Social Services

Notice to proceed at Lower Gar set for Sunday, task force expects little local impact (03/20/10)

Facility plan begins with look at elementaries, middle school (03/20/10)
Community residents started the process of prioritizing Spencer school district's future facility needs this week. As they attempted to preview what will be the most important facility needs through the year 2025, they focused on the system's K-8 buildings. Items such as a sixth-grade pod being built onto Spencer Middle School (SMS) and enhanced security at each of the elementary buildings ranked as tentative priorities for those attending.

CROSS WALK TO FEATURE STATIONS OF THE CROSS (03/19/10)
Spencer Community Youth Ministries invite all families and community members to join in the Community Cross Walk during Holy Week. This year's walk will take place on Wednesday, March 31. The walk will begin at Sacred Heart Church at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude at Grace United Methodist Church...

Alaskan author shares adventure, inspires reading and writing (03/19/10)
Author Shelly Gill pumps up her audience of third through sixth-graders about nature, adventure and writing Thursday afternoon. Gill has authored 26 best-selling books, including 12 children's books. Students from Fairview, Lincoln and Johnson Elementary schools listened closely as Gill shared personal adventures she has experienced as an author, adventurer, whale detective, pony wrangler and dog musher on the Iditarod Trail (which inspired her first book Kiani's Iditarod.) Gill's visit was possible thanks to a contribution from the Spencer Community School Foundation.. ...

'Where's the flood?' (03/19/10)
On Wednesday, Governor Chet Culver signed a disaster declaration for the Army Corps of Engineers to provide assistance in Dickinson County. Thursday morning, representatives from the Corps' Omaha office were on site at Lower Gar, just northeast of Milford, meeting with potential contractors and local utility providers as a group of very unhappy Lower Gar area residents and Milford Mayor Don Lamb looked on...

No fireworks in final Eggs & Issues session (03/16/10)
With Democrats Sen. Jack Kibbie and Rep. Marcie Frevert -- both of Emmetsburg, -- absent from the final Eggs & Issues session Saturday, Spencer City Council chambers never really heated up with back-and-forth dialogue. Rep. Mike May who was participating in his final Spencer Chamber of Commerce legislative event, took the opportunity to thank those he has served in District 6...

Library board considers starting gaming collection (03/13/10)
Spencer Public Library representatives have a plan to encourage more people to enter the doorway of the local library. Thursday night during the monthly board meeting, Director Kay Larson recommended they approve discontinuing the library's CD collection, or at least to stop adding to it, and instead implement an assortment of games...

Corridor delegates meet with Washington representation (03/13/10)
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) meets with delegates from the Iowa Great Lakes Corridor of Opportunity including Spencer City Manager Bob Fagen (seated to Harkin's left). The senator discussed upgrading Highway 86 during the Corridor's annual visit. The group also met with Sen. ...

Area entities receive foundation grants (03/12/10)
The Clay County Community Foundation strives "to connect donors who care with causes that matter and to serve as a trusted resource for addressing issues that impact the quality of life in Clay County."...

Ruthven-Ayrshire still searching for CEO (03/12/10)
It's time to advertise for a superintendent to replace the retiring one. That's what Ruthven-Ayrshire (RA) school board members have decided. They'd hoped to share the services of Clay Central-Everly (CCE) Superintendent Monte Montgomery following the planned retirement of Ervin "Erv" Rowlands at the conclusion of the 2009-10 school year, but CCE board members met Monday night and unanimously voted against such an arrangement...

Library board approves new logo (03/11/10)
After receiving a lot of feedback from the public, Spencer Public Library board members approved a new logo for the city building Thursday night. It does not include a portrait of the library's famous late library cat, Dewey Readmore Books. ...

Spencer building listed on National Register of Historic Places (03/09/10)
It's official. Spencer's former high school and middle school building at 104 E. Fourth St. is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Administered by the National Park Service, this program is the U.S. government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation...

