News

The Spencer Hospital Board of Trustees during their Thursday morning meeting returned to the topic of COVID-19’s spread in the nation, state and locally. Spencer Hospital President Bill Bumgarner offered some positive news, such as the Johnson & Johnson single dose vaccine nearing approval and Moderna’s work adjusting to potential COVID-19 variants...

City leaders, chamber officials and community members gathered in the Spencer City Council chambers Thursday afternoon for the Spencer Sesquicentennial Celebration press conference, where Spencer Mayor Kevin Robinson and Spencer Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheriffa Jones announced Spencer’s 150th Anniversary Celebration, which will primarily take place during Flagfest weekend this summer with opening ceremonies beginning at 5 p.m. ...

WASHINGTON — Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack will return to a familiar post in President Joe Biden's administration following his Senate confirmation for agriculture secretary by a 92-7 vote. The former Iowa governor previously served in the position for the entirety of the Obama administration...

The placement of Spencer students in the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ annual essay contest has been released. Each year, students write about specific themes. Clay County VFW Auxiliary 3159 was proud to support the youth essay contest that promotes Americanism and patriotism in our youth...

Earlier this month the Lakes Conference membership accepted Western Christian High School’s request to withdraw from the conference, starting at the end of the 2021-22 school year. Spencer Superintendent Terry Hemann offered a brief glimpse into how the conference will move forward during the Spencer School Board’s meeting Tuesday evening...

Spencer Hospital did not admit any patients last week due to COVID-19 diagnoses and only two patients were hospitalized in the nine-county area. Also, local positivity rates are looking great, with seven of the nine counties under 5% positivity rates. ...

Clay Central-Everly Superintendent Kevin Wood offered an update to district officials during Wednesday night’s CC-E School Board meeting regarding CC-E’s number of students served by the district. The district discontinued its seven to 12 education in 2019...

The next priority groups in Iowa's COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan may be rolling up their sleeves in the near future. State officials estimate about 70% of the current group ― Tier 1 of the state's five-tiered second phase ― may have had their first of the two-dose regimen by next week, according to Gov. ...

To protect patients, families, healthcare workers and community during the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19, and to prevent further spread of the disease, visitor restrictions all patients and permitted visitors who enter Spencer Hospital or any of the clinics must bring and wear a mask, covering nose and mouth...

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health has multiple options for free community suicide prevention trainings in the area. There are currently two options, a brief, two-hour training for an applicable process to help individuals in crisis and a two-day intensive suicide prevention workshop with powerful audiovisuals, discussions, and simulations...

SIOUX CITY — The Judicial Nominating Commission for the 3A Judicial District has nominated Attorney Matthew T.E. Early, of Spirit Lake, and Attorney John M. Sandy, of Spirit Lake, for the judgeship created by the retirement of District Court Judge David A. Lester. A total of five applicants were considered for the position...

Students in the TRIO Upward Bound program, hosted by Iowa Lakes Community College, spread cheer this holiday season in the community by donating blankets and hand-made greeting cards. TRIO Upward Bound students made 46 holiday cards by hand and mailed them to residents of Emmetsburg Care Center, Lakeside Senior Care in Emmetsburg and Riverview Terrace in Spencer. They also created six fleece tie blankets, which they donated to the Department of Human Services for children in need...

ESTHERVILLE — Iowa Lakes Community College receives award designations recognizing efforts to serve military service members and veterans. Iowa Lakes received a "Top 10 Gold" Military Friendly designation for 2021-22, a 2020 Top Veteran-Friendly School, and the Certified Higher-Education Academic Military Partner designation...

