News

The final mural created by Spencer artist Kipp Davis for the Clay County Fair centennial has been completed, and can be found at the Southpark Mall in Spencer. A second mural is featured on the side of the Clay County Heritage Center. (Photo by Joseph Hopper)

A Spencer man will wait an extra month to learn the outcome of his kidnapping and robbery case. Defense Attorney John M. Sandy, of Spirit Lake, on Aug. 7 asked District Court Judge Nancy Whittenburg to postpone a hearing to potentially accept Tanner Meysenburg’s plea...

St. Luke Homes & Services will be conducting a celebration for its 50th anniversary at noon, Sunday on its campus at 1301 St. Luke Drive in Spencer. Celebrations will feature praise and thanksgiving, along with lunch and a rededication of St. Luke Lutheran Home by Rev. ...

From flying Douglas C-47 Skytrain aircraft to writing a book detailing his decades of exploits, 92-year-old Arlan D. “Jack” Van Norman loves to share his wealth of stories about his time among the clouds. After writing his autobiographical work, “Flying Over the Hump With Captain Jack,” the author has been touring book signings and meeting with many interested in his story. The pilot and author stopped for a book signing at the Spencer Public Library Wednesday...

Monday will mark the return of a solar eclipse onto the continental U.S. for the first time since 1979. Spencer will not be in the total eclipse zone, but will see close to a 91 percent eclipse sometime after noon. Looking at the eclipse without proper eye wear could potentially cause quite a bit of damage to a person's vision...

It’s time for “man’s best friend” to take a turn at the Spencer Family Aquatic Center. The annual Doggie Dip, sponsored by the city of Spencer and the Spencer Family YMCA, affords local canines and their owners the opportunity to share some pool time together, closing out the season at Spencer’s public pool. ...

Winners of various awards from Wednesday night’s SCT People’s Choice Awards 2017 gather after the awards ceremony. The awards were presented in 17 categories, along with the Volunteer of the Year Award, which was presented to Steve Deutsch, a $500 Theatre Scholarship, awarded to Lauren Boyd and the Shakespeare Award, which was presented to Rick and Kathy Krebsbach of Marvin Burk Photography...

On Saturday, Aug. 26, “anything with a tailgate” is invited to Volga for the annual Volga City Truck Cruise. Since 2009, the town of 208 people welcomes an estimated 700 truck enthusiasts, and their trucks, to visit Volga and cruise the beautiful hills of northeast Iowa every year on the last Saturday in August annually...

Elizabeth Stegemoller arranged a circle of metal folding chairs around a piano as clients started arriving for a weekly music therapy class for people with Parkinson’s disease. Typically, this would be the last rehearsal before a month-long break in August, but clients were putting in extra time to prepare for an upcoming music festival and concert...

A youngster can’t resist trying to ring the bell at the one-room schoolhouse at the Albert City Threshermen & Collectors’ Show. Nearly 19,000 people attended the four-day show. (Photos by Dana Larsen)

Do you experience stiffness or pain in your hip joints when walking, sitting or rolling out of bed in the mornings? If you have been avoiding addressing those health issues, or concerns, take a few minutes to learn more what your options are for both nonsurgical and surgical solutions to improve your health and mobility at a free Lunch & Learn event hosted by Spencer Hospital on Thursday, Aug. 24, at noon, featuring guest speaker Dr. Yogesh Kolwadkar of Orthopaedics P.C...

ARNOLDS PARK — Representatives from 26 U.S. states and Canada will be among more than 100 roller coaster experts that will descend upon Iowa for a national conference. Members of American Coaster Enthusiasts conduct three national events a year that include two conferences and a weeklong convention. The ACE Summer Conference will kick off Saturday at Arnolds Park...

SIOUX CENTRAL — For “Mr. C” the upcoming total solar eclipse Aug. 21 is more than a curiosity, it’s the chance of a lifetime. A Sioux Central Middle School teacher, Craig Cadman is working to organize a caravan of Sioux Central students and families to travel four hours into prime viewing position for the moment when the Earth’s two most prominent celestial neighbors waltz into alignment. He has selected a site near Condordia University, not far from Lincoln, Nebraska...

