Stories from Monday, May 23, 2016

EVERLY -- The community gathered in the Clay Central-Everly High School gymnasium Sunday for the commencement of its seniors. The school graduated 19 seniors this year. While delivering the welcoming address, Superintendent Dennis McClain presented each senior with a gift bag containing gum, a selfie-stick, ramen noodles, gift card, and a packet of forget-me-not seeds. McClain assigned a symbolic meaning to each item for the graduates...

The Avenue of Flags is in need of public assistance. On Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, the Avenue of Flags puts up more than 1,400 flags at Northlawn and Riverside cemeteries to honor area veterans. Assistance is needed in finding and marking the pipes in the ground which makes it much easier to put the flags up on Monday. Efforts to locate the pipes will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at Riverside Cemetery. Help is also needed on Memorial Day when, weather permitting, the flags will be placed at Riverside and North Lawn cemeteries at 7 a.m. and then taken down at 7 p.m. Local volunteers are asked to schedule time to come out and assist in honoring the veterans. (File photo)

Saturday, Iowa state Sen. Rob Hogg visited The Bear in Spencer to meet with local Democrats in preparation for the Iowa primary on June 7. This marked Hogg's second visit to Spencer. He also attended the Clay County Fair last September. Hogg, who has also served two terms in the Iowa House, began the discussion by sharing his political experience. ...

"Twelve years ago," said Kendra Bauermeister, in a speech alongside her twin sister, Sara. "We stood on a stage in a situation much like this, with our parents and grandparents listening intently, beaming with pride." That day was reflected Sunday afternoon, when the sisters joined the rest of their class in the commencement of their career as students of Spencer Community Schools...

'They've got legs, your donations will make them show them' "Well, the Northwest Bank Relay for Life Team is back at it," Northwest Bank President Dean Jacobsen said in a statement last week. Jacobsen, along with Greg Post, Alex Oponski, Jeff Thomas, Aaron Crabb, Paul Daniels and Joe Conover have all "agreed to once again humiliate ourselves in an effort to raise funds and awareness for all types of cancer."...

Local voters are invited to hear from all candidates in the contested Clay County primary races Wednesday when the two Republican candidates for Clay County sheriff and three Republican candidates for Clay County supervisor meet in a public forum at Spencer City Hall...

SPIRIT LAKE -- The third meeting between Spencer's and Spirit Lake Park-Okoboji's boys put everything on the line. Each team managed to drop the other during the season, but Monday night's rain-soaked and lightning shortened endeavor placed both squad's seasons at stake...

CARROLL -- Carroll Country Club hosted the Class 4A Region 1 girls golf tournament Monday, giving Spencer and nine other squads a shot at advancing to the state tournament which will be held Tuesday and Wednesday of next week at Coldwater Links in Ames...

After a month of award ceremonies, scholarship presentations and accomplishment acknowledgements, seniors at Spencer High School and Clay Central-Everly High School walked across their respective stages about a half-hour apart Sunday afternoon. Their final steps as 12th-grade students culminated in the presentation of a diploma, some firm handshakes and an extended period of hugs and well wishes...

Spencer attempted to host Sheldon in baseball and softball action Monday night, but both efforts were thwarted by the inclement weather. Emma VerSteeg (left), pictured attempting to lay down a bunt in the first inning, was part of a high scoring affair as the softball game was called in the third inning during a 10-10 tie. Brady Kluender (right) was manning the baseball mound for the Tigers when the game was called in the third with the Orabs leading 3-0. It's unclear whether either game will be made up later in the season. (Photos by Nate Shaughnessy)

DES MOINES -- Spencer sent three final events out onto the blue oval Saturday for the final day of the Iowa State Track and Field Championships. The action provided one final look at the caliber of competition that congregates in Drake Stadium every year in May...

Funeral services for J.R. "Junior" Williams, 83, of Spencer, formerly of Webb, will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 26, 2016, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Webb. Rev. Lynn Potter will officiate the service. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. Wednesday with the family present from 5-7 p.m. at Warner Funeral Home in Spencer...

Services for Lois Ethlyn Fliss, 86, of Everly, were conducted at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 23, 2016, at Hope Reformed Church in Spencer. Rev. Russell Muilenburg officiated the service. A private family burial was conducted. Fliss passed away Thursday, May 19, 2016, at St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer...

With Memorial Day looming, and the summer vacation season nearly here, my daydreams involve hitting the road and exploring. I admit that, in my mind, I travel to multiple foreign countries several times a day. Like many, I have a bit of wanderlust, which, in these busy days, is a poor, abused portion of my being -- rarely given a chance to roam. ...

Animal carcasses on the road

Many high school seniors are ending a chapter of their life by graduating high school. From all of us at the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Office in Clay County we would like to congratulate all of the seniors for their wonderful accomplishments. Especially the nine youth who dedicated many years to Clay County 4-H. Below includes the **Abby Galm4-H graduating seniors of 2016...

The concern about aging loved ones living alone at home is about to reach an all-time high and while the state of assisted living facilities continues to improve, many seniors prefer to keep their independence as long as possible. Here is a list of seven apps and gadgets from LifeHealthPro.com that help families, patients, and health care givers keep our seniors safe at home...

DES MOINES -- Sioux Central's track and field girls capped off an impressive weekend at Drake Stadium with a pair of event titles Saturday which helped them bring home a state runner-up trophy, scoring 44 points at the Iowa State Track and Field Championships. West Hancock claimed the top spot with 50 points while Central, Elkader came in third with 42. None of the other 55 schools competing in the 1A girls division scored more than 40...

Spencer High School was presented a check for $500 by Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores of Iowa (PMCI) Monday through the High Octane Fanatics Photo Contest which recognizes sports fans and their school spirit during state wrestling and basketball tournaments in Iowa. John Long (back) from PMCI presented the check to (from left) Ashlyn Nissen, Melany Roberts, Calista Ness, Katelyn Nissen and Alicia Rosales for their fan photo taken at the Iowa State Wrestling Tournament. (Photo submitted)

FORT DODGE -- The postseason run for Spencer's boys tennis team came to an end Saturday as the Tigers ran into a solid Clear Lake squad during the substate semifinals. The Lions, boasting the state's reigning individual champion in Sam Jones and a state qualifying doubles team, topped Spencer 5-2 to advance to a substate final against Le Mars...