Transportation Systems Construction

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.

Milford man dies in two car accident (02/25/10)
A Tuesday afternoon accident claimed the life of a Milford man and injured another in the 2900 block of Highway Blvd. in Spencer. Twenty-nine-year-old Jacob Ralph, of Milford, was traveling southbound on Highway Blvd. when, according to the Spencer Police Department report, apparently lost control of his vehicle, crossed the center line and struck an oncoming vehicle -- driven by 31-year-old Kevin Schley, also of Milford...

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...

Gas line rupture cause of General Traffic Control fire Saturday (02/18/10)
A joint investigation between the Spencer Fire-Rescue Department and the Iowa State Fire Marshals office has ruled the Saturday fire at General Traffic Control in south Spencer as accidental. No intentional sources for the fire were determined, instead the investigators discovered the fire was located in a furnace room in the south office area of the the building. ...

Firefighters battle blaze in midst of winter storm (02/16/10)
Snow began falling early and really picked up in the evening Saturday as firefighters from the Spencer and Royal volunteer fire departments battled a commercial fire at General Traffic Controls, south of Spencer along Highway 71 -- spending approximately six hours on site and using 15,000 gallons of water to get the blaze under control...

Ruthven man victim of fatal crash (02/11/10)
Brian Hoover, 32, of Ruthven, died as the result of a collision with a semi one-half mile south of Graettinger early Tuesday morning. At 6:15 a.m., Hoover was traveling southbound on Highway 4 in his 2007 Ford Focus when a 2007 Freightliner operated by Scott Spillers, 45, of Adel, collided into the driver's side of his vehicle...

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...

Woman killed in semi-car crash (02/05/10)
Deborah Weideman, 18, of Estherville, was the victim of a fatal accident four miles north of the intersection of Highways 4 and 18 Thursday morning. Weideman was driving northbound on Highway 4 when she lost control of her vehicle and crossed the center line. Her vehicle was struck by a semi with a grain trailer driven by Todd Travis, 45, of Mallard, forcing both vehicles into the east ditch...

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. ...

A storm to remember (12/29/09)
The 2 feet of snow accompanied by ice and wind which buried northwest Iowa residents over the extended Christmas holiday weekend caused havoc for many area families. But despite the problems which reared their ugly heads, those impacted worked together to remove snow, handle power outages and help dig each other out. ...

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."...

Save the dates! (12/19/09)
A public open house commemorating a newly-renovated Spencer landmark is set for the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010. Beginning next month, the former Spencer Middle School building located at 104 E. Fourth St. will host apartments owned by Community Housing Initiatives on the second and third floors. ...

Busy construction site (12/17/09)
Like the distinguished Hollywood starlet who wants to prolong her career, the Spencer Community Theatre building has gone in for a nip here and a tuck there. The region's theater fans can expect to see better performances from the ol' girl as a result...

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

Shine Bros. receives DOT rail grant (12/12/09)
The Iowa Department of Transportation on Tuesday included funding for a Spencer scrap recycling company in its latest round of Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant program awards. A total of $311,071 was awarded to the Shine Bros. Corporation at an Iowa Department of Transportation Commission meeting Tuesday. The funding package includes a $206,071 loan and a $105,000 grant...

Deer firearm season opens Saturday (12/04/09)
The first round of shotgun-season deer hunters will be heading into Iowa's wooded areas at sunrise Saturday morning. This year's two seasons -- scheduled Dec. 5-9 and Dec. 12-20 -- are expected to once again attract a large crowd. ...

75 years and still in love (12/03/09)
Hjelmer and Dorothy Huberg are rapidly approaching the celebration of another milestone in their lives. The couple, from Royal, plans to quietly mark their 75th wedding anniversary with family and friends later this month. Both clearly remember the day they wed as if it were yesterday. ...

Kapco takes over Postal Pack & Ship (12/03/09)
One perk of moving a shipping business from one location to another? Rounding up the packing peanuts and bubble wrap shouldn't be a problem. In August, Kapco Pack & Ship owners Tom and Angela Chavez purchased Postal Pack & Ship, which operated out of a small store at the corner of Seventh Street and Grand Avenue in Spencer...

Crash near Moneta injures four (12/01/09)
Crash investigators are still looking into a head-on collision in western Clay County, which sent four people to the hospital Monday morning. The Clay County Sheriff's Office received a report of a two-car traffic crash in the 3500 mile of 100th Avenue, just north of unincorporated Moneta at about 10:20 a.m...

A home for the holidays (11/28/09)
Amber Quail has two families to be thankful for this holiday season. One includes her daughter, Aubrey, who playfully scooted along the floor of her new home on a Sunday afternoon. It also includes Amber's father, Steve. He brings tears of gratitude to his daughter's eyes whenever she thinks of all the work that went into the house at 12 Hillside Boulevard...

