News

EVERLY -- As much of the middle of the country down to Texas suffered during a deep freeze of record low temperatures caused by the polar vortex this month, the effects of the cold have severely impacted communities across the country, even here in Clay County. In Spencer, Spencer Municipal Utilities spearheaded a city-wide temporary energy conservation campaign to assist the electric grid, also running their jet turbine engine to produce electricity. In Everly, the city faced increased natural gas prices...

Getting closer to the deadline for the city to finalize its fiscal year 2022 budget, the Spencer Committee of the Whole was called for a meeting Monday evening on a sole agenda item: continuing discussions on the proposed budget. In particular, the committee focused discussion on the finance committee’s Feb. ...

Spencer Hospital is converting to a new electronic health record on March 1, which could result in non-care related service delays in some instances for a short period of time. "It's typical for a hospital to periodically complete a comprehensive update of its information technology system, to include its electronic medical record," Spencer Hospital President Bill Bumgarner said. ...

Seasons Center’s The Big Snow Showdown event brought families together at the Spencer Hospital’s west lawn to flex their creative muscles in making artistic creations in the snow. (DIRECTION) There were snowmen and snowwomen created during the event, but the biggest creature was a snow Nessie, the fabled Loch Ness monster, made by the McCaulley family. (DIRECTION) Youngsters used sleds, shovels, buckets or just their hands to help gather as much snow as needed for their creations. (DIRECTION) Christine Mehan takes a different route in making a snowman by covering Elliot, Lincoln and Connor in snow.

The growing 2020 trend of community members gathering to support the elimination of food insecurity in the region through large scale food drives continued in 2021, due to the work of the Clay County Hunger Coalition and many volunteers. Saturday, the group of coalition members and volunteers ranging from local government officials, members of the Spencer Fire Department, FFA students and many more were at the Clay County Fairgrounds making short work of getting hundreds of meals into the hands of those who need it.. ...

Spencer Hospital did not admit any patients last week due to COVID-19 diagnoses and only two patients were hospitalized in the nine-county area. Also, local positivity rates are looking great, with seven of the nine counties under 5% positivity rates. ...

DES MOINES — On Feb. 18, Rep. Megan Jones, R-Sioux Rapids, voted in support of House File 532 to give more than $27 million in extra funds to schools to help cover COVID costs. HF 532 will divvy up $27 million in COVID relief funds to schools based on the amount of days they spent in-person this fall. This bill was crafted with the understanding that schools incurred increased costs for in-person learning during the pandemic such as PPE, cleaning supplies and more substitute teachers...

Many Hands Market had the honor of giving their January $500 local donation to “Weighted Works With Love.” They provide quality custom-made weighted blankets, lap pads and shoulder wraps for individuals who could benefit from deep pressure therapy. This ecumenical group volunteers their time to create each blanket, pad and wrap. Each donation is used to help purchase supplies and help with operating expenses. (Above) Brownie Small and Monica Johannesen, both volunteers with “Weighted Works With Love,” accept the check from Many Hands Market staff member Hannah Boyens.

The restaurant industry — and its workers — have faced severe challenges due to the COVID-19 outbreak. With over 8.1 million restaurant workers across the U.S. and talks of raising the minimum wage — the team at Business.org wanted to know which states pay restaurant staff the most. Nationally, restaurant workers earn an average salary of $24,861 — that’s 54% less than all occupations across the country.

Spencer Hospital will initiate a joint business arrangement with Avera@Home, beginning March 1, for the provision of hospice and home care services. The collaboration will entail Spencer Hospital's local care professionals maintaining the continuity of current services while benefiting from Avera@Home's business operations expertise in areas to include service quality, regulatory compliance, supply chain, billing, evolving technologies and overall operating efficiency...

--- • This is the 15th piece of a multipart series looking at all the organizations and programs which benefited from special grant funding from the Clay County Community Foundation in 2020, and how those funds will in turn be a benefit to the community...

The Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis meet at noon on Mondays at the Clay County Fair & Events Center for the better part of the year. They are currently conducting meetings at the Hy-Noon Stubs Cafe & Cookie Bucket on the Clay County Fairgrounds. Guests are always welcome to come enjoy the program and have lunch...

