Stories from Saturday, May 11, 2013

Like many who have roots in Spencer, Chuck Swanson has made a name for himself in other parts of the state. Today, Swanson is the executive director of Hancher Auditorium on the campus of the University of Iowa. In his role he encounters a variety of gifted artists, bringing entertainment on the grandest scale to the U of I campus for its students and those who are lucky enough to live within driving distance...

There must be something wrong with the TV monitors umpires, referees and officials watch when reviewing a play with instant replay. Maybe it's not in HD, the screen is blurry and the screen is too small. There's got to be something making the play I saw on my TV look so much different than what the refs and umps are finding on their screens. While instant review is making more of an impact on games across all the major sports, somehow, someway calls are still being blown at a disturbing level...

A streak of rainy and cold weather didn't dampen the enthusiasm of 1,530 anglers who entered the 31st Annual Walleye Weekend. Proceeds benefit Easter Seals Iowa, a non-profit, statewide organization that provides daily services to adults and children living with disabilities...

The Spencer track teams officially know who will be heading to Drake Stadium to compete in the state meet, beginning Thursday, May 16. The at-large berths were determined for Class 3A, in addition to the district winners and runners-up, and Spencer will be sending 10 events for the boys team and nine for the girls...

After an undefeated regular dual season, the Spencer boys continued to out-perform its competition at the 1A District Meet in Storm Lake Friday, May 10, winning the meet with 20 points to advance to the Substate semifinal next Saturday. The Tigers got a district championship in doubles from seniors Michael Gabhart and Jordon Plueger, playing together in districts for the first time. The Tiger duo breezed through the competition without dropping a set...

A weather-shortened season is now in the books for the Spencer boys, who closed out the 2013 year with a fourth-place finish at Sectionals Friday at Spencer Golf and Country Club. In a season that featured the fewest meets in the last 20 years, Spencer shot a 327, putting them behind Humboldt (313), Spirit Lake (318) and Storm Lake (319). Humboldt and Spirit Lake will advance to the district meet in Carroll next Friday, May 17...

The IMCA racing season will kick off at the Clay County Fairgrounds Speedway on Thursday, May 16 with the Hawkeye Dirt Tour presented by Hahn Roofing, Inc. Hot laps begin at 6:30 p.m. with racing to follow at 7 p.m. (File photo)

Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will make multiple stops in northwest Iowa on Wednesday, including an afternoon visit to Tecton Industries in Spencer. Reynolds will visit Tecton Industries at 2 p.m. to conclude a day of stops beginning in Spirit Lake and Estherville...

There were no surprises Friday when District Court Judge Carl J. Petersen handed down a 45-year sentence against Spencer resident Chris Fitzpatrick for his role in the death of 59-year-old Edward Kitto. The sentencing took place at the Clay County Courthouse just before 3 p.m...

State legislative leaders have a plan to wrap things up this year within the next week. District 1 Sen. David Johnson (R-Ocheyedan) isn't so sure a week is enough to get everything done. Based on the scheduled 110-day session, legislators were scheduled to conclude the 85th General Assembly on May 3. Johnson was still in Des Moines for conference committee work on Thursday - the 114th day of the session...

The early-bird deadline for tickets to the Rocket Suzie Music Festival is fast approaching. After Wednesday, prices will increase from $20 to $25. Organizers for the festival have chosen Tikly as the online service for ticket purchasing. "Tikly empowers musicians, artists and event organizers to provide a quality ticketing experience to their fans," Leann Jacobsen, an organizer, said...

Anything with four wheels, an engine and the ability to go fast needs a race track. It's an unwritten rule. While radio-controlled cars might not be as fast-paced as their full scale counterparts, they are just as fun if you ask the Spencer RC Park Corporation. The group has been together for three years and has members from 6 years old to 60...

The Internet's fast-changing landscape and influence on lifestyle and business is happening at an ever increasing pace. Business models are evolving for the Internet also, from sites which host original media content to shopping to games or entertainment. Some business models are catching up and others testing new waters...