An evening of 'Impact' (03/06/10)
"Josh's Story," which generated a great deal of buzz when it appeared in the pages of the Daily Reporter, will come to life Wednesday night at DaySpring Assembly of God Church as part of "Impact" -- a night offering a message of hope to a target audience of junior high and high school students complete with live music and giveaways beginning at 6:30 p.m...

Celebrating Lutheran Schools Week in hats, with cake (03/06/10)
To mark the final day of Lutheran Schools Week, to honor its "For a Lifetime of Service" theme and to celebrate his 60th birthday, Principal Dewey Torkelson served birthday cake to staff and students at Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School Friday afternoon. ...

Fish stories: Public can view art in action at studio today (03/06/10)
"It's a performance." Those are the words that artist Simeon Lisk used to describe what's going to happen at Bogenrief Studios Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. And Lisk should know, it's his concept and design that the crew will be focused on when they invite the public to join them in the work area as they create another glass piece for the aquarium project that beginning in April will become a centerpiece at the Spencer Public Library...

Ruthven-Ayrshire considers sharing administrators (03/05/10)
When Ruthven-Ayrshire school board members began the process of replacing their retiring superintendent in November, they requested a lot of information from seven neighboring districts. As they've pondered hiring a full-time replacement, sharing an administrator with a neighboring district and sharing with another district further away, the board recently met with Sioux Central and Clay Central-Everly (CCE) administrators and tentatively narrowed down their decision to sharing with one of the two non-bordering school districts.. ...

Locals participate in 'Many Hands for Haiti' mission trip (03/04/10)
Six local residents are determined to provide hope and encouragement to residents of a country devastated by an earthquake on Jan. 12. While this trip is the fifth for Christi Gabhart, it marks the second to Haiti for Karmen Brown and Dawn Vanden Berg. The March 3 - 12 journey is the first for fellow Spencer residents Paul Rekow, Heather Brown and Sharon Berkenpas as local mission volunteers. ...

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. ...

City council approves refinancing bond (03/02/10)
A high bond rating has allowed the city of Spencer to entertain eight different refinancing bond offers from 15 different underwriters.

Spencer preschool contingent on state funding (02/25/10)
In light of Iowa's budgetary situation this legislative session, Spencer school officials are rallying behind the scenes to make sure another preschool appears locally next year. They've also declared if state funding does not come forward they'll have a for-pay preschool in place for area 4-year-olds this fall. ...

Public's input sought on district facilities (02/25/10)
Local representatives believe the Spencer school district is in need of a new long-term facility plan. And, they're searching for a few people who'd like to offer their input on the matter. "The district needs to have a plan for how we handle our district facilities, what needs to be improved, what needs to be upgraded and for what the vision for the future with our facilities is," Superintendent Greg Ebeling told school board members Tuesday night...

Local cartoonist creates a 'New Dawn' (02/20/10)
Carman Brons has a fantasy world of magical characters living inside the spellbinding village of New Dawn filling her head. According to her followers, it's a good thing the comic artist has the talent to share it -- both in cartoons and script -- with them on the Web. ...

Implications of local charges far reaching (02/20/10)

Lt. Gov. Judge emphasizes jobs (02/19/10)
In an exclusive interview with The Daily Reporter Thursday, Lt. Gov. Patty Judge focused on jobs from start to finish, as she discussed items she and Gov. Chet Culver hope to see accomplished during a shortened, 80-day legislative session. "We're very much aware -- as everyone in the state is -- that we're in the midst of a worldwide recession and people are concerned, and rightfully so," Judge said. ...

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...

Committee looks to promote census (02/18/10)
Stand and be counted. Or at least take 10 minutes to answer 10 questions for the 2010 U.S. Census. That is the message a committee of city and county officials will be trying to promote through public service announcements on radio and television as well as information posted on the Spencer and Clay County Web sites...

Applications sought for 2010 Clay County Fair Queen (02/18/10)
The search is under way for candidates to compete for the title of Clay County Fair Queen. The winner, to be crowned Sunday, April 18, will reign over this year's Clay County Fair and will also compete for the State Fair Queen title. Females between the ages of 16 and 21 by Aug.12, the first day of the 2010 Iowa State Fair, may apply. ...

