The unbreakable bond of friends
(01/04/10)
Before South Clay, there was Gillett Grove Consolidated School. Four students from the former school's class of 1939 remain steadfast comrades to this day. They've also stayed avid supporters of the northwest Iowa community they grew up in. ...
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War And Unrest
Paying tribute to a SHS 'stairwell hero'
(11/12/09) The new picture of a Spencer High School "stairwell hero" was dedicated during a Veterans Day program held Wednesday on Dale Norton Field. The students and staff members who filled the bleachers overlooking the SHS football field learned of Leonard Borchard Jr. during the ceremony. An older, faded picture of the 1966 SHS graduate had graced the stairwell leading from their building's student center to its first floor classrooms.
Local guard units alerted for deployment
(10/23/09) Local guard members have received word they may be part of the largest single unit mobilization of the Iowa National Guard since World War II. The call-up alert for deployment in the fall of 2010 includes units in Spencer, Storm Lake, Estherville, Sheldon, Algona and Le Mars. About 3,500 soldiers around the state from the 2nd Brigade of the 34th Infantry Division were alerted over the weekend, according to guard spokesman Maj. Michael Wunn. A formal announcement was made Tuesday...
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." ...
2004 'Citizen of the Year' Veitch passes
(07/02/09) Just a month before he was named the 2004 Spencer "Citizen of the Year," Don Veitch was interviewed and shared a philosophy that identified the kind of person he was: "There are no bad days. Some days are just better than others." Wednesday, Spencer lost one of its icons. Veitch, 91, passed away at Spencer Hospital. Funeral arrangements are pending at Warner Funeral Home of Spencer...
More on Don Veitch
(07/01/09) The Greenville native, with expressive eyes and a subtle smile, can paint a rosy picture for even the grimmest of tales. Don Veitch's long-held philosophy is: "There are no bad days. Some days are just better than others." The 86-year-old Spencer resident was handed a "real low number" over six decades ago, which meant he didn't have very long to wait before being drafted...
Spencer grad touts skills learned in debate
(06/09/09) Mark Woolsey credits a Spencer High School teacher and his 1976 start in debate with opening several of the most important doors in his life. Several of those doors have extended onto the international level. The 49-year-old son of Joanne Woolsey, who formerly served as the director of nursing at Longhouse Nursing Home, and the late James Woolsey, who served as a podiatrist in Spencer, has worked the past seven years as a speech and debate instructor at Yavapai College in Prescott, Ariz. The 1979 SHS graduate also debated in college on scholarship. Woolsey met his wife, Denise, while both were members of the collegiate debate team. On his way to rebuild flood-damaged homes in Cedar Rapids this past weekend with Sara Krogshede, the foreign exchange student from Denmark the Woolseys have hosted this past school year, the two stopped at Mel and Jan Myers' place in Spencer. There, he fondly recalled the interaction he'd had with other high school students as a debater, deeming it a "great cultural learning experience" for him. ...
Hundreds pay tribute to fallen soldier
(05/05/09) American flags surrounded Army Staff Sgt. LeRoy Webster's old high school, and the graying soldiers of wars past arrived by the busload Saturday to honor the Hartley man who lost his life while serving his country. In all, about 700 people attended Webster's memorial service at the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School gym. ...
Governor: Flags to be flown at half-staff for Webster
(05/01/09) Gov. Chet Culver ordered that all flags in the state be flown at half-staff Saturday from 8 a.m. until sunset in honor of 28-year-old Staff Sgt. LeRoy Webster who died April 25 while serving in Iraq. Staff Sgt. Webster graduated in 1999 from Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High school. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn gymnaisium. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Hartley...
Remembering Sgt. Webster
(04/30/09) An Army soldier from northwest Iowa made the ultimate sacrifice on Saturday, April 25 after being shot while on a dismounted patrol near Kirkuk, Iraq. Sgt. LeRoy Webster, 28, of Hartley, is known as a "hero" by his wife, Jessica, and their three daughters: Natasha, 9, Kaydence, 5, and Jadyn, 2...
Hundreds join tax protest at Clay County Courthouse
(04/16/09) Wednesday's national tax day, tea party government spending protests weren't limited to state capitols and major metropolitan areas. About 275 people filled in around a makeshift podium on the courthouse square in Spencer for a local version of the Taxed Enough Already (TEA) Party. The event was organized by Kris Thiessen of Everly, who co-owns White Glove, a janitorial business in Spencer...
Leading by example
(02/28/09) Laying in a hospital bed with nothing to look at but the ceiling for two months would drive most men crazy. It took its toll on Broghan Hawley, too. Just ask him. Two weeks into basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, Hawley slipped from the top of a 30-foot rope, burning his hands all the way down, and breaking bones in his left leg as he hit the ground. ...
Lincoln to commemorate 16th President's 200th birthday
(02/13/09) Stan DeHaan, impersonator of the 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, walked in to the hushed gymnasium in a stately manner at Albert City Truesdale School last week; the resemblance was uncanny. He spoke softly, sharing bits and pieces of Lincoln's life, stressing his involvement in the Civil War and reciting the Gettysburg Address and a portion of the inaugural address and his farewell speech given as he left his home in Springfield, Ill. ...
Ralph E. Miller
(11/28/08) Ralph Edward Miller, 86, of Spirit Lake, formerly of Jackson, Minn., passed away Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake. A celebration of Ralph's life will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 28, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake...
Many weather snow to honor veterans
(11/12/08) With inclement weather stretched across northern Iowa and southern Minnesota, many scheduled Veterans Day ceremonies were cancelled. But with snow falling all around him, Brigadier General Allen J. Smith, retired Commander of the Iowa Air National Guard reminded those gathered at the Clay County Veterans Memorial, just north of Spencer Municipal Utilities on Grand Avenue, that those that were being honored Tuesday had endured far worse...
