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Thinning blue line (2/15/19)Area law enforcement officials are noticing a declining trend in qualified applicants for entry level officer positions. Currently, the police departments of Spencer, Spirit Lake, Okoboji, Arnolds Park, Lake Park, Armstrong and Emmetsburg — along with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office — form the Lakes Area Law Enforcement Testing Cooperative which establishes a list of qualified applicants for area law enforcement positions vacant at present or in the future... -
Local infrastructure withstanding winter (2/15/19)Despite some record breaking and near record breaking temperatures, infrastructure within the city of Spencer is holding up well this winter, according to city officials. So far, crews have not had to respond to or repair some of the common infrastructure issues which occur in the winter, such as water main breaks...
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A glimpse at a foreign place, different time (2/15/19)For more than 20 years, Arts on Grand and Carey's Electronics have partnered to bring films from around the globe to movie lovers in Spencer. The program will feature a first Monday evening when it screens Academy Award nominee for best picture, "Roma," before the Oscar is awarded Sunday, Feb. 24... -
Clay County inmate attempts jail break (2/15/19)A 24-year-old inmate in the Clay County Jail allegedly threatened to flee and then acted on his threat before being subdued and returned to a cell without injury Tuesday afternoon. The incident resulted in new charges against the inmate including attempted escape from custody and interference with official acts... -
'Live, people art' (2/15/19)It became clear to artist Deborah Burow when she was in second grade that "it was all about art for me." Burow has extended the whimsical view of life she discovered as a child into her work which will be displayed as part of her "Soul, Happy Art," exhibit at Arts on Grand starting on Tuesday, Feb. 19... -
Gathering by the green (2/15/19)Discussions are currently underway to decide how the city should approach the use of the Spencer Municipal Golf Course clubhouse as a venue. Spencer Municipal Golf Course Superintendent Brian Mohr suggested to council members adopting a change to clubhouse policy establishing rental fees may provide a new source of revenue...
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Event remembers lake victims, thanks rescuers (2/15/19)STORM LAKE — A gathering of first responders and community supporters huddled on the frozen lakefront at Sleepy Hollow Wednesday evening, where rescuers had staged on the night of Jan. 20 to try to save a father and three children after their vehicle had plunged through the ice far out on the lake... -
Storm Lake lawmaker: Zero chance for recreational marijuana this session (2/15/19)1STORM LAKE — For proponents of recreational marijuana, a Storm Lake legislator has a buzzkill message, “It isn’t going to happen.” Iowa Sen. Joe Bolckom, D-Iowa City, recently introduced legislation to end the prohibition on marijuana and legalize use statewide... -
SCT presents 'The Dixie Swim Club' (2/15/19)Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15-16, 22-23 — 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinee Feb. 17, 24 — 2 p.m. Five Southern women, whose friendships began many years ago on their college swim team, set aside a long weekend every August to recharge those relationships. Free from husbands, kids and jobs, they meet at the same beach cottage on North Carolina's Outer Banks to catch up, laugh and meddle in each other's lives. ... -
Education Briefs (2/15/19)MaxYield will once again offer up to six $1,000 scholarships to students who are in pursuit of a degree in agriculture. Applications are available at area high schools, local community colleges and any MaxYield Cooperative location. New this year, the scholarship application form can be completed and submitted online. ...
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Around Campus (2/15/19)PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — Rachel Shilvock, a chemistry major from Spirit Lake, was among those named to The University of Wisconsin-Platteville dean's list, honoring those full-time students who earned high honors in their respective colleges in the fall 2018 semester...
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SHS students participate in Stock Market Game (2/15/19)Students in Shelley Helmich's business finance class at Spencer High School took part in a national competition called the Stock Market Game. The online simulation of the global capital markets that engages students grades four to 12 in the world of economics, investing and personal finance and that has prepared 17 million students for financially independent futures. The winning team from Spencer High School was (from left) Corbin Getting, Brandon Nolin and Javier Mendez. Not present for the picture was Kade McKeever. -
Apple pioneer Wozniak to lecture at BVU (2/15/19)STORM LAKE — Buena Vista University has announced that Steve Wozniak, who designed Apple’s first line of products, will be the 23rd William W. Siebens American Heritage Lecture laureate on Friday, Oct. 4. Wozniak joins a list of preeminent American Heritage lecturers that has included former world leaders, heads of state, and others who have reached the highest levels of accomplishment and recognition in their fields... -
Ernst, senators meet with Ivanka Trump (2/15/19)1WASHINGTON — Several U.S senators, including Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, met with Senior Adviser to the President Ivanka Trump on Wednesday to create a path forward on enacting paid family leave legislation. “Today we had a productive conversation about paid family leave policy focused on the bipartisan desire to find a solution that supports American workers and families. ... -
A front seat for nearly 20 years of popular music (2/14/19)Each year the Recording Academy honors a cross section of music's up-and-coming performers, chart-toppers and living legends in one building, on one night. Sunday, Feb. 10, marked the 61st Annual Grammy Awards and Spencer High School graduate Michael Kelly's 18th consecutive year attending the event... -
Parks Board narrows down potential code changes (2/14/19)In partnership with the Spencer Police Department, the Spencer Parks Board is working to clarify current language surrounding the rules of Spencer’s parks system. While rules like park hours of operation were originally discussed decades ago, some language planned for the parks system is unclear or was never included, making enforcement difficult...