CEDAR FALLS — New alumni were added to the roster of graduates of the University of Northern Iowa. Locals among the graduates include: Abigail Hill, Bachelor of Arts, art, from Alta; Nicole Goodman, Bachelor of Arts, English teaching with honors, from Storm Lake; Liliana Hernandez-Castro, Bachelor of Arts, social work, from Storm Lake; Mackenzie Laven, Bachelor of Arts, elementary education and middle level education, dual major, from Storm Lake; Mollie Borth, Bachelor of Arts, sociology, teaching English to speakers of other languages with highest honors, from Spencer; Renita Brown, Bachelor of Arts, management: business administration, from Spencer; Morgan Carpenter, Bachelor of Arts, family services, from Spencer; Makenzie Folsom, Bachelor of Arts, independent studies: health science 3+1 with high honors, from Spencer; Jacob Freeman, Bachelor of Arts, English teaching with honors, from Spencer; Meghan Irmiter, Bachelor of Arts, elementary education, from Spencer; Emily Wintz, Bachelor of Arts, biology, from Milford; Callan Hinn, Bachelor of Arts, independent studies: health science 3+1, from Spirit Lake; Tyler Pauley, Bachelor of Arts, interactive digital studies marketing: advertising and digital media, from Spirit Lake; Jay Lange, Bachelor of Arts, management: organizational leadership, from Paullina; Emily Rouse, Bachelor of Arts, communication disorders, from Sanborn; Dalton Connelly, Bachelor of Arts, accounting, from Emmetsburg; Michael Girres, Bachelor of Arts, elementary education, from Graettinger; Brady Flint, Bachelor of Arts, crime and criminal justice: law enforcement, from Ruthven; and Nicholas Josephson, Bachelor of Science, tech and engineer eduction: teaching, from Ruthven.. ...

DES MOINES — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig participated in a virtual trade mission with Japan earlier this week. Coordinated by the Iowa Economic Development Authority, representatives from Iowa continued conversations with Japanese companies following a successful in-person meeting in 2019 to reinforce strong relationships and expand trade and investment opportunities for Iowa...

In the midst of this pandemic, making sure your salary goes as far as possible matters more than ever. If you want to make a good living, it doesn’t just matter how much you make, but also where you're making that money. Turns out, Iowa ranks No. 3 in America for the best pay in 2020. Workers in Iowa make an average salary of $38,280 and only have to work 32.8 hours each month to afford the average rent payment. Six of the top 10 worst states to get paid in are on the East Coast, and, with the exception of Kentucky, all of the 10 best states to get paid are in the West or Midwest. People in the 10 best states have to dedicate less than one week's full-time salary to paying rent. In contrast, people in the 10 most expensive states dedicate closer to a week and a half of full-time salary to rent a one-bedroom apartment. For this year's state rankings, each state's median hourly wage as recorded by the Bureau of Labor Statistics was considered, and combined with info on apartmentlist.com to determine the median cost of a one-bedroom apartment in each state.

ARNOLDS PARK — The Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association announces an exciting 10-date schedule of the music and dance event series that has become an annual Okoboji spring and summer favorite, “Rock the Roof.” All events are being planned to be indoors at the fabulous Roof Garden Ballroom at Historic Arnolds Park...

POMEROY ― Native northwest Iowan singer-songwriter Chad Elliott blends folk roots, swampy blues and soulful writing to deliver an original Americana sound. Chad Elliott and Friends will perform at Byron’s in Pomeroy, Sunday March 21. A four-hour show is planned, starting at 5 p.m...

EVERLY -- As much of the middle of the country down to Texas suffered during a deep freeze of record low temperatures caused by the polar vortex this month, the effects of the cold have severely impacted communities across the country, even here in Clay County. In Spencer, Spencer Municipal Utilities spearheaded a city-wide temporary energy conservation campaign to assist the electric grid, also running their jet turbine engine to produce electricity. In Everly, the city faced increased natural gas prices...

Getting closer to the deadline for the city to finalize its fiscal year 2022 budget, the Spencer Committee of the Whole was called for a meeting Monday evening on a sole agenda item: continuing discussions on the proposed budget. In particular, the committee focused discussion on the finance committee’s Feb. ...

Spencer Hospital is converting to a new electronic health record on March 1, which could result in non-care related service delays in some instances for a short period of time. "It's typical for a hospital to periodically complete a comprehensive update of its information technology system, to include its electronic medical record," Spencer Hospital President Bill Bumgarner said. ...

Seasons Center’s The Big Snow Showdown event brought families together at the Spencer Hospital’s west lawn to flex their creative muscles in making artistic creations in the snow. (DIRECTION) There were snowmen and snowwomen created during the event, but the biggest creature was a snow Nessie, the fabled Loch Ness monster, made by the McCaulley family. (DIRECTION) Youngsters used sleds, shovels, buckets or just their hands to help gather as much snow as needed for their creations. (DIRECTION) Christine Mehan takes a different route in making a snowman by covering Elliot, Lincoln and Connor in snow.

