Stories from Saturday, November 22, 2008

The Holiday Family Adoption Program continues with a listing of families in The Daily Reporter. The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share in the holiday spirit and bounty...

There is no saga of overcoming the odds -- no tale of an overachiever doing the improbable. Anybody looking for the story of the underdog when it comes to Brittany Peterson just won't find it. That role is saved for the person trying to defend her. Plain and simple -- this girl's just darn good...

Tonight's Nashville Star Tour show in Spencer will conclude the national tour featuring the final four competitors on the nationally broadcast NBC show. In addition to winner, Melissa Lawson, northwest Iowa's Shawn Mayer will be featured in the concert which will get underway at 8 p.m. ...

Memorial services for Ms. Victoria Lutes Bell, 54 of Spencer will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008 at the Eagles Club in Spencer. Marlys Van-Engen will officiate the service. There will be no visitation. A lite lunch will be served after the service. Everyone is welcome. Please no flowers...

American Education Week is Nov. 17-21. This year's theme is: "Great Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility." Spencer schools have several events planned for this special week. Those include: District Teacher Appreciation, Alumni (College Colors Day), Support Staff/Substitutes, Volunteers Day, Celebrate Reading Day, and Purple and Gold Day. The staff is also doing a can food drive for Upper Des Moines Pantry...

Fire chief Doug Duncan has renewed a warning about residents who supplement their homes with space heaters after a Spencer man's body was found inside a house fire early Friday. At 12:11 a.m. firefighters were called to the Wayne Weier Sr. residence at 513 West Fifth Street. Some fire and heavy smoke could be seen from the front of the building when firefighters arrived...