News

Incumbent at Large Spencer City Councilman George Moriarty will face a challenge for his seat from Brian Balk, Debby Burow and Jacqueline Johnson to in the Nov. 2 election. The four met for a public forum hosted by the Spencer Daily Reporter and local media partners Wednesday in council chambers in Spencer City Hall. The following are their responses to the Daily Reporter Q&A:

Doors at Fairview Park and Lincoln elementary schools were opened to the public for a couple of hours Tuesday as the general public got a first look at the result of the major construction and remodeling projects at both schools. Fairview Principal Alex Olson estimated 150 passed through his school’s doors while Lincoln Principal Cindy DeVlaeminck suggested 250 made their way through the halls of Lincoln.

The Halloween tradition continues when the Spencer Jaycees host their annual spooky experience Nightmare at the Fair: Haunted Asylum beginning Friday night at 7 p.m. until midnight in the Tower Gate Pavilion on the Clay County Fairgrounds. The fright nights continue Saturday and next weekend ― Friday and Saturday ― from 7 p.m. until midnight and Sunday, Oct. 31, from 7-10 p.m. Admission is $15 or $10 with two nonperishable, nonexpired canned food items.

This fall Spencer Hospital Surgery Center added the Mako robotics system to its high-tech surgery center. The orthopedic robotic technology is an addition to the robotic capabilities the hospital has offered for general and gynecological surgeries since 2015, and is part of a multimillion-dollar upgrade to the surgery center.

Three of Spencer’s Girl Scouts — Maggie and Molly Moser and Emalee Weuve — have earned the Girl Scout Silver Award for their Skyline Quilts at the Clay County Fair.

The Clay County Board of Supervisors discussed possible broadband expansion in the county during Tuesday’s board meeting. The supervisors also received updates about funding for broadband from Broadband Services Coordinator Curtis Dean. “I think he gave us some good ideas and proper input,” Board Chair and Supervisor Art Hamerick said.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host “Money Smart: Prioritizing Bills, Managing Debt & Improving Credit,” a three-session money management program, beginning Nov. 4 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer. ...

ORANGE CITY — Dairy producers in northwest Iowa are invited to a milk market update and risk management discussion at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at the ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County office in Orange City. Presenters will include Matt Tranel and Ron Mortenson. ...

Farmers Trust and Savings Bank announced Lauren Christianson as the newest director of human resources. She has more than five years of experience in human resources in a variety of industries — her most recent was as human resources manager at a construction company. ...

Arts On Grand and Carey's Electronics are presenting another season of its annual international film series "Films For The Cinematically Disadvantaged.” Arts On Grand is the main sponsor for the event and Carey's will open its upper level theater to the public to host the movies for AOG. Show times are on consecutive Mondays starting at 7 p.m. The movies are free to the public, with a free will offering to aid Arts On Grand. Hot cider and popcorn are served...

DES MOINES — Makayla Nims, of Peterson, was conferred a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree by Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines on Aug. 18. She has been named to the president's list for the summer 2021 semester at Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines. To qualify for this academic recognition, students must attain a GPA of at least 3.75, in their most recent semester, for a minimum of six credit hours...

STORM LAKE ― Children crawled all over the Buena Vista University’s giant mascot letters, a recent addition that was a hit during homecoming celebration. Alums, supporters and kids explored the campus during last weekend’s event.

Chuck and Pat Schmidt are making a difference through special class experiences for all grades in Spencer Community Schools and through the establishment of two scholarships. For several years they have been Spencer residents, business professionals and generous community philanthropists.

Hope Haven employees and clients took part in a Pink Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Tuesday, Oct. 19. Leaving from Grand Avenue Community Outreach, the group walked along Grand Avenue to Leach Park, making a loop and doubling back. The employees and clients of Hope Haven all wore at least one article of pink clothing in support of those living with cancer.

The Iowa Lakes Patriots, a newly formed grassroots group in the Lakes area, is sponsoring a Freedom Walk at noon on Saturday, Oct. 23. The walk will start on the corner of U.S. Highway 71 and Broadway in Arnolds Park. Participants will walk north across the bridge to Sanborn Avenue. Those unable to walk that far may join for the return route. Participants— bring your flags, homemade freedom and patriotic signs, and put on your favorite walking shoes...

With more than 3,000 concerts under their belts, Iowa’s longest-running rock band is about to tune up for another honor. The Senders will be inducted into the Midwest All Music Association Hall of Fame, and will play in an induction show and dance Oct. 23 at the Avalon Ballroom in Remsen.

The legacy of showmanship in the Schoelerman household continues for another year as the Clay County farm family enjoy a generational success of raising and showing their targeted livestock at fairs and national shows.

Council chambers in Spencer City Hall will be the site of a pair of candidate forums in contest elections for both a City Council seat and three positions on the Spencer School Board.

