Stories from Monday, July 7, 2014

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is conducting a statewide series of "Community Conversations" this month to get Iowans involved in developing the future of the arts, history and culture in the state. The series is a part of the revitalization plans being developed for the State Historical Building of Iowa...

This week's Young Professionals Spotlight features a Corridor intern. Mary Halbur, 22, is a University of Iowa graduate from Ames. Halbur graduated with a degree in speech and hearing science, a minor in human relations and a certificate in disability studies. ...

HARTLEY -- Ag Partners is announcing the addition of agronomy staff at its Hartley location. Because of continued growth in the area, Ag Partners are pleased to introduce Derek St. John, an agronomy sales associate to the Hartley area. Derek joins Steve Huss, senior sales agronomist and certified crop adviser, and Jen Uphoff, sales agronomist, as part of the Hartley agronomy team. Jenna Walsh began serving as the director of dietary services for St. Luke Homes & Services Inc. in May. Walsh, a native of Cherokee, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics from Iowa State University. She is ServSafe-certified and currently working toward her certified dietary manager certification. Prior to joining the St. Luke Homes & Services staff, she served in a number of dietary capacities in northwest Iowa.

The Clay County Fair announced additional free entertainment to be at this year's fair. Exciting new acts and returning favorites will perform "Only at the Fair" Sept. 6-14. "A brand new stage plus children's musician Phil Baker expands our free entertainment options this year," Clay County Fair Manager Jeremy Parsons said. "When fairgoers come visit this September, they will have $120,000 worth of free entertainment to enjoy."...

Paul Heiller, age 68, of Spencer, Iowa and formerly of Round Lake, Minn. entered his heavenly home on July 3, 2014 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Memorial services took place Monday, July 7, 2014 at 6 p.m. at the First English Lutheran Church in Spencer. Visitation took place Monday, July 7, 2014 from 3 p.m. until the time of the service at the church. The Sliefert-Smith Funeral Home in Webb, Iowa is in charge of the arrangements...

Funeral services for Howard Porter, 91, of Spencer, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, July 7, 2014 at Warner Chapel in Spencer. Visitation will be conducted beginning 3 p.m. Sunday with the family present from 3-5 p.m. at Warner Funeral Home in Spencer...

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is conducting a statewide series of "Community Conversations" this month to get Iowans involved in developing the future of the arts, history and culture in the state. The series is a part of the revitalization plans being developed for the State Historical Building of Iowa...

The crop landscape in northwest Iowa has begun to see some changes as farmers meet consumer demands for locally grown foods. "Farmers' markets have become a big thing in Iowa over the past few years," ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomist Paul Kassel said. "There has been a growing interest in buying local foods because of that."...

Construction season is in full swing in Spencer after heavy rainfall in June pushed back construction schedules by about two weeks. The Spencer Public Works Department's largest project currently underway is a the 2014 Parking Lot Improvement Project, which consists of the public parking lot on the corner of East Third Street and First Avenue East and the public parking lot on the 400-block of First Avenue West...

The Spencer City Council approved a sharing agreement between Spencer Community Schools and the city for a school resource officer and accepted work on the 2013 Little Sioux Trail and Bridge Project Monday evening. Ward 3 Councilman Steve Bomgaars was not present during the meeting...

WHITING - Clay Central-Everly had their most productive and longest lasting game of their season Wednesday night, but a six-inning affair was still dropped to the Whiting Warriors by a score of 19-9. The Mavs were tied at two through one inning, and they took a 4-2 lead in the top half of the second...

ALBERT CITY - Sioux Central's offensive issues flared up Thursday night against the Lawton-Bronson Eagles as they combined for just four hits and one run in a six-inning, 11-1 defeat. Starting Rebel pitcher Nick Amendolare had difficulty with the Eagle lineup while his defense had even more behind him as he made it just 1 2-3 innings, allowing five hits, six runs (three earned) and two walks while picking up one strikeout...

I made a vow to myself Thursday as I prepared for the long holiday weekend. This year I would not spend the time catching up on housework. I would not scrub my kitchen floor. Or sort through my junk drawer. Or clean that spare room that has been acting as catch-all for a busy life...

On a typical Monday morning, you'll find roughly a dozen women sitting on park benches on North Main Street next to the Post Office. They gather at 9 a.m., each bringing her coffee and occasionally a baked good to share. For the next hour they greet passers by and talk, catching up on old history and current events...

BUENA VISTA COUNTY -- New legislation is taking effect on e-cigarette sales in Iowa, but Buena Vista County health leaders say it isn't nearly enough. Last session, legislators passed a bill saying all vapor shops will need to have a license, and they won't be able to sell to minors as laws take effect this month for the new fiscal year...

STORM LAKE - Somehow the Tigers one-upped themselves from their previous 13-0 thrashing of Storm Lake Monday night on the road. Spencer exploded for nine runs in the top of the fifth to make quick work of the Tornadoes, ending the game that inning by a score of 17-1...