Streaming Media Technologies

One Man's Perspective: Little picture makes a big impact (02/27/10)
There was no mass marketing campaign. We've been hearing about "Shutter Island" and "The Wolfman" for months leading up to their recent release. TV ads, previews in theaters, radio spots, large ads in major newspapers. And it worked. Viewers flocked to the theater for both and made the film producers and movie studios quite a bit of cash...

Licht joins Reporter news staff (01/19/10)
New Spencer Daily Reporter staff writer Gabe Licht never intended to be a journalist. In fact, his first experience with journalism did not come until he transferred to Dordt College in 2007, when he took Introduction to Journalism, a prerequisite for his communications major...

'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...

Mitchell to take over editor job at DCN (01/04/10)
Spencer native Russ Mitchell, a staff writer at the Daily Reporter, has been promoted to the position of editor with the Dickinson County News. Mitchell will assume his new duties beginning Jan. 4. ...

Mediacom: No Insight Bowl after all (12/30/09)
Iowa State-Minnesota bowl game blacked out The Mediacom customers in Spencer and Iowa Great Lakes won't be able to see the Insight Bowl at home on New Year's Eve after all. The 5 p.m. game matches Iowa State and Minnesota and is only being carried in central Iowa -- with permission from NFL Network...

Snow emergency issued, holiday travel discouraged (12/24/09)
The second winter storm to hit Spencer this month is looking like a grinch for those who had Christmas travel plans. "We're asking you to be aware of this as holiday plans begin to unfold," said meteorologist Todd Heitkamp who issued a storm update through streaming video on the National Weather Service Web site in Sioux Falls, S.D. "Travel will be impossible and not recommended across much of the Upper Midwest this holiday season."...

Holiday Family Adoption under way (11/10/09)
The Holiday Family Adoption program kicks off today with the first listing of families in The Daily Reporter. The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share in the holiday spirit and bounty...

Rep. King wades into Limbaugh, Rams ownership (10/30/09)
U.S. Rep. Steve King used a Capitol Hill appearance by Roger Goodell to press the NFL Commissioner about conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh, who was removed from a group trying to purchase the St. Louis Rams. Goodell was testifying before a House Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday to examine the long-term effects of head injury among NFL players...

Campbell presented 2009 Wedel award (10/13/09)
Longtime broadcaster and current Iowa Great Lakes Red Cross Director Bill Campbell was announced the Jack Wedel Community Service Award winner for 2009 at Monday evening's Spencer Chamber of Commerce annual meeting. "Since the age of 18 this person has been very vocal -- in more ways than one," teased last year's winners Sam and Suzi Harper prior to naming Campbell...

Bill Monroe featured speaker at the Spencer Chamber annual meeting (09/11/09)
The Spencer Chamber of Commerce annual meeting is set for Monday, Oct. 12, at the Clay County Regional Events Center. Social time will begin at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. The program, including the unveiling of the 2009 Jack Wedel Award winner, presentation of the Chamber board members and featured guest speaker, Bill Monroe, deputy executive director of the Iowa Newspaper Association, will begin at 7:30 p.m....

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...

Spencer's second 'religious liberty' draft policy released (09/04/09)
Spencer Superintendent Greg Ebeling admits that portions of the district's second "religious liberty" draft policy have been taken from other sources and sample policies. The second draft's author also acknowledges it still needs some wordsmithing, which is currently occurring as feedback is being received from various groups throughout the community. ...

Teacher, student feedback received on draft 'religious liberty' policy (09/04/09)
***Community input to be sought on evening of Sept. 10

'Dewey' movie on fast track (05/08/09)
The woman who's agreed to write the script for the upcoming movie based on Dewey Readmore Books' life is a natural for the job at hand. Pamela Gray has a cat paraphernalia collecting fever. She's been visiting people and places in Spencer this week, and she's jotting her important notes worth remembering in a notebook covered with cartoon cats. She currently has 10 cats of her own. The woman even has a tiger stripe tattoo -- based on the stripes of tigers she fell in love with while serving as a volunteer zookeeper -- inked on her right shoulder. --- It's safe to say that Vicki Myron, Spencer's former librarian-turned-author, feels a bit overwhelmed at times. She's busy. Even before her and Bret Witter's "Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World" book became a No. 1 bestseller, Myron had been working the media channels to promote it...