Currently underway, people are getting a second chance to easily get insured for 2021 in a national call to increase access to health insurance. Individuals and families can enroll in plans through the federal Marketplace at healthcare.gov and directly with Avera Health Plans for non-employer group insurance through May 15...

Sen. Jim Carlin, R-Sioux City, volleyed several debunked anti-vaccination talking points at Iowa Department of Public Health’s Dr. Caitlin Pedati during a Tuesday afternoon meeting. Carlin asked why there were so many vaccinations now, noting he only got three or four shots as a child. He asked why more children seem to be sick with chronic diseases and whether vaccines could contribute to sudden infant death syndrome. He brought up the long-disproven theory that vaccines could cause autism...

AMES — A total of 64 counties will participate in the confinement site manure applicator workshops. Local northwest Iowa workshops include: Feb. 25 at 9:30 a.m., ISU Extension and Outreach Buena Vista County, Storm Lake, preregister to 712-732-5056...

Hello, my name is Isabel Dehrkoop I am the 4-H county youth coordinator. I lead the Clay County 4-H clubs and specialty clubs, assist and lead Clover Kids program as well assist or answer any 4-H questions. I have been with the extension for almost three years now. Fun facts about me: I love to spend time with my family, take road trips and enjoy the little things life throws at me...

MaxYield Cooperative recently made a contribution of $1,000 to the Northwest Iowa Public Safety Training Center, located in Spencer. The check, presented to Terry Peterson and John Conyn will assist the organization in purchasing a 40-foot-high, cube-style container to store gear and equipment...

‘Murder on the Orient Express’ Friday and Saturday, Feb. 19-20 and 26-27, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21 and 28, at 2 p.m. --- Hercule Poirot — John Hansel Monsieur Bouc — Beth Halverson Mary Debenham — Shyan Harrod Hector MacQueen — Jay Oldenkamp...

** 'Murder on the Orient Express’ ready to begin 2-week run

Iowa’s mental health regions have experienced many changes in membership in the last two years but it appears Northwest Iowa Care Connections’ mental health region of six — Clay, Palo Alto, Kossuth, Winnebago, Worth and Osceola counties — will likely remain unchanged despite interest shown by Hancock County in leaving County Social Services and joining the NWICC earlier this year. ...

At 8:20 p.m. Monday, Spencer Fire-Rescue was dispatched to 104 W. 10th St. for a reported fire in the kitchen. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke coming from the residence and deployed multiple hose lines for service. Firefighters entered the residence encountering heavy smoke conditions and quickly located the seat of the fire in the kitchen area and extinguished it...

Seasons Center is hosting “The Big Snow Showdown” Snowman Building Contest, a winter wellness community event, funded in part by the city of Spencer Renaissance Initiative Grant. Building will be from 3-6 p.m. Friday and 9-11 a.m. Saturday, various Spencer businesses, organizations and families are invited to be part of the contest which will be conducted at the Grand Avenue Park, on the west side of Spencer Hospital. ...

DES MOINES — A familiar face with the Spencer music scene both as an educator and performer, Jack Ryan, passed away Wednesday at the age of 82 in Des Moines after succumbing to his battle with melanoma. Ryan who was regularly seen performing in a variety of music and art house venues throughout northwest Iowa was a longtime Spencer High School band instructor who continued to teach until recent years as health challenges began to take their toll...

Grand Avenue Community Outreach enlisted some help from the Clay County Board of Supervisors in the summer of 2020 as the nonprofit needed a fiscal agent for their application seeking $600,000 of competitive Community Development Block Grant funds to make some major renovations at the former Tangney Hotel which would allow GACO to reach its full potential — such as meeting the requirements for allowing individuals to occupy GACO’s living spaces on the third and fourth floors...

Spencer Hospital is converting to a new electronic health record on March 1, which could result in non-care related service delays in some instances for a short period of time. "It's typical for a hospital to periodically complete a comprehensive update of its information technology system, to include its electronic medical record," Spencer Hospital President Bill Bumgarner said. ...

