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Spencer to tackle religion in the public schools
(07/03/09)
Is there a place for religious expression in public schools? Should history be taught to students via the Bible and texts dealing with Darwinism in a public school district's classrooms? Spencer school board members, with hoped-for input from members of the public, are planning to address issues such as these with a draft religious liberty policy currently under consideration...
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Spencer, Iowa ~ Sunday, July 5, 2009
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Check point stops cars, raises awareness
Census: City down 3 percent since 2000
(07/03/09) Spencer was passed by another suburb and is the state's 33rd largest city, according to new estimates released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau. North Liberty was behind both Oskaloosa and Spencer in the same estimates a year ago. The Iowa City suburb has doubled in size since 2000 and has a population of 11,561... 
Reviving 'Rocket Park'
(07/02/09)Eric Johannsen calls the West Leach Park rocket slide a testament to taking chances and climbing to great heights. Playground equipment companies would call the venerable rocket a liability issue. "Especially when it comes to height, they get really scared," Spencer Parks Director Delray Bredehoeft said. "They don't tend to build things that big anymore."...
South Clay committee sets dissolution timeline
(07/02/09) A tentative timeline for bringing patrons and neighboring districts into the South Clay dissolution process has been established. The Clay County school district's dissolution is scheduled to take effect following the 2009-10 school year. As an organizational meeting of the Dissolution Commission Committee for South Clay School District was held Tuesday in the Gillett Grove school building's board room, Barry Anderson was appointed to serve as the committee's chairperson. ... 
2004 'Citizen of the Year' Veitch passes
(07/02/09)Just a month before he was named the 2004 Spencer "Citizen of the Year," Don Veitch was interviewed and shared a philosophy that identified the kind of person he was: "There are no bad days. Some days are just better than others." Wednesday, Spencer lost one of its icons. Veitch, 91, passed away at Spencer Hospital. Funeral arrangements are pending at Warner Funeral Home of Spencer... 
More on Don Veitch
(07/01/09)The Greenville native, with expressive eyes and a subtle smile, can paint a rosy picture for even the grimmest of tales. Don Veitch's long-held philosophy is: "There are no bad days. Some days are just better than others." The 86-year-old Spencer resident was handed a "real low number" over six decades ago, which meant he didn't have very long to wait before being drafted... 
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... 
Celebrating nature at Stolley Park
(06/27/09)Children participating in this year's summer playground program at Sunset, Leach and Fairview parks joined together Friday morning at Stolley Park in Spencer to celebrate Nature Week. 
Celebrating 70-plus years of friendship
(06/26/09)It's been 70 years since the class of 1939 clutched their high school diplomas and moved into the world of adulthood. Thursday afternoon, 15 members of the class - which in 1939 was 100-plus strong - gathered at the Golfview Condos in south Spencer to enjoy lunch together and share stories from the past 70 years. ... 
Annual meeting July 13: Corridor announces directors, officers
(06/26/09)Steven Pick of Spencer Municipal Utilities was named to his first term as a Clay County representative on the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation Board of Directors. The Corridor also named Okoboji banker Curt Johnson to a second three-year term as chairman on June 17. ...
Dairy celebration near Spencer
(06/26/09) Families and the public are encouraged to visit a modern dairy farm, learn about Iowa's dairy farmers, eat a free meal and sample some great, wholesome dairy products during a June Dairy Celebration. The Jones Dairy Farm will host the event on from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, near Spencer...
Sirens 6-25-09
(06/25/09) Sara Wirkus, 23, Spencer, was charged with theft fifth degree at 4:12 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, at Wal-Mart. She was released on a police citation. Shayne Pomeroy, 23, Ruthven, was charged on a Clay County warrant for failure to serve sentence at 8:57 p.m. Saturday, June 13, in the 300 block of Grand Avenue. He was transported to the Spencer Police Department... 
Banks go the extra mile to generate Relay dollars
(06/25/09)Friday evening, Cancer survivors, loved ones, friends, assembled teams, and concerned strangers will come together at the Clay County Fairgrounds to walk as one in the name of cancer research. The 25 Years of Hope celebration has been designated 80s Night for all participating in the over 12 hours of scheduled programming... 
PATOOT preparing to roll again
(06/25/09)The town of Peterson will be celebrating this Saturday as the seventh annual community celebration built around Peterson's Annual Trip On Old Tractors (PATOOT) tractor ride takes center stage in the Clay County town. The morning for many will begin with a breakfast at Calamity Jane's or Sue's Diner... 
