Stories from Saturday, November 10, 2012

Travelers who use Highway 71 south of the Iowa Great Lakes are in for a bit of good news -- just in time for winter. The stretch of highway from Milford to Spencer is now free and clear of construction. The stretch of highway between Spencer and Milford had been reduced to single lanes of traffic in both directions for a number of months. The orange cones and closed lanes were part of the estimated $4.8 million construction project to improve the driving surface...

While the fall harvest near Dan Peters' home town of Milford wrapped up more than a month ago, it has yet to begin in Ghana, where he is a partner in North American Farms. Peters has partnered with Dale Opheim, of Graettinger, and Ghanian Chief Thomas Owusu Boanoh to help feed the people of Ghana. Opheim, a former customer of Peters at Pro Co-op in Graettinger, started the organization and asked for Peters' assistance...

A Veteran's Day Program will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, at the Veteran's Memorial just north of the Spencer Municipal Utilities offices on Grand Avenue. Sgt. Daniel Shaughnessy with the Iowa National Guard will be the featured speaker. Shaugnessy grew up in Greenville, graduating from Clay Central-Everly in May 2004. ...

To celebrate the upcoming Veterans' Day, the Spencer Public Library is featuring a traveling exhibit on loan from the African American Museum of Iowa. The exhibit, focusing on African American veterans, both in general and those who were from or trained in Iowa, brings a unique perspective to the national holiday...

The 2012 Festival of Trees, sponsored by the Spencer Regional Healthcare Foundation, will be conducted from Nov. 15-17, featuring festive displays and fun events. "Again this year, the displays and events will be spread throughout the community," Susan Zulk, Festival of Trees committee member, said. ...

The 2013 Eggs & Issues schedule will feature one date in February, two dates in March and a wrap-up in April. Sen. David Johnson (above), Reps. Megan Hess and Jeff Smith, as well as other area and state elected officials have been invited to attend at this time. Dates will be Saturdays, Feb. 9, March 9, March 23 and April 6. Sessions will be conducted in council chambers at Spencer City Hall from 9-10:30 a.m.

Tabetha Wilson, 27, of Spencer, was arrested and charged with second degree theft and forgery, both class D felonies, following a complaint from a private citizen. The arrest occurred at 2:30 p.m. Thursday. The citizen claimed two personal checks had been stolen and cashed at Farmers Savings Bank in Fostoria. Wilson was identified by the individual as the person believed to have taken the checks...

Karen Buchholz, 67, of Spencer, sustained non-incapacitating injuries while crossing Grand Avenue at 5:28 p.m. Thursday. Darrell McGranahan, 85, of Ruthven, told Spencer Police he left the stop sign at West Ninth Street, at the intersection with Grand Avenue, and was proceeding to turn left onto Grand Avenue. As he crossed the median, and began to travel north, he struck Buchholz as she was crossing the roadway...

BJ Mulder has spent nearly 20 years perfecting the art of shooting a basketball. He's taught locally, nationally, internationally, even Olympic teams and NBA players. This past week, Mulder stopped by Spencer High School for a free shooting clinic and gave over 60 middle school and high school kids a look at the "BEST Shooting" way...

I made my way to the UNI-Dome Thursday for the 3A semifinals and saw two teams that were clearly superior to their opponents. Decorah, ranked No. 1 all year and 13-0, dominated in every facet of the game as they went up on Williamsburg 48-0 before allowing a late score...

Services are pending for Mrs. Thelma Johannsen, 96, of Spencer, who passed away Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, at Northshire Residence. Warner Funeral Home of Spencer is in charge of arrangements.

Services for Carol Kaufman, 80, of Milford, were held Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford. Ms. Kaufman passed away Nov. 6, 2012, at the Spencer Municipal Hospital. Carol Frances Kaufman was born March 31, 1932, the daughter of George and Bernadine (Schemmel) Wintz. She was raised and educated in Milford...

