Technology

Payne escapes prison time in conviction (08/27/08)
Despite an emotional appeal from the victim and her mother in court Monday, Kyle Dean Payne will serve no prison sentence for his conviction on three crimes related to an incident in which he partially stripped an unconscious fellow Buena Vista University student, photographed himself fondling her body, and later installed the images and video on his computer...

Spencer student interns for Grassley in Washington (08/26/08)
WASHINGTON --Cale Kassel, son of Julie and Paul Kassel of Spencer, has just finished spending six weeks in Washington, D.C. working as an intern in Senator Chuck Grassley's office. Kassel is a 2007 Iowa State graduate and is currently a student at the University Of Iowa Carver College Of Medicine...

AREA SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES PROFILED - CC/E candidate answers questions (08/26/08)
One position with the Clay Central/Everly school board is up for grabs in the upcoming Sept. 9 election. Clay Central/Everly candidate Brad Phelps, of 209 S. Washington in Everly, is featured today. The one-term board member has filed nomination papers for another one-year term for the District 2 seat he currently holds...

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...

Board to commit financially to SMS auditorium design study (08/23/08)
The Spencer Community Schools Board of Education will convene its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26 in the board room of the central administrative offices, located at 23 E. Seventh St. Approval of consent items, including minutes from the July 24 and Aug. 13 board meetings, bills, student open enrollment applications, and personnel recommendations will be sought...

Area's Pettits are 'Hall of Fame' singers (08/20/08)
The children of Claude and Marie Pettit of Emmetsburg have been referred to as "The Pettit Family," "The Kids Next Door," "The Singing Pettits," and "The Petites" over the past 50 years. While all seven sang at one time or another, the five primary singing siblings will be recognized for their state and national successes next weekend in Arnolds Park as they're inducted into the 2008 class of the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Music Association's Hall of Fame...

VeraSun to fire up Hartley plant (08/16/08)
VeraSun Energy Corp. on Thursday announced the startup of its 110 million gallon per year ethanol biorefinery near Hartley. The Hartley plant is the 13th VeraSun biorefinery in operation. The opening pushed the company's annual production capacity to more than 1.3 billion gallons. "We are pleased to bring our Hartley ethanol biorefinery into production," said VeraSun CEO Don Endres, in a statement. "It is one of the largest and most efficient facilities in the nation...

SMS auditorium talks underway (08/14/08)
As Spencer school board members, Friends of the Auditorium representatives and a Sioux City architect met Wednesday morning to broach the topic of what will be done with the auditorium area of the old Spencer Middle School at 104 E. Fourth St., they negotiated costs and responsibilities, and, in the end, reconnected as potential partners in restoring the "gem" to its original historic state and making it a better-functioning facility...

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...

Corridor presents 'Priority Road Projects' to IDOT Commission (08/13/08)
A delegation of 18 people from the Iowa Lakes Corridor region traveled to Sioux City today to present priority projects and updates to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) commissioners during their public input meeting. The delegation consisted of representatives of each of the four counties -- Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet -- as well as Sen. David Johnson and Rep. Mike May...

Monsanto Mobile Technology Unit stops in Spencer (08/13/08)
Monsanto's unique Mobile Technology Unit made a stop in Spencer and will remain in town through today as part of its tour through the United States, showcasing innovations in plant breeding and biotechnology to support farmer success. The new 53-foot-long traveling unit, (top right) with 1,000 square feet of exhibit space, will remain in place just west of the Clay County Regional Events Center in the parking lot through today, extending tour offers to groups throughout Clay County. ...

Will rural public safety be pinched by FCC action? (08/07/08)
By Kris Todd Daily Reporter Staff Law enforcement officials, like many individuals today, depend on cell phones to keep in contact with others. But if this form of communication is not supported adequately by cell phone towers and other related-infrastructure, which occurs in some rural areas yet today, individuals may find themselves placed at a disadvantage...

Ideas offered to trim district's transportation budget (07/25/08)
The Spencer school district's new transportation director presented several recommendations Thursday night aimed at trimming the district's transportation budget and combating high fuel prices. As Julie Nemmers reported to board members that Spencer's in-town bus system is often referred to locally as "a glorified taxi service," she then encouraged eliminating 16 of the over 140 bus stops within city limits...

Board to ready for 2008-09 school year Thursday (07/23/08)
Following a two-hour work session designed to review the new superintendent evaluation form, the Spencer Community Schools Board of Education will convene its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24 in the board room of the central administrative offices, located at 23 E. Seventh St...

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...

Scam e-mails seek donations to help Chinese earthquake victims (07/15/08)
Scam E-Mails Seek Donations to Help Chinese Earthquake Victims The FBI is asking people to beware of e-mails claiming to be raising money to help victims of the recent earthquake in China. Tragic incidents such as 9/11, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Minnesota Bridge collapse, the Virginia Tech shootings and the victims of the horrific tornados have all prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions for a charitable organization and/or a good cause. ...