ART -- a pART of all of us (05/02/09)
Spencer artists Anthony Vodraska and Anita Gilbert have donated a limited-edition fine art print to the Spencer Area Arts Council to be used as a special premium in this year's telethon for Arts on Grand. The telethon will be held live on the Spencer Channel (SMU Cable Channel 3) from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, May 3. This year's theme is "ART--a pART of all of us."...

Blue Collar Comedy Tour's Engvall headed to Fair's grandstand (04/25/09)
Comedic sensation, Bill Engvall, will appear in front of the Grandstands the first Saturday of the Clay County Fair, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12. Engvall, a Texas native, didn't originally aspire to be a comedy star. In fact, he worked as a disc jockey with plans of becoming a teacher. ...

ART -- a pART of all of us (04/24/09)
Arts on Grand is asking the community to call in during their second annual telethon held live on the Spencer Channel (SMU Cable Channel 3) from 1-5 p.m., Sunday, May 3. The telethon is a fundraiser and membership drive dubbed "ART--a pART of all of us," and is aimed at raising $15,000 for operational funds for Arts on Grand...

TNA match, media raise nearly $2,000 for Shayla Bee (03/31/09)
Brother Devon, sporting a Shayla Bee T-shirt hoists a young fan in the air after presenting him with a piece of autographed table in the ring Saturday night at the Clay County Regional Events Center. TNA Wrestling was making its second visit to Spencer. ...

Spencer board alerted to district's 3.9 percent solvency ratio (03/26/09)
Spencer school board members received a stern warning from a certified public accountant Tuesday regarding the district's current financial situation. After Bruce Frink of Clarion complimented Superintendent Greg Ebeling on his 2009-10 certified budget presentation, he questioned board members about the district's 3.9 percent solvency ratio as of June 30, 2008...

School board acts on contract terminations, adopts 2009-10 budget (03/25/09)
Spencer school board members adopted the $19.3 million certified 2009-10 budget presented to them Tuesday. It is based on a 4 percent allowable growth rate and sets the overarching statutory and taxing rate limits for next school year. With some board discussion about changing the Instructional Support Levy (ISL) state income surtax from the current 4 percent to a 5 percent surtax rate next year, specifically with David Schlichtemeier's concerns about making such a move, the board approved a 5 percent ISL rate.. ...

There's room at the tables for comedy fans (03/12/09)
Keep your map. Chicago comedian Paul Kelly knows his way around Spencer, Iowa. He's also hoping audience members find their way back to the Clay County Regional Events Center on Friday night, when the Chicago Style StandUps make their return. Tickets are still available for the 8 p.m. ...

New exhibits open at Parker Museum (03/07/09)
Parker Museum will be hosting an opening reception, from 1-4 p.m., Sunday, March 15 for two new exhibits: "Reliving the 1920s in Clay County" and "Photography by Art Bates" created by Assistant Director Holly Kellogg. The exhibits opened March 4 and will be in place through Nov. 30, 2009...

Comin' at ya (02/27/09)
When Spencer's Southpark 7 Theatre General Manager Jarrad Black said the new Jonas Brothers concert event is going to be a real "in your face" experience, he wasn't kidding. The local theatre location is one of 10 in the Fridley Theatre chain to install the new Barco Digital Projection system featuring Real D technology. Friday's release of The Jonas Brothers Concert movie will be the first in a series of 3D films to hit the market this year using Real D...

Board suggests residents pay for some transportation (02/21/09)
Spencer school board members threw a late twist in their 2009-10 budget-cutting discussions Thursday night as they moved to reduce discretionary in-town busing and turn it into a pay-for situation. The very last motion made during the evening work session -- approved 3-2, with Todd Korbitz and Marti Bomgaars dissenting, -- moved the $25,127 discretionary transportation item below the proposed cut line...