Recipients in the Governor’s Volunteer Awards ceremony trooped dutifully across the stage at Buena Vista University Wednesday. One of them was only there is spirit. Sioux Central High School was presented an award in memory of Christopher Smith, a teacher at the school who passed away in 2009. Principal Jeff Scharn and Superintendent Scott Williamson accepted the award in memory of Smith...

STORM LAKE — For new Upper Des Moines Opportunity center director Melissa Keller, life is “busy, but good.” The Storm Lake native replaced longtime director Joan Spooner earlier this season, but is no newcomer to the charitable field. For the past two years, she had run the energy assistance program for UDMO, and prior to that had five years of experience working with Goodwill...

STORM LAKE — One unique feature to Storm Lake is having not one but dozens of wood carvings all around its parks. Storm Lake United is adding five new wood creations to the parks by having its fifth annual Wood Wine and Blues event Friday through Sunday...

LINN GROVE — Mr. and Mrs. Something are a folk indie rock duo from Seattle, Washington. They will make their first area appearance as their national tour “Home On Wheels” pauses at InnSpiration Winery Friday. Showtime is 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the winery in Linn Grove. ...

The Spencer Public Works Street Division will have a more efficient method for dealing with municipal sewer mains in the future, following the purchase a combination sewer vactor/jetter truck at a cost of $399,328.46. “Next week, we’ll be receiving a combination vac, sewer jetter truck,” Spencer Public Works Director Mark White said. “The truck is used for sewer maintenance throughout the city. The vac portion allows you to remove debris, the jetter is used to clean sewer mains.”...

The recent completion of work on a five-year, $23 million expansion and upgrade project at Spencer Municipal Utilities’ water plant was celebrated Tuesday. The Spencer Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors joined staff and executives from SMU for a ribbon cutting ceremony...

Sen. David Johnson, I-Ocheydan, made an appearance during Tuesday’s Clay County Supervisor’s meeting to discuss a concern regarding the current state policy associated with the developing of hog facilities in northwest Iowa. Planned facilities must meet qualifications via the “master-matrix.” Each proposed site must reach a designated point score to receive approval. Johnson suggested he’s seen examples of applicants fracturing land to family members in order to circumvent the system...

Family fun for everyone is always the focus at the Clay County Fair, Sept. 9-17. “Our guest surveys tell us that the No. 1 reason people attend the fair each year is family time and tradition,” Clay County Fair Manager Jeremy Parsons said. “Much of that family time is spent in several traditional places on the fairgrounds that provide activities for all ages.”...

A group of area young people — comprised of elementary, middle school and high school children — are anxious to see how their hard work over the summer translates to help families with children facing health challenges. On Saturday, Aug. 27, the Shayla Bee Fund will host its second annual Black Tie Black Leather Affair at Okoboji Classic Cars north of Milford on U.S. Highway 86...

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst will join Spencer Daily Reporter Managing Editor Randy M. Cauthron for Coffee with the Editor at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, in the dining room at the Spencer Dream Center. The stop is part of Ernst’s annual 99-county tour across Iowa...

ARNOLDS PARK — Music meets motorcycles in what has become an August tradition in the Iowa Great Lakes. The third annual Boji Bike Rally begins Friday with a full schedule of events including demonstration rides, live music and plant tours. Motorcyclists attending the rally will have the opportunity to visit Indian Motorcycle’s Spirit Lake Experience Center from 9 a.m. ...

SPIRIT LAKE — A Spirit Lake man charged with attempted murder is no longer out on bond. Nicholas Thompson was released Aug. 4 from the Dickinson County Jail in Spirit Lake after posting a $32,000 bond. Dickinson County Attorney Jon Martin on Tuesday petitioned the court to have Thompson recommitted without bail. District Court Judge David Lester agreed, according to court records...

SPIRIT LAKE — Veterans wondering where they will get local medical care in the future will have an answer soon. "I was told a decision on the new location will be made no later than Sept. 30," Dickinson County Veterans Affairs Director Ann Miller said...

