State Fairs

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...

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. ...

Vegas headliner Fator to perform at 2010 Fair (03/02/10)
One of the top grossing acts in Las Vegas will be making a stop in Spencer at the Clay County Fair as part of his very limited late summer tour stops. Terry Fator, season two winner of the popular reality show America's Got Talent, will bring his entire Las Vegas Show to the 2010 Clay County Fair at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept.14, at 7:30 p.m...

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...

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. ...

Ag Outlook turns focus to future (02/13/10)
The 26th Annual Northwest Iowa Ag Outlook Conference and Trade Show will be held Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the Clay County Regional Events Center on the Clay County Fairgrounds in Spencer and will feature an industry trade show and an agricultural forum...

Eggs & Issues: Legislators weigh in on status of the state (02/02/10)
There were eggs - eggs sandwiches to be exact. And there were issues - there are definitely issues. Local state legislators met in council chambers at Spencer City Hall Saturday morning to take part in the first of four scheduled Eggs & Issues forums. Republicans: Senator David Johnson (Ocheyedan) and Representatives Mike May (Spirit Lake) and Royd Chambers (Sheldon),...

Budget, street projects top council meeting (02/02/10)
Before diving into a department-by-department breakdown of Spencer's budget at Monday's city council meeting, City Manager Bob Fagen made one thing clear. While the tax rate is not increasing, the amount of taxes paid by residents will increase due to a change in the state of Iowa rollback.

Roberts concerned about spending (01/29/10)
"Money doesn't grow on trees... Until I was first elected to the Iowa House, I thought all adults were like that," Rod Roberts told a small, vocal group of about 25 individuals at the Clay County Regional Events Center Thursday night. "(Other elected officials) began making decisions and acting like there's an orchard out back the capitol."

High Court: Castillo-Alvarez case won't be reviewed (01/22/10)
Clay County Attorney Michael Houchins on Friday confirmed a decision from the Iowa Supreme Court to deny further review of the 1997 gang-related murder of Estherville teenager Gregory Sky Erickson. Judge Don Courtney found former Estherville restaurant owner Juan Humberto Castillo-Alvarez responsible for orchestrating Erickson's death, based on a January 2008 ruling at the Palo Alto County Courthouse in Emmetsburg...

Branstad's back (01/22/10)
He's not Michael Jordan and he has probably never had quite the following of Mötley Crüe, but Terry Branstad has launched his very own comeback campaign, which stopped at the Spencer Public Library Thursday. ...

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...

Spencer among stops on Branstad's 'Iowa Comeback Tour' campaign (01/15/10)
URBANDALE -- The Branstad 2010 Committee have released a detailed schedule for former Gov. Terry Branstad's "Iowa Comeback Tour" events, where he will announce his run for governor. The tour begins at the Iowa State Historical Society building in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 19, and will cover 17 cities in four days...

' ... We're going to win in November, (01/14/10)
"We're going to win in June, then we're going to win in November, then we're going to lead." Those words at the conclusion of Iowa GOP Gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats presentation to a small group of voters Tuesday night drew a round of applause. ...

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...

Whiting second to announce plans for District 6 seat (01/05/10)
Spirit Lake native Zach Whiting announced Monday that he will seek the Republican nomination for the District 6 seat in the Iowa House of Representatives. The seat is currently held by Mike May, who has announced that he will not seek re-election in November...

Governor appoints Clay County native IDED director (12/29/09)
DES MOINES -- Governor Chet Culver continued his efforts to reorganize state government by making two new appointments for key government positions. In addition, the Governor took further steps to streamline state government by moving a key housing program from the Department of Economic Development to the Iowa Finance Authority...

Kibbie: Education to remain a priority in 2010 (12/24/09)
Sen. John "Jack" Kibbie told Spencer school board members this week that education will remain a priority in 2010. He also forewarned that state legislators will be looking at the possibility of more school districts sharing in order to save money. Incentives for them to share and discussions about more distance learning occurring will transpire this upcoming legislative session, he said Tuesday evening via a teleconference connection with board members...

Big turnout for Oak Ridge Boys (12/22/09)
Richard Sterban - who sings bass for The Oak Ridge Boys - performs in front of a audience of over 1900 Sunday, December 19 at the Clay County Regional Event Center. The group, which has performed at the Clay County Fair, performed many of their classics as well as new material...

