News

Meeting inside City Hall Tuesday evening, the Spencer Parks Board reviewed the final Spencer Parks Master Plan long-term planning document created by Stockwell Engineers and ultimately recommended the document to the Spencer City Council for approval and adoption. Work on the 175-page plan originally began back in late 2019 and succeeds the previous master plan which was created in 2000...

The Clay County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday and made short work of a canvass for the special school election conducted on Sept. 8. The board found the unofficial results of more than 200 ballots cast last week to be the exact same after canvass, meaning the Spencer Community School District public measure succeeded. ...

Attending to agenda items related to city property and IGL Construction’s Westfield development in Spencer, the Spencer Economic Development committee revisited the subject of the city’s sidewalk grant program, which provides an option for property owners in Spencer to install new sidewalk or replace sidewalk found to be in poor condition and collect reimbursement for the cost of the concrete...

Getting three weeks into the new school year the Spencer Community School District is experiencing its first cases of individuals testing positive for COVID-19. Spencer Superintendent Terry Hemann could not divulge details on the demographics of the positive cases, such as whether the positive cases were students or staff, but said the first notifications of positive cases in the district were reported on Friday with more being reported this week. ...

Spencer Chamber of Commerce’s Ag Committee members will be delivering “Take a Break” bags out to the Farmers in Clay County in the fields harvesting between Sept. 21 through Oct. 2. Delivering of the bags to the farmers in the fields is a reminder to take a break and be safe during the 2020 harvest season. The bags will be filled with snack goodies, and safety items to help the farmers through their long hours in the field. Farmers when you see a Spencer Chamber Ag Committee member standing at the end of a row waving, remember to stop and “Take a Break.” The goody bags are made possible by donations from these businesses: Agriland Inc.; Big Iron/Sam Harper; Campbell, Higgins & Mummert P.C.; Community State Bank; Farmers Savings Bank; Farmers Trust & Savings Bank; ISU Extension & Outreach, Clay County; Jack Links; Mugge Seed; State Bank of Spencer, Everly and Peterson; and Wyffels/Matt Schuver.

A group of local donors joined effort organizers at the Stolley Park shelter house Wednesday morning to celebrate the official launch of the trail replacement project. Project coordinators Bob Rose and Mike Harleman accepted the first round of donors and presented the first “challenge coins” to those contributing $500 or more toward the project...

The Iowa treasurer’s effort to return unclaimed or abandoned dollars to their rightful owners, known as the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, returned hundreds of dollars to one area heir which may be surprising, the Spencer Community School District. State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald met with Spencer Schools business manager and board secretary JoLynne Eilts virtually over Zoom Thursday afternoon to present the district with a check for more than $600. “Goodness knows that the schools really need financial help in this very difficult financial year, my hat’s off to everybody that works in the school systems for the hard year they’re going through,” Fitzgerald said. “We’re delighted to be able to return to you, the Spencer School District, $600 that went missing and kind of puts you in the same group, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about, it’s kind of amazing, it puts you in the same group as big banks, brokerage houses, hospitals, big media companies, all kinds of businesses but also thousands and thousands of Iowans and organizations. … We have so much money in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt and by you accepting this check it helps give credibility that we want Iowans to go to the greatiowatreasurehunt.gov and check their name or uncle’s name and things like that and claim it. … We’re holding almost 1 million for people right in Clay County, hundreds of names, … our goal is to help return it.” Eilts said the district was excited to find out there was funds to claim, saying “every bit helps.” To learn more about the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt visit greatiowatreasurehunt.gov.