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service. The report is released weekly from April through October. “As the dry weather continues, we see portions of Iowa in drought continuing to expand and crop conditions deteriorate. Unfortunately, 40 percent of the state, including portions of 23 counties, are now in severe drought,” Northey said...

Vernon “Vern” George Ostermann, 88, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, surrounded by his loving wife and four daughters at Hospice of the Valley’s Dobson Home in Chandler, Arizona. Vern was born May 27, 1929, in Ocheyedan, Iowa, to George and Mollie Wassman Ostermann. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as an Aviation Radioman Third Class beginning Oct. 26, 1950, and was honorably discharged at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, on Aug. 20, 1954...

Local health officials are encouraging Lakes area residents and guests to keep the mosquito repellant handy after the discovery of West Nile virus in Dickinson County. Four mosquito traps were set up in the area as part of an Iowa State University and Dickinson County Public Health collaboration. Mosquitos were collected at Templar Park, Lakeview Cemetery and near the McDonalds restaurant in Okoboji...

Those attempting to use Fourth Avenue West Monday over the noon hour had to not only negotiate road closures due to the ongoing sewer work, but also had to navigate around a law enforcement blockage as local officials attempted to serve a warrant on a Spencer man who allegedly refused to follow officer instructions...

Clay County Fair Queen Abby Galm, 19, of Spencer, was among more than 100 competitors participating in the 2017 Iowa State Fair Queen Coronation Ceremony Saturday. Nineteen-year-old Jacqueline Ehrlich, of Dubuque County, was named the 53rd Iowa State Fair queen. (Photo by Iowa State Fair/ Steve Pope Photography)

Eleanor Nielsen is known for many things. A mother; a teacher for 30 years; and for being a golfer. Nielsen recently came back from her annual summer golf outing to Minnesota, where she annually golfs the same number of holes as her age. This year she hit the big 100 mark...

In an effort to thank and remember veterans of the Vietnam War, the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, along with a multitude of other veterans organizations, worked to create and distribute a book, entitled “A Time to Honor: Stories of Service, Duty and Sacrifice” to Iowa’s Vietnam War veterans for the 50-year commemoration of the Vietnam War. The 175-page book is provided to honor Vietnam War vets and share the history with their children and grandchildren...

The Spencer Hospital Board of Trustees recently approved the purchase of two ultrasound systems in an effort to replace older equipment. The machines will be used for all general ultrasound procedures, including vascular, abdomen, breast, thyroid, obstetrics and gynecological study procedures, as well as for ultrasound-guided biopsies and interventional diagnostic and therapeutic procedures...

No matter who you are, there is something for everyone at the Clay County Fair, Sept. 9-17. "We are extremely proud of the fact that every person can attend the fair at least once for free if they take advantage of the great promotions we have on our special days at the fair," fair manager Jeremy Parsons said. "The special days give you an extra reason to attend the fair."...

The second annual Tailtwister Golf Outing will be held Saturday, Aug. 19, at Spencer Golf and Country Club. Check-in for the 18-hole, best ball tournament will start at 11:45 a.m. with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. All golfers will receive 18 holes of golf with a car, an evening meal and the opportunity to win various hole prizes. ...

Those attempting to use Fourth Avenue West Monday over the noon hour had to not only negotiate road closures due to the ongoing sewer work, but also had to navigate around a law enforcement blockage as local officials attempted to serve a warrant on a Spencer man who allegedly refused to follow officer instructions...

Chad Elliott (center) and his band, the Redemptions, entertained a backyard audience at the home of Cedric and Marilyn Winterboer Saturday evening at Backyard Bach & Blues, Arts on Grand’s annual fundraising event. The festivities are a collaboration of music, food and art, brought together in a decorated Spencer backyard. The event featured a brisket meal as well as additional entertainment from violinist Jerry Henry, a teacher at Coe College. Backyard Bach & Blues is traditionally one of Arts on Grand’s largest fundraising endeavors of the year. During his set, Elliott, who spent many years in Spencer as he was developing his wide variety of artistic skills, credited Arts on Grand for helping get him started on his career path. (Photo by Randy M. Cauthron)

The Old Iron Company celebrated its 39th year of the Micro Mini Nationals Roddin’ on the River in East Leach Park Saturday with 134 registered vehicles and five motorcycles, topping its goal of 100 cars this year and building on last year’s total of approximately 120 participants. ...

