Weather Conditions

Did you cover your plants? (10/02/08)
Sensitive plants likely took their first hit Thursday morning in Spencer. The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, S.D., was concerned enough about conditions to issue a frost advisory for portions of northwest Iowa including Spencer, Spirit Lake and Storm Lake...

Briefs 10-1-08 (10/01/08)
Join us at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 at Hope Reformed Church in the Fellowship Hall. This year's theme "Adventure" will be featured at the meeting. Come find out what it is all about. There will be an abundance of fun and fellowship, with food and drinks provided by the Steering Committee. If you have any questions, please contact one of the MOPS co-coordinators, Cassie McCreary 240-0298 or Andrea Crew. Childcare is provided starting at 8:45 a.m...

3rd Annual Buddy Walk Sunday (09/23/08)
The Northwest Iowa Down Syndrome Society will host its Third Annual Buddy Walk Sunday, Sept. 28 at Call State Park, located just south of Algona off of Hwy 169. Registration and silent auction begins at 1:30 p.m. with the Buddy Walk starting at 2:30 p.m...

Abben Cancer Center construction progresses (09/18/08)
Construction on an addition to Spencer Hospital's Abben Cancer Center continues to progress, but current work will require those receiving services at the center to modify their arrival a bit. "The project is right on schedule and we're excited as we move closer to completion; however, many times the progress of construction creates a little inconvenience," said Doug Doorn, Spencer Hospital president and CEO. ...

Briefs 9-17-08 (09/17/08)
Okoboji Women's Connection, a division of Stonecroft Ministries, will have a luncheon at the Inn at Okoboji at 12:30 p.m., today. Cost for the event is $10. Featured speaker is Dee Fero of Tonka Bay, Minn. An author of four books, who has lived in the British West Indies, published monthly devotionals and went back to work after flunking retirement...

Rainy night makes way for clear skies at fair (09/12/08)
As predicted, thunderstorms rolled through the area during the overnight hours between Wednesday's and Thursday's fair operating hours. About the time the gates opened, the rain slowed to a stop and, by mid-morning, the clouds were breaking and the sun was shining. ...

Memory Walk 2008: Step up to the challenge (09/04/08)
While the 2008 Iowa Lakes Memory Walk is fast approaching, there's still time to put your best foot forward and get involved -- whether by yourself or as part of a team. Memory Walk, coming Sunday, Sept. 21 to Spencer's East Leach Park, is the largest nationwide fundraising event that benefits research and support programs for individuals and families fighting Alzheimer's disease -- over 2,000 older adults in Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Palo Alto and Buena Vista counties. ...

Parkersburg tornado survivors to attend Clay County Fair (09/03/08)
It will be easy to spot the 50 people from Parkersburg who attend this Saturday's opening day of the 2008 Clay County Fair. They'll be wearing this black accessory. Paul Daniels, who has managed the U.S. Cellular stores in Spencer and Storm Lake since October, thinks the busload of tornado survivors Spencer resident Ted Cate is lining up to attend the celebrated annual event are in need of the getaway. ...

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...

Briefs 8-19-08 (08/19/08)
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...

Briefs 8-15-08 (08/15/08)
The YMCA Summer Dance Party for students entering seventh and eighth grade will be held on the Spencer YMCA Tennis Courts with a live DJ from 8-10 p.m., tonight . Refreshments will be for sale. Admissions is $3 for members and $5 for non-members. A dress code will be enforced. YMCA membership cards are required to receive discount. If there is severe weather, the dance will be held inside the YMCA...

Briefs 8-06-08 (08/06/08)
Losing a loved one is indescribable to someone who has not felt the loss of death. Hospice of Northwest Iowa's professional team understands the tragedy of losing a loved one and they identify with the difficult decisions and emotions that the person left behind faces. To help people cope with the death of a loved one, Hospice of Northwest Iowa is offering an 8-week Understanding Grief Support Group. The group will meet each Wednesday evening through Sept. 24 from 6:30-8 p.m...

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 calls on county groups to help with tornado relief effort (07/16/08)
The Clay County Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Chapter is challenging the communities and the congregations of Clay County to help those with lost homes and property near the tornado-ravaged vicinity of Parkersburg. Thrivent will leverage any community donations with supplemental funding. All funds raised will stay in Iowa to be used by Lutheran Disaster Relief to help the families who are still trying to piece their lives back together after the storm...

