Stories from Thursday, January 21, 2010

A perfect storm is brewing in Iowa, gubernatorial candidate Chris Rants, R-Sioux City, told a group of about 50 people at the Clay County Regional Events Center Tuesday night. The former Speaker of the House identified a lack of job development, escalating taxes and an outdated, unconstitutional school aid funding formula as the three biggest problems currently facing the state at the Informed Voter Forum sponsored by the Clay County Tea Party Patriots...

On Tuesday, during a scheduled hearing, Brenda Lee Heilstedt of Spencer, withdrew her not guilty plea with regards to arson charges stemming from a fire that broke out at a home she owned on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008; and pled guilty to arson in the second degree, a Class C felony...

Taken out of context, the fact that the Spencer City Council are looking to Purple Flying Monkeys to solve a perceived safety issue facing the Spencer Middle School might have residents questioning their decision at the voting booths. But during Monday night's council meeting, the "Monkeys," comprised of the middle school's female Lego League members, presented a study that demonstrated pedestrian dangers for students arriving at the middle school in the morning...

A consultant has told Spencer Public Library representatives that an additional 9,214 square feet will be needed to effectively serve patrons over the next two decades. The space needs analysis completed by George Lawson, and adopted by library board members last week, takes into account the library's collections, meeting areas, staff room, seating, computers and other factors. The study recommends the library's current 14,835 gross square feet be expanded to a minimum of 24,049 square feet...

Services for Mr. Calvin A. Long will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ruthven. Rev. Peter Nguyen will officiate the service. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery in Ruthven. Calvin died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010, at his home in Ruthven, at the age of 68...

Esther Leiting, 67, of Arcadia, Iowa, died Jan. 17, 2010, at Carroll, Iowa. Visitation is 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at Ohde Twit Funeral Home, Carroll, with a rosary at 3 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m. Mass is Friday at 10 a.m. at St. John's in Arcadia...