State Governments

Bailout passes Senate, House foes soften (10/02/08)
WASHINGTON -- After one spectacular failure, the $700 billion financial industry bailout found a second life Wednesday, winning lopsided passage in the Senate and gaining ground in the House, where Republicans opposition softened. Senators loaded the economic rescue bill with tax breaks and other sweeteners before passing it by a wide margin, 74-25, a month before the presidential and congressional elections...

Authorities find meth lab in old schoolhouse (10/01/08)
The toxic residue from a methamphetamine lab required emergency response from Clay County officials Sunday afternoon. A property owner discovered the possible meth lab in an abandoned schoolhouse in the southwest corner of Lake Center, which is just west of Trumbull Lake in far northeast Clay County. Deputies with the Clay County Sheriff's Office are still trying to find who is behind the cooking operation...

Harkin calls for close look at bailout plan (09/27/08)
U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin on Thursday cautioned Congress against being "stampeded" into a massive bailout of the nation's financial system. His concerns came as an Iowa legislative leader said he was worried that a severe economic downturn could hurt a state budget already under pressure...

King to appear before Rotary (09/27/08)
U.S. Repre-sentative Steve King, representing Iowa's Fifth District in the United States Congress, will be in Spencer for a 12 p.m. meeting with the Spencer Rotary Club and other service organizations at the Clay County Regional Events Center. Among the topics that King will be discussing, the $700 billion bailout legislation...

Bailout deal stalls as GOP lawmakers revolt (09/26/08)
WASHINGTON -- A Repub-lican revolt stalled urgent efforts to lash together a national economic rescue plan Thursday, a chaotic turnaround on a day that had seemed headed for a success that President Bush, both political parties and their presidential candidates could celebrate at an extraordinary White House meeting...

Spencer showcased in 'Great Places' presentation (09/23/08)
From strolls downtown to evenings of theatre, more than 200 Spencer residents wanted to show the Iowa Great Places Citizen Advisory Board what they have to offer. City leaders did that Monday afternoon at the SCT Playhouse. If their hour-long presentation was successful, Spencer could receive a state "Great Places" grant of $250,000-$500,000. The city would disperse the money to about six different projects...

Assessor leads off town meeting series (09/18/08)
Some county officials are taking on a night shift to help keep residents informed. Members of the Clay County Board of Supervisors have arranged a series of town meetings, featuring various branches of county government. Clay County Assessor John Lawson will lead off the series. He'll be in the board room at the Clay County Administration Building for a 7 p.m. meeting on Monday, Sept. 22...

80-year-old marks 50th consecutive year at fair (09/11/08)
The Clay County Fair has been "the destination of a lifetime" every year the last five decades for a New Richland, Minn., man and his wife. Paul Stennes, who marked his 80th birthday Wednesday, and Blossom Stennes, who will celebrate her 73rd birthday next Wednesday, are what you can call "diehard" Clay County Fair enthusiasts...

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...

4-H non-livestock projects displayed at the State Fair (09/03/08)
The following Clay County 4-H members had non-livestock projects selected to represent the county at the Iowa State Fair. The exhibits were judged in Des Moines and exhibited throughout the run of the event. They will also be on display at the 4-H Exhibit Building at the Clay County Fairgrounds during the Clay County Fair...

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.. ...

Lawson: No impact on Spencer cameras (09/02/08)
DES MOINES (AP) -- The Iowa Supreme Court, in a split ruling on Friday, upheld the city of Davenport's use of traffic cameras to catch speeders and drivers who run red lights. The ruling involved the case of a man who challenged the city's ordinance, which authorized the use of cameras and sensors to catch motorists who violate traffic laws...

Sept. 9 election marks return of paper (08/30/08)
By Kris Todd Daily Reporter Staff When Clay County voters walk into their respective polling sites on election day, they'll register to vote the same way they have in the past. But the Sept. 9 school board election and the Nov. 4 general election will differ from recent years past in that voters will then be handed a paper ballot to vote on. ...

Dems choose Obama in thunderous acclamation (08/28/08)
DENVER -- Barack Obama swept to the Democratic presidential nomination Wednesday night, a transforming triumph that made him the first black American to lead a major party into the fall campaign for the White House. Thousands of national convention delegates stood and cheered as they made history...

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...

Democrats rally local troops on eve of national convention (08/26/08)
Clay County Democrats gathered at the Oneota Park shelter house Sunday evening for their annual fundraising steak fry. The meeting, coming just a day after Barack Obama named Sen. Joe Biden as his vice presidential running mate via a much hyped text message to supporters, had County chairman Bob Whittenburg's stressing organization to his fellow Democrats...

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

Steak Fry Fundraiser (08/23/08)
A candidate for Congress and one of the leaders in the Iowa Senate highlight the annual steak fry fundraiser Sunday for Clay County Democrats. Social hour begins at 5 p.m. at the Oneota Park Shelter in the first block of 10th Avenue East in Spencer. The public is invited to attend, but asked to RSVP Sylvia Schoer at 262-5237...