The only thing better than winning is winning and getting a trophy. After facing competition from businesses across the state and earning the top spot in Main Street Iowa’s Open4Business Grant Competition, Pressed owners Eric and Kristen Meeter were met inside their store by Main Street Iowa business specialist Robin Bostrom on Tuesday, who presented them with their trophy and plaque. “Our judges were just so impressed with this project, not just because of what it’s going to do for their business but it’s really going to help other small businesses here in the region and across the state,” Bostrom said. “That’s really what resonated with us.” In the competition the Meeter’s outlined their business expansion plans for “The Loft,” and Eric Meeter spoke about current progress on the new space. “We kind of hit the ground and reworked some things and really tried to view things through our customer who’s going to use that space upstairs,” Eric Meeter said. “We wanted to make it as user friendly, someone who knows nothing about videography and photography but knows that they have an item they need to take a picture of can use it, as well as someone who is an expert who has access to high quality equipment as well. We have some really fun things being shipped to us right now, which is delaying us a little bit in the construction process but things are still moving forward. Just got electric finished up there.” (Pictured) The Meeters were presented their trophy by Robin Bostrom surrounded by friends from Spencer Main Street as well as local officials like Mayor Kevin Robinson, Spencer City Manager Amanda Mack and Spencer Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheriffa Jones.

Arts on Grand Executive Director Tara Brown presented JD Bumgarner of JD’s Creations with a check for $565 on Thursday following AOG’s 2020 Backyard Bach and Blues event. Bumgarner lent his artistic touch for the event, creating a number of dachshund-inspired artistic pieces which were then auctioned off with proceeds split between Bumgarner and the arts nonprofit during their annual fundraiser. To learn more about Bumgarner and JD’s Creations, visit the JD’s Creations page on Facebook.

SIOUX CITY — A drug user who unlawfully possessed a rifle was sentenced Sept. 10, to more than seven months in federal prison. Isaiah Roy Mixon, 21, of Spencer, received the prison term after a guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a drug user...

A local group of community church volunteers are coordinating a public, nondenominational prayer event on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the outdoor Northwest Bank Stage on the Clay County Fairgrounds. The prayer gathering will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ...

SPENCER — To recognize the accomplishments and contributions made by Direct Support Professionals to the lives of people with disabilities, Hope Haven is celebrating Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, Sept. 13-19. This year has been unique for organizations providing direct care support, and unprecedented challenges have prompted new responses to how services are carried out. ...

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors, on Tuesday morning, welcomed licensed massage therapist Kerry Belgrave to his new Spencer service location inside DermUs Skin Care at 8 W. Fourth St., Suite 2. Belgrave, after serving in Milford, found his way back to Spencer based on COVID-19 business circumstances. Offering deep tissue and Swedish massage therapy care, Belgrave specializes in sports massage which he said assists in range of motion. He is operating out of a room which was originally designed for massage services and has been used for spray tanning as well. Conveniently, Belgrave’s wife operates the business next door which allows him more time to see his family more often. He will be accepting 30-, 60- and 90-minute appointments Monday through Wednesday.

SIDNEY — Statement on behalf of Iowa Soybean Association President Jeff Jorgenson: “Iowa soybean farmers recognize Ambassador Terry Branstad for his work during an important time in U.S. — China trade relations. Although the Iowa Soybean Association is disappointed that he’s stepping down, we certainly respect his decision. ...

PELLA — Whitney Anderson, sophomore, a graduate of Sioux Central High School, is a member of the Central College women’s golf team. Last fall, Central won the American Rivers Conference title for the second time under coach Tim Wilkinson. The league crown earned the Dutch a trip to the NCAA Division III Championships in Houston, Texas, where they finished 19th of 25 teams. ...

With the Clay County Fair postponed to 2021, the Clay COunty Federated Garden Club decided they will still show off their green thumb artistry with the public. Starting Thursday through Saturday the garden club's work will be on display inside Arts on Grand in Spencer...

The Spencer Parks and Recreation Board are set to convene Tuesday at 5 p.m. on the first floor of City Hall with a key agenda item being to review and potentially recommend the final Spencer Parks Master Plan document for Spencer City Council discussion and approval...