Chicago Style StandUps return to Spencer (02/19/09)
The boys are back in town. Four Chicago Style StandUp Comedians are returning to the Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer on Friday, March 13, for an 8 p.m. show. "Chicago-style" comedy is a term created by the group and offers a unique, fresh approach to humor. ...

Uptick in local library usage tied to economic times (02/14/09)
Many libraries are reporting usage spikes for the last half of 2008. Call it a sign of the economic times. While Spencer Public Library Director Kay Larson reported to board members this week that the local statistics were neutral, maybe even a bit down over the last six months, she noted Spencer is starting to see what other libraries are...

Harkin, King disagree about talk radio (02/13/09)
U.S. Rep. Steve King on Wednesday chided U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin after hearing a exchange, about talk radio, between the senator and Bill Press on "The Bill Press Show." In one of the show's segments, Harkin complimented an op-ed piece by Press, which appeared in the Feb. 8 edition of The Washington Post....

Daily Reporter recognized with INA honors (02/11/09)
The Daily Reporter, serving Spencer and neighboring communities, was recognized with six first place awards in the small dailies category at the 2009 Iowa Newspaper Association Convention in Des Moines Friday night. All totaled, the Daily Reporter received recognition in 14 categories at the annual event, competing in the Dailies Class 1 which includes papers with circulations under 10,000...

ILCC to proceed with building projects (01/22/09)
The members of the Board of Trustees of Iowa Lakes Community College moved ahead on two building projects during their meeting Tuesday afternoon. The first project was an addition to the Wind Energy building on the Estherville campus. Bids on the 6,200 square foot facility were opened last Friday. ...

Watching the future become present (01/21/09)
The halls and classrooms at Spencer High School were quiet Tuesday as students and staff alike watched intently as Barack Obama became the nation's 44th president. CNN was the television channel of choice in the school building's teachers' lounge. Generally off-limits to students, the lounge was filled with nine cooks, 14 students, teacher Jan Myers and substitute teacher Joe Enderlin at 11 a.m. ...

Abben adds new cancer fighting tool to arsenal (01/21/09)
Abben Cancer Center added recently a new tool to their compliment of equipment as it attempts to remain on the cutting edge of cancer treatment technology. Abben, of Spencer Hospital, demonstrated its commitment to provide state-of-the-art cancer treatment technology with the introduction of a new Varian Clinac iX linear accelerator for providing radiation therapy. ...

Residents to start tackling school budget cuts Monday (01/17/09)
The 25 "additional" budget packages being offered for consideration by community residents at 7 p.m. Monday night (See "2009-10 Spencer School Additional Budget Packages" on Page 2) total a potential $823,000 worth of staff positions and programs which could be trimmed from Spencer school district's 2009-10 budget...

Library seeking replacement for Walk (01/14/09)
Spencer Public Library Director Kay Larson, who was authorized to purchase a laptop computer for patron use recently, is currently fielding a "pretty good list of candidates" for the position formerly held by Mary Walk. Walk, who officially shelved her last children's book as the Spencer library's children's librarian on Dec. 31, 2008, was recognized for her 33 years of service at the library with a come-and-go coffee held the afternoon of Jan. 6...

Area AEA professional finds new technologies exciting (01/13/09)
Appleton honored with Herb Braselman Award The Herb Braselman Award, named for the late first president of the National Association of Media and Technology Centers (NAMTC) organization, is presented in recognition of exemplary service and leadership for regional media centers and for outstanding contributions to the field of educational media and technology...

Profile of Spencer's art, culture to be part of IPTV program (01/09/09)
A crew from Iowa Public Television's award-winning series "The Iowa Journal" visited Spencer this week to tape footage for an upcoming program. IPTV produces "The Iowa Journal," which offers an in-depth look at issues that impact Iowans. The series analyzes issues and events that are in the news, and explores the state's variety and diversity...

Walk steps away (01/06/09)

SMS condo agreement on Tuesday's board agenda (12/13/08)
The Spencer Community Schools Board of Education will convene its regular monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16 in the board room of the central administrative offices, located at 23 E. Seventh St. Following a public hearing on Community Housing Initiatives (CHI) and a proposed condominium agreement relating to the old Spencer Middle School building, action is anticipated to be taken by the board...