Hessman honored by the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame (08/21/08)
Dave Hessman, former Clay County Extension Education Director, was inducted into the 2008 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 17. Eighty-two Iowa counties have participated this year and selected inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H...

Briefs 8-20-08 (08/20/08)
The Iowa Great Lakes Region Antique Automobile Club will be on display through Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Southpark Mall in south Spencer. Car enthusiasts and history buffs will enjoy this display. On Aug. 24 The Hands of Harmony Swinging Seniors will be entertaining us at 2:30 p.m. Come enjoy the display and entertainment...

'Iowans statewide have been affected by severe weather' (08/20/08)
Iowa Gov. Chet Culver on Friday asked the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to consider 82 counties in a Secretarial Disaster Designation due to damaged plants and production losses in 2008. Iowa State Emergency Board members met Aug. 12 in Des Moines to review damage assessments and loss reports from county officials...

Local competitors 'fair' well (08/16/08)
Several Clay County residents participated in judged events at the Iowa State Fair. Here are some of the local results: Breeding Beef Dustin Biedenfeld, Peterson, Limousine, Purple- Reserve Champion and Blue; Jenna Biedenfeld, Peterson, Limousin, Purple;...

Briefs 8-14-08 (08/14/08)
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Hartley, is sponsoring a community-wide benefit for the family of Jan Hall to help defray medical bills incurred during Jan's battle with illness. The free-will dinner and auction will be held at the Hartley Community Center today. ...

McCain has invite to Clay County Fair (08/14/08)
State Rep. Mike May, a Spirit Lake Republican, said he has been in contact with the John McCain campaign and hopes the likely Republican nominee will include Spencer's biggest event in a post-convention victory tour. The 2008 Republican National Convention will take place Sept. 1-4 in Minneapolis. The 2008 edition of the Clay County Fair is Sept. 6-14. Along with timing, crowd numbers can't hurt the odds of a Spencer visit -- the fair drew more than 319,000 visitors in 2007...

Milford woman wins Iowa Lottery promotion (08/13/08)
DES MOINES -- A northwest Iowa woman drove away from the Iowa State Fair in a new, 2008 four-wheel drive Chevy Tahoe Hybrid�, the grand-prize in the Iowa Lottery's "Set of Wheels" promotion. Nancy Fear of Milford was selected as the grand-prize winner in the promotion drawing Thursday on the Susan Knapp Amphitheater stage at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Fear said she was excited to share the news with her adult children...

Calhoun County's Quade crowned state fair queen (08/12/08)
Ashley Quade, 17, of Calhoun County was crowned the 2008 Iowa State Fair Queen on Saturday, August 9, by Gary VanAernam, president of the Fair Board. The ceremony took place on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage, sponsored by Pepsi. The daughter of Kim and Paul Quade, Ashley was chosen out of the 102 contestants who participated in this year's competition. All had been crowned queen of their respective county fairs prior to the State Fair...

Harkin in Spencer Thursday (08/06/08)
U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa has included Spencer in a series of stops in northwest Iowa during the August recess. The Cumm-ing Democrat will host a "Moving Iowa Forward-Cafe Stop" at 8:15 a.m., Thursday at Family Table restaurant in Spencer. The public is invited to attend...

King among lawmakers refusing to accept vacation (08/06/08)
Congressman Steve King didn't get to visit the wheelhouse of the Storm Lake dredging boat on Monday as planned. Instead, the western Iowa U.S. Representative raced back to Washington to join about 24 other Republican House members in an unprecedented efffort to guide a vote on a comprehensive energy bill through treacherous waters...

Anglers Bay dedication celebrates conservation success (07/31/08)
The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources invite the public to join in the dedication of the state's new Anglers Bay Wildlife Management Area on Saturday morning, Aug. 2. The dedication will be held at the project site on the northeast side of Big Spirit Lake, nestled between Hales Slough to the south and Sandbar Slough to the north...

Clay County youths attend 70th American Legion "Hawkeye" Boy's State (07/30/08)
Dan Otto, Peter Buchan, Aaron Brockshus, and Kasey Kunzman were among Iowa teens across the state taking part at American Legion "Hawkeye" Boy's State, a week long event held at Camp Dodge in Des Moines since 1938. Approximately 600 young men between their junior and senior years in high school are brought together to learn more about the American form of government and to improve their understanding of Americanism and patriotism. ...

PSY among 24 community programs to receive federal drug free funds (07/26/08)
By Randy M. Cauthron Managing Editor Senator Chuck Grassley announced Thursday that the Office of National Drug Control Policy has awarded $2,208,689 in Drug Free Communities Support Program continuation grants to 24 Iowa communities. Among those communities, Spencer's Positively Spencer Youth group was awarded the top funding amount of $100,000...

