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Zinn rounds out three-candidate race (11/16/18)1Filing his candidacy papers Friday prior to the deadline, Bill Zinn, of Spencer, is the final candidate to file for Clay County's Dec. 11 special election. Zinn will compete against Republican candidate Kevin Brown and Independent candidate Art Hamrick on the special election ballot to determine who will replace former supervisor Joe Skow on the Clay County Board of Supervisors... -
Dancing with the local stars starts Nov. 16-17 (11/16/18)Seven couples of “local stars” have practiced their best moves and found their finest clothing and dancing shoes, readying themselves for two nights of “Dancing with the Local Stars,” which begins Friday and continues Saturday inside the Clay County Fair and Events Center ballroom... -
SFD battles trailer court blaze (11/16/18)1The trailer court located at 317 W. 18th St. in Spencer was the site of a fire which destroyed one mobile home and damaged at least two adjacent mobile homes and one nearby vehicle. The Spencer Fire Department, Spencer Police Department and Spencer Hospital responded to the fire call at approximately 3 p.m. Thursday, with SFD personnel remaining on site past 6:30 p.m... -
Pair of holiday meals scheduled (11/16/18)For those away from family, seeking fellowship or just looking for a good meal, a pair of area organization’s are hosting Thanksgiving meals for the public next week. From 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, senior students in the Sacred Heart Disciples Ways program are hosting a community meal at the Grand Avenue Community Outreach as part of the Season of Giving effort. ... -
Surviving the Holidays: Help and hope to navigate the Christmas season (11/16/18)ARNOLDS PARK — Wondering how you will survive the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas? Are you dreading these holidays, knowing that everything has changed and that happy memories from past years can’t be recreated? On Nov. 17, a Surviving the Holidays two-hour seminar will begin at 1 p.m. at the Okoboji Bible Conference grounds in Arnolds Park...
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Giving teachers voice (11/15/18)Now in the fourth year of the Teacher Leadership Compensation grant from the state of Iowa, Spencer Schools have established an infrastructure using those funds across the district with the goals of improving student achievement and increase teacher retention. ... -
Festival of Trees kicks off holiday season (11/15/18)Arts on Grand and Clay County Heritage Center opened the jointly sponsored holiday event at the Heritage Center Thursday. The Festival of Trees features 16 different holiday-themed displays with decorations ranging from a Spencer Tigers-themed tree to a Poinsettias-themed wreath. Each display is available for public bidding which will conclude on Friday, Nov. 30, with the Festival of Trees Gala and Silent Auction. The two organizations hope to raise $5,000 for general expenses. -
Holiday Family Adoption 2018 (11/15/18)The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share the holiday spirit and bounty. Thanks to the generosity of area families and businesses, approximately 80 area families will be gifted with items to help make this Christmas season a little bit brighter... -
Clay County Conservation awarded $261,385 grant (11/15/18)The Clay County Conservation Board has recently been awarded a grant of $261,385 from Resource Enhancement and Protection commonly referred to as REAP. REAP invests in projects that enhance and protect Iowa’s natural and cultural resources. Fifteen percent of REAP is set aside for grants to cities and 20 percent is set aside for county conservation boards to support projects that help establish natural areas, encourage outdoor recreation and resource management...
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Bringing the ‘merry Christmas’ back (11/15/18)STORM LAKE — Santa’s Castle readies for Thanksgiving Day debut with new features and classic traditions. Keep your “happy holidays,” Santa’s Castle curator Ron Stevenson says, we’re bringing “merry Christmas” back. In fact, children will be challenged to shout out “merry Christmas to all!” as they climb on Santa’s lap this year, as part of a fun game for their visit. And if buying a stuffed animal, a “merry Christmas” greeting is good for a dollar off... -
Sycamore partners adds Pure Fishing to portfolio (11/15/18)A local business built from scratch has entered the final phases of a sale to New York-based private equity company Sycamore Partners. Newell Brands had announced plans to sell Pure Fishing in May. At the time, Pure Fishing and other tertiary brands like Rubbermaid, made up approximately 35 percent of Newell's net sales. ... -
King hopes Kavanaugh, Gorsuch will uphold heartbeat bill (11/15/18)6With two new Supreme Court Justices taking the bench in the past year, U.S. Rep. Steve King hopes the balance of the high court has shifted enough to uphold his proposed federal heartbeat bill. The bill would outlaw abortions if a fetal heartbeat can be detected during an ultrasound examination. ... -
Messiah Moments: Meet our soloists (11/15/18)Rehearsals have started for this year’s presentation of Handel’s “Messiah” on Sunday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Additional information can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/spencermessiah. The concert is free and an offering will be taken to support the concert...