OKOBOJI — Do you like polar bears? Do you like wearing your pajamas? What about polar bears in pajamas? We encourage you to wear your pajamas while learning about polar bears on Friday, Feb. 26, during our Polar Bear Pajama Party Family Nature Night. ...

I — “Dark Road” performed by Micah Bensen, Shaylee Brown, Tateum Casey, Sarah Elser, Hanna Gee, Abby Goeken, Mallory Graves, Lucy Hemann, Grace Katzer, Katelyn Kivela, Zoey Metcalf, Sophie Munson, Allison Nolin, Mariana Rosales, Jadey Salton, Raegan Stevens, AJ Zinn...

There were 14 Spencer Middle School students selected for the 2020-21 Northwest Iowa Middle School Honor Band. Students submitted recorded auditions that included two musical examples referred to as “etudes” and six memorized scales. Those earning the distinction include, front row: Zachary Nolin, Sam Hinkeldey, Rafe Blau, Jackson Bergstadt, Lily Gross, Peyton Morey, Sylvia Ruden, Addison Sutherland. Back row: Grant Ward, Logan Polaschek, Braxton Nachtigal, Lily Rohan and Stella Gerlock. Not pictured: Molly Moser.

Spencer High School’s Tiger Jazz Ensemble continued its tradition of success as they received a Division I rating for their performance at the Class 1A, 2A and 3A State Jazz Band Virtual Contest, which was held on Saturday, Feb. 6. This is annual event is sponsored by the Iowa High School Music Association. ...

Applications are now being accepted for the Bennie B. and Ernestine F. Shine Scholarship, Adam J. Anderson Scholarship, as well as the Cornwall Loan Program. All programs are designed to help area students pursue health care careers. The Shine scholarship fund, administered by Spencer Hospital, annually awards funds to persons who have completed at least one semester of a nursing or allied health program. ...

WAYNE, Neb. — Wayne State College included more than 1,300 students on the dean's list for exemplary academic achievement during the past semester. Students listed on the dean's list are full-time undergraduate students who have achieved a GPA of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale for the semester. ...

'Halfway to Someday' Layla Dorine NineStar Press ISBN 978-1-951880-31-6 $6.99 --- So what happens when two PTSD victims converge in a lonely cabin during a Colorado blizzard? That’s the setup for Halfway to Someday, a psychologically engaging novel by Osage, Iowa, author Layla Dorine...

AMES — Confinement site manure applicators and anyone interested in learning about manure issues should plan to attend a two-hour workshop offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in February. These workshops are offered in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. ...

The Chamber of Commerce Board, in partnership with the Ag Breakfast Committee, have decided to postpone the 2021 Ag Breakfast. With the current Clay County mask mandate and social distancing guidelines organizers felt they would not be able to deliver the safe high-quality event that the residents of Clay County and the surrounding area deserve. The Ag Breakfast for 2022 has been rescheduled for March 15, providing an opportunity for socializing and networking.

At 8:20 p.m. Monday, Spencer Fire-Rescue was dispatched to 104 W. 10th St. for a reported fire in the kitchen. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke coming from the residence and deployed multiple hose lines for service. Firefighters entered the residence encountering heavy smoke conditions and quickly located the seat of the fire in the kitchen area and extinguished it.

The Spencer City Council received an update from the city’s seven member Historic Preservation Committee during their brief regular council meeting Monday night. The committee was represented by committee chair Sheriffa Jones, who said the annual update is not necessarily a new report but part of a new process...

Whether COVID-19 or winter temperatures, neither stopped couples from celebrating Valentine’s Day in the area. One such venue hosting valentines was the Great Hall of Royal on Saturday, preparing a socially distanced spread alongside local wineries. “We just felt like if we could facilitate having a spot (for Valentine’s Day) for people to come out and enjoy themselves maybe having a little bit smaller feel to it, that would be something we would enjoy doing,” owner Sara Ricke said. Sara Ricke’s husband, Matt, hoped the new event could continue into the future. (DIRECTION) Attendees made their way to the different local winery vendors, tasting and voting for their favorite wines, with the winner netting a spot in the Great Hall of Royal rotation.

