Stories from Sunday, August 27, 2017

Spencer Schools Director of Transportation Julie Nemmers was recently named president of the Iowa Pupil Transportation Association. Nemmers, who has been with the Spencer Community School District for more than 10 years, will be serving her third consecutive year as the IPTA president...

Friday, members of the regional media, got a sneak peek at what’s in store for those attending the Clay County Fair’s centennial anniversary. Friday’s annual media day, offered the press a tour of the “new look” fairgrounds. Fair manager Jeremy Parsons highlighted the changes, starting with changes south of the Farmers Bank Tent...

Potential challengers to Steve King's congressional throne spoke to Clay County Democrats at a fundraiser in Oneota Park on Sunday evening. Spencer city councilwoman and owner of The Bear, Leann Jacobsen, is entering the political arena to challenge the controversial incumbent...

Tuxedos, chaps, evening gowns, leather vests and even kilts — Shayla Bee's Black Tie Black Leather Affair brought out a wide variety of attire and sometimes the distinct styles were on the same person. A sell out crowd enjoyed the atmosphere of Okoboji Classic Cars, the food of Yesterdays and the some good old rock and blues music combined for an evening of fun and fundraising. A live auction generated approximately $45,000 for the local charity with dollars raised from tickets sales and a silent auction not yet figured into the mix. Jerry Faulkner, founder of The Shayla Bee Fund, said, "Last year we raised somewhere around $67,000 and we should be somewhere between $70,000 and $75,000 this year." The cabin constructed by the youth fundraising arms of Shayla Bee — the Mini Bees — brought in $15,000 on its own, purchased by John Hass, of Spencer. (Above) During the evening, Faulkner recognized Toby and Sylvia Shine with a special photo collage from last year's first Black Tie Black Leather Affair. Faulkner thanked them for the use of Okoboji Classic Cars as the site of the event, saying "there's not another venue that could be any better for us in terms of capacity and coolness." (Right) Faulkner received a hug from Dave Storm and his wife, Tori, after the couple spoke before the large audience, sharing their Shayla Bee experience in an emotional look back at the impact of the organization on their family immediately following the passing of the Storm's granddaughter. The Storms, from Spencer, were the 51st Shayla Bee family, and have continued to regularly present sock monkeys in the memory of their granddaughter to many of the Shayla Bee kids to follow. A photo page from the event will appear in Tuesday's Daily Reporter. (Photos by Randy M. Cauthron)

One of Spencer’s unique landmark eateries has reopened its doors under a new name, complete with new dishes, and a new face preparing the meals. Grandma’s Lunchbox, formerly known as Grand Lunchbox, is currently open each day from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., although the restaurant’s official opening is planned for the end of August...

Citizens of Spencer hoping to enjoy the cooler weather with a frozen treat will have the opportunity to do just that during Spencer Main Street’s second annual ice cream social. The first ice cream social held last year saw over 400 people, and Naeve said that she hoped to surpass last year’s attendance numbers. Spencer Main Street’s ice cream social will be conducted at 5 p.m. Thursday, at West Fifth Street and Grand Avenue...

Funeral services for Mark Heddinger, 65, of Spencer, will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer. Rev. William Schreiber will officiate the service. There will be no visitation. Burial will be conducted at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer at a later date...

Funeral services for Eleanor Ruth Essick, 91, of Spencer, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, at Warner Chapel in Spencer. Rev. Tonna Parsons will officiate the service. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Burial will be conducted at Garfield Cemetery in Webb...

Deb Feldman, president of the Spencer After 5 Kiwanis Club presented a $500 donation to Spencer Police Lt. Kyle Van Otterloo to be used for the D.A.R.E. program. Van Otterloo is the D.A.R.E. officer working with the sixth-grade students who participate in the Spencer Community School District’s D.A.R.E. program. D.A.R.E. focuses on drug and alcohol education along with making good choices, bullying and other youth-related challenges. (Photo by Randy M. Cauthron)

STORM LAKE — Hundreds of Iowa students may be barred from classes as school begins this month, because the students lack the newly required meningitis vaccination. In Storm Lake, 30 students who have not been vaccinated were allowed into school on the first day Wednesday despite the new law, and the schools plan to continue allowing them to attend as long as parents have shown a good-faith effort to get an appointment booked for the shots...

Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor punched each other Saturday night. You might have heard about it. You might have even watched it. I sure did, and I have to admit the fight was much more compelling than I anticipated. Conor actually boxed, and he landed more punches at a better rate on the greatest defensive fighter of all time than (a too old and injured) Manny Pacquiao which is pretty impressive...

COUNCIL BLUFFS — The Iowa Lakes men and women cross country teams competed in their first meet of the season when they traveled to Iowa Western Community College Saturday and ran in the 5k time trial. The men ran first and were led by sophomore Kameron Rohwedder who finished in 57th place with a time of 19:24.60. Sophomore Kevin Davis also ran a tough race and finished with a time of 32:28...