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Skillet making first RiseFest appearance (11/15/18)SHELDON — RiseFest announced its first artist on the 2019 festival lineup, Grammy-nominated rock band, Skillet. This will be Skillet’s first appearance at RiseFest, headlining Friday night of RiseFest 2019, June 21. “It’s that time of year again — RiseFest artist announcements. ... -
Agriculture Briefs (11/15/18)ORANGE CITY — Cattle producers and agri-business professionals are invited to participate in a tour featuring fall grazing of cover crops. Two tours are scheduled in northwest Iowa and will feature two producers who are successfully grazing fall cover crops. ...
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Performance Review: SPARC pays tribute to John Denver (11/15/18)The Spencer Performing Arts Coalition began its performance season with a refreshing, soothing show Friday night at the Spencer Community Theatre; and the music was all created by John Denver. Country Roads is comprised of seven talented musicians from the Twin Cities area, lead by Dennis Curley. Tall, casually graceful, Curley did not attempt in anyway to imitate Denver. He gave us a show performed with respect and love for the music of one of America’s all-time favorite artists...
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Tune in for 'FestiFall' in November (11/15/18)JOHNSTON — There's something for everyone during “FestiFall” on Iowa Public Television. This celebration of programming takes place Nov. 17-18 and 24-28 on statewide IPTV, and will feature everything from musical performances and travel specials, to local productions and lifestyle programs...
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Diversity and inclusion needed going forward (11/14/18)3The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation once again recognized great achievement by local businesses Wednesday at the organization’s annual Business Recognition Luncheon at the Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer. The luncheon’s keynote speaker, Claudia Schabel, president of Schabel Solutions, addressed the need for businesses in the Corridor and across the state to focus on diversity and inclusion in the workplace in an effort to draw from a changing talent pool... -
Living the 'Tiger Way' (11/14/18)Spencer Middle School Dean of Students Adam Gress and counselor Angie Ward agreed after a little more than a year of formally recognizing and rewarding students for exhibiting good behavior through the Tiger Heroes program, the climate within the middle school has become more positive... -
Reaching those in need (11/14/18)After becoming involved in the Operation Christmas Child program several years ago, coordinator Joyce Kosterbuer decided to take her service to the needy one step further by traveling to Togo, Africa, for more than a week in the spring of last year. The experience has motivated her to strengthen the program providing care packages to more needy children around the world... -
Building a new space for families (11/14/18)In the summer, a grass roots effort to create an indoor playspace for children and families in the city of Spencer began. Helmed by Megan Jones, Angela McCaulley and other volunteers, their vision is now named “WonderLab,” and has began to secure a number of donations meant to make the project a reality...
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Parks director shares DeWolf Dog Park update (11/14/18)Spencer Parks Director Delray Bredehoeft met with members of the Spencer Parks Board Tuesday evening and shared an update regarding the DeWolf Dog Park. The park’s fundraising committee met its goal of raising $50,000 for the project in September. Bredehoeft said the Spencer City Council will take action on Dec. 3 regarding the park’s first phase of construction after quotes for the project are received. The project’s first phase solely encompasses the park’s fencing...