Crash near Dickens injures four (11/24/09)
Four young adults have been treated and released after a single-car crash early Tuesday morning in northeast Clay County. At about 1:30 a.m., the Clay County Sheriff's Office received a report of a single vehicle accident involving injuries in the 3400 mile of 315th Avenue in eastern Clay County, which is about three miles east as a mile north of Dickens...

THRIVENT BUILDS (11/24/09)

Tractor, two cars collide on bridge (11/17/09)
Three drivers were injured, but recovering after a collision involving farm equipment and oncoming traffic Friday evening. Clay County deputies say 20-year-old Seth Small, of Royal, was westbound at about 9:51 p.m. Friday and attempting to get a 1994 International Harvester Tractor across the Little Sioux Bridge in the 2500 block of Highway 18...

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...

Cast a vote for local 'Every 15 Minutes' video (11/06/09)
A local video dramatizing the dangers of drinking and driving has been named one of 13 top entries in a national contest. The just over 31-minute video, which was produced by Spencer Municipal Utilities staff this past spring, features Clay Central-Everly students and other area representatives who'd been involved in a local drunk driving accident, as well as ensuing court and funeral scenarios. ...

Work on old SMS building progressing (11/03/09)
While lots of progress has been made at the old Spencer Middle School building, the general contractor acknowledges that all involved in the renovation project are entering a crunch time now. Demolition began in October 2008, reconstruction commenced in late January and tenants are expected to be able to move into apartments on the building's second and third floors by mid-January 2010. ...

NTSB issues report on fatal crash near Sanborn (11/03/09)
Federal aviation officials say it may take about 60 days for the National Transportation Safety Board to finalize the cause of a small plane crash June 23 in a corn field near Sanborn. The crash killed all three Wisconsin men on board and a factual report released Oct. 28 by the NTSB suggests the single-engine Piper was low on fuel. Ted Lopatkiewicz, an NTSB spokesman, said the board will use the factual report to issue a determination of probable cause...

Habitat house dedicated (10/31/09)
The cheerful yellow house across the road from Dairy Queen in Milford is now home to Kassi Cherry and her three daughters Amanda, Haley and Brandie Bushee. The Northwest Iowa Corridor of Habitat for Humanity dedicated the home on Sunday, Oct. 25. Ground was broken March 29...

Cruise vessel safety legislation passes House (10/24/09)
Advocates for cruise ship safety are applauding House passage Friday of language authored by U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) to improve safety of cruise ship passengers on the high seas. Matsui's Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Act of 2009 was included in H.R. ...

OF NOTE: Tailgate meal moving inside (10/16/09)
Fans going to tonight's game against Sergeant Bluff-Luton are invited to a tailgate meal and should note a change in location. The cool and soggy weather is moving meal service inside to the student center at Spencer High School. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Northwest Bank in Spencer will serve pork loin sandwiches, cheesy potatoes, coleslaw and drink for $5...

Spencer denied REAP grant for Deerfield Park (10/15/09)
The fourth time wasn't a charm for Spencer Park Board members, who were notified this week that Spencer was not awarded a $125,000 Resource Enhancement And Protection (REAP) grant for proposed developments in Deerfield Park. The information stung a bit because the town's grant application placed just below the Iowa projects which were approved...

Local comrades share service (10/13/09)
The mood was jovial among the local veterans who departed Spencer Monday afternoon in a van provided by H&N Chevrolet Buick of Spencer. After submitting applications and patiently awaiting responses from the trip's organizer, each of the seven World War II veterans knew their time had come...

Law change reflected in new registry list (10/10/09)
For the first time in its monthly update, the Clay County Sheriff's summary of residents with sex offense-related convictions includes A tier classification to reflect changes in Iowa Sex Offender Registry laws. Technology specialists at the Iowa Department of Public Safety reviewed the profiles of about 5,000 Iowans on the state's sex offender registry as part of a new law that attempts to more closely monitor the most dangerous offenders...

'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.. ...

Whittemore man's last act may have saved others (09/29/09)
The driver of a semi transporting fuel may have spared others from harm by pulling his rig off well-traveled U.S. Highway 18 near Spencer during a medical emergency. Dana Aaron Lee, of Whittemore, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Spencer Hospital. His truck was found, with the motor running, in a ditch less than three miles east of the city at about 3:35 a.m. Saturday. Traffic investigators ruled out a crash impact as the cause of Lee's death...

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." ...

Lost at sea -- Kendall Carver's crusade (09/12/09)
The days of business cards and power-point presentations were supposed to be in the past for 72-year-old Kendall Carver, a member of the Spencer High School class of 1954. He retired to Phoenix 15 years ago after a successful career as an insurance executive in New York City. It's the stage of life when hobbies, grandchildren and travel should replace the appointment book...

