Stories from Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Blizzard conditions slow delivery

A winter storm warning was cancelled for the area and a blizzard warning was put in its place by the National Weather Service at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow urged residents to stay home, saying deputies will only respond to "medical, life-or-death situations" as the sun goes down...

City staff began putting together the details of a snow emergency Monday night at the Spencer City Council meeting, in anticipation of a winter storm in the area for Tuesday into Wednesday. "The equipment is ready, the sanders are full and the plows are on and fueled and ready for weather," said Spencer Public Works Director Mark White...

A rededication ceremony and open house were hosted Sunday by the Iowa National Guard at Spencer's armory. The event commemorated the completion of renovations and an addition made to the facility at 11 E. 23rd St., Spencer. ...

The city and the Spencer Employees Association concluded negotiations Monday night following Spencer City Council approval of a one-year contract. The agreement received unanimous support and calls for a 1 percent across-the-board increase in the salary matrix for city employees...

As he trudges through the mud at his farm east of Spirit Lake, one has to wonder if Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is drawing comparisons to the muddy condition of Iowa's finances. "We'll do what we have to do," he says with a glint of optimism. "Our businesses and citizens in the state are hurting because of the current economy, so obviously the state has less money as well."...

After several weeks of darkness, a couple of blocks of Grand Avenue boulevard between Eighth and 18th streets were illuminated Monday as Mayor Reynold Peterson, proclaimed, "Let there be light," while flipping a ceremonial switch, turning on the new "green" lighting. Not green as in color, but green as in energy efficient...

Just as Virginia was reminded Santa Claus does exist in a newspaper editorial years ago, I've reconnected with the fact that random acts of kindness also still exist. The hustle and bustle associated with the holiday season was in high gear around town this weekend. While I attempted to capture a few of the holiday happenings as a reporter, I found myself in the midst of heavier than normal traffic...

The internet. It's amazing how dramatically this phenomenon has changed the way we communicate. Over the past decade, it's gone from a novelty to a necessity. My mother communicates with her seven grown children via email, and I communicate with my grown nieces and nephews via Facebook. As a newspaper, we communicate via our free website and our paid, complete online edition...

Okoboji banker Jeff Smith on Tuesday announced plans to run for the Iowa House District 6 seat currently held by Mike May. May said he will not be seeking re-election in 2010 and voiced support for Smith -- a fellow Republican -- as part of the statement that officially announced Smith's campaign for the seat...

Funeral services for Mrs. Elenor Speck, 96, of Spencer, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Warner Chapel in Spencer. Rev. Paul Hansen will officiate the service. Interment will take place in Riverside Cemetery in Spencer. Mrs. Speck passed away Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, at Northshire Residence in Spencer...

Memorial services for Mr. Elwyn "Bud" Letcher, 88, of Spencer, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Warner Chapel in Spencer. Rev. Chuck Kellogg will officiate the service. The family will be present to greet friends from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday at the Warner Funeral Home in Spencer...

Funeral services for Winona C. Recher, 89 of Okoboji were held Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, at the Turner Funeral Home in Milford. The Sarah Rohret officiated and burial was at the Lakeview Gardens Cemetery near Okoboji. Winona C. Recher was born to Arthur and Stella Olson at Greenville, Ia. on Dec. 8, 1919...