Stories from Friday, May 21, 2010

Though both District 6 candidates are Republicans, Jeff Smith and Zach Whiting have their fair share of differences. Smith is a 42-year-old father of two with a farming background and 15 years of banking experience. Whiting is a 22-year-old Stetson University graduate who has interned for U.S. Rep. Steve King and The Federalist Society, a conservative, legal think tank...

Kaylee Fuller, David Geiger, Jessica Hall, Matthew Mason, Anthony Paulson, Courtney Payne, Amber Scott, Kaci Stearns, Paige Van Voorst and Jennifer Webster became 2010 graduates of Spencer Central Academy Alternative High School Thursday night. During the commencement exercise held in the Spencer schools' administration building, teacher Anne Roberts referred to Michael Oher, a Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman and subject of the recent movie "The Blind Side." As she deemed Oher "an amazing role model," Roberts then reminded the 10 graduates that they'd also been through trials in their lifetimes.. ...

Bret Michaels' Roses & Thorns World Tour 2010, will perform in front of the Grandstands at the Clay County Fair at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, closing out this year's fair. Special guests Attention will open the show. Most recently, Michaels has been a contestant on the NBC reality show "Celebrity Apprentice." Michaels has persevered throughout the competition and continues to impress other contestants and "boss," Donald Trump. ...

Gov. Chet Culver formally announced his re-election bid Monday morning, kicking off a five-day, 41-county "Choosing a Better Iowa, Choosing a Brighter Future" tour. As a part of that tour, Lt. Gov. Patty Judge spoke at the Spencer Area Activity Center on Thursday afternoon...

Kirk M. Struthers, 66, of Algona, died Tuesday, May 18, 2010, at Hospice of North Iowa Inpatient Unit, Mason City. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 22, at First United Methodist Church, Algona, with Rev. Steve McElroy officiating...

Funeral services for Mrs. Ruth Goodchild, 76 of Spencer, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 21, at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Spencer. Rev. Mike Huebner will officiate the service. Visitation will begin at 2:30 p.m. Thursday with the family present from 5-7 p.m. at the Warner Funeral Home at Spencer...