Near miss with train leads to multiple charges (06/24/08)
Monte Milford Thompson, 44, was taken into custody at his Spencer residence for driving while barred, disobeying an official traffic control device, operation without registration and no proof of insurance. On Friday, the Clay County Law Enforcement Communications Center received a call from workers of the IC&E Railroad who were working at a railroad crossing just north of 350th St. on 240th Ave...

Seminar builds entrepreneurial leadership (06/06/08)
"Getting the idea is only half the battle; you have to implement it," says Dr. Neal Thornberry of Babson College on the topic of building entrepreneurs. "There is a huge gap in understanding between what an idea is and what an opportunity is. The secret of being an entrepreneur is knowing the difference."...

Gabrielle Louise Trio to appear in Spencer (06/04/08)
The Gabrielle Louise Trio, a Colorado-based Americana band featuring award-winning songstress Gabrielle Louise, will close the season's Spencer House Concert Series beginning at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 15. The concert will take place at the home of Martin Arthur, 323 E. Fourth St., Spencer...

Around Campus (06/02/08)
Missouri State University recently awarded scholarships to incoming students for the 2008-09 academic year. These students were selected from those who applied based on their ACT (American College Test) scores, standing in graduating class and leadership shown in the community and school activities...

Clay County teens tantalize taste buds with BatschStein Salsa (05/29/08)
Don't even try to get Tyler Steinkamp and Ethan Batschelet to tell you what the secret ingredient in their salsa is. The two 18-year-old Clay County residents won't disclose the special ingredient that gives their Batschstein Salsa (a combination of their Swiss and German names) its special taste...

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. ...

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...

Spencer school retirees to be honored this afternoon (05/14/08)
Twelve Spencer school representatives have announced their decisions to retire at the end of the 2007-08 school year. With the upcoming departures of Macrina Tesch, Betty Brennan, Becky Dettmer, Noreen Meyer, Mick Ketchum, Maggie Nicks, Alan Pierce, Joe Enderlin, Penny Goedicke, Jan Johnson, Jo Ann Merrill and Pat Morisch, the school district will lose 301 years worth of service...

Spencer school retirees to be honored Wednesday (05/13/08)
Twelve Spencer school representatives have chosen to take an early-retirement option offered by district officials this year. Together, _Joe Enderlin, Penny Goedicke, Jan Johnson, Jo Ann Merrill, Pat Morisch, Macrina Tesch, Betty Brennan, Becky Dettmer, Noreen Meyer, Mick Ketchum, Maggie Nicks and Alan Pierce_ represent 301 years of service within the school district...

Advanced Metals students compete (05/13/08)
Twelve students from the Advanced Metals class at Spencer High School were invited to compete at the Iowa Central Community College Industrial Technology Skills Competitions on April 16. They were Jay Devries, Bryan Ibsen, Travis Langholz, Evan Quail, Logan Rohwer, Victor VanPelt, Austin Crone, Adam DeLoss, Tom Hagedorn, Tyler Sikora, Jacob Stricker, and Kevin Whalen. ...

Ambassadors meet with PSY reps (05/07/08)
The Spencer Ambassadors met with Amy Simpson and other representatives of Positively Spencer Youth to learn about how the volunteer operated program is serving the needs of the young people in Spencer. The organization has partnered with the schools and other area organizations in the community to put on a series of informative and relevent seminars for teens and parents regarding the dangers on the internet and various types of substance abuse in today's teen culture, the group has also offered several fun activities for families and children to take part in, brought in a variety of positive speakers and worked with other groups such as After Prom and the Extreme Am to add more benefit to those served by each project. ...

Hospital to unveil Women's Center (05/06/08)
Susan Zulk, Public Relations and Marketing Director...

Changes ahead for sex offender registray (04/30/08)
The Iowa Sex Offender Registry will take a step toward real-time public notification following the announcement of a federal grant earlier this month. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said the Iowa Department of Public Safety will receive a $269,450 technology-based grant from the Department of Justice through the Adam Walsh Act...

Cruising for Kyuss: Raising awareness for autism (04/26/08)
By Kris Todd Daily Reporter Staff April, which has been designated National Autism Awareness Month, seems the perfect time for Damon and Leah Hintz of Spencer to announce that they're the proud parents of two children: Kyuss will mark his sixth birthday in July and Miles Hintz will turn 18 months old on May 3. The eldest of their two sons was diagnosed with autism as a 3-year-old...

SMS spring vocal concert tonight (04/22/08)
Spencer's seventh and eighth grade choirs will present a spring vocal concert tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the old Spencer Middle School auditorium. Seventh grade soloists will include: Heaven French, Taylor Glover, Courtney Heikens, Deb Hoffman, Laura Thiesse, Natalie Thiesse, Daly Tighe and Hanna Zinn. ...