The little box labeled Aug. 21 on the calendar at my desk has had a note on it for months now. That was the date of the total solar eclipse. I’ve been pretty jazzed about the day for awhile. Eclipses are just one of those rare events that holds our attention, inspires a sense of awe and reminds us our lives are as brief as a tick or a tock on the giant clock of creation...

It seems we have reached a place in time where the truth, spoken sincerely and backed up with video footage, can still be classified as racist and bigoted if it fails the political correctness test. Last week I received a letter to the editor taking me to task for some of my remarks regarding the ugly race-related aggressions that turned ugly in the streets of Charlottsville two weekends ago. ...

In reference to H. Schar's letter to the editor in the Aug. 22 edition, other than criticizing other people and using derogatory adjectives, there didn't seem to be any substance or point to the letter. It was very confusing as to a subject or information...

The latest article about the proposed IWTs fails to mention that while there are 143 rural residences in Waterford and Lone Tree townships that only nine of those residents have signed wind leases. The rest of the 35 signers are absentee landowners. ...

Award winning psychologist Thomas Lickona’s book “Character Matters” lists 10 essential qualities that must be developed in order to avoid irresponsible and destructive behavior in children as they grow into adulthood. They are: wisdom, justice, fortitude, self-control, love, a positive attitude, hard work, integrity, gratitude and humility. Many school systems have adopted his program to help our students grow to become purposeful and productive adults...

"Monday letters" author, old whatchamacallit, engaged in his usual specious rhetoric, insinuating I am the constant letter-writing companion of a fellow named Jerry. But rather than go further into an underbelly or wherever else H hangs out, let me assure the readers that there is no truth to this assertion. ...

Over the past few years, there has been a lot of talk around the state about the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and its budget. Basically, there are two areas of revenue: the Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund and the General Fund money from the Iowa Legislature. ...

STORM LAKE — From putting greens to green farming, the rural Storm Lake Osegaro place has seen a major makeover. The family’s sprawling yard, once home to their own homemade nine-hole golf course, has been turned over to production of Aronia berries, regarded as one of the healthiest “superfoods” on the market...

Spencer schools’ new logos aren’t only unique — the brand is now award-winning, too. The work donated by F8 Creative last school year received Art Directors Association of Iowa Excellence Awards in the identity mark and identity system categories during the organization’s 59th Design Exhibition held earlier this year...

SHEFFIELD — “Fishing the Midwest,” one of the Midwest’s longest-running and highest-rated fishing television shows recently announced that they have formed a partnership with Strike King lures. “Fishing the Midwest’s” award-winning television series will be using Strike King lures in their 2018 television episodes and for their “everyday” fishing as well...

SIOUX CITY — Lorna Kohn, director of marketing for Telco Triad Community Credit Union, has been selected to attend the Iowa Credit Union League’s Convention in Des Moines that runs from Sept. 13-15. Kohn is one of 21 young professionals in Iowa’s credit union industry to be selected to attend the convention from a record number of applicants, according to a statement released by the ICUL. ...

Each fall Buena Vista University - Spencer site awards three Dvergsten scholarships. This year the winners are (above) Ashley Ellenwood, Paul Becker and Kristen Schulz. The Dvergsten family donated money to Buena Vista University to be used for students from Spencer who attend the Spencer site. Each student will receive a $500 scholarship. (Photo submitted)

BROOKINGS, S.D. — Eric Beehler, a 2017 graduate from Spencer High School, will receive the Van Buskirk Family Scholarship for the upcoming academic year at South Dakota State University. Beehler, the son of Jade and Julie Beehler of Spencer, plans to major in mechanical engineering...

WASHINGTON — U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced on Aug. 15 more than $610,000 to Iowa state wildlife agencies through the State Wildlife Grants program. The funds, which are provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, give support for a diverse array of species and habitats across the country...

WASHINGTON — U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, with the National Park Service, today announced $387,939 in Historic Preservation Grants to Iowa. The announcement is part of $21 million in grants announced today across the nation, which represents a total of $58 million awarded to every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories, and partnering nations...

DES MOINES — Licenses to pursue Iowa’s world class deer herd went on sale Aug. 15 at more than 700 license sales agents statewide and online at www.iowadnr.gov. Resident Iowa hunters may purchase one any deer license for a gun season, one any deer license for archery season and one county specific antlerless deer only license...

The weather in my part of the world has been cool the past few days. Some people are predicting an early autumn. I’m not hoping for summer to depart soon, but we take what they send when it comes to weather. If you like to fish, the fall months can provide some outstanding fishing opportunities. Just in case fall does come early this year, following are some things you can do to take advantage of the fishing action...