Stories from Friday, September 16, 2011

A Storm Lake man was sentenced Sept. 9, to nine years in federal prison for his illegal possession of a firearm. Benjamin Mendez, Jr., 29, of Storm Lake, received his prison term after a June 20, guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm...

For the second week in a row, the Rebels were right where they needed to be after the first half. The final two quarters, however, Sioux Central saw its 7-0 lead slip away as district opponent Sibley-Ocheyedan won at home 12-7. "I don't want to take anything away from Sibley but we beat ourselves," Sioux Central coach Travis Schueller said. ...

It was a tale of two halves. Cliche? Certainly. Accurate? Absolutely. Things we're looking good for Spencer after the first 24 minutes of play at Dale Norton Field Friday night. After surrendering a long kickoff return and subsequent touchdown to the LeMars Bulldogs on the team's first possession, the Tigers would fire back with three straight touchdowns on as many possessions, taking a 21-7 lead into the intermission...

The Spencer girls swim team placed first in all events except the 200 freestyle relay Thursday night in Algona on its way to an easy victory over Algona and Charles City. Freshman Taylor Sieperda added a second school record to her resume in the 100 freestyle with a time of 54.95. It broke a 2003 record...

It was a rough homecoming for Ruthven-Ayrshire Friday night when they hosted Graettinger-Terril. The Raiders couldn't stop the Knights rushing attack and fell 52-8 in Ruthven. Three fumbles and three interceptions hurt the Raiders as the fell to 1-3 on the season...

North Iowa jumped out to a 26-0 halftime lead on Clay Central-Everly Friday night as they defeated the Mavericks 33-14 in Royal. The Bison converted a third-and-25 play early in the game on their way to the end zone and never looked back as they handed the Mavericks their fourth consecutive loss...

A six-hour drive is not enough to keep the Greg Wagner family away from the Clay County Fair. Though the 1992 Spencer High School alumnus now lives in Baraboo, Wis., he comes to the fair every year. It's something Wagner has done for 31 consecutive years. His Clay County Fair experience began in 1981, when his family moved to Spencer from Ottumwa. 1981 also marked Wagner's second-grade year in a Spencer elementary building...

Klaas Groen is among the myriad of devoted volunteers who try to make the Clay County Fair a pleasure for all. Fairgoers can find Groen working at one of 10 nutty bar stands from 7 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. every day of the 2011 fair. It's something he's done every year for the past four decades...

When Steve Pitt accepted a job with Palo Alto County Conservation as a 22-year-old, he didn't think he'd stay too long. He turns 62 next month, and he is just now stepping away. Throughout the years, the Palo Alto County Conservation director has seen plenty of changes...

After leading the Clay County Fair's antique tractor parade Thursday morning with the "Fight Like a Girl" pink John Deere, Annie Hagedorn, joined with representatives from Snooks Carpet and Furniture and local fundraisers, to present Kristy Connor, with the Abben Cancer Center a check for $620. The donation was a result of a fundraising effort at Sioux Rapids Tall Corn Days where breast cancer apparel was sold. (Photo by Randy M. Cauthron)

Funeral services for Ronette DuBois, 59, of Sioux Falls, S.D., formerly of Spencer, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, at Hope Reformed Church in Spencer. Rev. Russell Muilenburg will officiate the service. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer...

Funeral services for Mrs. Marjory Engelke, 86, of Sutherland, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Sutherland. Rev. Leroy Riemer will officiate the service. Visitation will begin after 3 p.m. Friday, with the family present from 6-8 p.m. at the Warner Funeral Home in Sutherland...

DES MOINES -- Gov. Terry E. Branstad Thursday signed a proclamation to allow the transportation of overweight loads of soybeans, corn, hay, straw and stover. The proclamation took effect Thursday and expires after 60 days. "Many Iowans' livelihoods depend on a smooth, efficient harvest season," Branstad said. "I am pleased sign this proclamation, which will allow the movement of Iowa's commodities and help Iowa farmers during harvest."...