News

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today recognized 325 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021, including five schools in Iowa -- among them Spencer Middle School. The recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Cardona made the announcement during his Return to School Road Trip, while visiting an awardee school, Walter R. Sundling Jr. High School, in Palatine, Illinois...

Students from grades five through 12 were able to take part in a Manufacturing Expo at the Clay County Fair on Friday. Hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Northwest Iowa Manufacturing Sector, schools were able to bring students to the event as a class field trip. ...

While 2021 marked the return of the Clay County Fair after a year’s absence, it also served as the 90th anniversary of two very historic builds in the city of Spencer. “1931 would have been a very busy summer in Spencer,” fair manager Jeremy Parsons said. “I am sure when grandstand construction started that spring, they had no idea that they would also be rebuilding downtown later that summer. Lots of concrete was poured, that’s for sure.”...

Friday, a Food and Drug Administration panel voted against recommending an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for individuals who are 16 years or older due to limited data and concerns on how a booster shot would affect young people. The panel did recommend another dose of the vaccine for those who are 65 and older and for high-risk populations...

Following a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Clay County Fair powered by SMU returned Sept. 11-19 with sunny skies and smiling fairgoers. “There was much uncertainty heading into this fair with the pandemic, a labor shortage, supply chain issues and a 721-day break since the last fair,” fair manager Jeremy Parsons said. “However, the enthusiasm of our fairgoers to simply be at the fair put that uncertainty to rest once the gates opened.”...

As the Thursday deadline passed to file papers for the upcoming Nov. 2 municipal and school board elections, a number of challengers have entered the various races. Spencer incumbents Tom Nelson, Ward 1; Tracey Larsen, Ward 3; and Ron Hansen, Ward 5 are all seeking reelection and are unchallenged on the ballot...

A public hearing on a proposed vacation of city streets East 11th Street and East First Avenue took place during Monday’s Spencer City Council meeting. The closed portion would include East 11th Street from Grand Avenue to Second Avenue East, and First Avenue East from East 10th Street to East 11th Street. The request was submitted by Spencer Hospital to make room for an expansion of the Emergency Department...

Theodore Fisher, a veteran and a patient of St. Croix Hospice, was escorted to the Clay County Fair last Monday by his hospice aide Brandee Hockett where he joined his wife, Luella; his daughter, Wendy; and his grandson, Matt. He enjoyed a day at the fair and took in the veterans recognition event in the Events Center Ballroom. ...

Kids had the chance to learn about recycling and get a crafty souvenir at the Clay County Fair by taking part in the activity “How to Tame the Trash Monster,” presented by Arts on Grand at the Art Barn. Vanessa Moore, environmental education coordinator for Northern Plains Regional Planning Area, set up the booth at the fairgrounds to teach kids how to reuse and recycle, and to avoid purchasing single-use plastics, stopping the “trash monster” from taking over the planet...

Actor, writer and producer Scott Siepker became known as the “Iowa Nice Guy” approximately 10 years ago. Through the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Siepker visited the Clay County Fair on Thursday to share the stories behind his work. Siepker was born in Carroll in 1982. ...

Jacqueline Johnson announced her candidacy for the Spencer City Council member at large seat Thursday. Papers with the required number of signatures were filed with the city to place her name on the ballot in the upcoming Nov. 2. Good paying jobs, economic development, quality of life, and inclusive community-building are top priorities for Johnson...

OKOBOJI — A court decided the Okoboji Community School District must pay about $35,000 in legal fees to local businessman Tom Clary, who filed a lawsuit against the district in pursuit of records related to the sale of its former middle school property...

There’s no Eddie Murphy or Dan Akroyd or Wall Street involved in this switcheroo. Instead the main players are Elli Wiemers and Will Dible flip-flopping administrative responsibilities in the Spencer School District for the 2021-22 school year. Wiemers, who has served as the Spencer High School principal since 2014, and Dible, who is the district’s director of school improvement, will exchange roles for the current school year as she continues to treat a health diagnosis she received in March 2020.. ...

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health is hosting a kids’ carnival from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23, in Spencer. This free, family-friendly event is open to the public and families of all ages are welcome. The carnival will take place in front of Autumn’s Center located at 120 E. Fifth St...

The Dickinson and O'Brien County Judicial Magistrate Nominating Commissions have received two applications for the District Associate Judge vacancy. This judgeship vacancy was created by the future retirement District Associate Judge David C. Larson on Nov. ...

When Dick Bennett isn’t in one of his Rembrandt Leather shops crafting custom leather products or operating Bennett Construction bringing new life to older structures, he’s most likely on the road sharing his passion for the history he attempts to replicate for audiences across the country...

