Stories from Thursday, August 18, 2016

Horses take the reins at the Outdoor Arena during the 2016 Clay County Fair. Beside the daily open class, 4-H and FFA horse shows, special events and classes will happen throughout Sept. 10-18. For open class horse exhibitors, new this year is the High Point Award, which will be awarded for each weekend of horse shows. ...

Court documents posted Thursday at the Clay County Courthouse are beginning to provide additional details about allegations surrounding a former Spencer pastor. Kevin Grimes faces five counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor through his roles as director of the Spencer Dream Center and pastor at DaySpring Assembly of God Church...

An initiative aimed at reducing the number of adults with mental health and co-occuring substance use disorders in county jails was adopted during Tuesday's Clay County Board of Supervisors meeting. The initiative, called "Stepping Up Together," is co-sponsored by the National Association of Counties, the Council of State Governments Justice Center and the American Psychiatric Association Foundation...

DES MOINES -- Spencer siblings, Sarah Dean, 14, and Isaac Dean, 11, perform a hula hoop routine to music, after advancing from the Spencer qualifying event, on the Bill Riley Talent Search at the Iowa State Fair Wednesday. (Steve Pope Photography/Iowa State Fair)

Drake University awarded Valerie Gregg with the Iowa Character Award for her service in the Spencer community. Gregg, along with her husband, founded the charitable organization Community 4 Kids to support struggling families in the community. "We mainly help the families of children to give them support. Usually it is done by donating food, but during Christmas we really try to go above and beyond by giving Christmas presents too," Gregg said...

Spencer High School sophomore Jade Barnes received a $500 scholarship at the school of her choosing after placing as a runner-up in the 2016 Glory of the Senses: Paul Engle Essay Contest last April. Barnes was the only Spencer student to place in the contest...

GILLETT GROVE -- Plans are being finalized to address an inconsistency between where the state of Iowa defines Gillett Grove city limits and where the city defines them. "It didn't sound like it was a big deal. It sounded like there was a discrepancy as to where the border was," Gillett Grove Mayor James Bendlin said...

SPIRIT LAKE -- Dallas Clark used the phrases "team up" and "make a difference" to describe the reason behind his July 22 appearance at the Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits store in Spirit Lake. The former NFL tight end came to the Iowa Great Lakes on behalf of the Hy-Vee and Train Wreck Winery, a business he owns near his hometown of Livermore...

If you feel the urge to go lay down your hard-earned cash on "Sausage Party" and a little voice in your head encourages you to walk on by, don't walk ... RUN. Tuck that money back in your pocket and flee immediately. This animated tale from the mind of Seth Rogen and friends opens with an expletive-filled musical number where the food sings about being taken from their spot on the Shopwell's shelf by the gods (shoppers) to the "great beyond" (outside the store's front doors). ...

Services are pending for Harry Daniels Sr., 70, of Hartley, who passed away Aug. 18, 2016, at his home. Warner Funeral Home of Sutherland is in charge of arrangements.

I listened to Iowa Democratic Senate candidate Patty Judge tell a cable news network why she should replace Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley in the U.S. Senate. Judge is a farm girl and former state secretary of agriculture and lieutenant governor. Grassley is older but she is not a spring chicken as she will be 73 just ahead of the election in November. ...

OKOBOJI -- The sound of Guns, Gold and Rock 'n' Roll is spreading like wildfire as the Badlands House Band, the musical voice of Badlands Pawn, continues to add significant notches to their barrel. In just over six months, Badlands House Band has performed to large crowds in seven states, backed up an impressive list of legendary rockers, and released their debut single and music video worldwide. ...

OKOBOJI -- What better way to help close out the summer than with a local favorite tradition: Dave Rowley and Friends. Rowley and his friends have appeared at the art center for many years, and return at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at the Pearson Lakes Art Center on the Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre stage. Tickets are available for purchase, and more information can be found by calling the box office at 712-332-7013 or by visiting on the web at www.lakesart.org. (Photo submitted)

Following Spencer High School's opening cross country meet of the year at Spencer Municipal Golf Course on Thursday, Aug. 25, a Pink Out 5K Run/Walk will take place on the course to promote breast cancer awareness. After the JV races, Mindy Sylvester from Spencer Hospital Women's Center will have a brief presentation followed by the varsity girls and varsity boys races. ...

The annual Tailtwister Tailgate at Dale Norton Field will be held Friday, Aug. 26, from 5-7 p.m. Football fans will be able to purchase a Smoke Daddies pulled pork sandwich or grilled hot dog, Carrol's Bakery cookies and Lays chips from Fareway for $5. All proceeds go to the Spencer Tailtwisters and their support of Spencer Tiger Athletics. People interested in becoming a Tailtwister will be able to do so at the tailgate or at https://app.teamspectator.com/share/spen......

Above, Spencer's Eric Beehler fires a pass to Austin Chinn during last year's Tiger football scrimmage. Beehler finds himself in a three-way battle for the starting job under center entering tonight's scrimmage at Dale Norton Field. JV teams will hit the gridiron at 6 p.m. with varsity following at 7 p.m. Fans will be "charged" one sports drink in lieu of cash for entry. In case of rain, the intrasquad tussle may take place on the practice field just south of the Tiger softball diamond. (File photo)