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Clay County recorder sworn in (11/14/18)During a special session of the Clay County Board of Supervisors Wednesday afternoon, the newly elected Clay County recorder, Sheila Weeks, took her oath of office and was sworn into service by Supervisor Chairman Barry Anderson. Weeks is the successor to former Clay County Recorder Shirley Goyette, who retired from the position. -
Heritage Center hosting ‘Festival of Trees’ (11/14/18)Arts on Grand and Clay County Heritage are hosting the 2018 Festival of Trees events this holiday season. Between Nov. 15-30, 16 artistically-decorated trees and wreaths will be on display at the Clay County Heritage Center, located at 7 Grand Ave. in Spencer... -
New listings with Holiday Family Adoption (11/14/18)The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share the holiday spirit and bounty. Thanks to the generosity of area families and businesses, approximately 80 area families will be gifted with items to help make this Christmas season a little bit brighter... -
Ambassadors cut ribbon at Mill Creek expansion (11/14/18)Photo by Randy M. Cauthron The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors toured the new Mill Creek Machining expansion site at 2915 A Ave. E. in Spencer and joined the staff in a ribbon cutting with owner Justin Stamer and staff. Mill Creek Machining launched in 2001 in an old car wash in Primghar. Since that time, the company has expanded on five occasions. Recently the operation, which services a variety of national and international machining and manufacturing contracts for a diversified client base ranging from railroad to turf care to light projects in Hollywood, opened its Spencer site. Priding itself on the use of newly purchased machines to ensure the best quality product for its customers, Mill Creek is moving toward adding a night shift in Spencer. Mill Creek came to Spencer to explore its available employee resources. The operators suggested Spencer has been a very good move so far. -
Hamrick enters race for supervisors seat (11/12/18)Clay County native and farmer Art Hamrick has officially filed paperwork to join the ballot for the Dec. 11 special election, which will determine who fills the vacancy created by former supervisor Joe Skow’s departure at the beginning of the month. As of Monday, Hamrick — an Independent — is the first candidate to make the ballot... -
Sharing some warmth (11/12/18)With colder weather signaling winter is near, a number of programs in the community have officially started which aim to assist those in need during northwest Iowa’s most challenging season. Spencer Municipal Utilities’ Project Share, has officially begun, with SMU customers able to directly assist those struggling to pay their utility bills in the winter...
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Local schools recognize Veterans Day (11/12/18)(Above) After Todd Schoenherr, featured speaker and Army Reserves supply specialist, addressed veterans and students at Sacred Heart Elementary School Monday morning, fifth-grade student Owen Van Otterloo awarded veteran and Northshire-Longhouse resident Ethan Lindsay a student-made Veterans Day packet. (Below) Spencer High School vocal music director Katie Kardell led students in a rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" Monday afternoon in the SHS auditorium. Students welcomed veterans from the community with song and organizers shared a video from the deceased comedian Red Skelton in which he explains the significance of the Pledge of Allegiance. -
Community gathers to honor veterans (11/12/18)Local veterans came together with community members Monday morning at the Spencer Army National Guard Armory to observe the 2018 Veterans Day program. One hundred years following the armistice signed to end World War I, this year's program focused on the historical sacrifice of those who have served and the continued sacrifice of those who are serving... -
Developing a unique approach, product is essential (11/12/18)Spotlight on Northwest Iowa Entrepreneurship — Part 3 This is the third part of a three-part series discussing the unique climate and innovations originating in northwest Iowa. Local manufacturing entrepreneurs discuss how they have and are establishing and expanding their brands in the manufacturing sector within the area and beyond... -
Local veterans honored (11/12/18)St. Luke Homes & Services joined Hospice of Spencer Hospital, American Legion Post No. 1, VFW and the Lakes Area Chapter of the American Legion Riders in honoring area veterans during a Veterans Day program conducted Thursday afternoon at The Highlands. Veterans honored include:... -
St. Luke Lutheran Home Residents of the Month (11/12/18)Barney and Shirley Granstra are a humble, hard-working and faith-filled couple. Barney, who was born near Melvin and raised near Harris in Osceola County, enlisted on Oct. 17, 1945, in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in Japan following World War II. Barney, who was complimented by a superior ranking officer who noticed his “special way of leading people,” was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant following two years, 10 months and 11 days of active service... -