The growing 2020 trend of community members gathering to support the elimination of food insecurity in the region through large scale food drives continued in 2021, due to the work of the Clay County Hunger Coalition and many volunteers. Saturday, the group of coalition members and volunteers ranging from local government officials, members of the Spencer Fire Department, FFA students and many more were at the Clay County Fairgrounds making short work of getting hundreds of meals into the hands of those who need it.. ...

Spencer Hospital did not admit any patients last week due to COVID-19 diagnoses and only two patients were hospitalized in the nine-county area. Also, local positivity rates are looking great, with seven of the nine counties under 5% positivity rates. ...

DES MOINES — On Feb. 18, Rep. Megan Jones, R-Sioux Rapids, voted in support of House File 532 to give more than $27 million in extra funds to schools to help cover COVID costs. HF 532 will divvy up $27 million in COVID relief funds to schools based on the amount of days they spent in-person this fall. This bill was crafted with the understanding that schools incurred increased costs for in-person learning during the pandemic such as PPE, cleaning supplies and more substitute teachers...

Many Hands Market had the honor of giving their January $500 local donation to “Weighted Works With Love.” They provide quality custom-made weighted blankets, lap pads and shoulder wraps for individuals who could benefit from deep pressure therapy. This ecumenical group volunteers their time to create each blanket, pad and wrap. Each donation is used to help purchase supplies and help with operating expenses. (Above) Brownie Small and Monica Johannesen, both volunteers with “Weighted Works With Love,” accept the check from Many Hands Market staff member Hannah Boyens.

The restaurant industry — and its workers — have faced severe challenges due to the COVID-19 outbreak. With over 8.1 million restaurant workers across the U.S. and talks of raising the minimum wage — the team at Business.org wanted to know which states pay restaurant staff the most. Nationally, restaurant workers earn an average salary of $24,861 — that’s 54% less than all occupations across the country.

Spencer Hospital will initiate a joint business arrangement with Avera@Home, beginning March 1, for the provision of hospice and home care services. The collaboration will entail Spencer Hospital's local care professionals maintaining the continuity of current services while benefiting from Avera@Home's business operations expertise in areas to include service quality, regulatory compliance, supply chain, billing, evolving technologies and overall operating efficiency...

--- • This is the 15th 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...

The Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis meet at noon on Mondays at the Clay County Fair & Events Center for the better part of the year. They are currently conducting meetings at the Hy-Noon Stubs Cafe & Cookie Bucket on the Clay County Fairgrounds. Guests are always welcome to come enjoy the program and have lunch...

Currently underway, people are getting a second chance to easily get insured for 2021 in a national call to increase access to health insurance. Individuals and families can enroll in plans through the federal Marketplace at healthcare.gov and directly with Avera Health Plans for non-employer group insurance through May 15...

Sen. Jim Carlin, R-Sioux City, volleyed several debunked anti-vaccination talking points at Iowa Department of Public Health’s Dr. Caitlin Pedati during a Tuesday afternoon meeting. Carlin asked why there were so many vaccinations now, noting he only got three or four shots as a child. He asked why more children seem to be sick with chronic diseases and whether vaccines could contribute to sudden infant death syndrome. He brought up the long-disproven theory that vaccines could cause autism...

AMES — A total of 64 counties will participate in the confinement site manure applicator workshops. Local northwest Iowa workshops include: Feb. 25 at 9:30 a.m., ISU Extension and Outreach Buena Vista County, Storm Lake, preregister to 712-732-5056...

Hello, my name is Isabel Dehrkoop I am the 4-H county youth coordinator. I lead the Clay County 4-H clubs and specialty clubs, assist and lead Clover Kids program as well assist or answer any 4-H questions. I have been with the extension for almost three years now. Fun facts about me: I love to spend time with my family, take road trips and enjoy the little things life throws at me...

MaxYield Cooperative recently made a contribution of $1,000 to the Northwest Iowa Public Safety Training Center, located in Spencer. The check, presented to Terry Peterson and John Conyn will assist the organization in purchasing a 40-foot-high, cube-style container to store gear and equipment...

‘Murder on the Orient Express’ Friday and Saturday, Feb. 19-20 and 26-27, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21 and 28, at 2 p.m. --- Hercule Poirot — John Hansel Monsieur Bouc — Beth Halverson Mary Debenham — Shyan Harrod Hector MacQueen — Jay Oldenkamp...

