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Sioux City Diocese names new Bishop

The Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Father John Edward Keehner, of the Diocese of Youngstown as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City. A press conference introducing the bishop-elect was held this morning at the Central Catholic Offices in Sioux City.

Keehner, 59, is a native of Youngstown, Ohio, and is one of five children. He attended Austintown schools and graduated from Austintown Fitch High School in 1984. 

Collectable showcase

Living History Farms, in Urbandale, hosted the “Antique Roadshow” last year, when the weather was much warmer. Spencer Hy-Vee’s general manager Scott Threlkeld, a regular viewer of the show, took his unique treasure. He is hopeful his items, which feature Iowa’s Heisman Trophy winner and Hawkeye football stadium namesake Nile Kinnick, will make the show filmed at the Des Moines tourist site, which debuts on PBS, Feb. 17.

Two fatalities a result of head-on collision

Randall Dykstra, 70, of Everly, and Bridget Baird, 45, of Milford, were killed as the result of a collision north of Spencer on U.S. Highway 71, Friday afternoon, closing down the northbound lane to traffic for hours.

Baird was northbound on the highway in her 2017 Nissan Rogue, when Dykstra, operating his 2007 Chevrolet Silverado, was traveling south in the northbound lane. The two hit head-on, reportedly killing both as a result of the accident.

Reporter awarded 6 first places

DES MOINES — Total Newspaper Design was among the six first-place awards earned by the Spencer Reporter in the multiday small paper category, Thursday evening. The awards were presented at the Iowa Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest.

Spencer child care study to be conducted locally

Spencer Economic Development Corporation has contracted with First Children’s Finance to complete a child care market study. The project will include studying the supply and demand for child care in the area. A component of the research is to gain input from parents that have children ages 12 or younger and are using child care or want to use child care in the community of Spencer.

'A Home for Heroes'

RUTHVEN — The Ruthven Community Care Center has been awarded an opportunity to serve veterans as a Veterans Affairs approved facility accepting VA benefits. It has been approved as a VA approved facility, partnering with the VA office out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The VA benefit contract is in place for five years before it is up for renewal.

To be approved, there were certain parameters that have to be met including how good site surveys are, CMS scores

Milford woman arraigned for 2023 high-speed pursuit in Spencer

A Milford woman was arraigned in Clay County court last week on charges that she led a Clay County sheriff’s deputy on a high-speed chase that ended in a backyard in Spencer in 2023.

Alicia Marie Abrahamson, 37, was arrested on Jan. 6, 2025, on a warrant issued following the 2023 incident. On Feb. 7, she pleaded not guilty to one felony and three misdemeanor charges stemming from a traffic stop that police say went awry on Nov. 12, 2023.

Flu and other virus infections spike as winter continues

Respiratory illness activity in Iowa has increased to very high, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, over the last couple of weeks, and area health professionals are advising locals to protect themselves.

DNR to recap hunting seasons

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff provide updates on recently completed hunting seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested. Locally, the Iowa DNR will be at Iowa Lakes Community College, 1900 Grand Ave., Suite B1, Entrance No. 1, west side of the North Mall, in Spencer, on Feb. 18. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.

Conlon joins Spencer Rotary Club

Nathan Conlon recently joined the Spencer Rotary Club. Conlon is a Spencer native and Spencer High School graduate. Conlon works with Lezlie Pohlman at Farmers Insurance in downtown Spencer. He's welcomed by current Rotary President Joe Weber. (Photo submitted)

February-March adult programs at Spencer Public Library

Every Monday and Friday — 1 p.m.

Geri-Fit: Senior Chair Fitness — Limited space available.

 

Jan. 1 to Feb. 28

Honored for her work

Quinn Swart and her family were on hand for Gov. Kim Reynold's Condition of the State address as the new legislative session was gaveled in at the beginning of January. She was invited to attend after the Sacred Heart Elementary School fourth grade student began making special contributions to the community’s recovery efforts in the aftermath of the June 22 flood of last year.

It was not Quinn’s first visit to the building where the state’s business is conducted.

Longtime city attorney Don Hemphill to retire

After five decades of service, Spencer City Attorney Don Hemphill announced his resignation during the City Council regular meeting on Jan. 3.

For its part, the council introduced a resolution accepting Hemphill’s resignation effective June 30 and appointing current Assistant City Attorney Kerry Self to the senior role. Hemphill has served as the city’s attorney since his appointment in 1976. He has agreed to assist Self for two months, beginning on March 1.

‘Convention of States’ focus of Gaza Forum

A forum, scheduled for the evening of Saturday, Feb. 15, will focus on the “Convention of States.” The Gaza Group put together the event, at 4325 Tabor Ave., in Gaza. A social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by forum at 6 p.m.

Tamara Scott, an Iowa member of the Republican National Committee, will be the evening’s featured speaker.

Sen. Lynn Evans and Rep. Zach Dieken are scheduled to provide updates from the state Capitol.

Scharnberg trout stocking a big hit despite cold

There was excitement on the ice at Scharnberg Park last Saturday as more than 100 eager, would-be anglers gathered for a chance to catch a rare species of fish in northwest Iowa, rainbow trout.

Texas woman charged in fraudulent sale of tractor

A Texas woman found her way into the Clay County courts in January, five years after police say she fraudulently sold a tractor to an area resident.

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