Spencer Municipal Utilities crews used part of their day Friday to help hang Christmas decorations along Grand Avenue in Spencer. Downtown and South Grand Avenue light posts were adorned with wreaths and other holiday dressings. With temperatures projected in the mid-60s for Saturday followed by low 30s and snow chances on Sunday, the timing seemed right. (Photo by Randy M. Cauthron)

Kelcey Baumgart, 33, Spencer: public intoxication, disturbing the peace David Laubenthal, 51, Spencer: driving while revoked Stephen Mack, 27, Spencer: driving while barred, driving while suspended Jacklyn Gregg, 34, South Sioux City: OWI first offense, driving without license, possession of controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine second offense, possession of drug paraphernalia...

The public will have an opportunity to learn more about successfully managing diabetes at Spencer Hospital's Diabetes Fair on Wednesday, Nov. 14. The fair features various informational booths from 3:30-5 p.m. in Spencer Hospital's conference center located on the lower level of the hospital. ...

The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share in the holiday spirit and bounty. It's easy to "adopt" a family. You can contact The Daily Reporter Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 262-6610 and let us know the number of the family you wish to "adopt."...

Officials with Spencer Hospital suggest the medical facility's recent audit report reveals the hospital experienced solid financial performance due to consistent patient service volumes and careful cost management. The audit was conducted by Winther, Stave & Co., LLC for the fiscal year which ended June 30, 2012...

Erik Sletten first came to Arts on Grand a few years ago, with a friend who was scheduled to perform a concert in the gallery. "People with him thought he should bring an exhibit here," Arts on Grand Director Martin Arthur said. "We booked him at least a year ago, trying to get our schedules to match up."...

A makeover for one of the Iowa Great Lakes' most popular campgrounds is nearly done. Emerson Bay State Recreation Area on the west side of West Lake Okoboji will be available for campers to use in the spring of 2013. The $640,000 construction effort began in June and led to the closure of the campground for the entire summer and fall...

Effective Nov. 19, the Spencer Social Security office will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - a reduction of 30 minutes each weekday. In addition, beginning Jan. 2, 2013, the office will close to the public at noon every Wednesday...

On Wednesday morning, I was strongly considering a column about the outcome of Tuesday night's general election. Mine was a mixed bag of reactions as several races went my way and others did not. But rather than engage in what might appear to others as a bitter rant, I decided to take some time to digest the outcome of Election 2012, and instead decided something a bit lighter with a chuckle to end this week might be more appropriate...

Artisans Road Trip was awarded $950 from the Western Iowa Tourism Region to help provide funding for the cost of printing brochures to promote the 2013 Artisans Road Trip. "The Region works with the Iowa Tourism Office, Iowa Economic Development Authority, to offer a competitive grant program to assist local events, attractions and businesses with promotion, advertising and scholarships to increase their competitiveness in the tourism marketplace", Liz Birkel-Leddy, president of the Western Iowa Tourism Region, said.. ...

Zack Lear, son of Greg and Ann Lear of Spencer, was a big winner in the 4-H swine division at the Ak-Sar-Ben Livestock Expo in Omaha in September. Lear earned Premier Swine Exhibitor, Division V Grand Champion, Champion Market Barrow and Reserve Champion Market Swine overall. This is the eighth and final year Lear, a freshman at Des Moines Area Community College, showed at the premiere youth livestock exhibition.

Five Okoboji Middle School students performed in the Northwest Iowa Bandmasters' Association Junior High. Some of the finest instrumental middle school music students from northwest Iowa auditioned for a position in one of the two equal 90-piece bands in Storm Lake on Saturday, Oct. 13. The audition material is very demanding and all five of the Okoboji Middle School students who auditioned were accepted into the honor band festival. The two bands rehearsed together for the first time Saturday afternoon, Oct. 13, after the morning auditions to introduce the music. The students then practiced their music at home and with their directors for the next three weeks. Students rehearsed together again all day on Saturday, Nov. 3, and then presented their concert that evening at Storm Lake High School. Okoboji Middle School students accepted to the honor band festival are Kesha Moore and Luke Thompson on trumpet, Hannah Roberts on tenor saxophone, Jacob Murillo on french horn, and Elise Paznokas on alto saxophone. Okoboji Middle School band director is Julie Forney, assisted by Greg Forney. (Photo submitted)

