Weather Conditions

RIVERS ON THE RISE - Little Sioux projected to reach 14.6 feet by Friday (03/16/10)
The Little Sioux River is exhibiting the effects (above and below) of a combination of rain and snow melt in recent days as it floods the bike trails and West Leach Park near the Grand Avenue bridge in downtown Spencer. A flood warning was issued shortly after noon on Sunday. ...

Rain increases flood concerns (03/11/10)
Flood concerns in Clay County have been well-documented. With more than .7 inch since Saturday and about an inch of rain expected through Sunday, those concerns are expected to elevate, just as the rivers rise. "We have forecasts that are sending some rivers to moderate and even major flooding," National Weather Service Meteorologist Aubry Wilkins said...

City, county officials launch task force (03/05/10)
As the sun shines and the snow melts, not only are water levels in area rivers and streams expected to rise, but flood concerns will be rising, as well. To alleviate some of those concerns, Spencer and Clay County officials have formed the 2010 Flood Outlook Task Force...

Flooding likely, severity will depend on multiple factors (02/27/10)
In light of all the flooding experienced to some degree or another last year in the state of Iowa, the last thing most people want to start talking about before March is the possibility of high waters. But the discussion is well under way -- the result of the large volume of snow that continues to cover the ground...

State snowfall inches into record books (02/23/10)
Blizzard by blizzard, inch by inch, this Iowa winter is going down in history. As of the most recent numbers, released by State Climatologist Harry Hillaker on Thursday, the statewide snowfall average is 43.1 inches. Though not official, the local numbers are much higher than the state average...

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...

Sales of winter supplies up (02/06/10)
Snow was falling more than two months before winter officially started. Since then, northwest Iowa has been dealt more than its fair share of snow and ice. It should come as no surprise, then, that mechanisms to deal with those menaces have been hot-selling items in local stores...

Iowa students tiring of snow days (01/29/10)
With the five area school districts averaging two late starts and five snow days so far this winter, the students enrolled in their classes are beginning to realize the fun they had away from their classrooms those days will only mean a longer school year -- and shorter summer vacation. ...

Winter weather pounds the pavement (01/28/10)
Sick of Old Man Winter's pestering ways? Grand Avenue and the other Spencer streets are. Not only does winter's freeze-thaw cycle make roads slicker for drivers, but it is also responsible for another nuisance for those drivers: potholes. "That freeze-thaw cycle is the worst on streets," Spencer Public Works Director Mark White explained. "Water will leak into crevices or cracks and freeze and pop pavement out."...

Wintery mix predicted for Spencer area (01/19/10)
Numerous rumors have been circulating about yet another dose of winter weather this week. Different models render different versions of the impending storm, KICD Weather Director Mark Bruggom said. The North American Mesoscale model shows freezing rain beginning in northwest Iowa Wednesday afternoon and continuing through Thursday at 6 p.m., which would result in about a quarter inch of ice accumulation...

Public H1N1 vaccine clinic set for Tuesday (12/26/09)
Clay County Public Health will host an H1N1 Influenza vaccination clinic from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, at Southpark Mall. ...

H1N1 vaccination clinic set for general public (12/14/09)
The shortage of H1N1 vaccine across the nation has alleviated and many people who fall within a health priority group has been vaccinated, resulting in Clay County Public Health now having an adequate supply to begin offering the vaccine to all people...

The big dig: Season's first winter storm is a whopper (12/10/09)
Nine inches of snow, and it didn't want to stay in one place. That was the challenge faced Tuesday and Wednesday by the law enforcement officers and road crews in the aftermath of the season's first winter storm. A blizzard warning remained in place for much of the region Wednesday morning. By mid-afternoon, the warning area was being trimmed from west to east, with a wind chill advisory in its place...

WEATHER UPDATE: Blizzard warning issued; sheriff calls for no travel (12/08/09)
A winter storm warning was cancelled for the area and a blizzard warning was put in its place by the National Weather Service at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow urged residents to stay home, saying deputies will only respond to "medical, life-or-death situations" as the sun goes down...

State promotes awareness as winter creeps in (11/14/09)
Rake while you can, because shovel season is on its way. The National Weather Service is getting ready for the next season, and used Thursday as "Winter Awareness Day" in Iowa. "This time of year we start looking at winter precipitation becoming an issue," said Ben Moyer, senior meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Des Moines. ...

Wet harvest advancing, yields looking good (11/07/09)
With grain dryers running nonstop across the state, harvest proceeded in force this week as several dry days finally appeared. The most recent Iowa Crops and Weather report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service revealed corn harvest for grain had reached an 18 percent completion rating, which was 22 percent behind last year and five days behind the five-year average. ...

Tonight's flu vaccine clinic is full (11/05/09)
The H1N1 Influenza Vaccination Clinic Thursday evening at Avera Spencer Family Care is full. Clay County Public Health will continue to provide updates on additional clinics when more vaccine arrives in the county.

Clay County receives small amount of H1N1 vaccine (10/20/09)
With just small amounts of H1N1 vaccine arriving in Clay County, public health officials are finding the priority groups established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are beneficial in making distribution decisions. "We have received a limited doses of H1N1 vaccine to date which is not enough to vaccinate the priority groups at this point, let alone others in the county who would like this protection," explained Colette Rossiter, Clay County Public Health nurse. ...

