Stories from Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Saturday, the halls, classrooms, Field House and Spencer High School’s new state-of-the-art fine arts facility, will be packed with performers and their coaches, showcasing their talents and auditioning for an opportunity to advance to All-State Large Group Speech at Iowa State University in Ames...

A trio from Iowa State University, including Spencer native Alex Doppenberg, traveled to Glendale, California, last week to compete in the final round of the Disney Imaginations competition. Ultimately, after presenting their design concept to a panel of professional Disney Imagineers, the team took first place. The team was awarded a cash prize and an additional $1,000 grant will be awarded to Iowa State University...

After construction delays moved the opening of Spencer High School’s new fine arts facility months beyond the initial forecast, the fine arts instructors are anxious to surround their respective student talents in the comfort of the new performance house...

Sen. David Johnson, I-Ocheyedan, representing District 1, sent a letter to Iowa Attorney General Thomas Miller seeking an official opinion by Feb. 15 as it relates to the duties of a duly elected and serving lieutenant governor of the state of Iowa upon the resignation,...

The Clay County Board of Supervisors gave Clay County Treasurer Sande Geidl the go-ahead regarding a plan for the Treasurer's office staff to be trained by members of the Iowa Department of Transportation. This training would allow driver's licenses to be issued from the Clay County Treasurer's Office. However, until legislation is passed, the DOT staff will be issuing the licenses and the county will not be receiving any income for the issuance...

A collision shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Seventh Avenue Southwest and U.S. Highway 71 in south Spencer sent both drivers involved to Spencer Hospital with possible injuries. Sherry Maurer, 56, of Sutherland, was stopped, facing northbound, in a 2012 GMC Yukon on Seventh Avenue Southwest, as a 2005 Buick Terraza, driven by Edward Devereaux, 79, of Spencer, traveling east on U.S. Highway 71 approached the intersection...

Funeral services for Betty Krile, 81, of Spencer, will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, at First Baptist Church in Spencer. Rev. Curtis Batschelet will officiate the service. Visitation will be conducted with the family present from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home...

Services are pending for Roger Fude, 63, of Sheldon, who passed away Jan. 31, 2017, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Warner Funeral Home of Spencer is in charge of arrangements.

SPIRIT LAKE — Spencer's girls couldn't have dreamed up a better start against Spirit Lake Tuesday night, jumping out to a 10-point lead in just two minutes of play. The Tiger pressure caused 18 first half turnovers out of the Indians as Spencer went on to get its first victory over the rival to the north since Feb. 7, 2014 by a score of 62-49...

Funeral services for Sam McCormack, 86, of Sutherland, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, at United Methodist Church in Sutherland. Rev. Robin Thomas and David Orthmann will officiate the service. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. Thursday with the family present from 5-7 p.m. at the Warner Funeral Home in Sutherland...

Pvt. Wyatt D. Moranville, of Spencer, and Pfc. Dahlton S. Burdorf, of Lake Park, were part of more than 80 Iowa Army National Guard Soldiers recently recognized during a patching ceremony held at the Camp Dodge Joint Maneuver Training Center in Johnston, Iowa...

Booked into Clay County Jail Jan. 24 — Michael Joseph Wolff, 23, Spencer Driving while license suspended Arrest warrant --- Jan. 24 — Dennis Ray Williams, 25, Spencer Failure to appear --- Jan. 25 — Joshua Alan Richardson, 37, Spencer Probation violation...

In the current climate of viral videos that we now live in, it's rare to see familiar people or places plastered on your computer screen. For me, Friday was the exception. That was when I first saw the video that has now turned one seemingly ordinary FedEx delivery driver into a viral video personality. ...

The “big game” (on Feb. 5) is the single most watched sporting event in the U.S. It’s a great time to get together with family and friends to enjoy all of those football themed snacks, not to mention the amazing commercials. But for some, the partying and gambling can get out of control. ...

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Associate Dean Dr. John Lawrence and Iowa farmer Larry Buss, of Logan, Thursday announced the release of the Iowa Pest Resistance Management Plan. The full plan and additional information about pest resistance management efforts can be found at www.ProtectIowaCrops.org...

The Spencer Ambassadors welcomed Craig Neiderheiser, new agent for State Farm Insurance, at his office 1807 Highway Blvd., in Spencer. The Humboldt native started his new operation in Spencer on the first of the year, providing State Farm services to area clients. After growing up in Humboldt, Neiderheiser moved to Des Moines where he worked for Wells Fargo before moving to Altoona where he operated his own business for four years. A friend, who was a State Farm agent, encouraged Neiderheiser to consider joining his office, which he did, eventually moving to Sioux City to continue work with the agency. When the position opened in Spencer, a location which had been on his radar because his parents live in Spirit Lake, he made the transition north. Neiderheiser called Spencer “a great community” and said he is “happy to be a part of it.” Neiderheiser can be reached at 262-1376. (Photo by Randy M. Cauthron)

SPIRIT LAKE — The Tiger defense did a nice job of bottling up Spirit Lake's offensive attack Monday night, but the Indians' size on the interior bothered Spencer enough to generate a 37 percent shooting night for the purple and gold, giving Spirit Lake the season sweep of the Tigers by a score of 53-41...

SIOUX RAPIDS — Sioux Central and Storm Lake St. Mary's got caught up in a back-and-forth battle Tuesday night with the Panthers creeping out to an eight point lead going into the final eight minutes. The Rebels poured in 24 points in the fourth quarter, but St. Mary's did just enough to hold on for the 63-60 victory...

Saturday, Jan. 21, the Clay Central-Everly Girl Scout troop along with its leaders, Brent and Jessica Knock, travelled to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to have their Christmas party at Chuck E. Cheese. The scouts also had the opportunity to meet with the Sioux Falls Roller Dollz. They are a roller derby team featuring a lineup of all ladies. The troop attended the event and the Roller Dollz remained after the contest for autographs and photos. (Photo submitted)