Last Week's Most Read Stories

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...

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. ...

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...

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...

PLANE CRASH UPDATE - Passengers not from area (06/23/09)

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...

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.

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...