Stories from Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Spencer Park Board members tentatively set their sights on building a trail from Fourth Avenue West to Country Club Lane as they unanimously approved applying for an up-to-$230,000 SAFETEA-LU transportation grant Tuesday night. The application, which is due Feb. 29, could fund a project earmarked to occur in 2012...

You know who they are. They're the relatives who comment about how the business district has changed since the last time they were here. They're the coworker who took a job in another town and misses home. They're the college roommate who is always complaining about the long commute in a big city...

Teens, as well as pre-teens, will have the opportunity to hear a dynamic youth speaker at the annual No Apologies for Teens event scheduled for both Jan. 22-23. Nationally-known comedian/speaker Keith Deltano will speak about decision-making skills and sexual abstinence with age-appropriate material for two youth sessions and two sessions for parents and teachers...

Fifteen businesses came together, taking the opportunity to promote themselves Tuesday night at the Clay County Regional Events Center as part of the Business After Hours Expo. Food and beverages were served in this new Chamber of Commerce event as each business was allowed "two minutes of fame" during the event. ...

The Spencer Storefront Initiative was launched one year ago by Spencer Municipal Utilities, the Spencer Chamber of Commerce, and local financial institutions with the goal of encouraging local businesses to "spruce up" the appearance of their properties. One year later, the results are already starting to show...

Funeral services for Irene Woolston, 81, of Sutherland, will take place at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008, at Warner Funeral Home of Everly. Rev. Michael Hyde will officiate the services. Visitation will begin after 2 p.m., today with the family present from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home in Everly...

Memorial services for Iris Erickson, 86, of Spencer, will be held at 1:30 p.m., today, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at Warner Chapel of Spencer. Rev. Paul Hansen will officiate the service. There will be no visitation. Iris passed away Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, at Longhouse Residence of Spencer...

Funeral services for Donald L. Dodge, 90, of Terril, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at First Lutheran Church of Milford. Rev. Tim Nappe will officiate the service. Don passed away at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, S.D. on January 5, 2008, at ninety years of age...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- A line of thunderstorms fed by warm weather continued spinning off unusual January tornadoes Tuesday, killing a man in Arkansas and carrying a cow close to a mile. At least three people died and hundreds evacuated because of flooding in Indiana, where more than 5 inches of rain in some areas pushed rivers and streams over their banks. Two of the victims were young children trapped in a submerged car...

Christian Women to meet Okoboji Christian Women, a division of Stonecroft Ministries, will have a luncheon entitled "Let the games Begin" at the Inn at Okoboji at 12:30 p.m., today. Cost for the event if $9. Jane Munson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who enjoys sewing, baking, decorating and tennis, will be the main speaker. ...

CONCORD, N.H. -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton won New Hampshire's Democratic primary Tuesday night in a startling upset, defeating Sen. Barack Obama and resurrecting her bid for the White House. Sen. John McCain powered past his Republican rivals and back into contention for the GOP nomination...

Deputies investigate expensive tire theft Sometime between 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, and 8 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4, someone entered the Graffiti Garage building at 8000 North Main Street in Everly. One inside the intruder or intruders stole four rims and tires from a vehicle parked there. The rims are described as Corvette Rally rims with center caps and beauty rings. The tires mounted on the rims were Goodyear Eagle GT2's. The reported approximate value is $2,000...

Local Girl Scout Troop 280, held a "Fun Day" event for local Girl Scouts in Spencer, on Nov. 10, 2007. Girls attending participated in activities girl scouts like to do best; crafts, games, learning the Girl Scout Law and Promise, hiking and good snacks. ...

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors helped Helen DeSmit at Creative Weddings celebrate her grand opening and took part in a special ribbon cutting event -- welcoming the new business at 304 Grand Ave. to Spencer. Helen has been working within the wedding supply business for 18 years including, most recently in Sheldon before coming to Spencer and opening her Grand Avenue location. ...

Girls Rebels win third straight, bounce Aurelia 58-35 SIOUX RAPIDS -- The Sioux Central girls shot 64 percent from the field and committed just four turnovers Tuesday, winning their third straight and improving to 8-1 in the Northwest Conference with a 58-35 victory over Aurelia...

-Spencer sinks Sioux City East 81-11, Storm Lake 76-18- Spencer picked up a sweep Monday in its first double dual since the start of the holiday break, cruising past both Sioux City East and Storm Lake with wins in all 11 events. Spencer also claimed the runner-up spot in 8-of-11 events, and placed two swimmers in the top three in all but one event, defeating Sioux City East 81-11 and Storm Lake 76-18...

Jackson Michael Lee Carlson, son of Linda Carlson of Emmetsburg was born Dec. 30, 2007. He weighed 6 pounds, 4 ounces. Grandparents are: Connie Wise of Texas and Gary Carlson of Buffalo Center. Great-Grandma is Doris Carlson of Armstrong. Jackson was welcomed home by big sister, Channa Carlson and big brothers: Dawson Carlson and Colten Snavely...

Lucos Joseph Wernimont, son of Gary and Christy Wernimont of Sioux Rapids, was born Jan. 4, 2008. He weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces. Grandparents are: Kevin and Malia Mouser of Remsen, and Michael and Myrna Wernimont of Sioux Rapids. Great-grandparents are Walter and Vera Nilles of Remsen...

Lucio and Sarah Bavelli of Baxter, Minnesota, are the new parents of a son, Alex Francesco Bavelli. He was born Dec. 18, 2007, and weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces. Grandparents are: Duaine and Sally Holck, Spencer, and Mario and Daniela Bavelli of Milan, Italy...

Scott and Sheila DeRuyter of Melvin are the new parents of a daughter, Ella Grace DeRuyter. She was born Dec. 22, 2007. and weighed 9 pounds, 5 ounces. Grandparents are: John and Elaine DeRuyter of Milford, and Rodney and Jeri Behrens of Ocheyedan...

Kiley Michelle Hicks, daughter of Amada Foulks of Spencer and Cole Hicks of Milford, was born Jan. 3, 2008. She weighed 7 pounds, 12.5 ounces. Grandparents are: Alan and Lyn Hicks of Milford, and Marcos and Amy Mireles of Spencer.

Keatyn Michael Todd Dirks, son of Courteney and Jayson Dirks of Spencer, was born Jan. 2, 2008. He weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces. Grandparents are: Staci and Michael Jensen , and Jim and Linda Stegman, all of Spencer. Keatyn was welcomed home by big brother, Kayden...

Colton Howard Burg, son of Chris and Lovina Burg of Ruthven, was born Dec. 4, 2007. He weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces. Grandparents: are Betty Burg of Spencer, John Burg of Marietta, Ga., Florentina Aguarin of Oakland, Calif., and James and Un Hui Lindley of Fairview Heights, Ill...

Dale and Rochelle Waggoner of Spencer, and Chuck and Sue Kershner of West Burlington, would like to announce the upcoming wedding of their children, Abbie Waggoner and Kyler Kershner. Abbie is a graduate of UNI with a degree in Bio-Med. She is currently attending the College of Dentistry at the University of Iowa. ...