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Seasons' summit offers trauma, early substance exposure education (2/14/19)Trauma, childhood substance exposure and the relationship between culture and poverty were the main topics of an educational training conference conducted at the Clay County Fair and Events Center Thursday morning. The Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Summit offered child welfare and juvenile justice professionals an opportunity to receive continuing education on topics which often confront them on a daily basis...
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County remains emerald ash borer free, but not due to cold (2/14/19)While close to two-thirds of the state has been forced to contend with the presence of emerald ash borer, Clay County remains free of the insect. The invasive species has currently spread to 65 counties in Iowa, with Clay County currently free of any known cases of the beetle or its destructive larvae, which eradicate ash trees... -
City discussing planning department restructure (2/14/19)With longtime Spencer Planning Director Kirby Schmidt set to retire in July, the city is currently planning to restructure their planning department during Schmidt’s departure to more efficiently distribute the department’s workload. The city is currently planning to split the responsibilities of the department into three specific positions. ...
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State auditor questions $4.15M sexual harassment payments (2/14/19)Iowa state auditor Rob Sand said taxpayers could be on the hook if the Iowa Finance Authority pays $4.15 million to settle sexual harassment claims against former IFA Executive Director David Jamison as planned. Some of the complaints stemmed from Jamison's behavior at an unnamed Arnolds Park hotel bar. ... -
DNR seeks public input before hunting season returns (2/14/19)OKOBOJI — Creatures both furry and feathery are enjoying relative safety during the year's early winter, but soon hunting season will be upon them again. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources would like to hear from the state's hunters this month in order to guide the department in updating or changing its rules and regulations. Representatives of the DNR will hold a moderated town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the Dickinson County Nature Center in Okoboji... -
Going ‘all in’ (2/14/19)STORM LAKE — “This is a big deal,” Buena Vista University President Joshua Merchant said, scanning the crowd of campus and community members who came out Monday to help christen a new Center for Diversity and Inclusion in the University Forum. “The physical space is an outward demonstration of our conviction that diversity and inclusion matter. ... -
Round Lake Vineyards & Winery to host regional Ultimate Chamber Mixer (2/14/19)ROUND LAKE, Minn. — Round Lake Vineyards & Winery will host the area’s first-ever Ultimate Chamber Mixer on Tuesday, Feb. 26. The mixer, designed as a networking event to give associations and their members the opportunity to connect with each other, will run from 5-8 p.m. at The Cellar at Round Lake Vineyards & Winery in Round Lake, Minnesota...
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Dickinson County commits funds in support of MillStone Park grant (2/14/19)MILFORD — The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors voted to provide $10,000 to Milford's proposed MillStone Park project in hopes the community will see even greater funding. A large-scale memorial incorporating one of the city's namesake millstones has been designed for the lot immediately southwest of the intersection of Highway 71 and 13th Street in Milford. ... -
Local Knights of Columbus omelet breakfast benefits Birthright (2/14/19)Richard Dietrich, grand knight of the Our Lady of the Lakes Council 3965 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer, presented a check for $1,617 to representatives from Birthright in Spencer following a fundraising omelet breakfast at the church. -
Plumb, We Are Messengers return to RiseFest (2/14/19)SHELDON — RiseFest is pleased to announce the newest artists added to the 2019 festival lineup, Plumb and We Are Messengers. Both artists will be playing the festival for the second time. “We are so happy to announce that Plumb will be joining us this summer. ...
