The Iowa Lakes Community College Music Department offers a local favorite, Singing Valentines, again this year. The Iowa Lakes men's and women's quartets will perform the Singing Valentines on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14. One specific site for appointments from 2-4 p.m., will be the dining room at Grand Avenue Community Outreach.

A group of Clay County residents enjoyed the warmer winter weather on Wednesday evening by taking hike at Oneota Park. The winter hike was co-hosted by the Clay County Conservation and the Iowa State University Extension. Hikers tried out their snowshoeing skills as they walked through the winter scene, and even found evidence of wildlife with prints and fur. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

“On behalf of Clay County Tourism and the Spencer Chamber, I am excited to announce our new logo for Clay County,” said Olivia Baxter, tourism coordinator for Clay County Tourism. "We have been working with F8 Creative to develop an updated logo that represents our county. Offering diverse recreational opportunities, retail, entertainment and many other attractions, Clay County is truly a gem in northwest Iowa.”

The city of Spencer may be altering its method for developing a capital improvement plan. During a committee meeting on Monday, the Spencer City Council heard a proposal for a new CIP process.

Finance Director Brian Weuve reported the local option sales tax, which is the city’s main funding source for projects in the CIP, has remained relatively stable over the last few years.

The city of Spencer has decided to use the services of a retail recruitment partner to assist with the development of recently purchased city land. City officials had been debating whether or not to enter an agreement with the firm Retail Coach since the beginning of January, and on Monday night the Spencer City Council approved a contract with the retail firm.

The beginning stages of work to establish a new building for the agriculture division of the Clay County Extension on West 18th Street by Northwest Bank has begun. On Tuesday, representatives from the Clay County Extension met with the Clay County Board of Supervisors to layout the building plans and make a funding request.

SIOUX CENTER — The Northwest Iowa Symphony Orchestra guest concert set for Friday at 7:30 p.m. will feature “Old Time Mountain Music with Josh Goforth.” The concert will be held in the B.J. Haan auditorium on the campus of Dordt University, Sioux Center.

(Students must earn a 3.0 or higher GPA to qualify.)

9TH GRADE

Spencer High School senior Autumn Erdman was selected as the Spencer Rotary February Student of the Month. Erdman, with Spencer Rotarian Nancy Naeve, is currently the Clay County Fair Queen and plans to go to Iowa State University to double major in animal science and agriculture business. (Photo submitted)

AMES — Join Reiman Gardens for the annual Orchid Fest on Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Celebrate Valentine's Day with the annual Orchid Fest. Orchids are symbols of love, beauty and luxury. Their blooms convey feelings of elegance and tranquility.

WATERLOO — Abigail Brown, of Spencer, received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, cum laude, from Allen College. The College awarded 92 degrees during its commencement ceremony on Friday, Dec. 16.

A new program and community partnership, “Welcome,” has been launched to help northwest Iowa residents of all faiths with immigration and additional support services. Welcome is a partnership between three local entities: The Diocese of Sioux City, Catholic Charities of the Sioux City Diocese, and immigration attorney, Revathi Vongsiprasom of Siouxland Immigration Law Firm LLC.

Spencer Municipal Utilities has seen multiple water main breaks this week due to the changes in temperature causing movement underground.

“Our staff has been working on four water main breaks so far this week,” said Amanda Gloyd, SMU marketing and community relations manager. “We are working to get them repaired as quickly as possible.”

The White House released this transcript of President Biden's 2023 State of the Union Address, as prepared for delivery. It was delivered Tuesday, Feb. 7.

Mr. Speaker. Madam Vice President. Our First Lady and Second Gentleman.

Members of Congress and the Cabinet. Leaders of our military.

Mr. Chief Justice, Associate Justices, and retired Justices of the Supreme Court.

And you, my fellow Americans.

Arrest