DES MOINES — The Iowa Utilities Board issued a letter approving the locations, dates and times for a series of public informational meetings to inform landowners about a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline in Iowa by Summit Carbon Solutions LLC. Summit Carbon filed its request for the meeting dates with the IUB on Aug. 11, 2021 in Docket No. HLP-2021-0001. The pipeline is proposed to cross 30 Iowa counties...

ARNOLDS PARK — Imagine Iowa Great Lakes in partnership with Historic Arnolds Park Inc. and the city of Arnolds Park are planning an upgrade to Lake Street in Arnolds Park. The project will feature traditional brick pavers and large shade trees as well as layers of colorful landscaping, specialty lighting and seating options. ...

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is partnering with Iowa Workforce Development and Iowa Economic Development Authority to complete a Laborshed employment study for the Estherville, Spencer, Spirit Lake and Storm Lake areas. This study will geographically define which communities contribute to each city’s workforce, regardless of political boundaries. This defined area is called a Laborshed area and is based upon commuting patterns...

Classic country gospel group The Floras entertained audiences three times daily on the Northwest Bank Stage from Tuesday through Thursday this week, playing a variety of popular hymns from throughout the decades.

DES MOINES — Northwest Financial Corp. has been awarded a 2021 Top Workplaces honor by the Des Moines Register. The Top Workplaces are based solely on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by Energage LLC, a leading research firm that specializes in organizational health and workplace improvement. Several aspects of workplace culture were measured, including alignment, execution and connection, just to name a few...

A special tribute was paid to veterans at the Clay County Fair on Monday. Veterans were offered free admission into the fair and were treated to a parade around the fairgrounds in their honor. Afterward, veterans were welcomed into the Events Center for an appreciation program...

Last week, President Joe Biden announced a COVID-19 vaccination requirement directive that will impact employees of hospitals and other specified businesses. Due to the development of this national initiative, Spencer Hospital is pausing implementation of its vaccination requirement...

Clay County Heritage announced an event called “An Evening with Teddy Roosevelt” that will be held on Saturday, Oct. 9, at the Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer. Regular admission show starts at 7 p.m. and have the following costs: Student tickets for those under 18 are $10, Clay County Heritage members can purchase tickets for $25, and general public tickets are $30...

As the sun rose out of the eastern sky Saturday morning, a contingent of Spencer firefighters lined Grand Avenue in front of the Spencer fire station near the statue on the corner of First Avenue East. Mirroring an image which has become tradition on Sept. ...

Out of 31 new food items at the Clay County Fair this year, five finalists were left to vie for the top prize ― being named “The World’s Greatest County Fair Food” of 2021. The five finalists in this year’s contest were Pad Thai from Little Blue Elephant, Apple Pied Donuts from Bean Counter Concessions, a Pickle Wrap from Girl’d Cheese, Biscoff & Banana Cheesecake Waffles and a Pigtail Sundae from Clay County Pork Producers Chop Shop. ...

Tigers race past Crusaders, 49-14

In the spring of 2018, Gerald Wood started building a model corn crib. His handmade model is now on display at the Clay County Fair in the commercial building. For three years, Wood worked between 15 minutes to two hours a day, cutting and gluing every piece of the model himself, taking on the challenge and seeing what he could do...

Spencer Community Schools Superintendent Terry Hemann confirmed reports on Friday that the school district is currently experiencing an increasing number of COVID, of a variant thereof, cases among students and staff. “We do have positive COVID cases among students, and some staff as well, as we totally expected we would,” Hemann said. “The first week was really good. It’s really been week two and week three we’ve seen an increase in cases.”...

This year, Clay County Fair featured its first ever Hispanic Festival. Sunday afternoon, fairgoers could visit specialty vendors and listen to music in Central Park. During the evening, norteña band Rey De Rancho performed live for those in attendance. Dancing onstage, the musicians eventually made their way into the crowd, encouraging the audience to get up and dance with them...

As part of the IMT Insurance Community Contest, Spencer Insurance Services awarded a $500 gift to the restoration of the Rocket Slide. Of the 130 entries and more than $30,000 awarded to worthy causes, Spencer Insurance Services was chosen as one of the 2021 project winners. ...

Staff members are crucial to supporting people with disabilities in the community. To recognize the accomplishments and contributions made by direct support professionals to the lives of people with disabilities, Hope Haven is supporting Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, Sept. 12-18...

The Clay County Fair announces that BlackHawk, rather than Tracy Lawrence, will be joining The Bellamy Brothers in the Sleep Number Grandstand at the 2021 Clay County Fair on Monday, Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m. "Tracy Lawrence had to cancel due to circumstances beyond our control," fair manager Jeremy Parsons said. "As I have stated numerous times, this fair will be very fluid as we navigate the waters of a fair in a COVID-19 world."...