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Country music ‘gypsy’ Bogue returns for area show (2/14/19)ARNOLDS PARK ― Dustin Bogue, a native of Sac City, will perform Friday, March 1, in a solo show at Captain’s Getaway in Arnolds Park. Bogue’s passion for writing and performing country music stems back to his early childhood. At just 8 years old his grandfather bought him a yard sale guitar and taught him his first three chords. ... -
A Shayla Bee love story (2/13/19)When Gary and Lindsay Wilson first met in the mid-1990s, little did they know more than 20 years later they would be celebrating three years together heading into Valentine's Day and almost two years of marriage in May. -
Input sought on fate of ‘Dead Horse Canyon Road’ (2/13/19)GILLETT GROVE — A locked gate may be the future for a scenic road near Gillett Grove. The stretch of road on 270th Avenue, between 420th Street and Clay County Road B-53, known as “Dead Horse Canyon Road,” is being considered for a downgrade to a “C-level” gated road after informal petition by neighboring landowners... -
City views future City Hall design (2/13/19)City officials had an early opportunity to view the possible future home of city government during a Committee of the Whole meeting Monday night. The early, nonfinal Spencer City Hall design was unveiled and discussed by various members of city government with Matt Barstad, CMBA Architects project manager. ... -
City officials get initial look at new logo (2/13/19)5In a reversal of roles, Spencer City Council members and department heads made up the audience as they got their first look at the new logo for the City of Spencer Wednesday night. The design is subject to change — needing final approval by the City Council — but city officials shared their approval of the design as Joe Weber, F8 Creative co founder, described the work and rationale behind the city’s new brand during the most recent Committee of the Whole meeting... -
Snowmobile driver suffers ‘incapacitating injuries’ in solo accident (2/13/19)At approximately 3:40 p.m. Sunday, the Spencer Police Department responded to a personal injury accident involving a snowmobile on the south side of the Spencer Family Aquatic Center. When officers arrived, they found the driver of the snowmobile, Anthony Garrett, 44, of Graettinger, had been ejected from the snowmobile and was laying on the ground. It appeared that Garrett was heading eastbound behind the tennis courts near the Aquatic Center and had struck a tree. Garrett was transported to the Spencer Hospital with incapacitating injuries. The accident remains under investigation. The Spencer Police Department was assisted by the Spencer Paramedics, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Spencer Fire Department. -
Opening week at Scooter's Coffee outpacing expectations (2/13/19)Scooter's Coffee is off and running to a better-than-expected start here in Spencer according to owner of the new Spencer franchise location in the Fareway parking lot. Following the city's initial approval of preliminary plans for the drive-thru kiosk in May 2018, the location opened late last week... -
Jones supports $90 million funding increase for Iowa schools (2/13/19)DES MOINES — Rep. Megan Jones, R-Sioux Rapids, voted to provide Iowa school districts with an additional $89.3 million in new funding for the 2019-20 school year. The legislation passed included a significant increase in general state aid as well as $7.8 million in targeted funding for rural schools to reduce disproportionally high transportation costs and $2.9 million in funding to reduce a long-standing inequity in the school funding formula by $5 per student... -
Clay County 4-H seeking Hall of Fame nominees (2/13/19)Clay County 4-H is seeking nominations for the 2019 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame Inductee. The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame honors 4-H volunteers, supporters and pioneers who have made a significant contribution to the Iowa 4-H Youth Development Program. Nominees could include individuals who practice community citizenship, exemplary leadership in their profession or community, and character qualities exemplified by evidence of the role of the 4-H program in their life and their continuing commitment to 4-H and youth development.. ...
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Business Brief (2/13/19)SAN DIEGO — Casey’s General Stores, based in Ankeny, received an award today at the National Biodiesel Board’s annual conference for becoming a leading provider of biodiesel at stores across the nation. NBB annually acknowledges biodiesel champions with the organization’s “Eye on Biodiesel” awards. Nathaniel Doddridge, Casey’s Director of Fuels, accepted the “Impact Award” on behalf of the company...
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Agriculture Briefs (2/13/19)WASHINGTON — On Feb. 14, at 11 a.m., the U.S. Department of Agriculture will release the complete set of tables prepared for the upcoming USDA Agricultural Projections to 2028 report. The new tables will include projections for farm income, U.S. fruits, nuts and vegetables supply and use, and global commodity trade. ...
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Ambassadors welcome Ten Kley to Community State Bank (2/13/19)The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors welcomed Scott Ten Kley to his his new position with Community State Bank as vice president and marketing. Ten Kley replaced recently retired Tom Manley. After more than two decades in the radio broadcast industry, Ten Kley will oversee marketing of the bank, advertising, business relations and perform other functions for the local financial institution which also has branches in Albert City, Sioux Rapids and Webb. Ten Kley and his wife moved to Spencer in 2000. He has been with the bank for six weeks. -
City discusses permit for front yard parking construction (2/11/19)2With an ordinance restricting the dimensions of surfaced front yard parking on family dwelling and residential lots set to go into effect on July 1, Spencer city officials discussed the possibility of establishing a front yard parking permit for “the construction of parking improvements in front yards of dwelling lots” through an ordinance amendment during Monday’s committee of the whole meeting...
