A Windom, Minnesota, woman was scheduled to be arraigned in Clay County Court on Jan. 21 on credit card fraud charges after police say she wracked up more than $14,000 in charges on her dead grandmother’s credit card.

Snowblowers may be fairly idle so far in 2025, but the area will be busier than ever for the 45th University of Okoboji Winter Games. Chair Andy Lux, co-chair Mickey Harrington, the Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce staff, Winter Games Cheerleaders, service organizations, the hospitality industry and an army of volunteers are ready to showcase what the region has to offer.

The Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, announced Sheriffa Jones, executive director of the Spencer Chamber of Commerce & Foundation, has graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM.

It was announced recently, Rebecca Kern had been hired to fill the vacant assistant attorney position in the Clay County office. Kern was referred by another attorney, who encouraged her to apply.

“I have a passion for helping our community,” Kern said.

Clay County Attorney Travis Johnson said her duties will include assisting with juvenile court, the drug docket and Drug Court — now called Treatment Court. She has some experience with a similar program out of Las Vegas.

Dakota Business Finance awarded the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation a $10,000 grant for placing first in the number of SBA 504 loans approved in Iowa in 2024 through Dakota Business Finance by local lenders.

Jessica Schable, who gave the Hy-Noon Kiwanis program last week on her work with the Okoboji Performing Arts, the nonprofit organization which brings the arts to at approximately 1,000 area kids, was presented a check of $1,500 for the program by President Levi Morris (above). Morris also welcomed new Hy-Noon member, Pastor Shazzy Britz (below), who was sponsored into the club by Pastor Shurmaine McAlpine. (Photos submitted)

SPENCER ― The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union has honored Spencer High School girls wrestling coach Dave Storm with the 2025 Golden Plaque Award. He is the first wrestling coach to receive the award. Storm will be formally recognized during the state girls wrestling tournament at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, at the Coralville Xtream Arena.

Under Storm’s leadership, the Spencer girls wrestling team has had multiple state champions and national place winners.

DES MOINES ― Tuesday night, Gov. Kim Reynolds delivered her 2025 Condition of the State Address, touting the state of Iowa’s achievements, accomplishments and challenges facing the elected officials representing their respective constituents as they enter the 2025 session.

Spencer’s June 22 flooding was included in the speech.

“Fire line do not cross” tape and a frozen pond of ice remain at the site where an unoccupied trailer burst into flames in the overnight hours leading into Sunday morning.

The fire broke out at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, at the Pioneer Trailer Court, which is about four blocks southeast of Okoboji High School and Middle School in south Milford.

A new economic analysis of Iowa and nine other states contains gloomy news for rural communities.

The Clay County Fair & Events Center, and Raise ‘Em Rank announced the return of bull riding to the Clay County Regional Events Center on Friday, March 7, and Saturday, March 8, with Bulls & Brews, presented by C&B.

Bull riding, produced by Raise ‘Em Rank Rodeo, will kick off Bulls & Brews and will include some of the top bull riders and animal athletes in the industry.

ESTHERVILLE — Iowa Lakes Community College announced its annual Jam the Gym Laker Visit Day, happening on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 10 a.m. on the Estherville campus, located at 300 S. 18th St. This event offers a hands-on introduction to college life at Iowa Lakes, designed to inspire and inform prospective students and their families.

• CEDAR RAPIDS — Coe College is recognizing its highest performing students as members of the dean's list, including Bailey Swanson, who is currently among this elite group. Swanson, of Spencer, has been named to the prestigious fall 2024 dean's list at Coe in Cedar Rapids.
• WAVERLY — Wartburg College has recognized 554 students who were named to the 2024 fall term dean's list.

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors visited Windcrest Village Apartments, Tuesday, for its grand reopening. During the flood, about 82 of the 182 total units ― townhomes and apartments ― were damaged. They have welcomed many former tenants and new tenants back to Windcrest, and now have 21 available units.

In a move designed to provide more winter recreation options for the community, the local parks department has opened up Moose Pond for ice skating this winter.

The Spencer Parks Department was forced to get creative when devising winter recreation options this year because the June 22 flood destroyed plumbing at the shelter house in East Leach Park.