Vietnam veteran proud of family's military service
(11/11/08) An upstairs room in Gerald "Gerry" Johnson's Clay County farmhouse is filled to the brim with items representing well over 100 years of family military service. The wall jutting from the room's door frame proudly hosts three framed, embroidered military patches of Johnson's late father and two late uncles. ...
Dardis plans recovery before retirement
(11/08/08) Maj. Gen. Ron Dardis isn't exactly easing into retirement. Thank the governor for part of that: Following the floods of 2008, Gov. Chet Culver appointed Dardis to serve as the Chairman of the Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission. "General Dardis was one of the first people I turned to in order to lead our efforts to rebuild Iowa after this year's historic storms, and we are all fortunate that he will continue to serve in this important role for our state," Culver said...
'Dewey' story debuts at No. 13
(09/26/08) Boba Fagena. Sounds like a character from the Star Wars franchise. In actuality, it's the name of the Spencer City Manager in the Polish version of "Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World." Other Spencer residents have "owi" attached to their names in the foreign version...
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...
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.. ...
Obama sketches promise of America
(08/29/08) DENVER -- Barack Obama cast his presidential nomination as proof that no dreams are too high, savoring a historic moment for himself and the nation Thursday before setting out on a difficult struggle to break another barrier for a black American. Obama's success in obtaining the Democratic nomination was indeed a remarkable achievement, reached despite the misgivings of some Americans uncomfortable with electing the son of an African immigrant -- not "the typical pedigree," as he put it...
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...
Opening day of school
(08/21/08) The first day of classes for the 2008-09 school year at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Spencer commenced Wednesday with students and staff members parading outside to witness a flag presentation and flag-raising ceremony. The tradition began in 1970, when the building was officially opened and the late Bob Conlon, an Army corporal who served in World War II, presented a flag to school representatives and students...
Funny Barn favorite Foss returns
(08/14/08) West Virginia native Tom Foss will return to the Funny Barn for a third straight year. Foss will entertain from the local stage, beginning Friday night, for a four show run concluding Saturday night. Prior to his return in 2006, Foss toured the Middle East with a group called, "Comics on Duty," performing for the United States troops. ...
Rare Boeing 40C crashed in Oregon in 1928
(07/26/08) By Jim Camden Spokesman-Review staff writer When the big Boeing biplane lifts off from Felts Field this afternoon, its open cockpit and wood-paneled passenger cabin will carry the history of American aviation back into the skies. It will fly again after nearly 70 years on a mountainside, a few years in a horse trailer, and nine years in a hangar at Felts, where some 61 volunteers spent about 18,000 hours meticulously restoring it to life...
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."...
Osman and Hilsabeck finish 14th in the nation
(06/24/08) Melissa Osman and Leah Hilsabeck argued their way to a 14th place finish June 16-20 at the National Forensic League Speech and Debate Nationals in Las Vegas. The Public Forum debaters discussed "Resolved: United States policies established after 9/11 have substantially reduced the risk of terrorist acts against the United States." The OSL seniors were undefeated with two splits in six preliminary debates...
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. ...
Breifs 5-15-08
(05/15/08) Anyone wishing to have a flag dedicated into the Avenue of Flags on Memorial Day needs to get it in today. The only information that is needed to have a flag dedicated are birth and death dates, branch of service and war served. A donation to help pay for the flag and pole are appreciated...
Spencer teachers' 2008-09 master contract ratified
(05/09/08) Spencer school board members placed the finishing touches on employee wages as they ratified teacher contracts for 2008-09 Thursday morning. The 4.26 percent, or $391,569 total package, increase approved for Spencer Education Association (SEA) members also includes a $630 increase on teachers' base pay, raising it to $27,035 for beginning teachers, and a $150 increase for family insurance...
Briefs 5-9-08
(05/09/08) Johnson Elementary School and the Spencer Middle School are collecting pop cans to help defray medical costs for Beth Snow-Ketchum, a teacher at Johnson Elementary School. She has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Her husband, Mick is a wrestling coach and English teacher at Spencer Middle School. ...
Keeping the memory of a hero alive
(05/08/08) Dayton Peters, a third grade student at Fairview Elementary in Spencer, has spent hours gazing at the 945 football, baseball and a few Star Trek trading cards he recently received from the mother of a fallen hero. Dallas Cowboys cornerback Issiac Holt, Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Tim Irwin and punter Harry Newsome, and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell rank among his favorites...
Briefs 5-7-08
(05/07/08) All area women are invited to the "Jee-purse it's Spring" Prayer Connection beginning at 11 a.m. at Santee Crossing in Jackson, Minn., today. It's a time of sharing, and supporting each other with prayer and fellowship. We know everyone is not comfortable praying out loud so bring your concerns, someone will pray for you and you will feel spiritually stronger as you continue your week...
Briefs 4-23
(04/23/08) Photographers exhibit at Lakes Art Center Members of the Northwest Iowa Professional Photographers Association will have an exhibit in the Pearson Lakes Art Center Secondary Space thru May 22. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, April 24, from 6-7 p.m...
Briefs 3-19
(03/19/08) Audit report available The audit report of the Spencer Community School District financial statements as of June 30, 2007, has been released. A copy of the report is available at the district secretary's office for inspection during normal business hours...
Support staff negotiations under way in district
(03/19/08)
By Kris Todd Daily Reporter Staff Negotiations between the Spencer school district and the non-certified support staff union got under way Tuesday afternoon for the 2008-09 school year. Jack Lasiter, a representative for the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, presented the union's initial proposal... |