Students propose gardens on future park site, to feed needy (11/12/18)STORM LAKE — Plans to develop Russell Street Park in Storm Lake may turn from teeter-totters to food production — at least temporarily. Students from Storm Lake High School have approached city officials about establishing a community gardens site that would produce fresh food for the school’s food pantry effort, Tornado Alley... -
Milestones in Spencer Middle School music (11/9/18)The year 2018 has already been a banner year for the music department at Spencer Middle School. Twenty students were selected to the Northwest Iowa Honor Band which is the highest number of students ever selected and 10 middle school choir students earned a spot in the Northwest Iowa Junior High Honor Choir program conducted at Buena Vista University earlier this week. ... -
SHS student showcase, 'This Is Me' (11/9/18)More than 40 Spencer High School students came together Thursday and Friday night at Gary's on the River to present a a compilation of contemporary theater and original work. (Above) Makenna Pierce sang "Times are Hard for Dreamers" from “Amelie.” (Below) The Spencer Fine Arts Booster President Tony Ranslow presented SHS artist in residence and show director Anne-Marie Pietersma with a parting gift. A teary-eyed Pietersma accepted the gift thanking the parents for trusting their children with her and the students for trusting her direction. -
'The Richest Man in Town' (11/9/18)Motivational speaker and author V.J. Smith returned to Spencer Middle School Friday morning to share his message of gratitude found in unlikely places with eighth-grade students. Just ahead of the Thanksgiving season, Smith was greeted by a display the students constructed of inspiration quotes from Smith's book. "The Richest Man in Town," details Smith's life-alternating friendship developed after he received exceptional customer service from a Walmart employee named Marty. -
Employment Connections celebrates 25 years in Spencer (11/9/18)As the Spencer location of Employment Connections celebrates its 25th year in business earlier this month, President Tammy Christenson reflected on changes in the business and its services since she joined as staffing coordinator in 2003. "We'd like to believe that, we offer the best possible services we can, not just to the businesses, but to the applicants we serve," Christenson said. ... -
A new face in conservation (11/9/18)Serving a four-county area, Amy Andrews is the new private lands wildlife specialist for Clay, Dickinson, Emmet and Palo Alto counties. The position is a collaboration between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources private lands program, Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Conservation Districts of Iowa. Based out of the Dickinson County USDA office, Andrews said she hopes to assist landowners who are looking for conservation opportunities... -
It starts with an idea (11/9/18)This is the second part of a three-part series discussing the unique climate and innovations originating in northwest Iowa. Local entrepreneurs discuss challenges and successes they have faced as they work to turn their ideas into a successful business model... -
Full gallery (11/9/18)Those perusing the new exhibit at Arts on Grand may recognize a painting or two, because the Spencer artist who is the subject of this month’s exhibition has been a familiar face to the staff and art lovers at Arts on Grand. The exhibition, “Eclectic Expressions,” is a collection of works by Patricia Johnson, of Spencer. A number of paintings illustrate vistas familiar to the artist created with Johnson’s watercolor and alcohol ink styles... -
Holiday Family Adoption 2018 (11/9/18)The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share the holiday spirit and bounty. Thanks to the generosity of area families and businesses, approximately 80 area families will be gifted with items to help make this Christmas season a little bit brighter... -
County and Judge election results (11/9/18)--- Vote for no more than 3 --- --- --- --- Vote for no more than 2 --- Vote for no more than 5 --- --- --- --- --- No candidate filed --- --- --- --- --- --- --- No candidate filed --- --- --- --- --- No candidate filed --- No candidate filed --- ---...
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Agriculture Briefs (11/9/18)ROCK RAPIDS — Northwest Iowa master gardeners, aided by horticulture educator and regional food coordinator Margaret Murphy, donated 1,385 pounds of food to 10 different organizations throughout Lyon, O’Brien, Sioux and Osceola Counties during the summer and fall of 2018. ...
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Daybreakers Kiwanis share a few words (11/9/18)Members of Spencer Daybreakers Kiwanis and the Spencer High School Key Club visited Fairview School to give dictionaries to the school’s third-grade classes. (DIRECTION) Key Club member Emily English hands a dictionary to third-grader Camdyn Wiggins. After passing out the dictionaries, Daybreakers representatives taught the class about the various parts of a dictionary and how to look up different words. (DIRECTION) Members of Mrs. Horst’s third-grade class hold their new dictionaries. -
Around Campus (11/9/18)STORM LAKE — The following students have been named to the dean's list at Buena Vista University for terms five and six: Cammy Trierweiler, of Greenville, who attends BVU's Spencer site; and Ashley Ellenwood, of Spencer, who attends BVU's Spencer site...