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Service clubs rallying for county fire departments (2/11/19)As the Northwest Iowa Public Safety Training Center — also called the fire tower — is slowly becoming a reality on the east side of Spencer, local service clubs have joined together to help prepare the training center and county firefighters as they enter a new era of training and education. ... -
Coming in from the cold for some sweet shopping (2/11/19)Spencer Main Street’s Shop, Dine, Be Mine chocolate walk brought a crowd of well insulated pedestrians up and down Spencer’s downtown district Saturday. (Pictured) Lisa Spieker, of Milford, tries the chocolate offerings at Miss Behavin’. -
Avoiding thin ice (2/11/19)As spring fast approaches, preparation for inevitably warmer weather is beginning. To avoid the hazards warm weather can create for those on the ice, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is reminding those with permanent ice shelters on state-owned lands and waters in the area to remove those structures by Feb. 20...
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Spencer Hospital among nation’s top community hospital (2/11/19)Spencer Hospital has again been named one of the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals in the United States, earning the designation for the fourth consecutive year. The nation’s top rural hospitals are recognized annually by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. ... -
5 friends, a lifetime of bonds (2/11/19)Some friendships come and go, while others last a lifetime. Examples of such lifelong bonds will be on display in the latest Spencer Community Theatre production, "The Dixie Swim Club" which will debut at 7:30 p.m. Friday followed by an opening night reception. Performances will run Feb. 15-17 and Feb. 22-24 with Friday and Saturday shows beginning at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinee curtains opening at 2 p.m... -
SDR takes top honors in 5 INA categories (2/11/19)DES MOINES - Four top place placement awards and a best of class advertising honor resulted in a good night for the Spencer Daily Reporter at the Iowa Newspaper Association Banquet and Award Ceremony Friday night at the Des Moines Marriott. -
The Highlands’ Homeowner of the Month: Adrienne Crouch (2/11/19)To know her is to admire her. At first glance, Adrienne Crouch may appear to be a very quiet woman, but she has a big heart for helping others. Born and raised on a farm near Persia in west-central Iowa, Adrienne has a twin sister, Vivienne Steenbock, of Vancouver, Washington, and a younger sister, Janet Frazier, of Griswold. The sisters also had two brothers: Roger Koll and Kenneth Koll... -
CC-E community meeting draws crowd (2/10/19)EVERLY — After Friday night’s regional basketball game, much of the Clay Central-Everly fans lingered inside the gymnasium afterward for the CC-E School Board’s community meeting. Area residents, students and parents filled half of the gymnasium where the school board and CC-E Superintendent Dennis McClain shared a presentation regarding the district sharing with neighboring schools. ... -
Continuing an area arts tradition (2/10/19)The Artisans Road Trip has become an established tradition in northwest Iowa. As the Friday participant application deadline for the 2019 tour nears, longtime board members and participant artists, Joleen Dentlinger and Bill Lieb reflected on the show's evolution... -
McClain resignation approved by school board (2/10/19)EVERLY — After beginning his duties in April 2012, the CC-E School Board officially approved CC-E superintendent Dennis McClain’s administrative and coaching resignation, effective June 30, during Friday night’s school board meeting. Earlier this month, McClain announced his acceptance of a position as joint superintendent for the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school districts starting July 1... -
A writer’s review: At 102, a former Pilot-Tribune reporter has lived life to the fullest (2/10/19)“I loved to write,” said Marjorie Miller, reflecting over her career as a writer and reporter for respected newspapers all over Iowa after celebrating her 102nd birthday in January. Through the good times and the bad, her pencil and can-do attitude kept her moving through an entire career in northwestern Iowa as she wrote for The Sac City Sun, Odebolt Chronicle, Sioux City Journal, Des Moines Register and Pilot-Tribune...
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helped_myself posted in: Storm Lake lawmaker: Zero chance for recreational marijuana this session
Meanwhile, with overwhelming majority of people wanting gun background checks and many states looking at protecting people within common sense gun laws, Iowa, backwards as usual, is looking to eliminate gun permit & gun safety class requirements, background checks in many sales.
But, hey, our ignorant officials are saving us from something no one's ever died from. Something wrongly criminalized by Nixon admin to provide cover to go after protesting hippies because he couldn't arrest them over free speech.
As usual, Iowa will be on the wrong side of history, a day late and a dollar short.
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Schuchhardt1 posted in: City officials get initial look at new logo
Until I read the article I thought it was the elevator on 4th Avenue West.
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helped_myself posted in: Ernst, senators meet with Ivanka Trump
Yawn.....
Want to REALLY empower successful families? And not just Beaver Clever families, all varieties and sizes of families? Let women make their own medical decisions. Let them choose if and how big a family they want. It's proven that the BIGGEST impact to a single woman's economic success and independence is having kids, unplanned or not. Of course, Ivanka wouldn't know since she has the $ to pay others to raise her kids.
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Tyde1977 posted in: City officials get initial look at new logo
Blown away. Is he looking at the same logo the rest of us see? Vanessa M for office!!!!!
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govikes posted in: City officials get initial look at new logo
Well said Vanessa