Stories from Thursday, February 21, 2008

For the most part, area school officials are keeping lunch menus intact and finding other suppliers after the recall of some 143 million pounds of beef products from Chino, California-based Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. USDA officials announced the nation's largest-ever meat recall Sunday after the Humane Society of the United States released undercover video showing crippled and sick animals at the slaughterhouse being shoved with forklifts...

Carrie Baker began her new role as executive director of Seasons Center for Community Mental Health on Monday. The self-described "tremendously easygoing" woman, a 54-year-old native of Ohio, plans to officially meet with staff from each of the eight offices for the first time this morning...

At 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23, Sheltered Reality, a non-profiit organization designed for percussion enthusiasts looking to make positive choices through music, will perform at the old Spencer Middle School Auditorium. Sheltered Reality uses the power of percussion set to music to motivate its audiences to also make positive changes in their lives and communities...

Williams & Company, P.C. recently released an audit report on the City of Spencer. Williams & Company, P.C. reported that the City's receipts from governmental funds totaled $11,180,400 for the year ended June 30, 2007. The receipts included $3,945,185 in property tax, $394,841 in tax increment financing, $2,324,916 in other city tax, and $608,660 in interest on investments...

The Board of Trustees of Iowa Lakes Community College held a public hearing Tuesday afternoon on the 2009 Fiscal Year Budget for the college. The planned published budget of $38.37 million was approved by the trustees. Property valuations in the five-county area covered by the college have increased slightly. ...

The winner of the Sixth Annual Quilt Show at the Southpark Mall is Miriam Fonley with her Grandmother's Fan quilt (right). There were 75 quilts on display, and 700 people came to view the display last weekend. Viewers were asked to vote for their favorite quilt...

Residents living in and around the Spencer community can be screened to reduce their risk of having a stroke. The complete screening package now includes a new heart rhythm screening, checking for irregular heartbeat which is a major risk factor for stroke...

Music in the Gallery The Iowa Lakes Community College Music Department will present a Midwinter Music Concert at Arts on Grand at 6:30 p.m. tonight. Members of the handbell choir, the jazz band, the jazz choir and more will create an evening of music to help benefit Arts on Grand. ...

Services for Christy A. Johnson, 90, of Spirit Lake, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 22, 2008, at United Methodist Church of Spirit Lake. Rev. Kay Hooper will officiate the service. Visitation will take place between 5-7 p.m. tonight at the Schuchert Funeral Home of Spirit Lake...

INCIDENTS ACCIDENTS ARRESTS...

The 2007-08 All-Lakes Conference boys basketball teams have been announced with four Spencer guys receiving conference recognition. Below are the Tigers honorees and their per-game averages, along with a complete list of this season's All-Lakes Conference teams...

State basketball shirts State Basketball Shirts are on sale by the Spencer Tailtwisters. All orders must be turned in to the High School Office in person by noon. on Feb. 21. This deadline is firm. Money is due when placing the order. If you have any questions, do not call the high school office, call Mike Gathman at 262-6580. Make checks payable to Spencer Tailtwisters. Short sleeve shirts are $10 and long sleeved are $15. Add an additional $2 for 2XL or 3XL...