Stories from Thursday, March 26, 2009

The local alliance between Habitat for Humanity International and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans continues to build hope for low-income families as the mortgage crisis unfolds nationwide. Since 2005, this alliance has given thousands of families across the nation an opportunity to achieve the American dream of homeownership...

Donald George Weber, 64 of Canyon Lake, Texas, passed way March 20, 2009. Don was born in Spencer and raised in Ayrshire. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2009, at Living Word Outreach Ministries, 905 10th Ave. SE, Spencer, IA. He lived in Iowa until relocating to south Texas over 25 years ago. At the time of his death he was still working and traveling as a minister for Five Stones Ministries...

Mr. and Mrs. John Jensen of Everly, Iowa are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Dena Jensen to Dana Morgan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Morgan of Corning. Dena is a graduate of Iowa State University and is currently a marketing specialist for Farm Progress Companies. Dana is a graduate of Iowa State University and works with New Balance Commodities...

Scott Hallgren, Clay County Regional Events Center general manager (left) accepts a gift of two wheelchairs from Leon Rodas, president of the Spencer Regional Healthcare Foundation. The Foundation donated two wheelchairs to be used by guests attending community events. Spencer Hospital has loaned wheelchairs when events, such as the primary and general elections, were held at the Events Center. Now the two wheelchairs will be permanently available at the events center for guests' use...

The quest for better roads and sewer systems begins with support from members of Congress. A delegation led by the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is in Washington, D.C. to get that support this week. Twelve community leaders have set up a series of meetings with Iowa's representatives in the nation's capital. ...

Abben Cancer Center of Spencer Hospital will open its doors to the public from 1-4 p.m., on Sunday, March 29. The open house is designed to give the public a first-hand look at the many services provided by the comprehensive cancer treatment services and will feature the new Varian Clinac iX linear accelerator which provides state-of-the-art radiation therapy. ...

Students across Iowa rallied against tobacco Wednesday as they joined thousands of young people nationwide for the 14th annual Kick Butts Day, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The specially designated day raised awareness about continued tobacco marketing to kids and the need for Congress to crack down on such practices. ...

Spencer school board members received a stern warning from a certified public accountant Tuesday regarding the district's current financial situation. After Bruce Frink of Clarion complimented Superintendent Greg Ebeling on his 2009-10 certified budget presentation, he questioned board members about the district's 3.9 percent solvency ratio as of June 30, 2008...