Two projects received approval from Spencer’s City Council during Monday night’s council meeting. The council approved a proposal of labor, material and equipment from Blacktop Service Co. to resurface Second Avenue West between West Third and West Fourth streets for $16,240.36.

Arts on Grand will be resuming their Music in the Gallery events. The first Music in the Gallery since the COVID-19 pandemic welcomes pianist Glenn Henriksen on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. “Music in the gallery is something that we had done before COVID, and then because of COVID we canceled it,” Arts on Grand Director Tara Brown said. “Glenn Henriksen is going to be our first one, and then we will have another one on Nov. 6.

A special exhibit, “Termespheres: The Total Picture,” will be on display for a limited time at Arts on Grand until Nov. 14. The artist behind the exhibit, Dick Termes, has brought his one-of-a-kind paintings to the city of Spencer. Termes takes a unique approach to painting. Instead of working on the usual flat square surface, Termes paints on spheres. The spherical paintings, which he calls Termespheres, can be seen hanging from the ceiling of Arts and Grand.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – To help recruit and retain employees, Avera has announced a $50 million investment in its workforce that will benefit each and every employee in various ways. “Avera has a long history of attracting talented and dedicated people in a wide range of roles: from physicians, nurses and front-line caregivers, to housekeepers and food service workers, to marketing, IT, finance, HR professionals and more,” said Kim Jensen, Chief Human Resources Officer for Avera.

BD Construction has finished installing the sanitary sewer and poured the Seventh Avenue SW street patch. Seventh Avenue SW between Southmoor Drive and Eighth Street SW will be open Monday morning.

Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis President Andrew Hasley welcomed new member, Darcy Wood, and thanked her sponsor, Katie Techen. Wood is an accountant at Northwest Bank’s Corporate Office in Spencer. The wife and mother of two wanted to be more involved in the community and Hy-Noon Kiwanis seemed like a good fit...

Back by popular demand is the Residential Halloween Decorating Contest sponsored by Spencer Chamber of Commerce. Spencer residents are encouraged to decorate the outside landscaping and exterior of their home for Halloween and then register with the Chamber office. To register a home or property, the Chamber will need a name, address, phone number and email address. All registrations need to be received by Monday, Oct. 18, by phone, 262-5680 or email, programs@spenceriowachamber.org.

Thursday evening, Spencer Main Street celebrated its 11th annual Wine Stroll. Passport and wineglass in hand, strollers made their way through downtown, sampling wine and other goodies from different businesses. With no two stores offering the same items, attendees were able to try a variety of beverages and snacks...

The Park Board discussed with Spencer residents the idea of relocating the campground in East Leach Park to River View Park during its Tuesday afternoon meeting. The campground’s current location is in the floodway and the 100-year floodplain. In 2019 and 2020, a park master plan was developed and in that plan was the recommendation to relocate the campground to River View Park. Around the same time, the park was going through some repairs to the current campground from flooding damages...

Since leaving Spencer in 2018 for college after graduating from Spencer High School, Noah Olson has cultivated his entrepreneurial spirit which has bloomed into a successful nutrition-focused business endeavor. Now living in Texas, Olson co-owns Ascent Nutrition with his friend and business partner, Lance Schuttler...

Arts on Grand partnered with Rosecrance Jackson Centers to present “Stigma Associated with Substance Use Disorders,” a session designed to bring attention to the stigmas surrounding substance abuse and mental health, led by Prevention Specialist Autumn Hartman on Wednesday evening...

Plans are underway to rehabilitate the Terminal Building at the Spencer Municipal Airport by the end of June 2022, with work focused on both the interior and exterior of the building.

Set against the backdrop of Imperial Russia, Tchaikovsky's opera depicts a world where fate and fortune are a gamble. Des Moines Metro Opera Presents The Queen of Spades premieres Friday, Oct. 29, at 8:30 p.m. on statewide Iowa PBS. In this new production of a rarely-performed masterpiece, the soldier Gherman parlays his love for the young aristocrat Lisa into a life-and-death wager. ...

SHELDON — RISE Ministries has announced that RiseFest 2022 tickets are on sale and TobyMac is returning June 10-11. RiseFest is more than music, it’s a mission. Last year over 18,000 people from over 24 states gathered together in a joyous celebration of Christ. Everyone had the opportunity to know Jesus and they returned home inspired and with their faith strengthened.
 RiseFest is a two-day Christian music festival that features the nation’s top Christian artists and speakers, as well as seminars, activities for kids of all ages, ministry outreach, camping and much more.

Clay County Pheasants Forever Ladies Hunt is fast approaching on Saturday, Nov. 6, just south of Spencer at the property of Bill and Deb Muller. Ladies of all skill levels, experience, and interests will be participating. Everyone is welcome and should feel comfortable participating in some or all of the events. ...