Board members, legislators mull over upcoming legislative session (12/17/09)
Spencer school board members have received predictions, as well as advance warnings, from three area legislators in regard to what challenges the district's coffers and local taxpayers' wallets may expect in response to Iowa's budget shortfall and across-the-board cuts ordered by the governor. During a nighttime work session held this week, Sen. David Johnson, Reps. Royd Chambers and Mike May told the locally-elected representatives that the upcoming legislative session will probably be a "compressed situation" that will be "all about budget and very little about policy." ...

Area economic development programs adapt to loss of funds (12/17/09)
Despite a cut of over $7 million reaching state economic development services, many Lakes area corridor organizations under this umbrella are keeping their heads above water. The solvency of programs including the Mainstreet/Rural Mainstreet Program in Spencer, the the Iowa Lakes Corridor Corporation and the regional offices of Iowa Workforce Development are the result of a number of financial alternatives, including federal funding, local business support and grants...

Transportation projects roll on despite cuts (12/15/09)

Natural resources at risk in State cuts (12/12/09)
Iowa's natural resources have not been spared in the State's 10 percent across-the-board budget clear-cutting, and northwest Iowa environmental leaders wonder how deep the roots of economic damage may run. One of the largest expenditure cuts from the DNR falls in the state parks funding...

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...

Area banker seeks May's District 6 seat (12/08/09)
Okoboji banker Jeff Smith on Tuesday announced plans to run for the Iowa House District 6 seat currently held by Mike May. May said he will not be seeking re-election in 2010 and voiced support for Smith -- a fellow Republican -- as part of the statement that officially announced Smith's campaign for the seat...

State cuts taking a toll on NW Iowa (12/05/09)
"The first cut is the deepest," muses a classic song. The global economic crisis has hit home belatedly, but with full force, in Iowa and local communities this season. The bleeding can be felt from the slashes in school budgets to the trauma of sudden job losses...

May won't seek reelection in 2010 (11/24/09)
State Representative Mike May (R-Spirit Lake) announced this week that he will not be seeking reelection in 2010. "I've been thinking about this all summer," said May. "Probably in early fall, I decided I wouldn't seek reelection in 2010." May, owner of Triggs Bay Resort, says it's time to focus on his business and his family. May and his wife Marge have three children and five grandchildren...

Poet laureate to headline 'Written Word' event (11/17/09)
In February 2009, Governor Chet Culver announced Mary Swander's appointment as Poet Laureate of the State of Iowa. For Swander, a graduate of the University of Iowa Writers Workshop and a Distinguished Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University, this was just the latest of a long string of awards, including an Iowa Author's Award in 2006 and the Carl Sandburg Literary Award in 1981...

Flagfest Youth Ambassador search under way (11/14/09)
The 26th annual summer festival Flagfest will include a variety of activities, including the selection of the Flagfest Youth Ambassador. Applications are being accepted from area youths interested in participating in the competition. If selected the 2010 Flagfest Youth Ambassador, the youth will represent Spencer and the surrounding area during various events, including Flagfest, Ag Outlook Ag Breakfast, Clay County Fair Booth, St. Pat's Parade and other area events and parades...

A Hunting we will go (11/10/09)
Camouflage and orange may not be big on the Paris fashion scene, but during the fall, the combination is pretty popular in northwest Iowa. Iowa Gov. Chet Culver (second from right) was in Spencer over the weekend to take part in the annual Governor's Hunt which was hosted by the Clay County Pheasants Forever chapter. ...

State cuts to create cash flow issue for Spencer schools (10/31/09)
School districts across Iowa are attempting to figure out how to deal with Gov. Chet Culver's 10 percent across-the-board cut, and what it means for their annual budgets which have already been set. Spencer residents were told this week that the diminished amount they'll be working to offset is $890,735. ...

Public forum will focus on potential mental health service reductions (10/17/09)
Earlier this year, the Iowa Department of Human Services was directed by the Iowa Legislature to assist an appointed task force with an evaluation of the four state mental health institutions (MHI) at Cherokee, Clarinda, Independence and Mt. Pleasant...

City postpones action on Casey's store proposal (10/16/09)
Members of the Spencer Planning and Zoning Commission held off on plans to re-plat an area near the Clay County Fairgrounds to accommodate a Casey's General Store relocation and expansion. The Clay County Fair is selling the company a 200-by-200 foot lot on the northwest corner of Fourth Avenue West and West 18th Street to facilitate a newer and larger convenience store. Planning and Zoning Commission members have unresolved questions for Casey's project developers...

