Stories from Thursday, August 21, 2008

BAGHDAD -- Iraqi and U.S. negotiators have completed a draft security agreement that would see American troops leave Iraqi cities as soon as June 30, Iraqi and American officials told The Associated Press on Wednesday. In Washington, a senior military official said the deal is acceptable to the U.S. side, subject to formal approval by President Bush. It also requires final acceptance by Iraqi leaders, and some members of Iraq's Cabinet oppose some provisions...

WASHINGTON -- Energy companies placed $487.3 million in winning bids for the right to drill in the western Gulf of Mexico, knowing they may get a chance later to explore in other areas that have been off limits for decades. The lease sale Wednesday was the first since President Bush last month lifted an executive ban on oil drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. ...

The Spencer Ambassadors paid a visit to Eagles Club Manager Ted Jafvert who continues to complete the remodeling efforts at the Eagles Club on the corner of First Avenue East and East Fifth Street. When Jafvert started at the Eagles Club, it had just over 80 members; about now, with the remodel underway and the state law reducing the smoking inside the building, the private club has increased its membership to just under 250 members. ...

BEIJING -- Usain Bolt's eyes darted to check the numbers on the trackside clock once, twice, three times, more. For the only time in eight races at these Olympics, Bolt was really trying -- gritting his teeth, pumping his arms, churning his golden spikes with those long, long legs. ...

BEIJING (AP) -- Move over, Michael. Make way for Usain. The Beijing Olympics will no longer be remembered only for what Michael Phelps did in the pool. Usain Bolt made sure of it on the track Wednesday night. Already the champion at 100 meters, Bolt whizzed through the 200, too, making him the first winner of both Olympic sprints since Carl Lewis in 1984...

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson ended his holdout on Wednesday while his agent continues negotiations for a new contract. The 235-pound Jackson, a bruising runner and the centerpiece of the team's offense, is entering the final year of a five-year, $7 million deal he signed as a first-round pick in 2004. His prolonged stand perhaps reflected a realization of his value to an attack that averaged only 16 points last season while going 3-13...

Rob and Traci Verdoorn of Dickens and Steve and Danae Wetrich both of Primghar would like to announce the marriage of their children Trinity Michels and Chris Wetrich. Trinity is a Spencer High School graduate. She will be attending classes in the fall for Early Childhood Education. Chris is a Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn graduate, and will be attending classes for Wind Energy & Turbine Technology...

Ashley Ter Wee and Patrick Rainbolt were united in marriage on July 12, 2008, at First Congregational Church of Spencer. Revs. Tom and Wendy Van Tassell officiated the ceremony. Parents of the couple are Gary and Linda Ter Wee of Spirit Lake and Scot and Katie Rainbolt of Papillion, Neb...

Bill and Ruth Schwarck celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Aug. 26, 2008. Bill and Ruth currently reside at The Highlands, 1211 St. Luke Drive No. 311, Spencer.

Harry and Naomi Adams were married 65 years ago on Sept. 5, 1943 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Royal. They farmed near Royal for 41 years and then retired at Millers Bay in Wahpteton in 1986. Anyone wishing to send cards or stop in between 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 31 would be most welcome at 1507 Jer Dee Lane in Wahpeton...

SACHKHERE, Georgia -- Russian forces dug trenches and built sentry posts deep inside Georgia on Wednesday, showing few signs they would pull back later this week as promised. Georgian soldiers suggested the Russians were trying to provoke them and justify a resumption of the conflict, which over five days pounded the infrastructure of the small former Soviet republic and the morale of its troops...

There were no sirens, flashing lights or pieces of twisted metal when patrol cars were parked in the area of a school bus in north Spencer on Wednesday morning. Members of the Spencer Police Department, Clay County Sheriff's Office and Iowa State Patrol would like to keep it that way...

A traffic stop by a Clay County Deputy landed a Minnesota man in the Clay County Jail on traffic and drug charges. At approximately 6:23 p.m. Friday a Clay County Deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation. Upon making contact with the driver, 47-year-old Mark Gruben of Freeborn, Minn., the deputy observed an open can of beer and noticed an odor of an alcoholic beverage. ...

DES MOINES -- State legislators don't seem eager to wade back into the hot-button issue of regulating giant livestock production centers despite pleas from environmental officials for help. The issue has dogged the Legislature for nearly a decade, since livestock production techniques began to shift toward giant confinement operations. Many operations, especially hog production sites, now raise thousands of animals under the same roof...

WASHINGTON -- Democratic Party leaders want to regain control of the primary calendar and reduce the number of superdelegates through a new commission announced Wednesday. They also want to review the caucus system, which presumed nominee Barack Obama used so successfully this year. The commission would work over the next year and make recommendations by January 2010...

The Spencer Family Aquatic Center will now only be open on the weekends of Aug .23-24 and Aug. 30-31. It will also be open on Monday, Sept. 1, Labor Day until 5 p.m. at which time it will close for the season. --- A new Spencer Area Singles group will meet at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Pederson Park concession stand. Questions, call Tim at 260-0616...

The Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees convened Tuesday on the Estherville campus and learned about the long-time success of the Environmental Studies program. Professor Gary Phillips was introduced to the trustees by Executive Dean Mary Larscheid of the Estherville campus...

POSTVILLE (AP) -- About 50 rabbis in charge of supervising the kosher slaughter and processing of meat at the Agriprocessors plant in Postville walked off the job Wednesday to protest recent pay cuts. The rabbis reportedly took the action because of a decrease in pay since a May 12 immigration raid, the largest in U.S. history. The plant has since drastically reduced production...

Dave Hessman, former Clay County Extension Education Director, was inducted into the 2008 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 17. Eighty-two Iowa counties have participated this year and selected inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H...

This year's Mainstreet Market talent competition will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. tongiht as part of the wrap-up to the annual Spencer downtown marketplace celebration. This is an opportunity for area residents (and visitors) to showcase their musical, theatrical, comedic, or dance talents. There are three age categories--12 and under, 13--18, and over 18...

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Emergency crews launched airboats into submerged streets Wednesday to rescue central Florida residents trapped by rising floodwaters from a stalled Tropical Storm Fay, which soaked the state for a third consecutive day. Calling the flooding "catastrophic," Gov. ...

The first day of classes for the 2008-09 school year at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Spencer commenced Wednesday with students and staff members parading outside to witness a flag presentation and flag-raising ceremony. The tradition began in 1970, when the building was officially opened and the late Bob Conlon, an Army corporal who served in World War II, presented a flag to school representatives and students...