Head-on collision injures three (09/05/09)
All three occupants were flown from Spencer by emergency helicopter following a head-on collision Friday morning along U.S. Highway 71. Emergency crews were called out at about 11:15 a.m. to the location. Upon arrival, deputies determined a 2003 Jeep, driven by 32-year-old Jacqueline Larson of Milford, was southbound and crossed the center line...

Pilot error cited in aircraft crash (09/04/09)
A National Transportation Safety Board review suggests pilot error was the cause of a crop duster crash in rural Clay County. The crash occurred less than two miles south of Royal on Aug. 3. A call about the plane crash came into the Clay County Communication Center at about 8:30 a.m...

Grand Avenue enhancements to begin this month (09/01/09)
The $2.4 million Grand Avenue bridge and boulevard enhancement projects that are being rolled into one over the next construction year are a bit shy of funds to be truly grand, organizers told a group that gathered Monday night in Spencer City Hall's council chambers. Because of this, residents can expect to see modifications occur with the project, as well as be asked to help pay for a small portion of it. In particular, property owners along Grand Avenue will be asked over the next three weeks to chip in a tax-deductible contribution to assist with the replacement of all the area's sidewalks. ...

RIDES awarded $1.6 million in federal stimulus funds (08/06/09)
RIDES fared well in the recent doling out of federal stimulus dollars. The Spencer-based Regional Transit Authority was awarded $1.669 million in stimulus funds. Of this amount, $1.519 million is earmarked for the purchase of 23 new vehicles, ranging from minivans to light duty buses. ...

Grand Avenue set to become beautified (08/04/09)
Light will be shed on a Spencer beautification project that's been nine years in the making as it finally begins to see its first visible phase unfold within the next few weeks. Spencer Park Board and Spencer City Council members approved awarding a $1.4 million contract to Midstates Builders, Inc. Monday night. With the approved contract in hand, the local general contractor is scheduled to enhance the town's Grand Avenue bridge and Grand Avenue boulevards from Eighth to 18th Street over the next year.

Next up: An occupant (07/31/09)
Heavy construction equipment and ceremonial golden shovels cleared the way for some progress Thursday morning on the east side of Spencer. The Spencer Industries Foundation broke ground on its sixth building. The newest one is going up on a 9.2-acre lot in the southwest corner of the Green Industrial Center, Spencer's newest industrial park...

Registry violation leads to arrest (07/30/09)
A former Spencer man on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry was taken into custody at 9 a.m. Wednesday after deputies say he moved without notifying authorities. Michael James Sellers is on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry after a 2002 Plymouth County conviction of third-degree sexual abuse involving a female age 14-17...

Less E. coli in Little Sioux: Grant, loan to help treat Sioux Rapids wastewater (07/24/09)
Sioux Rapids is among 15 Iowa communities to receive more than $24 million in federal recovery funds under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The city received a $225,000 Community Development Block Grant and a $227,422 low-interest loan to improve the quality of treated wastewater going from Sioux Rapids into the Little Sioux River...

SCT joins with Events Center for 50th year anniversary (07/24/09)
Spencer Community Theatre's productions will look a little different in the upcoming season. That's because they'll be performed on stage at the Clay County Regional Events Center. Both organizations are excited about the prospect of cooperating to produce SCT's 50th season of theater...

Terril home project taking shape (07/18/09)
A home repair and rebuilding ministry aimed at assisting lower-income Clay and Dickinson County families has officially taken off. The work currently being accomplished on a Terril home -- the first project house in need of major repairs approved by local Fuller Center for Housing (FCH) partner board members -- began occurring in May...

Board to ready for 2009-10 school year Tuesday (07/18/09)
The Spencer Community Schools Board of Education will convene its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, in the board room of the central administrative offices, located at 23 E. Seventh St. Approval of consent items, including minutes from the June 30 and July 8 board meetings, bills, a teacher employment and sharing agreement for a 2009-10 swimming program with the Spencer Family YMCA for $3,740 if the district provides school year busing for the YMCA or for $5,280 if it doesn't, and personnel recommendations will then be sought.. ...

Fourth time a charm? (07/16/09)
Spencer Park Board members are hoping the fourth time's the charm. This week they approved submitting a fourth $125,000 Resource Enhancement And Protection (REAP) grant application for the potential development of a shelter house, trails and "green" elements -- such as a rain garden, upland and hydric prairie areas -- in Deerfield Park.

Sex offender classification under way (07/16/09)
Technology specialists are reviewing the profiles of about 5,000 Iowans on the state's sex offender registry as part of a new law that attempts to more closely monitor the most dangerous offenders. James Saunders, assistant director for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said work is well under way and could be completed in about a month. Beginning July 1, people with a sexual offense in their history were to be classified into three tiers...

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