With Spencer High School putting the final touches on homecoming week activities scheduled to begin on Monday, Sept. 21, the high school announced the 2020 king and queen candidates. This year’s five girls and boys include (left to right) Jon Nissen, of Spencer, son of Joe and Kim Nissen; Molly Crew, of Spencer, daughter of Pete and Andrea Crew; Jack DeWitt, of Spencer, son of Lucas and Lisa DeWitt; Alyssa Rouse, of Dickens, daughter of Levi and Terri Larson, and Nathan Rouse; Ethan Heiter, of Spencer, Jeff and Mindy Heiter; Carly Izard, of Spencer, daughter of John and Julie Izard; Landon Ellis, of Spencer, son of Jason and Sarah Ellis; Kaylee Hansen, of Spencer, daughter of Curt and Julie Hansen; Titan Coleman, of Spencer, son of Tracy Coleman and Larry Wigen; and Albany Brown, of Spencer, daughter of Jason and Tammy Brown. Details and activity schedule will be announced soon.

Volunteers help during elections to ensure the citizens of their communities are able to efficiently exercise their right to vote when they reach the polls. With a general election set for November, counties are preparing to gather their precinct officials for the effort. Clay County Auditor Marge Pitts said currently the need locally for volunteers is unknown at this point, but explained how potential volunteers could become precinct officials come election day...

A coincidence in timing means two of Clay County’s rural fire departments are now sporting new additions to their firefighting fleets this week. The Fostoria Fire and Rescue squad gathered at their headquarters on Thursday to get their first look at the department’s new tanker which will play a key role in fighting fire for years to come. ...

• This is the fourth piece of a multipart series looking at all the organizations and programs which benefited from special grant funding from the Clay County Community Foundation in 2020, and how those funds will in turn be a benefit to the community...

STORM LAKE — Why do you vote? Matthew Marroquin, a Buena Vista University student from Storm Lake, is itching to know. Matthew launched a #WhyImVoting campaign over the weekend, challenging people to share on various social media platforms Saturday the reasons they will be going to the polls this November...

STORM LAKE — Dr. Brian Lenzmeier receives a pair of emails each morning: the first comes from higher education and details the trends and effects of COVID-19; the second comes from the scientific community and details the trends and effects of COVID-19...

PELLA — Rachel Sohn, Class of 2024, from Sutherland, enrolled at Central College for the fall 2020 semester.

SIDNEY — A statement on behalf of Iowa Soybean Association President Jeff Jorgenson: “Iowa soybean farmers recognize Ambassador Terry Branstad for his work during an important time in U.S.-China trade relations. Although the Iowa Soybean Association is disappointed that he’s stepping down, we certainly respect his decision. ...

With the last school year ended early due to COVID-19, the Spencer Community School Board voted to pick up where the district left off in pursuing strategic goals as a new school year begins. The districts’ state required goals include the district reading goal of 83% proficiency on the FAST reading assessment for K-6 students and successful canvas (learning management system software) implementation for all grades. ...

ROYAL — The faint smell of smoke carried on the wind in Royal as the Royal City Council met for their regular meeting Wednesday night. The council spoke to Lucas Kline, of Ag Partners, to discuss the status of the Ag Partners elevator following a reported explosion on Aug. 25, which Ag Partners had described as “a grain dust incident” in a statement...

Following an accident at the South Grand and Eighth Street crosswalk on Labor Day, city officials discussed the intersection — and others like it — during the Mayor’s report portion of Tuesday evening’s Spencer City Council meeting. “I often talk about safety on our trails and sidewalks, we had a very unfortunate bicycle accident on South Grand Avenue recently,” Spencer Mayor Kevin Robinson said. ...

A pair of local trail users, Bob Rose and Mike Harleman, are leading the charge to generate public funding to assist with repairs to some of Spencer’s aging trails. The two men are seeking support from local service clubs, businesses and especially trail enthusiasts to assist the city in keeping the trails safe for use...

Janel Maurer is extremely deserving of this year’s Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame from Clay County. Maurer serves on the Clay County 4-H Poultry Committee and was a past 4-H club leader for the Lincoln Lions. Maurer has done wonderful things with youth in our community. ...

