A large cast of 48 actors are bringing to life the story of Oliver Twist, the London orphan who escapes from the workhouse and finds refuge with a gang of young pickpockets and thieves. The cast includes 29 children, ages 7 through 14, playing the roles of workhouse orphans and Fagin’s gang of pickpockets. To make ticket reservations, call the Spencer Community Theatre box office at 712-262-7336 or stop in at 518 First Avenue E.

A Storm Lake man was arraigned in Clay County court on Monday, Nov. 4, after police say he stole nearly $900 from a lost wallet.

Since the June flood, Spencer’s First Congregational Church has been working with the nonprofit Hosanna Industries as a mission partner of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches.

Hope Haven participated at a daytime Halloween Dance, hosted by Occasions. (Above) The first place winner of $50 was Allye McCruder, of Spencer; and (right) John Kohnekamp, the knight, claimed second place and $25. (Photo submitted)

DES MOINES — Iowans have an opportunity to enroll in health insurance for 2025 during the Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment which starts Friday, Nov. 1, and goes through Jan. 15.

The 3A Judicial Nominating Commission has received six applications for the district associate judge position. Applicants are Kristi J. Busse, from Spencer; Elizabeth K. Elsten, from Spirit Lake; Ashley A. Herrig, from Greenville; Nolan M. McGowan, from Sibley; Ben C.C. Meyer, from Laurens; and Elizabeth D. Specketer, from Rembrandt.

The vacancy was created by the appointment of Andrew Smith to the District Court bench.

The nearly complete Spencer to Fostoria extension of the Clay County recreational trail system will be a vital piece of a long-planned 210-mile, five-county trail project, a longtime advocate said last week.

The Iowa Tourism Office released new data showing tourism-related expenditures in the state reached $7.3 billion in 2023, a 5.1% increase over 2022. Travel-generated expenditures in Clay County totaled $40.5 million, an increase of 1.2% over 2022.

Miguel Castillo Jr., 32, of Peterson, was arrested on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at approximately 3:24 p.m., for being a two-time sex offender violation, second or subsequent, a Class D felony.

Castillo was taken into custody by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office on an active Clay County warrant. Bond was set at no bond.

• Justin Allen Wunder, 24, of Storm Lake, was held on a judgment entry at 11:52 a.m., Oct. 9.
• Alexander Robert Cody, 31, of Spencer, was charged on an arrest warrant at 11:53 p.m., Oct. 11.
• Beverly Ann Quail, 57, of Spencer, was charged with fourth-degree theft — $350 to $750 at 3:39 p.m., Oct.

Representatives from the Spencer Community School District greeted Smithfield Foods employees as they delivered nearly $5,000 worth of school supplies and donations to the Spencer Administration office.

The Spencer Ambassadors helped cut the ribbon at JCPenney for its post-flood grand reopening on Friday, Nov. 1. The store underwent four months of cleanup and construction, and three weeks of restocking. Manager Megan Roth and her 36-member team opened the store Friday after the work. (Photo submitted)

In an effort to heal some of the unseen wounds left in the wake of the June 22 flood that ravaged the city of Spencer, local officials and experts from the Iowa Flood Center gathered on Tuesday, Oct. 29, to provide the community with a transparent account of the events and to outline plans to better prepare for future disasters.

• Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Register to vote at the polls by proof of identity (which everyone needs) and proof of residence.
• Deadline to get absentee ballot back in by 8 p.m. election day.

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“Oliver!” will open a six-show run Spencer Community Theatre Friday night, Nov. 1-3 and 7-9. A large cast of 48 actors will be bringing to life the story of Oliver Twist (portrayed by Mason Buren), the London orphan who escapes from the workhouse and finds refuge with a gang of young pickpockets and thieves.