Celebrate and remember cancer survivors at the 5th annual Relay for Life (07/10/08)
When a doctor mentions "cancer" the world seems to come to an abrupt halt. Cancer, the second leading cause of death in this country, affects individuals at all ages and has no remorse. On July 12-13, the fifth annual Dickinson County Relay for Life will join cancer survivors with supporters and community members at the Okoboji High School Track. ...

Environmental protection commission to meet July 8 (07/08/08)
DNR will update the Environmental Protection Commission on the status of flooding events in Iowa and summarize its response efforts to the flood at the monthly EPC meeting July 8. They will also discuss how land use practices can contribute to flooding...

Briefs 6-24-08 (06/24/08)
The Clay County Garden Club will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 25 at Arts on Grand, 408 N. Grand Ave., Spencer. The program will be on soil and roses. n For more information, contact Twila Henning at 262-1447 or Sue Biederman at 260-1143. --- The local Alzheimer's support group will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, June 30 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer...

Briefs 06-21 (06/21/08)
Farmer's Market Wednesdays and Saturdays The Spencer Area Farmer's Market will be held every Wednesday and Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Southpark Mall parking lot. Come see the homegrown, fresh produce for sale. Mercy Me to headline northwest Iowa's RiseFest...

Relay for Life goes Mardi Gras (06/20/08)
By Amy Quail Daily Reporter Staff When dealing with the topic of cancer, there's often little joy to be found, but this weekends Clay County Relay for Life celebration, featuring a festive Mardi Gras theme, will allow walkers a little fun in the sun...

Fire creates smoky scene near Fostoria (06/20/08)
By Russ Mitchell Daily Reporter Staff The Heikens family is due for a little luck -- the good kind. First came the tornado outbreak of June 2004, which took out a barn on the farm. Another storm, two years later, took down half of their garage. And there's the December burglars who broke into the house a couple of years ago...

Briefs 6-6-08 (06/06/08)
The Abben Cancer Center in Spencer's fourth annual cancer survivor's day celebration "Seed of Hope" has been postponed to Wednesday, June 25. Join the staff at the Abben Cancer Center at 6:30 p.m. in the Spencer Hospital's Grand Avenue Park. Music will be performed by Laura Carlentini, Ryan Sather and Jack Ryan as you stroll through the gardens. ...

Abben Cancer Center supports Relay For Life (06/05/08)
Kris Van Kleek, with Abben Cancer Center, a bronze sponsor, presented Dana Kaufman, Associate Community Relations for the American Cancer Society and Amy Simpson, Clay County Relay For Life chair with a check for the upcoming Clay County Relay For Life event. This year, the Relay For Life will return to Dale Norton Field in Spencer, from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m., Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22. This year's theme is: "Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back."...

Briefs 6-5-08 (06/05/08)
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) will be having pre-registration for the 2008-09 session. The event will take place at East Leach Park from 9-11 a.m., today. In case of rain the event will be moved to Hope Reformed Church, 919 Grande Ave. Pre register with MOPS International 2008-09 for $15 and save $5. Membership includes: Weekly emails, Momsense magazine, and "Adventures in Mothering" (our theme book). Prepay $56 for your Spencer MOPS year and get one meeting free...

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...

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...

Briefs 05-31 (05/31/08)
Final opportunity to register for fall football Two final opportunities to register for the MYFL Spencer Youth Football League will take place from 1-3 p.m. today at League Director Randy Cauthron's home, 207 35th Ave. W. These will be the last two opportunities to get equipment sized and register before jerseys are ordered and the league fee increases by $50. ...

The Parkersburg tornado:Former Royal woman's family starts again (05/30/08)
Home can't be home again until a structural engineer says it's OK to go back in. The family's show cattle are a source of pride -- and more than half of them are lost Dirt and water have likely ruined the furniture. The garage is gone. The in-laws, a mile away, lost their home completely...

Briefs 5-30-08 (05/30/08)
register for fall football Two final opportunities to register for the MYFL Spencer Youth Football League will take place tonight from 7-9 p.m. and Saturday from 1-3 p.m. at League Director Randy Cauthron's home, 207 35th Ave. W. These will be the last two opportunities to get equipment sized and register before jerseys are ordered and the league fee increases by $50. ...

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...

Briefs 5-27-08 (05/27/08)
The Clay County Relay for Life "Out of the Blue" team is sponsoring a dog show. "Paws for the Cause" will be held at Oneota Park in Spencer from 2 - 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 8. Activities will include a costume pet parade, an agility competition, and a retrieving and obedience contest. Trophies and prizes will be awarded...