Two weeks ago, the Clay County Fair grounds were relatively empty ahead of the Sept. 11 opening of the “World’s Greatest County Fair” after a year’s absence due to COVID. But over the last 10 days, and more specifically in the past seven days the grounds have been transformed into a place where memories are made, tastebuds are overwhelmed and feet are made soar during a nine-day window. ...

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Avera Health announced today that it will require full vaccination for its physicians, employees and volunteers by Dec. 1. Spencer Family Care is a member of the Avera Health system. This policy also applies to students rotating in Avera facilities, contracted workers and vendors. ...

Spencer resident Brian Balk launched his campaign for Spencer city councilman at large with a meet and greet at the Iowa Project on Wednesday afternoon. Balk spoke with community members, listened to their hopes for Spencer and shared his thoughts on building a strong community during the two hour event...

A day of terror — known to most Americans and many others around the world by three simple digits, 9/11 — will recognize its 20th “anniversary” Saturday nationwide with special ceremonies and events in remembrance. Locally, the events of Sept. 11, 2001, will be recognized in conjunction with the start of the Clay County, with a fairgrounds-wide moment of silence Saturday at 8:46 a.m., as well as a small “ceremony” prior to the Skillet concert in the grandstand...

Officials welcomed the newest inductees of the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame on Sunday, but two other names were added to the museum walls Friday evening. The pair of theaters in the hall of fame were dedicated in honor of long-time volunteers Naomi Senn and Doris Welle...

Clay County Fair attendees are being encouraged to help with recycling efforts at the 2021 fair. Once again, plastic bottles and aluminum cans can be placed in blue bins lined with clear bags. In addition to the fair and city of Spencer, the recycling effort is supported by the women’s basketball team at Iowa Lakes Community College...

Spencer’s City Council approved refunds of $1,500 to Taqueria El Tapatio, Godfather’s Pizza and Weasy’s Lounge and Grill for their sidewalk cafes. The city had previously given permission for the restaurants to build sidewalk cafes, but the structures took up too much space and didn’t meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements...

The Clay County Board of Supervisors met with civil engineer Evan Del Val from ISG, a design and engineering firm, to discuss hiring the organization to inspect two potential carbon dioxide pipelines coming through the county. The pipelines coming through Clay County are owned by Midwest Carbon Express and Heartland Greenway System. ...

SIOUX CITY — Tickets are now on sale for “Cats,” the Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre presentation for Oct. 6. Showtime is 7:20 p.m. Tickets are $28.50 to $86.50. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s megahit musical has captivated audiences in over 30 countries and 15 languages, and is now on tour across North America. ...

BEMIDJI, Minn. — Jerrod Messerole, of Spirit Lake, graduated with a bachelor of applied science in applied engineering from Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota, during the 2020-21 school year. IOWA CITY — This fall, the University of Iowa welcomed the most academically accomplished class in its history for the fifth year in a row. ...

EMMETSBURG — The nursing faculty at Iowa Lakes Community College underwent a rigorous accreditation process to obtain candidacy status for the Practical Nursing and the Associate Degree Nursing programs from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. As a result, effective Aug. 23, the Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing programs are candidates for initial accreditation by ACEN, demonstrating the programs are currently compliant with selected ACEN Standards and Criteria...

ESTHERVILLE — Iowa Lakes Community College students drove to Fort Dodge to bring music to the 20th Bushy Creek Area Honor Flight Welcome Home Ceremony. Music students from Iowa Lakes Community College joined Iowa Central Community College students and others at Fort Dodge in a concert band to welcome home heroes on Saturday, Aug. 28...

After prayerful consideration and following advice from Clay County health providers, the Spencer Messiah Board has regretfully chosen to postpone this year’s “Festival of Lessons and Carols” which was to be held on Sunday, Dec. 5, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church...

Ben Nystrom cut the ribbon on the expansion of MWI Components, located east of Spencer on East Fourth Street on Tuesday. Partner Phil Ramstack told the group about new product lines the new facility and equipment made possible for MWI. For 35 years, the company has made components for the post frame industry from its location in the west industrial park. ...

Steve Bomgaars, former Spencer city councilman and longtime Spencer High School teacher and coach, has filed nomination papers to run for mayor in the Nov. 2 general election. Current Spencer Mayor Kevin Robinson announced previously he will not seek another term of office...

The Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the chair and co-chair of the 42nd annual University of Okoboji Winter Games, which are scheduled for Jan. 27-30. The chair of the 42nd Annual University of Okoboji Winter Games is Dr. ...

Iowa City’s Tyler Sullivan was last in Clay County a little more than two years ago in August 2019, making a quick tour of some of the counties rural communities. He plans on sharing the experience in an upcoming book. Sullivan, now 33, has been running since he was a teen...