The Spencer Middle School Commons was the setting, and Spencer High School's speech and drama students were the cast of characters for the 2012-13 Annual Speech and Drama Awards Banquet conducted Sunday. The evening began with the presentation of awards in Individual Speech by Amy Metcalf and Becky Koenig, individual speech coaches. ...

Friday, the contractor paved from the Riverside Cemetery to the bridge on West Fourth Street. There is no planned work over the weekend. Monday plans are to pave from the West Fourth Street bridge to near the 32nd Street intersection. Tuesday paving is scheduled to start south of West Fourth Street. The first part paved will be from Riverbend Estates to the new bridge. At that time all residents south of West Fourth Street will travel north to West Fourth Street and then west. As always this schedule may change due to weather or other unplanned events. (Photo by Randy M. Cauthron)

Services are pending for Ms. Rozanne Berry, 59, of Spencer, who passed away Friday, May 10, 2013 at home. Warner Funeral Home of Spencer is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Donald Wayne Zieman will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 13, 2013 at Warner Chapel in Spencer. John Jensen will officiate the service. Interment will be conducted at Oakland Cemetery in Peterson. Donald Wayne Zieman, the son of Harold and Arthadale Santage Zieman, was born June 18, 1939, at Hartley, Iowa. ...

Memorial visitation for Dennis R. Goodchild, 70, of Fairmont, Minn., will be 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at the Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont. A luncheon will follow immediately after the visitation at the Lakeview Funeral Home. Dennis passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at his home in Fairmont...

The Parker Historical Society of Clay County is seeking volunteers for the front desk at the Clay County Heritage Center. Being a volunteer receptionist involves meeting and greeting visitors to the heritage center, assisting them as they begin their tour, plus answering the telephone and other typical receptionist activities...

Rep. Jeff Smith (R-Okoboji) hosted third grade students from Okoboji at the State Capitol this week. Rep. Smith is pictured here with the students in the House chamber. (Photo submitted)

Iowa State Executive Director for USDA Farm Service Agency, John R Whitaker, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated 14 Iowa counties as part of Presidential or Secretarial Natural Disaster Designation. Farm operators who have suffered major production and/or physical losses caused by severe winter storms and continuing drought conditions may be eligible for low-interest emergency loans...

Booked into Clay County Jail Stephen Mack, 28, Spencer: Driving While Barred, Probation Violation Shawn Aeilts, 37, Hartley: Warrant from O'Brien County Anthony Knapp, 27, Spencer: Driving While Revoked Todd Brown, 36, Algona: Theft 5th Timothy Vanderhaag, 48, Spencer: Enhanced Public Intoxication...

Spencer students fared well at the Sixth Grade State Math Bee last weekend in Fort Dodge. Brandon Nolin, of Spencer Middle School, and Ryan VerMulm, Sacred Heart, were both medal winners. Nolin (second from left on top row) placed 13th and VerMulm (far left on top row) placed 25th among the top sixth grade students in the state. Sacred Heart School placed 13th of the 28 teams. (Photo submitted)

Last Friday was a busy night for everyone involved in the music department at Spencer High School. After preparing for the past month, SHS music students presented their pieces at the State Class 3A Large Group Contest conducted at Spirit Lake High School. This annual event is sponsored by the Iowa High School Music Association...

Sioux Central English teacher Erin Olson requires the students taking her novels class to "read a book, be inspired and do something inspiring." This requirement is opening big new doors for her students, doors that they may not have even knocked on had it not been for their assignment...

Four Sioux Central students had a life-changing experience last summer when they traveled to Haiti. They were so moved that three of them - Brad Aronson, Jordan Bayliss and Carly Huber - will make a return trip, but not without getting other young people from across the nation to join them. The fourth student - Sven Nielson - is now in college...

There's been a lot of talk about guns lately. Should we have them? Should we not have them? Is the government trying to take them away? You would think that gun-violence is one of the biggest causes of death in our country. It's not. Gun violence isn't even in the top 15...

The Special Olympics track meet that was scheduled for Thursday, May 9 at the Spencer High School track was canceled due to rain in the forecast. The boys tennis districts, scheduled for Thursday in Storm Lake, were moved to Friday (today) due to rain. The meet, which is singles and doubles play only, will begin at 9 a.m...