Hope Haven will be hosting a Pink Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness Month Tuesday, Oct. 19. The group will leave from Grand Avenue Community Outreach, located in the Tangney Hotel, between 12:45-12:55 p.m. They will walk along the west side of Grand Avenue to Leach Park, make a loop under the bridge and walk back to the building on the east side.

CLIVE — Young Iowans with a passion for the pork industry are invited to apply for the 2022 Iowa Pork Producers Association Youth Leadership Team. Applications are due Nov. 30 for interested high school seniors and college students (up to age 21, as of Jan. ...

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors were on hand Tuesday for the ribbon cutting at No Limits Archery Range. The indoor range, located next to Many Hands Market in south Spencer, is a membership-based range, owned by Andrew and Rachel Steffen, who also own No Limits Outdoors...

STORM LAKE — Buena Vista University celebrated the inauguration of President Brian Lenzmeier in a ceremony on Friday at Schaller Memorial Chapel. Lenzmeier was named BVU’s 19th president on Oct. 26, 2020. Public health safety protocols related to COVID-19 put the formal inauguration ceremony on hold until Friday, when an on-campus celebration unfolded beneath bright blue skies and temperatures topping 80 degrees.

The band called The Crust was voted the winner of The Iowa Rocks Talent Contest Finals held during the Labor Day celebration during the 2021 Hall of Fame Induction festivities. As the winner of the statewide Iowa Rocks Talent Contest, The Crust was the opening act for the Hall of Fame Induction Concert held in the historic Roof Garden in Arnolds Park.

ARNOLDS PARK — Join Maddie Poppe for an intimate night of music at the fabulous Roof Garden Ballroom in Arnolds Park. The 23-year-old Clarksville native and Season 16 winner of ABC’s “American Idol” is returning to the Roof Garden on Sunday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. Maddie performed here last year on Dec. 15, 2020, as part of the first Maddie Poppe’s Acoustic Christmas tour.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host “Money Smart: Prioritizing Bills, Managing Debt & Improving Credit,” a three-session money management program, beginning Nov. 4 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer. ...

Rutter will be headed to basic training after graduation for the Army National Guard, then he will attend Northwestern and will wrestle for the Raiders while studying business...

The city of Spencer will host a public welcome event for new Spencer City Manager Dan Gifford on Monday, Nov. 1, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in council chambers at Spencer City Hall. The building will also be open for a walk-through tour during the event.

A small gathering of Spencer area residents, city officials and community leaders participated in the closing ceremonies of Spencer’s Sesquicentennial Celebration on a breezy, cool Sunday afternoon. The event included a proclamation from Mayor Kevin Robinson, disclosure of contents and burial of a new time capsule, along with a hamburger and hot dog feed on the south side of the Clay County Courthouse.

DES MOINES — Republican lawmakers have voted down Iowa’s first redistricting proposal, sending the process back to a nonpartisan state agency to start from scratch.

Theodore Roosevelt reprisor Joe Wiegand brought history to life, embodying the 26th president in an event hosted by the Clay County Heritage Center, “An Evening with Teddy Roosevelt.” A VIP meet and greet allowed audiences to chat and take pictures with the president prior to the show, with the performer remaining in character the entire time.

The Spencer Daily Reporter, along with Spencer Municipal Utilities and Iowa Radio Group, will host a pair of candidate forums. The first, for the Spencer City Council at large race, will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, and the second will feature the three incumbents and three challengers seeking seats on the Spencer School Board starting at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25. Both question and answer sessions will be conducted in council chambers at Spencer City Hall.

The court process for two suspects accused in the murder of a Lake Park woman might split into two trials if a judge approves a motion filed late last month. Attorney Ed Bjornstad currently represents both suspects — 26-year-old Allison Decker and 24-year-old Justice Berntson. ...

Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis welcomed new member, Renae Behrends, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church. She was sponsored by Merlyn Winther and inducted by club President Kelsie Baccam. Kristy Franker, of Spencer Kiwanis After Five, will lead Division 3 as lieutenant governor for 2021-22. She is joined by (left) Katy Guinn, new Kiwanis After Five president.

The Spencer IowaWORKS office announced this week that it has relocated back to its original location, 217 W. Fifth St., to continue serving as a one-stop center for local job seekers and employers. Following completed renovations, the local IowaWORKS office has returned to the Spencer Governmental Services Building and is ready to continue serving Iowans by providing valuable resources and support services to help create solutions in the workforce...

CLIVE — Young Iowans with a passion for the pork industry are invited to apply for the 2022 Iowa Pork Producers Association Youth Leadership Team. Applications are due Nov. 30 for interested high school seniors and college students (up to age 21, as of Jan. ...