Thrivent representatives meet with legislators (07/25/08)
Recently, 10 Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members from Iowa traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet Iowa's congressional delegation, including U.S. Senator Charles Grassley, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin and the state's five U.S. Representatives. The group shared with congressional leaders how they and other members work with and through Thrivent Financial to strengthen communities and improve Iowans' lives. ...

Public land grazing could be allowed (07/25/08)
Gov. Chet Culver on Thursday announced steps that the Iowa Departments of Natural Resources and Transportation are taking to assist farmers affected by this year's flooding and severe weather. The governor said he will encourage the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to consider the value of haying and grazing as an alternative to burning and for control of brush invasion into grassland areas...

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."...

King touts domestic energy solutions (07/22/08)
On a Friday afternoon when travelers were planning their weekend getaways, U.S. Rep. Steve King also was on the road. The congressman included Spencer in a series of stops around the region. "I need to put my ear to the ground constantly to pick up the voice of the people," he said...

Advocates push for revamped drug penalties in Iowa (07/16/08)
DES MOINES (AP) -- Some Iowa lawmakers and legal advocates say state drug laws that include methamphetamine and crack cocaine penalties need to be revamped. A legislative study committee agreed Wednesday to take steps that could lead to a major revision to the state's drug laws. Some say the laws are unfair or racially biased...

Lawmakers look to free up grazing land (07/09/08)
Policy-makers in Des Moines and Washington, D.C., are looking for some alternatives to flooded pastureland throughout the state. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released Conservation Reserve Program acres for grazing in Iowa's Presidential Declared Disaster counties because of flooding. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley wrote to Secretary Ed Schafer last month asking for the early release...

School board filing period begins (07/08/08)
Candidates can begin filing for open seats on their local school board, but changes in Iowa law may affect how long they stay in office. The state moved away from holding school board elections annually following legislation passed in the 2008 session. Under the new law, school board elections will be held only in Septembers of odd-numbered years...

AARP chapter meets in Spencer (06/24/08)
The local chapter of AARP met June 9 at the Spencer Area Activity Center with 16 members attending. The featured speaker was Rep. Mike May the 5th District Congressman from Spirit Lake. He has been a representative for two terms and expects to run for a third term. ...

English continuing his 'battle for good public policy' (06/14/08)
By Kris Todd Daily Reporter Staff Bryan English found himself "just showing up and volunteering" on the political front about five years ago. As he found the opportunities to be endless if he simply raised his hand and said, "I'd be happy to do that," he also realized a new career...

2008 iowa primary elections (06/04/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff The Nov. 4 general election ballot began to take shape Tuesday night, when Joe Skow and incumbent Del Brockshus, both of Spencer, received Republican Party nominations for spots on the Clay County Board of Supervisors...

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 6-4-08 (06/04/08)
All area women are invited to the "Let's Have Flowers" prayer connection at 10 a.m. today in the home of Bonnie Neisess, Treasure Village on Highway 86. It is a time of sharing and supporting each other with prayer and fellowship. Okoboji Women's Connection is a part of Stonecroft Ministries...

2008 Iowa Primary Elections (06/03/08)
DES MOINES -- Three Republicans are competing to be the most conservative alternative to U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, arguing that energizing the party's base is the only way to oust a Democrat who is seeking his fifth term in the Senate. The candidates in the June 3 primary are:...

Briefs 6-3-08 (06/03/08)
All area women are invited to the "Let's Have Flowers" prayer connection at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4 in the home of Bonnie Neisess, Treasure Village on Highway 86. It is a time of sharing and supporting each other with prayer and fellowship. Okoboji Women's Connection is a part of Stonecroft Ministries...

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 5-29-08 (05/29/08)
Single Spirits will hold its next meeting tonight at the Spirit Lake Public Library. A potluck is set for 6:30 p.m., with a meeting to follow. Activities for the next five weeks will be planned. Single Spirits is an organization open to singles of all ages in the area...

Briefs 5-28-08 (05/28/08)
Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School students will present their annual end-of--the-year musical titled "Livin' Inside Out in an Upside Down World," based on Psalm 51:6, at 7 p.m. tonight at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 500 Fourth Ave. S.W., Spencer...

Trustees set tuition at Iowa Lakes for upcoming year (05/15/08)
Tuition and fees for the 2008-2009 college year were approved by the Board of Trustees of Iowa Lakes Community College at their meeting Tuesday afternoon in Spirit Lake. Student tuition for Iowa Residents (and Minnesota Residents) will be $120 per credit hour -- up $7 per credit hour from last year. ...

Governor signs renewable fuels bill (05/14/08)
Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed a bill to expand the use of renewable fuels at the Statehouse on Monday. The bill, House File 2689, encourages more retailers to sell ethanol and biodiesel and also encourages Iowans to use more renewable fuels. State Representative Marcie Frevert of Emmetsburg, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, is shown here third from the right at the bill signing...