Will Iowans get "Fair Share"? (02/16/10)
Saturday's Eggs and Issues legislative forum at Spencer City Hall had a common theme threaded through it: unions. Sen. Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg; Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan; and Rep. Mike May, R-Spirit Lake discussed everything from same-sex marital unions to "Fair Share" Legislation, which would require all employees to pay fees to unions for negotiated benefits. ...

Board closes in on new Dewey-less logo (02/13/10)
Spencer Public Library board members seem to have "checked out" on publishing the late Dewey Readmore Books on the library's new logo. Instead, the board has tentatively chosen to pursue a new logo developed by Standard Printing & Design of Spencer...

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. ...

Two designs approved for Grand Avenue bridge (02/11/10)
The glass artwork expected to decorate Grand Avenue bridge later this year moved one step closer to becoming a reality this week when Spencer Park Board members approved two different Art Deco designs prepared by commissioned artists Mark, Jeanne and Seth Bogenrief, of Bogenrief Studios...

Real heroes share red (02/09/10)
When it comes to heroes, the American Red Cross recognizes them by the pint. The Iowa Great Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross enters the second day of its local blood drive, and many have stepped up to answer the call. Doors at Hope Reformed Church of Spencer's Harbor Room will remain open today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Little Lola wouldn't wait (02/05/10)
Most American babies have a hospital or clinic listed as their birthplace. Not Lola Snow Johnson. She was simply too impatient to wait for her dad Ira to navigate through rush-hour traffic and a construction zone from their home in Conifer, Colo., to a midwife clinic in Denver, where her mom, Robyn, was planning to have her delivered...

District's dissolution plan approved overwhelmingly (02/04/10)
South Clay voters have overwhelmingly approved the questions of whether their school district should be dissolved and how its territory, assets and liabilities should be distributed among neighboring schools posed to them on a paper ballot this week.

South Clay constituents to vote on district's dissolution Feb. 2 (01/29/10)
South Clay Superintendent David Schulz is a bit nervous about the additional snow forecast to fall Monday. He hopes the weather will cooperate. But it's the fact that local school board elections generally don't have over 35 people turning ballots in that really makes him uncomfortable. The superintendent is hoping for a much better public turnout on Tuesday, when South Clay's 736 registered voters will be able to voice their opinions on the district's pending dissolution. ...

Multiyear contract proposed to Spencer teachers (01/28/10)
For the first time, representatives for the Spencer school district have proposed a multiyear contract to members of the Spencer Education Association (SEA). Superintendent Greg Ebeling opened Wednesday's open session with SEA representatives Scott Rettey and Duane Davis by saying, "This initial proposal is reflective of the district, state and nation's current economic crisis. The board does not believe that typical raises are responsible under these circumstances. ...

Paycheck reductions approved by board (01/28/10)
Local teachers will be seeing a cut in their paychecks beginning next month. The reduction, which was approved unanimously by Spencer school board members Tuesday night, is in response to Gov. Chet Culver's 10 percent across-the-board spending cut imposed last month and a declaratory order issued by the Iowa Department of Education (DE) in regard to the cut's impact on teacher salary supplement (TSS) funds. ...

Negotiations commence for Spencer's certified school staff (01/26/10)
The Spencer Education Association (SEA) presented its initial contract proposal for the 2010-11 school year to officials with the Spencer Community School District Monday afternoon. The SEA, which represents full- and part-time teachers in the district, requested a 4.96 percent total package increase totaling $489,634.

Stephas: One of the few, the proud, the commissioned (01/23/10)
Today, Rick Stephas is truly one of the few, the proud. After being an officer candidate for 3 1/2 years, the Spencer man officially became a U.S. Marine Corps second lieutenant on Jan. 14. The 24-year-old celebrated his military advancement with family and friends during a commissioning ceremony steeped in Marine Corps traditions held Jan. 13, at the United Methodist Church in Royal. ...

