DES MOINES — A document, from the Board of Educational Examiners of the State of Iowa, stamped Nov. 21, 2022, announced a settlement involving former Spencer High School music department educator Katie Kardell and an allegation involving a former student. She has not worked in the district since her resignation in 2021.

Since several Spencer residents had their homes or businesses affected by the Grand Avenue fire on Jan. 22, community members have been looking for a way to help those in need. Now, some of the city’s youngest have stepped up to the plate, with Girl Scout Troop No. 1175 holding a spaghetti fundraiser Saturday, Feb. 11, at the East Leach Park campground shelter from 4-7 p.m.

St. Luke Lutheran Home will host the Faith Outreach Prom from 7-10 p.m., Friday, hosted by Spencer’s Trinity Lutheran Church.

“We wanted those attending the event to feel beautiful and special,” said Molly Vander Linden, one of the event organizers. “We wanted a faith-based event. We wanted individuals to not have to worry about cost.”

OKOBOJI — 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 the Maser Monarch Lodge, 22785 Nature Center Road, in Okoboji, on Feb. 22. The meeting begins at 6 p.m.

Four Spencer Hospital nurses are among the 78 nurses across the state who are being recognized as 2023 Great Iowa Nurses.

Joe Conover, president of Northwest Bank, announced the promotion of Eric Walhof to northwest Iowa regional president. Walhof’s responsibilities include overseeing our Sioux Center, Le Mars, Spencer, Milford, Arnolds Park, Spirit Lake and Estherville locations and their Market Leaders. This includes Chad Schuiteman, of Sioux Center; Kevin Eekhoff, of Le Mars; Doug Benjamin, of Spencer; Nicole Evans, of Milford and Arnolds Park; Jed Jensen, of Spirit Lake; and Curt Smith, of Estherville.

ORANGE CITY — The goal of estrus synchronization and artificial insemination in the cow herd is to get females bred in a short period of time, which reduces the length of the calving season and increases uniformity of the calf crop at weaning.

The concept sounds straightforward, but the process is not quite as simple. Success depends on matching the estrus protocol with the animal to be bred and precise timing of insemination.

With prom season approaching, the annual “Say Yes to a Dress” prom dress giveaway at Grand Avenue Community Outreach is returning this weekend. Starting this Saturday, the nonprofit center will hold an open house from 1-4 p.m. every Saturday until April 1.

For more than 15 years, shortly afters conception and birth, the Shayla Bee Fund has operated out of office space donated by JCL Solutions in south Spencer. With the expansion of the JCL operation, the Shayla Bee leadership began its search for a new homes.

CEDAR FALLS — The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council announced 37 Iowa school districts will join or expand the STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) + HD (High Demand) Program to provide students with real workplace experiences. The program helps introduce science, technology, engineering and math students to businesses and career opportunities in Iowa, while also gaining career-ready skills.

Two men were taken into custody by Milford Police and charged Tuesday following the alleged discharge of a firearm in the midst of a scenario where two were reported to have broadcast weapon.

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.

Spencer city officials continued to debate the repair and relocation of the Fairview Tennis Courts in a committee meeting on Monday. Since the Spencer Community School District gave its approval to move the courts to the middle school last week, Spencer City Council members came to a general consensus they would be in favor of the courts’ relocation.

Members of the Spencer City Council received an update on the upcoming development project on the east side of U.S. Highways 18 and 71, also known as the Spencer North Y. The plan to expand Spencer’s commercial offerings on the north side of town would span approximately 60 acres between 37th Street and 44th Street.

City Engineer Jim Thiesse reported the city has either verbal agreements or signed easements for most of the property in the area the city wishes to develop.

Spencer Community Theatre will continue its 63rd Mainstage Season with Pulitzer Prize-winning “Proof,” by David Auburn, in the SCT Playhouse, Feb. 17-19, 24-26.