Despite the restrictions set by the current COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Women of Today 35th Anniversary Annual Convention was held June 11-12. Most of the national staff, 50-60 members from around the country joined via Zoom, including Spencer Women of Today members Tracey Pierson and Therese Trojahn...

A local group of community church volunteers are coordinating a public, nondenominational, prayer event on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the outdoor Northwest Bank Stage on the Clay County Fairgrounds. The prayer gathering will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m...

Cooperative Energy Company recently used that mindset to not only process the normal annual patronage payments to members, but did so in August instead of waiting until December, and also increased the payout percentage from 40% to 60% of the total patronage amount of $2.7 million. ...

Jack Rembold, owner of The Music Connection, made the business move to a shared space within the Midwest Piano & Music Center location on the corner of Grand Avenue and Fifth Street. Rembold had operated the business providing guitars, band instruments and accessories from 313 Grand Ave. since purchasing it in 1999, but after the building sold earlier this year, Rembold decided to pursue a longtime discussion with Midwest Piano owner Ryan Sather about bringing the two businesses together under one roof. The move occurred three weeks before COVID-19 forced downtown businesses to close. With another store in Estherville, Rembold spends a great deal of time on the road servicing schools in a 50- to 60-mile radius. Formerly he worked with 45 schools but the number, with consolidation, is closer to 15 or 16 currently. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

ORANGE CITY — The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team will implement a monthly webinar series beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from noon to 1 p.m. The first program “Gearing Up for 6.5 pounds of solids per hundredweight” will feature a presentation by Dr. ...

Northwest Iowa artist Bruce A. Morrison has been selected for inclusion in a prestigious international art exhibition opening on Sept. 12. Artwork from 114 artists from throughout the world will be included in the 45th Annual “Birds in Art” exhibition at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin...

Southbound traffic on Grand Avenue slowed over the Labor Day lunch hour as first responders rushed to the scene of an accident between a motorist and a man on a bicycle. The accident report states at 12:18 p.m. Monday, the Spencer Police Department were dispatched to the crosswalk of South Grand Avenue and 8th Street in South Spencer to the scene of the accident where Kelly Swancutt, of Spencer, was reported to have suffered a head injury and was breathing raggedly. ...

More than 100 area voters trekked through one of the first cool, rainy days of September Tuesday to cast their ballots for a single, yes or no vote regarding public measures for the Spencer and Sioux Central school districts. Spencer Community School District’s ballot offered a yes or no public measure vote on continuing the Physical Plant and Equipment Property tax levy for a period of 10 years starting in fiscal year 2023. ...

In the early days of COVID-19’s presence in the state, going outdoors became a popular antidote to cabin fever. Now nearly six months in, outdoor recreation has continued its upward trend and especially locally, use on water and trails have seen some of the most growth...

Dr. Karen M. Kedrowski will discuss, “A Brief History of Women Suffrage, 1840-1920” via Zoom from 6-7 p.m. Sept. 17. This year marks the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which enfranchised around 27 million American women. This program will discuss the history of the suffrage movement, including its controversies, Iowans’ roles and its impact...

It's been said that many hands makes light work. As communities across the world face down a pandemic, they need all the help they can get. Within Clay County, a somewhat loose conglomerate of local government, health care, emergency personnel and business organizations have continued to meet each weekday as the Clay County COVID-19 task force. ...

Whether COVID-19, derecho, drought, none are expected to prevent a more typical harvest from kicking off in Clay County for 2020. Some farmers have been seen out in the fields already for silage harvest, but Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Agronomist Paul Kassel explained there are still a “couple weeks” left before harvest can start in earnest...

Spencer residents are welcome to decorate your outside landscaping and home for Halloween to show your community spirit. Contact the chamber office by phone at 262-5680 or email programs@spenceriowachamber.org to register your home — needed are your name, address and phone number or email address...