Police urge caution as scams emerge (12/11/08)
Law enforcement agencies are becoming increasingly concerned about the number of older Iowans who may be misled by fraudulent phone calls about a relative in need. At least one area resident has been scammed by the phone call, according to the Spencer Police Department...

Groups resolve senior situation ... temporarily (12/10/08)
Several steps and financial agreements - with area board members approving each - will need to occur in order for area senior citizens who participate in activities hosted at the Spencer Area Activity Center (SAAC) to continue to have a central gathering site after Dec. ...

Old SMS building to host seniors (12/09/08)
In addition to agreeing to offer an early-retirement package to certified staff next year, Spencer school board members authorized moving forward with a "good-will effort" deemed "worth the investment." Before the board directed Superintendent Greg Ebeling to put specifications from Cannon Moss Brygger & Associates for a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) for the old Spencer Middle School (SMS) building's first floor out for bid Tuesday night, the superintendent informed them that City Manager Bob Fagen has been working hard behind the scenes to see that a partnership -- aimed at earmarking money for potential improvements, such as the implementation of a handicap-accessible restroom in the building -- is established between the school district, city, county and Clay County Community Foundation.. ...

Deer season opens Saturday (12/05/08)
Iowa's roadways and designated public areas are sure to become busier this Saturday as the first segment of shotgun deer season begins. The first season, which will continue through Wednesday, Dec. 10, will be followed by a second shotgun deer season scheduled from Dec. 13 through Dec. 21. While many more individuals have requested licenses than have been issued, an estimated 130,000 orange-vested hunters are expected to participate in the two seasons...

Rural dentist morphs into nationally-known author (12/02/08)
While working on patient's teeth during the work day, Dr. Nathan Jorgenson finds himself recanting a comment he used to make to his wife: "Why would anybody want to be a writer? What a dumb thing to want to do." Jorgenson, who grew up on a farm near Jackson, Minn., is a Fairmont, Minn. dentist who can chuckle today as he vividly remembers working in Spencer's former packing plant as a college student. He deems the two summers a "quite memorable" time...

Holiday Family Adoption Program 7 (11/26/08)
The Holiday Family Adoption Program continues with a listing of families in The Daily Reporter. The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share in the holiday spirit and bounty...

Homecoming: A Mayer Family Reunion (11/25/08)
(Photos and text by Randy M. Cauthron) Coffey, Shawn Mayer, Gabe Garcia, Melissa Lawson. One has already secured their spot on the country charts, claiming the 2008 Nashville Star title on the national NBC program and launching her popular country hit, "What If It All Goes Right?" Lawson and her fellow final four members of the TV show put on a wild show for the fans at the Clay County Regional Events Center Saturday night as they concluded their national tour. ...

Holiday Family Adoption Program 6 (11/22/08)
The Holiday Family Adoption Program continues with a listing of families in The Daily Reporter. The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share in the holiday spirit and bounty...

Holiday Family Adoption Program 5 (11/21/08)
The Holiday Family Adoption Program continues with a listing of families in The Daily Reporter. The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share in the holiday spirit and bounty...

Holiday Family Adoption Program 4 (11/20/08)
The Holiday Family Adoption Program continues with a listing of families in The Daily Reporter. The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share in the holiday spirit and bounty...

Holiday Family Adoption Program 2 (11/18/08)
The Holiday Family Adoption Program continues with a listing of families in The Daily Reporter. The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share in the holiday spirit and bounty...

SMS career piece focuses on personal pamphlets (11/12/08)
Vocabulary, literacy, creativity and computer skills are intertwining for Spencer Middle School seventh graders who are in the midst of writing and designing their own personal pamphlets for class. Anji Bennett, the art director of Standard Printing and Design of Spencer, spoke to students Tuesday about how layout can help make their pamphlets come to life for readers. ...

Holiday Family Adoption Program begins today (11/12/08)
The Holiday Family Adoption Program kicks off today with the first listing of families in The Daily Reporter. The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share in the holiday spirit and bounty...

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