AMES — Iowa State University’s new extension beef cow-calf specialist is looking forward to getting to know the state’s producers and learning how to best address issues facing them. Randie Culbertson said that starts with understanding the challenges, including her own change in perspective. Culbertson came to Iowa State from Bozeman, Montana, where she worked for the American Simmental Association as the lead geneticist for International Genetic Solutions.

Main Street welcomes Grand Meander

Spencer Main Street celebrated the arrival of the holiday season with its traditional Grand Meander strolling event Monday night. Families could partake in a variety of Christmas themed activities as they traveled from one business to the next. Between making Christmas crafts, sampling holiday treats, meeting iconic Christmas characters and listening to live performances, there was no shortage of fun to be had. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

SCT’s ‘Miracle on 34th Street’

The final weekend of the timeless Christmas classic production will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at Spencer Community Theatre Playhouse in Spencer.

Journey to Bethlehem

A walk through holiday event with live performers and animals will be performed from 1:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer.

BOOKED INTO CLAY COUNTY JAIL

Care Connections of Northern Iowa has awarded Seasons Center $2,000 in funding to support and enhance Seasons’ School-Based Programs offered in partnership with Algona, Clay Central-Everly and Emmetsburg school districts.

It’s an unusual for a game of catch to occur in the lobby of a bank. But Wednesday afternoon at Northwest Bank, that’s exactly what happened. As part of the “Wanna Have a Catch?” challenge to raise money for the Miracle League of Sioux City, bank staff took part in a traditional game of catch.

The Sioux City league provides recreational opportunities for children and adults with disabilities, made possible by its rubber-surfaced facility.

A Spencer-area holiday staple, the Holiday Family Adoption Program allows generous families, businesses and service groups to share the holiday spirit and bounty. Thanks to the generosity of families and businesses, area families will be gifted with items to help make this Christmas season a little bit brighter.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Rural Opioid Abuse Prevention Act — a bipartisan bill to prevent opioid addiction, overdoses and deaths in rural communities — originally introduced by U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, from Iowa's 4th District, and Conor Lamb, D-Pa. The Rural Opioid Abuse Prevention Act, introduced in the Senate by Sens.

City officials provided an update on restoring power to mobile homes in a trailer park located on West 18th Street at Monday’s Spencer City Council meeting. After power to the park was initially shut off by the city of Spencer in July due to dangerous conditions, Planning Director Adam Severson reported 11 units have power after passing inspection.

Clay County Tourism is hosting a photo contest, seeking the best photos of Clay County — winter, spring, summer or fall — to be featured in a new Clay County visitors guide to be published in 2023.

The Spencer Rotary November Student of the Month, Gavin Honkomp, was recently recognized at a Rotary meeting. He is active at Spencer High School in basketball, football and tennis; and is planning to get a degree in either exercise science or recreation management, possibly at South Dakota State University. Spencer High School administrator and Spencer Rotary member Elli Wiemers presented Honkomp with his certificate. (Photo submitted)

The future of the intersection of U.S. Highways 18 and 71 — commonly known as the “North Y" — was discussed by members of the Spencer City Council and Clay County Board of Supervisors during a Committee of the Whole meeting Monday night in council chambers at Spencer City Hall. The Iowa Department of Transportation plans to modify the intersection and has requested city and county input.

The biblical recounting of Mary and Joseph’s flight to Bethlehem will come alive to area residents this Christmas season. All are invited to attend the Journey to Bethlehem which is a live, walk-through Nativity story held at Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer. The event includes extended hours this year on Saturday, Dec. 10, or Sunday, Dec. 11, from 1:30-5:30 p.m.

In the spirit of giving, a free meal will be available to all honorably discharged veterans, those serving in active duty and their spouses on Dec. 10 at the Spencer American Legion Hall from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The meal will be sponsored by the American Legion Post 1 of Spencer and the Clay County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3159.

DES MOINES — The Spencer Tigerettes dance team competed at the Iowa State Dance Championships on Dec. 2 in Des Moines. The team competed in Class 2 kick, Class 6 jazz and Class 9 solos. Tigerettes received Division 1 ratings in the jazz and kick categories; placing sixth in Class 2 kick.