The following students are on the first quarter honor roll for Spencer Middle School. The students must earn a 3.0 or higher GPA to qualify. Samuel Aalberts, Jadyn Allen, Marian Altamirano, Daniel Amador, Kyley Anderson, Koryi Bailey, Shelby Bang, Tyler Barker, Jade Barnes, Camryn Beal, Ashley Bendlin, Haley Bendlin, Carly Bergstadt, Austin Block, Joe Bonsall, Abigail Brown, Carli Bryan, Carmeron Burr, Zoe Campbell, Rex Carlson, Kade Carpenter, Madison Carpenter, Gage Caswell, Claire Christensen, Caitlyn Christle, Walker Coldren, Mackenzie Connor, Tori Cooper, Tyler Coulander, Austin Crew, Jennifer Culver, Courtney Davis, Sydney DeVlaeminck, Madison DeWitt, Jenna Dirks, Lille Dragseth, Christopher Eller, Brendan Ellis, Joseph Ellsworth, Darby Erb, Sophia Fassbender, Jonathan Feldman, Breanna Ferreira, Zoe Fiedler, Trevor Finkbeiner, Nathaniel Fisher, BreAnna Foreman, Cooper Fox, MaKayla Gee, Grace Gilderhus, Catherine Glackin, Christopher Gross, Jordan Hallgren, William Heaton, Abigail Hinrichsen, Diamond Hollander, Caitlyn Holm, Emma Holst, David Holt, Cade Hopkins, Scott Hoy, Garrett Huisenga, Kelly Izard, Natalie Jacobson, Haley Jewell, Abigail Johnson, Alyssa Johnson, Seanicee Johnson, Kyeli Jones, Brody Kacmarynski, Mackenzie Kamstra, Brady Kluender, Ian Korte, Emma Landin, Katelynn Letien, Nya Lo, Collin Loring, Mary Lutes, Abigail McAmis-Burger, Nicholas McDermott, Leaha McGruder, Madison Miller, Hallee Mingus, Matthew Mixon, Angelica Morales, Levi Moranville, Turner Mortensen, Jonathon Mortenson, Kathryn Moser, Alex Muniz-Thompson, Ashlyn Naig, Hannah Newcomb, Courtney Odegaard, Abraham Ortiz, Phillip Parada, Keegan Parks, Morgan Petersen, Keeley Petzenhauser, Jacob Polaschek, Katelin Polaschek, Natasha Pooler, Alexandra Quail, Caroline Randall, Cameron Reich, Emma Richards, Morgan Roberts, Micah Runkle, Alex Schany, Jenna Schauer, Emma Schmidt, Makayla Schroer, Emma Schwarck, Karlie Sellner, Trey Sievers, Michael Slattery, Breanna Small, Timothy Steele, Jacob Sweet, Reannen Taylor, Brianne Thompson, Hannah Thurman, Jamie Tighe, Wren Vogelschmidt, Kaetlyn Warburton, Alexandra Warren, Hunter Wassom, Delaney Weeks, Breanna Wilkerson, Alexander Winterboer, Cassie Winters, and Tricia Zimmermann.. ...

Seventh grade A honor roll: Gage Berberich, Castle Biggar, Austin Heuck, Sydney Jensen, Alexander Jorgensen, Brooke Kathman, Markus Khenkitisak, Jeremiah Langner, Benjamin McClain, Jillian Panko, Braydn Petersen, Brian Schmidt, Devon Warner. Eighth grade A honor roll: Aylin Garcia, Jasmine Kluender, Garret Wassom, Kennedy Wilson...