Calling it a quick read, Vicky Treimer hopes her very personal tale will have a much bigger impact than the page count might suggest. “My Ultimate Hope” offers an intimate look at the life of a recovering bullying victim. “What inspired me to write my 44-page ‘My Ultimate Hope’ was the challenge of overcoming all the issues with being bullied,” she said. “It took me 38 years after junior high, when I was bullied, to just forgive my bullies successfully...

Clay County Public Health has received a limited allocation of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine the week of Feb. 16-20. Vaccination clinics will continue to be conducted for those who meet the Priority Group 1B, Tier 1 eligibility category per state guidelines and those age 65 and older, who qualify throughout all five of tiers within Priority Group 1B. Clinics are by appointment only...

Spencer Municipal Utilities’ regional transmission operator, Southwest Power Pool, has issued an emergency electric power alert which began at noon Monday and is anticipated to last for 48 hours. SMU is asking customers to voluntarily reduce their use of electricity to minimize strain on the electrical grid without taking any steps that endangers their own safety during this time...

The Spencer Daily Reporter, part of the Northwest Iowa Publishing group of papers under Publisher Paula Buenger, earned 12 awards including three top finishes and came in third for general excellence among the Daily Class 1 field during the 2021 Iowa Better Newspaper Contests announced Thursday...

Earlier this month Secretary of State Paul Pate announced a plan to provide grants of $10,000 to each Iowa county for election cybersecurity enhancements. Clay County Auditor Ann Baschke said her office plans to apply for the grant funding, continuing to build upon her office’s legacy of having a strong focus on technology and cybersecurity...

Iowa Corn Growers Association, Pizza Ranch and Chesterman Coca-Cola Company donated pizza and Coke products to staff at St. Luke for their hard work and dedication during the pandemic. (Left to right) Kim Manwarren, administrative assistant; Amanda Klein, activity director; Greg Meeter, interim administrator; and Deb Mechler, chaplain.

The Legislative Committee of the Spencer Chamber of Commerce announced its second session of the 2021 legislative forums. The second Eggs and Issues will be from 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, with the final session on March 20. These forums provide an opportunity to meet area, state and federal elected officials discussing issues which affect Spencer, Clay County and northwest Iowa...

DES MOINES — On Feb. 10, Rep. Megan Jones, R-Sioux Rapids, voted to advance multiple pieces of legislation to help address Iowa's child care crisis. Among the highlights in Wednesday's floor action was House File 370, a bill to incentivize employers to provide child care for their employees, and House File 302 which provides an "off-ramp" from Child Care Assistance so parents can continue to grow in their career without losing their child care assistance entirely, all at once...

WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, the House Agriculture Committee held their markup on the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill. U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, proposed several amendments, including one to provide relief for producers who were impacted by natural disasters in 2020. It would include damage from storms with high winds, like the derecho that impacted approximately 43% of cropland in Iowa last August...

JOHNSTON – Iowa Corn announced the new Director of Market Development, Grant Menke. In this position, Menke focuses on growing the demand for Iowa corn through biofuels, livestock, international trade, and other key market opportunities. Menke comes to Iowa Corn from USDA Rural Development in Iowa where he served as the agency’s State Director. ...

Editor’s Note: This article is the first in an occasional series called “In Focus” about public access to police body camera and in-car camera video in Iowa. --- --- This article is the first in a series called "In Focus" that will examine the use of police body cameras and access to police video in Iowa...

As of Feb. 1, a merger between two Spencer-based, Grand Avenue insurance providers became official as Community Insurance and Insurance Associates began operating as one entity under the Community Insurance roof. Community Insurance owner Scott Simpson will continue as agency president and Jeffry Bohnenkamp, formerly heading up Insurance Associates, will continue to serve clients as an agent for the foreseeable future...

Where do we go from here? It’s the question the city of Spencer’s elected officials and department heads gathered to answer inside the Spencer City Council chambers on Wednesday during a goal setting session. Early on, two large scale goals identified by the group included exploring how to expand the tax base and developing a plan for the land recently purchased by the city in west Spencer...