OB restrictions in place as H1N1 surfaces in county (10/10/09)
Two cases of H1N1, or "swine flu" virus has been confirmed in Clay County by the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory, according to Colette Rossiter, Clay County Public Health Nurse. "Both patients were tested for influenza at Avera Spencer Family Care," Rossiter said, in a statement from Spencer Hospital administration. ...

Snow surfaces in local forecast (10/09/09)
It's that time of year again. The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, S.D., has put a 70 percent chance of rain or snow in the forecast for Spencer on Friday night. "It's been a little on the cool side, but as far as snow this time of year, that's not unusual," said meteorologist Mike Buss...

Corn crop looks robust as harvest nears (09/22/09)
Delayed planting in some areas of the Midwest caused some early season concern, but Chad Hart, Iowa State University grain marketing economist said a long growing season may allow crops in many areas to catch up. Paul Kassel, a field agronomist for ISU Extension noted progress in northwest Iowa and said an unusually cool summer should lead to a good corn crop locally...

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...

Storm cited as factor in fatal crash (07/11/09)
The Clay County Sheriff's Department said Thursday's stormy weather may have contributed to a fatal, head-on collision one mile west of Ruthven near the Palo Alto County line. The crash claimed 77-year-old Opal Lucille Frerichs of Spencer. Deputies think she was traveling east in a 1991 Corsica. She drifted into the westbound lane and into the path of oncoming traffic along U.S. Highway 18 at 4:20 p.m. Frerichs was pronounced dead at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg...

'Help' arrives in Spencer Tuesday (07/11/09)
The "Help is Here Express" bus tour will be in Spencer on Tuesday, July 14, stopping at Spencer Hospital to help uninsured and financially-struggling Iowans access information on programs that provide prescription medicines for free or nearly free. The bus tour is part of the partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) -- a nationwide effort sponsored by America's pharmaceutical research companies -- raising awareness of patient assistance programs among residents who have been facing layoff or a loss of health care benefits in a struggling economy. ...

Lightning science charged with danger, a few myths (06/27/09)
It's ringing phones, not thunder that John Jensenius hears this time of year. He's the lighting expert at the National Weather Service and helped launch Lightning Safety Awareness Week nine years ago. The 2009 campaign comes to a conclusion Saturday...

Fighting back against cancer (06/27/09)

Westview Memorial Park master plan approved (06/11/09)
A master plan was approved for Spencer's only arboretum-style park by Spencer Park Board members this week. The plan for Westview Memorial Park, which was presented by local landscape architect Matt Matthiesen and Karl Van Cura of Midwest Design Group in Sioux City, carried a detailed phasing of the enhancements it proposes, as well as a rough $899,046 cost estimate tied to their realization...

Briefs 5-23-09 (05/23/09)
Farmers Market is returning with an opening date of May 23. Early season vegetables available. Located in the parking lot of the Southpark Mall. --- Come learn about Global Positioning System (GPS) and the sport of geocaching. GPS units will be used to find hidden treasure at Huston Park. Located at the nature center at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 23. The event is sponsored by the Palo Alto Soil & Water Conservation District and the Palo Alto County Conservation Board...

Rowlands making a difference, offering hope to those affected by MS (05/06/09)
The front of Katie Rowlands T-shirt -- which avows "Team Rowly 2009 MS Walk" -- lets you know what she and her teammates will be doing this Saturday in Des Moines. But it's the back of her T-shirt that truly offers a glimpse into the 22-year-old woman's disposition. It declares, "Rowly: Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can."

Tornado warning issued for Clay County (05/06/09)
Areas west and south of Spencer had a brief, but rocky, patch of severe weather Wednesday night. The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, S.D. issued a severe thunderstorm warning for northwestern Clay County, southern Dickinson County and eastern Osceola County at 5:15 p.m. Meteorologists were concerned about quarter-size hail with the system. The cell was located near Ocheyedan when the warning was issued...

State officials: Pork won't spread 'swine flu' (05/01/09)
Concerns about the swine flu's impact on the state's robust pork industry prompted official comment from the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture's office Thursday. Iowa Sec. of Agriculture Bill Northey and the State Veterinarian for Iowa, Dr. David Schmitt, reiterated that consumers cannot get the H1N1 flu strain, or "swine flu" by eating pork and there is no evidence of this flu in the pig population of Iowa or any state...

Highly contagious 'scabies-like rash' reported locally (04/28/09)
Spencer Hospital officials have confirmed a suspected "scabies-like rash" in northwest Iowa.

Spencer Hospital adds Breast Health Navigator cert to health services (04/24/09)
Women who have breast health concerns have another ally at Spencer Hospital. Women's Health Coordinator Mindy Sylvester recently became certified as a Breast Health Navigator. By doing so, she is among the first professionals across the country to receive this new certification which signifies she is trained in providing support to breast cancer patients throughout the journey of diagnosis, treatment and recovery...

