MADISON, Wis. — For the third consecutive year, Alliant Energy has been named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies. Alliant Energy was recognized as a top-25 company in the energy and utility industry based on a combination of its environmental, social and governance scores. This ranking accounts for the progress made in renewable energy, inclusivity in the workplace and social causes.

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors visited The Highlands Independent Living to meet new members of the St. Luke Lutheran Home team. Campus Chaplain Ken Schmidt; Assisted Living Director Terina DeVos; and Highlands/Southridge Manager Kellie Lowe each work to provide residents with services and amenities to live their retirement to the fullest. (Photo submitted)

The annual S’mores and Blazing Pines tradition hosted by the Love Where You Live group will take place Saturday. Winter activities and treats will be available at East Leach Park from 3-5:30 p.m., and the blazing pines fire will take place at West Leach Park at 6 p.m.

WEST OKOBOJI — West O Beer, Okoboji’s premier craft brewery, announces “Blue Taps = Blue Water,” a new commitment to protecting waterways in the Lakes area and beyond.

After a year of hard work and introducing new initiatives, the Spencer Community School District was able to see the results of teacher and student efforts. According to the Iowa Department of Education, the district exceeded the state average in nearly all categories for the 2021-22 academic year.

Iowa was among a limited amount of states across the country which actually did experience the projected “red wave” during the November 2022 general election. Heading into the 2023 legislative session, which began Monday, Republicans control most of the administrative offices in the Hawkeye State with Democrat Rob Sand retaining his position as the state auditor following a closely contested race. The GOP hold a majority in both the House, 64-36, and Senate, 36-14.

It was a long week in D.C. for members of the U.S. House as Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-California, took four days and 15 ballots before securing the votes early Saturday to be elected speaker.

Iowa’s four Republican representatives voted for McCarthy throughout the drawn-out process, but could not be sworn in or start taking action on bills until a speaker was elected.

Early New Year’s Day was quiet in Spencer Hospital’s Birth Center; however, experienced obstetric nurses know that typically once the “quiet” word is used, things often change rapidly. So, when Jill Viedenkamp arrived late Sunday afternoon, she was the first to alter the “quiet” atmosphere to a bit more “lively.”

For the very first time, the Spencer Public Library will hold a “Transcribe-athon” on Monday starting at 6 p.m. History buffs and anyone who’s interested may volunteer to help the Library of Congress transcribe some of its archival material, no previous experience required.

According to Amanda Gloyd, marketing and communications with Spencer Municipal Utilities, a small power outage Thursday morning, starting just after 10:45 a.m. in the downtown area, impacted approximately 200 customers.

“We determined the outage was caused by an underground equipment failure,” Gloyd said.

SMU crews worked quickly to get it restored in just over a half-hour.

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health received $5,000 in specialized funding from Care Connections of Northern Iowa to expand Seasons’ internal food bank and the assortment of items offered.

After multiple weather-related delays, Grand Avenue Community Kitchen served its Christmas meal Thursday evening to a dining room full of happy diners. GACK serves regular community meals in the Grand Avenue Community Outreach twice weekly, from 5-6:30 p.m., on Mondays and Thursdays. The holiday meal included traditional, freshly prepared favorites to the public at no charge. Diners enjoyed food and fellowship. (Photo by Celia Brocker)

WASHINGTON — Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, took the oath of office to begin his eighth term in the Senate. Grassley will also become the dean of the Senate, or longest serving member, with the beginning of the 118th Congress, which convened Tuesday for the first time.

City officials discussed potential plans for the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds during a Finance Committee meeting on Thursday. The city currently has $1.6 million in ARPA funds, with approximately $300,000 allocated to wastewater treatment plant improvements, leaving approximately $1.3 million.

The city of Spencer may use the services of a retail recruitment partner to assist with developing recently purchased city land. In a committee meeting Tuesday night, city officials discussed a proposal from Retail Coach to provide recruitment services and retail economic development initiatives.