Stories from Monday, June 3, 2019

Reports of a major gas leak on the north side of town Monday evening prompted a quick response from the Spencer Fire Department, Spencer Police Department, Clay County Sheriff's Office and Black Hills Energy officials who arrived at the scene near First Avenue West and West 11th St. at approximately 7:15 p.m. Monday.

The Spencer Municipal Band, under the direction of Janet Boyens, will open its season with their Flagfest performance at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 9, at the bandshell at East Leach Park. The band, with musicians from Spencer and the surrounding area, will once again perform six concerts this summer...

Spencer Schools presents an example of an Iowa district trying new avenues in pursuit of quality teachers School districts around the state and nation are pursuing new ways to reach qualified applicants as less students are studying to become teachers and fewer graduates apply for open positions. ...

After nearly 26 years serving in various roles with the United States Postal Service in Iowa, Bob Smith made good on a promise he has been sharing with friends and family for years: If the position of postmaster in Spencer became available and was offered to him, he would take it. That promise became a reality earlier this spring when Smith took charge at the local post office...

Clay Central-Everly students gathered with teachers, school staff and members of the community for one final farewell to the high school in Everly Monday. Four students and two teachers shared memories, words of wisdom and encouragement as students prepared to say goodbye before joining a new school district next fall during the "What it Means to be a Maverick" program. ...

This is the fifth article in a 10-part series, a collaborative effort of the newspapers of Rust Publishing NWIA, examining the myriad issues surrounding the mental health care crisis in Iowa. Reporters and editors from the Spencer Daily Reporter, Storm Lake Pilot-Tribune and Dickinson County News have contributed to the report...

GROWING GRAND This is the third story in a series focusing on new developments underway in Spencer’s downtown district this summer. --- Motorists or pedestrians glancing at the ongoing construction on downtown storefronts may notice a familiar name adorning the wooden barricades at at a couple of the sites. ...

In what was described by city officials as a rare action, the Spencer City Council voted unanimously to deny a Class C liquor license renewal for Southside Grill, the former restaurant which was converted into a gentlemen’s club in late 2018. The motion to deny the renewal passed at a vote of 5-0, with Ward 1 City Councilman Tom Nelson and Councilman at Large Rich Prentice absent...

Tracy Small, one of the organizers involved with the past weekend’s three-day Slugfest youth softball and baseball tournament in Spencer called the 10th anniversary of the event “a rocket ship” which benefited the entire community. “It’s the best weather we’ve ever had and the most teams we’ve ever had,” Small said...

David Spenst was born April 27, 1929, to Peter and Agenetha (Nettie Friesen) Spenst in Mordent, Manitoba, Canada. He is the oldest of seven including five sisters: Berniece, Mary, Amy, Vivian and Toni; and one brother, James. The family moved by train to Cavalier, North Dakota, when David was in first grade. ...

ORANGE CITY — Need to get your Beef Quality Assurance certification or Beef Quality Assurance Transportation certification? Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Beef Industry Council are offering two workshops on June 12 at Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg. ...

(Above) Dani Doran, with Northwest Bank, presented a Freedom level donation to the Spencer Chamber of Commerce 35th Annual Flagfest celebration. Becky Fear-Hatting accepted the donation. (Below) Fear-Hatting accepted a Patriot level donation from Kristi Franker, president of Spencer Kiwanis After 5. Flagfest will be celebrated in a variety of ways around Spencer June 6-9.

Robert Eugene Bodenhamer was born May 5, 1932, in Everly to Elza G. and Elma Hopfe Bodenhamer. He was baptized in the Evangelical Church west of Fostoria. He served his country from 1952-57 in the United States Air Force. He is a lifetime member of the American Legion and the VFW...

Funeral services for Ralph Kabrick, 72, of Spencer, will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2019, at Warner Chapel. Rev. Paul Frederiksen will officiate the service. Visitation with the family will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home...

Funeral service for Betty Sindt, 93, of Hartley, formerly of Everly, will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 6, 2019, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hartley. Rev. Tim Hogan will officiate the service. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday with the family present from 5-7 p.m. ...

Spencer Special Olympians took part in the annual Summer Games held in Ames May, 23-24, competing in bocce, cycling, swimming and track. --- (BOCCE DIRECTION) The Spencer Special Olympics bocce team (left to right): Gracy Elsenbast, Izzy Ver Mulm, Emma Marlow, Tirza Farrenkopf...

“Usually take one last pass through town Stop the car and touch the ground Watch those streetlights swayin' in the breeze Decorated store fronts Rusty old gas pumps Try to fill my mind up With somethin' before I go Picture postcard memories You know they always make for good company.”...

Schools have let out for the summer, and farmers are still trying to wrap up planting 2019. Fingers crossed the rain stays away this week, so farmers can get their crop in. If you are a farmer, thank you. Farming can be a thankless job at times, but know you are appreciated. Today, I have a guest writer Paul Kassel, field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, talking about “delayed planting.”...

Tiger girls book return trip to state with 9-0 win over Denison-Schleswig Monday’s regional final between the No. 4-ranked Spencer Tiger girls and unranked Denison-Schleswig never showed any signs of a possible upset as the Tigers put their first shot on goal within 30 seconds and went on to dominate a 9-0 victory to return to state for a second straight year...