Board to consider action on no in-town busing
(06/23/09)Not enough Spencer parents have responded to continue with in-town busing for their children next school year. As of Friday's deadline, only 61 children's guardians had signed on to pay a $1 a day fee to ride a Spencer school bus. Under the proposed busing alternative, families with more than two students would have been capped at a $350 per year fee.
Hartley crash claims one life
(06/23/09) Members of the Iowa State Patrol continue their investigation following a fatal collision at 7:06 a.m. Monday along Highway 18 just west of Hartley. The nearly head-on crash claimed the life of 55-year-old Donald John Schmalen of Sheldon. He was pronounced dead at the scene, which was about 1/2 mile beyond city limits... 
Fair ticket sales dates announced
(06/20/09)Starting Monday, fairgoers can scratch "order Grandstand tickets" off their to-do list. And ticket sales should be brisk, based on a 2009 Grandstand entertainment lineup that includes a blue-collar comedian, a popular rock band, the always-solid list of country and gospel acts and "the greatest show on dirt."... 
RIGHT FIT pt. 3 -- Consultant sees opportunities for Spencer
(06/20/09)Residents of Spencer, you've been profiled. Companies see you as "Simple Pleasures." Many of you over 65 years old. You likely live in lower-middle-class neighborhoods. You are high-school educated and held blue-collar jobs before retirement. You served in the military and belong to veterans clubs... 
Ouellette: Making her mark in Spencer
(06/19/09)Nancy Ouellette views the glass as half full, not half empty. It's also how the Spencer woman approaches life. "I have lots of things I'm interested in and there's lots of things to get excited about in the world," the 58-year-old, who admits she's not a "sitter," recently said during an interview in her home. As evidenced by her front and back yards, Ouellette has a green thumb. She also enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, singing with Sacred Heart Church's choir, and giving of her time to causes such as Spencer Community Theatre (SCT) and Birthright. ...
Sirens 06-19-09
(06/19/09) Michael Andrew Sanderson, 46, Ruthven, was arrested on a warrant for violation probation out of Lyon County, Minnesota, on original charges of aggravated assault, family strong arm and third degree assault at 9:57 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, at his residence by Clay County sheriffs. He was taken to the Clay County Jail where he was booked in to wait for an extradition hearing. The Clay County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol... 
City's retail 'target' has grown
(06/19/09)The grass creeping up through the vast parking lots in south Spencer haven't gone unnoticed by the Spencer Retail Task Force. Its members recently toured buildings vacated when Kmart and Ace Hardware left town. Hy-Vee expanded and moved north on Grand Avenue, making a third "big box" available along Highway 71... 
A Grand Journey
(06/18/09)"Our intent is to make it a showplace for the city." Dave Jacobsen, Spencer businessman and developer of "Gary's on the River" Threats of tornado producing weather crossing into northwest Iowa prompted Tuesday's scheduled move of the 111-year-old, former St. Stephen's Episcopal Church to start a bit early... 
Committee steps up search for hotel occupant
(06/18/09)The Tangney Hotel remains the most prominent building in Spencer's business district. But just as prominent is the "for sale" sign in the front window. The bar is locked up. The kitchen is empty. The term "vacancy" applies to the entire building at 605 Grand Avenue... 
ALEERT training focuses on active shooter scenarios
(06/18/09)An officer taking part in a mock shooter scenario at Spencer High School on Tuesday stands over a fallen target, while watching his partners secure another shooter across the room. This is part of the ALEERT exercise being conducted through the Iowa Central Community College's Homeland Security Training Center in Fort Dodge. ... 
Secrets Uncovered: Contents of time capsule revealed on live broadcast
(06/16/09)The mystery was uncovered Monday morning, literally. Spencer developer Dave Jacobsen and a collection of interested parties made their way into the KICD-AM 1240 studios, as air personality George Bower hosted the opening of a time capsule dating back 111 years when the St. ...
Library considers sex offender law impact
(06/16/09) City Attorney Don Hemphill assured Spencer Public Library board members recently that only four sentences in a new state law apply to city and county libraries. He also deemed the potential impact of the 32-page act signed by the Gov. Chet Culver -- which lists prohibitions that apply only to individuals who've been convicted of a sex offense against a minor -- on the library as being "very minimal."... 