Rants emphasizes lowering property taxes (01/21/10)
A perfect storm is brewing in Iowa, gubernatorial candidate Chris Rants, R-Sioux City, told a group of about 50 people at the Clay County Regional Events Center Tuesday night. The former Speaker of the House identified a lack of job development, escalating taxes and an outdated, unconstitutional school aid funding formula as the three biggest problems currently facing the state at the Informed Voter Forum sponsored by the Clay County Tea Party Patriots...

'Purple Monkeys' advise council on SMS safety issue (01/21/10)
Taken out of context, the fact that the Spencer City Council are looking to Purple Flying Monkeys to solve a perceived safety issue facing the Spencer Middle School might have residents questioning their decision at the voting booths. But during Monday night's council meeting, the "Monkeys," comprised of the middle school's female Lego League members, presented a study that demonstrated pedestrian dangers for students arriving at the middle school in the morning...

Study: Library needs more space in the future (01/21/10)
A consultant has told Spencer Public Library representatives that an additional 9,214 square feet will be needed to effectively serve patrons over the next two decades. The space needs analysis completed by George Lawson, and adopted by library board members last week, takes into account the library's collections, meeting areas, staff room, seating, computers and other factors. The study recommends the library's current 14,835 gross square feet be expanded to a minimum of 24,049 square feet...

Brockshus named Flagfest Youth Ambassador (01/19/10)
Spencer High School senior Hannah Brockshus was named the 2010 Flagfest Youth Ambassador Sunday afternoon, and Carrie Cunningham and Emily Jones were named first and second alternates, respectively. The daughter of Todd and Barb Brockshus, of Fostoria, participates in individual and large group speech, Thespians, Key Club, band and soccer as a high school student. ...

Gude: The recycling educator (01/16/10)
Chris Gude knows he's the exception to recycling. ...

Quail named essay contest winner (01/16/10)
Spencer High School sophomore Chayton Quail, the son of Joe and Anne Quail of Spencer, has been named the first-place winner in a Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest. The contest, which was sponsored by the Iowa Department of Human Rights, the Iowa Department of Civil Rights, the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and the Division on the Status of African Americans, challenged Iowa students to get involved and make a difference in their communities...

Grand opening at remodeled SMS (01/15/10)
The "familiar partners" who chose to collaborate in "unfamiliar territory" on Spencer's newest $5 million rehabilitation project officially celebrated their endeavor being completed "on time and on budget" Thursday in downtown Spencer. Those partners -- the Spencer school district, the Friends of the Auditorium group, Community Housing Initiatives (CHI) and the Spencer Area Activity Center (SAAC) -- gathered with other key participants and members of the general public to mark the grand opening of the Spencer School Apartments and the town's senior center in the former Spencer High School and Spencer Middle School building located at 104 E. Fourth St. ...

'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...

Old classroom becomes new home (01/12/10)
Lois Beck is excited about her new home in a Spencer historical landmark. Eager to move Friday afternoon into her brand new apartment in the former Spencer Middle School building, she's already splurged on a new television set to accentuate the space's open floor plan. She's also purchased a Christmas tree, which she plans to proudly display in her dwelling's large set of windows next holiday season. Beck will formally claim the space as her own when her Candlewick and Copenhagen Christmas plates, and the cup and saucer collection started years ago by her mother-in-law are placed in her daughter's former classroom. Cheryl Hurst, Beck's daughter, taught English in the same room that has now been remodeled into her mother's apartment. ...

Grand Opening celebration (01/12/10)
Former and current teachers, students and school staff, as well as members of the general public, will have the opportunity to view changes made to the former Spencer Middle School building this week. ...

Cycle Country chairman resigns amidst allegations of misappropriated funds (01/12/10)
Cycle Country Accessories Corp. announced Friday that it uncovered a misappropriation of funds by its Chairman of the Board of Directors L. G. (Bob) Hancher, Jr. The discovery occurred in connection with the audit of the company's financial statements for the period ending Sept. ...

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