Stories from Friday, October 16, 2015

Twice a year for the past 20 years, Arts on Grand and Carey's Electronics have partnered to present Films for the Cinematically Disadvantaged -- a free-to-the-public foreign films series. The program will return for its fall series on Oct. 19. "We try to stick with foreign films. ...

"Our government is one giant, bloated, inept bureaucracy," former Hewlett-Packard CEO and Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina told a receptive crowd of more than 150 gathered for her town hall meeting at the 4-H Auditorium on the Clay County Fairgrounds Thursday morning...

The Spencer Chamber of Commerce conducted its annual celebration Thursday over the lunch hour at the Clay County Regional Events Center where the Chamber's achievements along with businesses and individuals were recognized. "I am glad that the name was changed from an annual meeting to an annual celebration," Spencer Chamber Board Chair Jeremy Parsons said. "Today is all about looking at the highlights and achievements that your Spencer Chamber completed over the last year."...

Services are pending for Lola Long Meyerdirk, 92, of Spencer, who passed away Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, at Baum-Harmon Mercy Hospital in Primghar. Warner Funeral Home of Spencer is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Duane Von Ehwegen, 80, of Terril, were conducted at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Oct. 12, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Terril. Visitation with the family present was on Sunday, Oct. 11, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford. Interment was at Fair-view Cemetery in Terril...

Mark Feldman, manager of CF Industries, presented a check for $500 to Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow, Tuesday. The donation will assist in repairing the county's shooting range building, which incurred storm damage earlier this year. The Clay County Sheriff's Office currently maintains a firearms range, which is utilized by the Clay County Sheriff's Office, Iowa State Patrol, Spencer Police Department, Clay County Conservation, Division of Narcotics Enforcement, DOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement and the Division of Criminal Investigation to conduct firearms and tactical police training. The range has been developed with the cooperation of the Clay County Board of Supervisors, Clay County Engineers Office, Clay County Conservation Board, local law enforcement and volunteers, and is maintained through donations and the generosity of organizations such as CF Industries.

DES MOINES -- The Natural Resource Commission of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources approved Resource Enhancement and Protection grants to 24 cities for use in parks and open spaces during its October meeting. The projects awarded nearly $2.4 million...

In an effort to strengthen its student athletes, both to enhance performance and to prevent injuries, Clay Central-Everly Community Schools has added Spencer Hospital's Athletic Enhancement program for its student athletes. "Jason (Trierweiler, with the Athletic Enhancement program) started with us the end of August, right about the time school was starting," said Donna McClain, CC-E high school girls' volleyball co-coach. ...

Saturday, members of the Masonic Temple Association of Spencer will be joined by representatives from the Grand Commandery and Grand Lodge of Iowa Officers to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Spencer Masonic Lodge building. Steve Waller, treasurer for the Masonic Temple Association of Spencer, said the building was originally dedicated on Dec. ...

I've been a fan of Matt Nathanson's for a while, and it's been fun to hear him grow as an artist and an entertainer over the years that he's been producing music. With each album, he gets better and better, and "Show Me Your Fangs" is no exception. What I love most about Nathanson's songwriting is in "Bill Murray," he describes a dream he has that features the enigmatic actor. ...

Sometimes things line up in a serendipitous way. The Spencer Public Library is showing "October Sky" on Oct. 26, which is based on the memoir "Rocket Boys," also by Homer Hickam, the author of this week's review book. This wasn't planned, I can assure you...

By know you may have read something about the Des Moines Water Works lawsuit versus three northwest Iowa drainage districts in the Raccoon River watershed. DMWW strategically selected these rural drainage districts in northwest Iowa specifically because of their remote location in relation to the more urban areas of the watershed closer to central Iowa. ...

ESTHERVILLE -- The Iowa Lakes volleyball team was in action Wednesday night, defeating Waldorf JV in three sets by scores of 25-22, 25-8 and 25-18. The Lakers were once again led by Kirstin Martindale and Megan Jensen who each notched 10 kills on the night. ...

AMES -- The Laker women of Iowa Lakes Community College visited the Iowa State University women's club soccer team in Ames Wednesday. The game was very well played through the first half. ISU scored the first goal early in the match. Madison Bueschner had three breakaways but was only able to capitalize on one of them to tie the score. ...