Pietschs to be featured at Sunday's airshow
(06/13/09)While a good portion of the Flagfest weekend activities fall on Saturday, the 26th annual Northwest Iowa Regional Airport Fly-in Breakfast and Airshow remain among the few events that help fill Sunday. This year, Kent and Warren Pietsch - pilots and operators of the Pietsch Airshow will be featured as they take to the air for their comedy act, dead stick act, aerobatic act and performing dual act... 
Worth traveling for
(06/13/09)They're traveling to Spencer from places such as Lacey, Wash., Oakland, Maine, Crowley, La., Arlington, Texas, Raleigh, N.C., Rochester, N.Y., Jacksonville, Fla., and Dunsford, Ontario, Canada. The guest book located on the front desk is capturing sentiments they're leaving, such as "Loved the book," "Dewey brought me," "Routed through here special," "Had to see the legend" and "We had a library cat too." ...
Plan to address school leadership structure change
(06/12/09) Classes may have dismissed for the summer, but some Iowa school officials still find themselves working to develop and approve new leadership structures for their districts. As requested by the Department of Education, the move marks one of the first requirements for the eventual statewide implementation of the Iowa Core Curriculum. ...
Apple Tree licensing under review
(06/12/09) Inspectors have responded to three complaints at Apple Tree Preschool and Daycare in the past 15 months, including concerns over caregiver-to-child ratios. The complaints, filed in Des Moines, do not yet include a May 26 incident, when a 4-year-old boy wandered from Apple Tree and into traffic on U.S. ... 
Moving day approaches for 'Gary's on the River' project
(06/11/09)The story looked like it was going to end in 1993 for a 111-year-old church along East Fifth Street. That's when a declining, local congregation at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church made the difficult decision to merge with St. Alban's and its Episcopal church congregation in Spirit Lake. Pews were empty, stained glass was dusty; only the local church's signature ivy returned for 16 years... 
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... 
Spencer grad touts skills learned in debate
(06/09/09)Mark Woolsey credits a Spencer High School teacher and his 1976 start in debate with opening several of the most important doors in his life. Several of those doors have extended onto the international level. The 49-year-old son of Joanne Woolsey, who formerly served as the director of nursing at Longhouse Nursing Home, and the late James Woolsey, who served as a podiatrist in Spencer, has worked the past seven years as a speech and debate instructor at Yavapai College in Prescott, Ariz. The 1979 SHS graduate also debated in college on scholarship. Woolsey met his wife, Denise, while both were members of the collegiate debate team. On his way to rebuild flood-damaged homes in Cedar Rapids this past weekend with Sara Krogshede, the foreign exchange student from Denmark the Woolseys have hosted this past school year, the two stopped at Mel and Jan Myers' place in Spencer. There, he fondly recalled the interaction he'd had with other high school students as a debater, deeming it a "great cultural learning experience" for him. ...
In-town bus routes remain in question
(06/09/09) The future of in-town school bus routes for Spencer students still hasn't been decided following a public forum Saturday at the district's central offices. As of now, Spencer School Board member Dave Schlichtemeier told about 30 school district patrons that the district will not provide "discretionary busing at taxpayer expense" for the upcoming school year... 
2009 Clay County Fair looking to honor descendants of Civil War veterans
(06/06/09)The Civil War divided a country from 1861 through 1865. It also created a nation. Its legacy includes ending slavery in the United States and strengthening the role of the federal government. The Civil War also ranks as one of the deadliest wars in American history, causing 620,000 soldier deaths and an undetermined number of civilian casualties... 
Free fishing continues through weekend
(06/06/09)State officials hope a free fishing weekend has Iowans falling for the activity hook, line and sinker. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has waived the requirement that anglers possess a valid fishing license while fishing. The promotion ends Sunday night and is for Iowa residents only. All other fishing laws are in effect... 
Scharnberg Park hosts conservation board's 50th summer
(06/05/09)When the sun is out Saturday, Dan Heissel expects a large crowd at Scharnberg Park for the conservation board's 50th summer in Clay County. If the sun isn't out, well, there will be plenty of tent space and beach umbrellas on hand for the large crowd, too...
Sirens 6-5-09
(06/05/09)
James Patrick Griffin, 45, St. Laurens, was charged with no insurance and improper registration on Thursday, May 28, in the 3900 block of N18 during a routine traffic stop by Clay County deputies. He was transported to the Clay County Jail and held to appear before a magistrate... |
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