With hundreds of exhibitors and their animals representing 12 different states making the rounds for the multiday Denver in September 2020 event on the Clay County Fairgrounds over the weekend, organizers were thrilled with the event’s success and help from volunteers and many others in the area in bringing shows, competition, excitement and fun to the fairgrounds. “There’s challenges along the way but we adapted and conquered through,” Kris Vogel said. “You put 50 people that are donating monies to something like this to get us where the funds that we’ve got, we can’t ask for anything more,” Greg Lear said. (DIRECTION) One of the youngest competitors on Saturday was Ella Worden, who showed a hog alongside her father Lane Worden. Ella will turn 2 in November. (DIRECTION) Two Schoenfelds, Ava Schoenfeld (pictured) and Jilian Schoenfeld, took home the champ and reserve spots in their junior showmanship class on Saturday. (DIRECTION) Trevor Riesberg took the lead of his spiffed up animal as well as his class, claiming the top spot in class 27 on Monday morning.

The Milford Fire Department responded to a residential fire at around 2:40 p.m. Friday at 1204 S. Ave. in Milford. Milford Fire Chief Jim Carpenter said some discarded smoking materials likely ignited the facade of the apartment building's south side. Water was applied to the flames before the Fire Department's arrival, but Carpenter said his crew tore into the facade and laid down a little more water to stop any remaining embers from spreading. The chief said the damage wasn't enough to merit anyone being displaced from their home. Firefighters were already packing up their equipment before 3:10 p.m., and Carpenter said there were no injuries.

First responders were on the scene of an accident involving a cyclist at the crosswalk joining Eighth Street and South Grand Avenue in Spencer at approximately 1 p.m. on Labor Day. Witnesses at the scene alleged at least one person was transported from the scene. A black Toyota Tundra was towed from the scene. The Spencer Police Department were unable to share any details regarding the accident until Tuesday.

There were 16 area agencies competing in ServPro’s First Annual First Responders Golf Event conducted at the Spencer Municipal Golf Course on Aug. 28. Not only were the players from departments in Clay County and the surrounding region able to blow off some steam on the course, but were also able to win some funds to bring back to their departments. “Locally we wanted to do something to give back to (first responders and so we went out and got some sponsors from area businesses around the communities and they did some hole sponsors and team sponsors,” ServPro of Spencer & Iowa Great Lakes owner Ryan Brooks said. “Every team got at least something to go back to their departments … and then we paid out obviously all of that sponsorship money back to the top three teams and we also did kind of a fun one for last place, they got a prize to just to make it fun. It was just designed to say thank you and give back to them, let them have a day out and about and have some fun without any cost to them between the sponsorship and us as we covered the green fees, carts, lunch, stuff like that.” Competing against agencies like the fire departments of Ruthven, Fostoria, Emmetsburg as well as the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Spencer ER and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, it was the Arnolds Park Police Department who took home first place, followed by the Spencer and Sioux Rapids Fire Departments who tied, with $500 the first prize and $350 each for second. Muni Superintendent Brian Mohr said the event was a great day. “It was really cool to see all the first responders be recognized by Ryan and his company and also all the hole sponsors that made it possible for the first responders to play golf,” Mohr said. “I think it was overall a huge success and just an amazing day.”

EMMETSBURG — Iowa Lakes Community College received a first place ranking as the best practical nursing program in the state of Iowa by PracticalNursing.org, a leading licensed practical nursing advancement and ranking agency since 2014. "The practical nursing program at Iowa Lakes Community College makes us hopeful and motivated to see what the future will bring for nursing, and we are happy to share that PracticalNursing.org has ranked Iowa Lakes' program as the best in Iowa," said Carly Jacobs, from PracticalNursing.org.. ...

Spencer Area Activity Center will have fresh produce, when it’s available in the front entry. Feel free to come check it out. Bring your own bag. Open from 1-3:30 p.m. for produce Monday through Friday. --- Elderbridge Agency on Aging offices remain closed to public access but services continue to be provided by phone at 800-243-0678. ...

Two fair favorites will soon be returning to delight area artists and art lovers alike. Arts on Grand is bringing Plein Air at the Fair back for 2020, the twist being unlike last year, the event lasts a single day. Plein Air artists will head to the fairgrounds on Sept. ...