn., today. It's a time of sharing, and supporting each other with prayer and fellowship. We know everyone is not comfortable praying out loud so bring your concerns, someone will pray for you and you will feel spiritually stronger as you continue your week...

Briefs 4-23 (04/23/08)
Photographers exhibit at Lakes Art Center Members of the Northwest Iowa Professional Photographers Association will have an exhibit in the Pearson Lakes Art Center Secondary Space thru May 22. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, April 24, from 6-7 p.m...

Briefs 3-19 (03/19/08)
Audit report available The audit report of the Spencer Community School District financial statements as of June 30, 2007, has been released. A copy of the report is available at the district secretary's office for inspection during normal business hours...

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...