Last weekend, visitors of Grace United Methodist Church were treated to a trip back in time to the beginning of Christmas. The church’s Journey to Bethlehem tour was available all weekend for churchgoers to learn or be reminded of the birth of Jesus. The tour took attendees throughout the entire church, which was transformed to look like the setting of Bethlehem. With actors in full costume, interactive props and live animals, churchgoers traveled through the story as active participants.

INDIANAPOLIS — Janet Schutter, commercial exhibits director of the Clay County Fair, was recognized at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions Annual Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, as a graduate of the Institute of Fair Management.

On Dec. 5, at approximately 1:50 a.m., a Spencer Police officer on routine patrol noticed a vehicle in the parking lot in the 600 block of East 19th Street. The occupant of the vehicle, 47-year-old Eric Peterson, had valid arrest warrant for domestic abuse impeding air flow, a Class D felony.

Upon investigation, police were able to take Peterson into custody and at that time discovered that he was in possession of methamphetamine.

Each week — on Thursday nights — the CDC updates each county’s rate of community transmission. Currently, influenza rates are more significant than COVID-19 rates.

Schools and other learning institutions across the state spent the past week celebrating Computer Science Education Week, lasting from Dec. 5-11. However, Spencer students don’t need the one week to dedicate themselves — rather, students invest their time the entire academic year.

Registration is open to participate in the Christmas Home Decor Contest hosted by Spencer Chamber of Commerce. Spencer residents are welcome to decorate their home for Christmas. The contest is free to enter! To register your home, the chamber will need your name, address, phone number and email address. All registrations need to be received at the chamber office by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14.

Could a targeted three-drug combination help prolong the lives of patients who have a deadly form of advanced lung cancer? The SPRING trial sought to answer that question, and the final results show promise.

Iowa anglers can buy the Missouri and Big Sioux River paddlefish license and tags starting Dec. 15 through Jan. 7.

Buy your special paddlefish license and tags on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' online licenses sales website athttps://gooutdoorsiowa.com. A resident license sells for $25.50 and a nonresident license is $49. You must also have a valid Iowa fishing license.

Iowans can begin buying 2023 resident hunting, fishing and other licenses on Dec. 15. Licenses purchased for 2022 expire on Jan. 10.

The menu of license options includes the popular outdoor combo annual resident hunting/fishing/habitat combo license for $55; the angler’s special three-year fishing license for $62; and the hunter’s special three-year hunting license with habitat included for $101.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Lake Restoration Program is accepting comments on the newly released draft 2022 lake restoration report and 2023 plan, through Dec. 21.

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig recently announced Beth Romer has been named the Choose Iowa program director. Choose Iowa will connect consumers to Iowa products and the growers, producers, processors and entrepreneurs that produce them through a state branded marketing program. The program, which is housed within the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, was enacted by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds in 2022.

AMES — Iowa State University’s new extension beef cow-calf specialist is looking forward to getting to know the state’s producers and learning how to best address issues facing them. Randie Culbertson said that starts with understanding the challenges, including her own change in perspective. Culbertson came to Iowa State from Bozeman, Montana, where she worked for the American Simmental Association as the lead geneticist for International Genetic Solutions.

Main Street welcomes Grand Meander

Spencer Main Street celebrated the arrival of the holiday season with its traditional Grand Meander strolling event Monday night. Families could partake in a variety of Christmas themed activities as they traveled from one business to the next. Between making Christmas crafts, sampling holiday treats, meeting iconic Christmas characters and listening to live performances, there was no shortage of fun to be had. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

SCT’s ‘Miracle on 34th Street’

The final weekend of the timeless Christmas classic production will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at Spencer Community Theatre Playhouse in Spencer.

Journey to Bethlehem

A walk through holiday event with live performers and animals will be performed from 1:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer.

BOOKED INTO CLAY COUNTY JAIL