'Creating Grand Opportunities' -- a communitywide strategic plan (10/09/09)
Tarrel Storey and Dan Heissel, co-chairs of the Spencer Vision Coordinating Committee, unveiled a 36-project plan designed to make Spencer a better place to "Live Work and Play." Building on a theme originating with the Iowa Great Lakes Corridor of Opportunity, a team of approximately 40 Spencer area residents worked together under the label, "Spencer Area Strategic Planning Team," dedicating four-plus hours a month for the past 12 months to come up the project bases designed to build on the assets that Spencer already offers.. ...

Attendees request full REAP funding (10/08/09)
Residents from the nine-county area gathered in Spencer this week to voice their individual thoughts on how Iowa's REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection) program might be made better. The 49 people who gathered at Tuesday night's assembly in the Clay County Regional Events Center unanimously expressed a desire for the program to receive full funding, allowing it to more fully enhance and protect Iowa's natural and cultural resources...

Fong campaign comes to Spencer (10/06/09)
"It's spin or accounting tricks," Christian Fong said of the state budget. "But it's not common sense." The insurance executive from Cedar Rapids made his first campaign stop Monday in Spencer and touted himself as a social conservative and economist who pledged to shrink the size of state government by 5 percent in his first year as governor...

Ag reps encouraged, warned about future of industry (09/19/09)
While times may be tough, nearly 100 agricultural representatives were encouraged to keep their chins up and focus on the prize during a luncheon held Thursday at the Clay County Fair. ...

Labor of love results in win (09/19/09)
A garment sewn with love earned its creator the top prize, Best Overall, in the Textile Division of the Creative Living Center of the Clay County Fair. Cindy McGranahan, who's daytime job is director of the Parker Historical Society of Clay County, took the honor with a wedding dress, designed and sewn for her son's fiancé...

Hogs, heart and help (09/18/09)
Three years ago, when Jerry Faulkner, grandfather of Shayla Kaye Rohrbaugh, was working to establish a special fund to assist working class families with medical needs in his late grandchild's honor, he said, "...I hope it to be a legacy instead of just a one- or two-year thing."...

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." ...

Vicki Myron's children's book to appear at Clay County Fair (09/10/09)
Vicki Myron will have her children's book available at the Clay County Fair. For a story on the children's book and her new projects associated with Dewey Readmore Books, see Thursday's Daily Reporter.

Preview food, fun before fair begins (09/10/09)
Enjoy the 2009 Clay County Fair before it officially opens with the Fantastic Friday Preview from 6 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Sept. 11. The Clay County Fair Midway will be the feature of the Fantastic Friday Preview with rides operating all evening. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to experience a taste of the fair in the Events Center Grand Ballroom with various food vendors on hand...

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...

Castillo-Alvarez conviction overturned (09/02/09)

'Big Star -- Little Star Entertainment' gives youth a time to shine (09/01/09)
On Friday, Sept. 18, third through eighth grade students are welcome to showcase their talent on stage in the 4-H Auditorium at the Clay County Fair. "Big Star -- Little Star Entertainment" is a talent presentation set to go on Friday afternoon in the 4-H Auditorium. ...

Sales tax holiday continues through Saturday (08/07/09)
Retailers are used to the routine by now, but the weekend's "sales tax holiday" in Iowa can still cause a bit of confusion, according to Iowa Department of Revenue spokeswoman Renee Mulvey. "First of all, it's just two days," she said. "It's only Friday and Saturday. It's not Sunday."...

Johnson has cancer, plans to retain senate seat (07/28/09)
State Senator and Assistant Republican Leader David Johnson said he fully intends to run again, and is optimistic about recovery after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. "I haven't officially announced that I'll be a candidate again, but I have every intention of running for a third term," Johnson said. "An official announcement is coming within the next 60 days."...

Peterson artist paints her lifelong passion (07/25/09)
Barb McGee has been drawing them from the time she could hold a pencil. But it wasn't until she turned 13, opened the pages of "Quarter Horse Journal" and saw the beautiful painted equines by Darol Dickinson and the late Orren Mixer that her fate was sealed. ..

Extreme Am VI events announced (07/25/09)
Celebrating six years this year, Spencer's Extreme Am skateboard competition and festival will take place over the course of two days at East Leach Park Skatepark on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16. This free event offers amateur skateboarders from around the region to come together and compete in three competitions: Freestyle, vert and big air. ...

Related subjects