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Zeroing in on land stewardship (11/8/18)Clay County Conservation Director Will Horsley and his staff have been working to expand access to outdoor recreational grounds and ensure quality habitat sources for wildlife in the county and their efforts are being noticed. Polaris and Pheasants Forever recently awarded Horsley a Habitat Stewardship Award for what he and his staff have accomplished after just one year under his leadership... -
Saying thank you to a veteran (11/8/18)Spencer's annual Veterans Day program will begin at 11 a.m. at the Spencer Army National Guard Armory on Monday, Nov. 12. Retired Iowa Air National Guard master sergeant, Clay County Sheriff Chris Raveling, will be the keynote speaker addressing the importance of veterans appreciation. Raveling served in the military for 27 years, first enlisting in the Iowa Army National Guard in 1987 with the 1-194th Field Artillery Unit in Spencer. In 1989, he joined the USAF, spending eight years on active duty, before joining the Iowa Air National Guard in 1997, with the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City. The program also will feature many patriotic traditions and songs. Veterans will also be honored at Sacred Heart School at 9:30 a.m. and Spencer High School auditorium at 1 p.m. on Monday providing a musical tribute. These events are open to the public as well. Veterans Day, Nov. 11, will mark the 100th anniversary of the World War I armistice and falls on Sunday this year. -
Entrepreneurial risk fundamental to farming (11/8/18)This is the first part in a three-part series discussing the unique climate and innovations originating in northwest Iowa. Local agricultural entrepreneurs share the role in research and development as a driving focus in innovation --- Research and development is an essential component when breaking into the competitive agricultural entrepreneurial marketplace, just ask local agricultural entrepreneurs Jim Christensen and Brian Dalziel... -
Holiday Family Adoption 2018 (11/8/18)The Holiday Family Adoption Program, a Spencer-area holiday staple, allows generous area families, businesses and service groups to share the holiday spirit and bounty. Thanks to the generosity of area families and businesses, approximately 80 area families will be gifted with items to help make this Christmas season a little bit brighter...
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Cookster posted in: Zinn rounds out three-candidate race
Im interested in the outcome of this election. Nobody wants to change anything, except to put themselves on the board. Should make for a lotta nothing..
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helped_myself posted in: King hopes Kavanaugh, Gorsuch will uphold heartbeat bill
It's an accepted reality by 100% of respected legitimate scientists that man has highly accelerated climate change to levels never seen before during the existence of man.
If you don't believe science, remember gravity is just a theory but do you dare walk off a cliff?
Who cares about climate change hundreds of thousands of years ago? Even if you foolishly don't believe man is causing climate change and can & must do something about it, dealing with the drastic damage & cost will be the main focus of the world in a few short generations.
But you will be dead. As WC Fields said "why should I care about future generations? What have they done for me?".
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clayfarmer posted in: King hopes Kavanaugh, Gorsuch will uphold heartbeat bill
helped...."global over population is a major cause of many of the world's problems, including climate change." So what was the cause of climate change before the large presence of humans? I'm thinking that leftist governments around the world are a far bigger reason for the worlds problems. By the way, global food production continues to out pace world population growth. It's government corruption that hampers distribution throughout the world.
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Dick Butkus posted in: King hopes Kavanaugh, Gorsuch will uphold heartbeat bill
As long as it's another Republican taking King's place, fine by me.
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Cookster posted in: King hopes Kavanaugh, Gorsuch will uphold heartbeat bill
In my opinion......These bills have no chance of passing as long as Steve King is associated with them. The national Republican party has dumped King and even Gov. Kim Reynolds, long time brown noser, wishes King would go away. No politician with any future plans would be caught dead supporting anything having to do with King. This was King's last election. He will retire before the next. Steve King is the lamest of lame ducks. He will be isolated and ignored for the next two years. The real losers are the very people who he is supposed to represent, who voted for him. King never did much of real value for the 4th district and now he is powerless to do anything, even if he wanted to.The only thing Steve King can do now, to really help the people of Iowa, is to resign and let another take his place. Sooner the better.