** 'Murder on the Orient Express’ ready to begin 2-week run

Iowa’s mental health regions have experienced many changes in membership in the last two years but it appears Northwest Iowa Care Connections’ mental health region of six — Clay, Palo Alto, Kossuth, Winnebago, Worth and Osceola counties — will likely remain unchanged despite interest shown by Hancock County in leaving County Social Services and joining the NWICC earlier this year. ...

At 8:20 p.m. Monday, Spencer Fire-Rescue was dispatched to 104 W. 10th St. for a reported fire in the kitchen. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke coming from the residence and deployed multiple hose lines for service. Firefighters entered the residence encountering heavy smoke conditions and quickly located the seat of the fire in the kitchen area and extinguished it...

Seasons Center is hosting “The Big Snow Showdown” Snowman Building Contest, a winter wellness community event, funded in part by the city of Spencer Renaissance Initiative Grant. Building will be from 3-6 p.m. Friday and 9-11 a.m. Saturday, various Spencer businesses, organizations and families are invited to be part of the contest which will be conducted at the Grand Avenue Park, on the west side of Spencer Hospital. ...

DES MOINES — A familiar face with the Spencer music scene both as an educator and performer, Jack Ryan, passed away Wednesday at the age of 82 in Des Moines after succumbing to his battle with melanoma. Ryan who was regularly seen performing in a variety of music and art house venues throughout northwest Iowa was a longtime Spencer High School band instructor who continued to teach until recent years as health challenges began to take their toll...

Grand Avenue Community Outreach enlisted some help from the Clay County Board of Supervisors in the summer of 2020 as the nonprofit needed a fiscal agent for their application seeking $600,000 of competitive Community Development Block Grant funds to make some major renovations at the former Tangney Hotel which would allow GACO to reach its full potential — such as meeting the requirements for allowing individuals to occupy GACO’s living spaces on the third and fourth floors...

Spencer Hospital is converting to a new electronic health record on March 1, which could result in non-care related service delays in some instances for a short period of time. "It's typical for a hospital to periodically complete a comprehensive update of its information technology system, to include its electronic medical record," Spencer Hospital President Bill Bumgarner said. ...

OKOBOJI — Do you like polar bears? Do you like wearing your pajamas? What about polar bears in pajamas? We encourage you to wear your pajamas while learning about polar bears on Friday, Feb. 26, during our Polar Bear Pajama Party Family Nature Night. ...

I — “Dark Road” performed by Micah Bensen, Shaylee Brown, Tateum Casey, Sarah Elser, Hanna Gee, Abby Goeken, Mallory Graves, Lucy Hemann, Grace Katzer, Katelyn Kivela, Zoey Metcalf, Sophie Munson, Allison Nolin, Mariana Rosales, Jadey Salton, Raegan Stevens, AJ Zinn...

There were 14 Spencer Middle School students selected for the 2020-21 Northwest Iowa Middle School Honor Band. Students submitted recorded auditions that included two musical examples referred to as “etudes” and six memorized scales. Those earning the distinction include, front row: Zachary Nolin, Sam Hinkeldey, Rafe Blau, Jackson Bergstadt, Lily Gross, Peyton Morey, Sylvia Ruden, Addison Sutherland. Back row: Grant Ward, Logan Polaschek, Braxton Nachtigal, Lily Rohan and Stella Gerlock. Not pictured: Molly Moser.

Spencer High School’s Tiger Jazz Ensemble continued its tradition of success as they received a Division I rating for their performance at the Class 1A, 2A and 3A State Jazz Band Virtual Contest, which was held on Saturday, Feb. 6. This is annual event is sponsored by the Iowa High School Music Association. ...

Applications are now being accepted for the Bennie B. and Ernestine F. Shine Scholarship, Adam J. Anderson Scholarship, as well as the Cornwall Loan Program. All programs are designed to help area students pursue health care careers. The Shine scholarship fund, administered by Spencer Hospital, annually awards funds to persons who have completed at least one semester of a nursing or allied health program. ...

WAYNE, Neb. — Wayne State College included more than 1,300 students on the dean's list for exemplary academic achievement during the past semester. Students listed on the dean's list are full-time undergraduate students who have achieved a GPA of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale for the semester. ...

'Halfway to Someday' Layla Dorine NineStar Press ISBN 978-1-951880-31-6 $6.99 --- So what happens when two PTSD victims converge in a lonely cabin during a Colorado blizzard? That’s the setup for Halfway to Someday, a psychologically engaging novel by Osage, Iowa, author Layla Dorine...