Caution still important: No new measles cases reported (04/21/09)
The number of immunizations grew over the weekend. The number of confirmed measles cases didn't. "I think we need to caution people, though," said Susan Zulk, the public relations and marketing director for Spencer Hospital. "We still need awareness and we need to be watchful. If someone does have the symptoms, they should call their personal physician and stay home."...

Measles: Local clinic issues 190 vaccinations so far (04/18/09)

Breaking News: Vaccination clinic offered in Spencer as measles case reported in Clay County (04/16/09)
Case is reported in Clay County

Fire caution urged Wednesday (04/15/09)

Thyroid Test offered during Comprehensive Wellness Screening (04/10/09)
Spencer Hospital Community Health Services will offer a comprehensive wellness screening to the public on Tuesday, April 14 from 6-8 a.m. in the lower level of the hospital. The fee for the screening is $65. The screening includes a fasting laboratory blood screen for diabetes, anemia, immunity, heart, liver, and kidney function tests; body composition analysis, blood pressure; pulse check and for women a heel bone mineral density screening. ...

Severe Weather Awareness Week (04/08/09)
Todd Heitkamp knows northwest Iowans will venture out and look to the skies as a severe storm approaches. The warning coordination meteorologist and his colleagues at the National Weather Service office in Sioux Falls, S.D., count on it...

Blizzard conditions possible for Spencer area (04/04/09)
The good news: The National Weather Service canceled a winter storm watch for the region at 4 p.m. Friday. The bad news: They put a blizzard watch in its place. The watch will become a warning barring changes late Friday. A mix of rain and snow were expected to develop late Saturday morning, then become all snow by Saturday evening. Snowfall amounts of 12 to 15 inches were possible, according to projections for Spencer at 6:15 p.m. Friday...

Westview neighbors like park the way it is (04/03/09)
Neighbors of Westview Memorial Park -- Spencer's only arboretum-style park -- firmly expressed that they like their park the way it currently is, they want to keep it a "passive" park, but they'd like to add to or enhance what it currently displays during a meeting held Thursday night...

Region under winter storm watch (04/03/09)
Meteorologists with the National Weather Services in Sioux Falls, S.D., are keeping an eye on a strong low pressure system to the west again. This time, residents in the Spencer area may not be so lucky. After a strong system socked parts of the Dakotas in the past week, "this low will take a more southerly track," the agency said...

Spencer Hospital hosts open house for cancer center (03/26/09)
Abben Cancer Center of Spencer Hospital will open its doors to the public from 1-4 p.m., on Sunday, March 29. The open house is designed to give the public a first-hand look at the many services provided by the comprehensive cancer treatment services and will feature the new Varian Clinac iX linear accelerator which provides state-of-the-art radiation therapy. ...

National Weather Service eyes floods, snow (03/24/09)
Monday brought high winds and heavy rain. But the end of the week, the region could be dealing with an entirely different sort of animal. Rainfall through Tuesday was expected to lead to minor flooding across many area rivers, including the Little Sioux River near Spencer according to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, S.D...

City to consider West 18th storm shelter (03/14/09)
Fairgoers could have additional shelter and a safer route to the Clay County Fairgrounds under a proposal that will be considered by Spencer City Council members at their 6:30 p.m. meeting Monday night. Spencer City Manager Bob Fagen is requesting authorization to send a Notice of Intent (NOI) to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a proposed storm shelter on West 18th Street...

Briefs 3-12-09 (03/12/09)
Spencer City Councilman George Kruger will host a Ward 1 meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at the Spencer Public Library. Bob Fagen, Spencer's city manager, will be the featured guest speaker. --- Spencer Hospital will be holding classes for individuals considered to have "pre-diabetes" -- those with blood sugar levels higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be considered a diabetic. ...

ONE LAST SNOWMAN? (03/11/09)
Cheyenne Manwarren, 7, Spencer, holds the shovel Sunday afternoon as Brionna Sinback, 5, and Tanya Manwarren, 9, try to gather enough snow for a snowman near Fareway on East Eighth Street. Forecasters thought the girls would have enough material to work with earlier in the weekend. The city received only a dusting instead of the four inches expected Saturday night and Sunday...

Storm shelter, culvert route possible for Fair (03/11/09)
Emergency management officials may have an unexpected option for shelter space at the Clay County Fair. Ted Kourousis, executive director of Northwest Iowa Planning and Development is working with Iowa Department of Homeland Security about the potential of creating shelter space, under West 18th Street, for the fairgrounds...

Streak of no snow may come to end (02/26/09)
Hopefully you took one last look at the dry streets and brown landscape Wednesday. Winter is expected to make a curtain call Thursday, but Spencer may have caught a break as forecasters shifted the heart of a winter storm north. Earlier Wednesday, Spencer was under a winter storm watch; snow totals of about 4 inches were expected...

Spencer man claims $22,222 in scratch game (02/21/09)
A Spencer man won $22,222 on the "Snow Birds" scratch game. Seth Skalicky claimed his prize Wednesday at the Iowa Lottery's regional office in Storm Lake. He bought his winning ticket at Casey's on West 18th Street in Spencer. Snow Birds is a $2 scratch game that has four different scenes. ...

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