A joint initiative between the city of Spencer and the Spencer Community School District designed to keep children walking to school safe, will continue this year. Improved sidewalks as well as the addition of radar speed signs in areas with high volumes of schoolchildren is a municipal successor to the DOT’s Safe Routes to School grant program...

Local industry professionals in Clay County firearms sales have noticed an increase in firearms sales and ownership, and the Clay County Sheriff's Office reported a minor increase in applications for concealed carry permits in the county this year. They believe the increase of interest in firearms comes as the result of a variety of different factors...

DES MOINES — Five talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) have advanced to the semifinal round in Bill Riley's 58th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search, among them 12-year-old Josie Thompson, of Spencer, (above), who performed a vocal solo. Thompson has appeared in Spencer High School productions of “Les Miserables” and “Mary Poppins” in recent years and is a regular on the Dvergsten Children’s Theatre stage each summer at the SCT Playhouse. Each act will perform again on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, Aug. 17-19. The Bill Riley Talent Search has put Iowa's young talent on stages across the state each summer since 1960. Nearly 100 local qualifying competitions are held across the state and winners advance to the state fair competition, where there are seven days of preliminary competition for Sprouts (ages 2-12) and Seniors (ages 13-21), followed by the semifinals and, ultimately, the selection of one Senior Champion. The Sprouts do not compete beyond the semifinals, but perform in the Championship Show as Sprout Champions set at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20, at 1:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage. Each of the six Sprout Champions will receive a prize of $250 after the Championship Show. (Photo by Steve Pope)

This past Tuesday the Storm Lake Public Safety Department and Buena Vista Regional Medical Center teamed up to do their annual disaster drill that took place at the Storm Lake Middle School. This year’s scene was a semitruck trailer that went off the road and landed near a group of middle school girls during their soccer practice that contained hazardous material. ...

A Sioux Rapids man has been arrested following an investigation of sex offender registry violations. James Bainbridge, 36, was taken into custody at the Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 8. An arrest warrant had been served on Bainbridge for two counts of failing to comply with sex offender registry requirements (second offense) which are felonies. ...

Jim Christensen, former Holstein resident and Galva-Holstein teacher had no idea of where his career would lead him. In 1997 he became the STEM co-coordinator with the Northwest Area Education Agency. He also served as administrative supervisor and consultant...

Its school colors may be blue and gold, but Iowa Lakes Community College is green all the way through, as a recent sustainability award from the U.S. Department of Education showed. Iowa Lakes was the only school in Iowa and one of only nine postsecondary schools in the nation to be named a Green Ribbon School Postsecondary Sustainability Awardee. The award is given to schools that reduce environmental impact and costs, improve health and wellness, and teach effective environmental education...

Three outstanding Iowa Lakes students are the recipients of sixth annual John P. “Jack” Kibbie Outstanding Service Award. The honor is conferred in the spirit of keeping the “light of service to others” burning brightly in Iowa Lakes students. One of the students, Micheal Krogh, of Spencer, is a military veteran and was always the first to offer assistance to students on the Spencer campus. ...

STORM LAKE — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is not the kind of governor who leaves the house with just one pair of shoes. Her morning in Storm Lake Wednesday is typical of her barnstorming around the state since taking office. First a ribbon cutting for a woodsy wetland area, quick switch from sensible flats to black heels, and minutes later its a formal occasion handing out awards at a volunteerism ceremony hosted by Buena Vista University...

An increase of interest in how well-equipped local governments are for tragedies — such as a nuclear attack or disaster — has become more prominent in the wake of rising tensions with North Korea. Clay County Emergency Manager Eric Tigges shared that while a disaster occurring from a nuclear strike via North Korea was incredibly unlikely, Clay County would be well-prepared for it or any other disasters which may occur...

Like many of their classmates who practice for fall sports this week, members of the Spencer High School marching band and its color guard have begun their annual back-to-school preparations, learning both the music and marching drill they will perform as part of its elaborate halftime shows this year...