'Seed of Hope' celebration (05/24/08)
By Amy Quail Daily Reporter Staff On Thursday, June 5 at 6:30 p.m the Abben Cancer Center will host a celebration for National Cancer Survivors Day. The fourth annual "Seed of Hope" celebration will be in the Spencer Hospital's Grand Avenue Park. "A cancer diagnosis changes a person's life forever, so this celebration is one way that we can help them celebrate their new life," said Kristy Connor...

Briefs 5-21-08 (05/21/08)
Okoboji Women's Connection will have a luncheon entitled "Purse Instance" at the Inn at Okoboji at 12:30 p.m., today. Cost for the event is $10. Gwen Clemon, of Soldier, will be speaking on miracles she has experienced within her family entitled "A Miracle and Nothing Less". Marcy Weiner will accompany the speaker and have a special feature with her handmade purses. Music will be provided by Jan Mills of Arnolds Park. All reservations are to be honored...

Health dangers for women who do not sleep well (05/20/08)
Most Women know that nothing kills a good complexion like a bad night's slumber; there's a reason, after all, that it's called beauty sleep. If that's not motivation enough to keep up with your nightly shut-eye, here's another: doctors are learning that poor sleep habits may make women more vulnerable than men to heart disease and diabetes...

Helpful tips on how you can lose weight and keep it off (05/20/08)
Losing weight seems to be everybody's goal. We all want to look better, feel healthier and ward off illness. However, for most people losing weight is a huge struggle and keeping it off is an even bigger problem. Research shows that almost 95 percent of repeat dieters fail and ultimately regain any weight they initially lost...

Briefs 05-17 (05/17/08)
Kid's Fish Day The Upper Great Plains Muskie Club and Spirit Lake Kiwanis will be hosting a Kid's Fish Day from 1-3 p.m., today at the Spirit Lake Hatchery. The event is open to all kids, ages 6 and over. Kids 6-12 need adult supervision. A free afternoon meal of hot dogs, chips and pop is included. Free t-shirts to the first 100 kids registered by 2 p.m. Teaching stations will be set up on the hatchery grounds to present a wide range of fishing principles by area anglers...

2008 Relay for Life: 'Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back' (05/16/08)
The 11th annual Clay County Relay for Life event is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 21 and take place on Dale Norton field at Spencer High School until 6 a.m. Sunday, June 22. This year's event, which carries the "Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back." theme, will also incorporate a Mardi Gras-related atmosphere...

Abben survivors celebrate 'Seed of Hope' (05/15/08)
On Thursday, June 5, the Abben Cancer Center in Spencer will be hosting their forth annual cancer survivor's day celebration "Seed of Hope". We will be joining hundreds of communities worldwide in celebrating life as part of the National Cancer Survivor's Day. ...

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...

Briefs 5-14-08 (05/14/08)
Spencer Community Schools will be hosting a retirement recognition coffee from 3:45-5 p.m. today in Conference Room B at the Central Office, 23 E. 7th St. The coffee will recognize the following retirees: Maggie Nicks, Noreen Meyer, Joe Enderlin, Penny Goedicke, Jan Johnson, Pat Morisch, Betty Brennan, Becky Dettmer, Macrina Tesch, Mick Ketchum and Jo Ann Merrill. The public is invited to attend and honor these dedicated individuals for their years of service to the Spencer School District...

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

Briefs 04-26 (04/26/08)
Lutheran World Relief Rummage Sale Bethany Lutheran Church will host a rummage sale to benefit Lutheran World Relief from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. today in the church basement dining room. Celiac Sprue group to meet today The Northwest Iowa Celiac Sprue support group will have a general meeting from 2-4 p.m. today in the Cedar Room at Spencer Hospital...

VIVE donates to American Cancer Society (04/02/08)
Sharon Stadsvold, representing partner Jan Orr, presented a check to American Cancer Society Community Relations representative Dana Kauffman. The check, totaling $2,800, is representative of the VIVE hand-crafted jewelry sold during the months of February and March. ...

Hospital approves bids for Abben expansion (03/19/08)
Construction work is expected to begin this spring on an expansion to the Abben Cancer Center on the Spencer Hospital campus. The Spencer Hospital Board of Trustees approved construction bids for the project as part of its meeting Monday night. The added space is needed to make room for a new linear accelerator -- a piece of radiation treatment equipment used to fight the presence of cancer...