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Gary's Gardens returns for 2022

Every year, Spencer resident Gary Holck offers fresh produce from his garden for community purchase. Holck's garden is ready for this year's harvest, and he will be inviting community members to buy garden vegetables from Gary's Garden beginning July 19, from 4-6 p.m. and will continue the garden sales every Tuesday until produce runs out.

Blend of traditional, new acts on Farmers Bank Stage

The Farmers Bank Stage will feature six different acts at the 2022 Clay County Fair, Sept. 10-18, just a portion of the $180,000 in free entertainment that will be offered to fairgoers every day at the fair.

“From comedy to dueling pianos to magic, the Farmers Bank Stage will have something for everyone,” fair manager Jeremy Parsons said. “The tent in southwest corner of the fairgrounds will again be a popular spot to see great free entertainment.”

At the border: Ernst sees historic crisis firsthand

McALLEN, Texas — With historic numbers of illegal migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border reportedly on rise in recent days, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, saw the crisis firsthand during tours of the Southern border in the Rio Grande Valley region.

Outdoors: Celebrate a child’s first fish

Preserve the memory of your child or grandchild hooking their first fish this summer with a special certificate. Print the certificate yourself from an electronic file posted online or request a printed certificate.

Outdoors: Iowa DNR sending firefighters to Alaska, Texas and Colorado

As wildfires continue to rage in parts of the west, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fire Program has started to dispatch wildland firefighters to Alaska, Texas and Colorado.

The fire program recently sent six Iowa wildland firefighters to Alaska for three weeks and two firefighters to Colorado for two weeks. Three wildland firefighters along with the DNR type 6 fire engine are in Texas fighting the Dempsey Fire.

Outdoors: Badgers are tough customers

Badgers are tough. We’ve all probably heard of the African honey badger and how it doesn’t give a hoot. Well our American badger is just as tough and probably doesn’t care much either.

St. Luke residents join Rocket Slide Countdown fun

Residents St. Luke Lutheran Home participated in the Northwest Iowa Shopper’s Rocket Slide Countdown coloring contest while enjoying a party for the full moon last week. The residents — (back) Norma Jean Patten, Terri Kopel, Maxine Cohoon, Michael Anderson, (front) Al Ness, Ina Faye Underwood and Ruth Jones — reminisced about the slide while coloring. In addition to St.

SWOT celebrate Founder’s Day

The United States Women of Today celebrated Founder’s Day on July 1. The Spencer members celebrated by going to Dairy Queen for ice cream, after their regular monthly meeting, conducted the second Tuesday of the each month. (Photo submitted)

Mainstreet Market opens on courthouse square

Local food and produce vendors were joined by area artisans and grilling foods for the first of five scheduled Mainstreet Market Thursdays on the lawn of the Clay County Courthouse square. Popular regional band She’s With Us helped kicked off the summer celebration, drawing a crowd for the live concert at the foot of the courthouse steps. Next week, another popular group, Itty Bitty Boji Band will perform. Mainstreet Market events open to the public at 5 p.m. each Thursday through Aug.

Crop experts optimistic despite slight planting delay

“Despite the challenges we have seen this year I still think that the future of the agricultural economy is bright,” said Chuck White, who founded Agriland Farm Management & Realty and farms locally. “However sometimes it feels like riding a bucking bronco. As a farmer you've got no choice but to just saddle up and enjoy the ride.”

Dreier hired as Work Based Learning assistant

The Spencer Community School District and Spencer Chamber of Commerce announced the hiring of Alex Dreier as the Work Based Learning assistant.

Dreier has worked in education the last 10 years as an English teacher and administrator, most recently for the Waukee School District. He is excited to bridge Spencer Community Schools Work Based Learning Program with Chamber businesses.

City shuts down West 18th trailer park

Upon confirming dangerous conditions continue to exist in the trailer park at West 18th Street and Fourth Avenue West, the city of Spencer followed through on its plans to shut off the park's power at approximately 10 a.m. on Tuesday. The city officials had granted a week extension from the previously announced July 5 to allow residents more time to vacate and find other housing.

Severe, flood threats persist in north-central US into weekend

Disruptive and damaging weather is likely from Montana to Michigan in the coming days as round after round of thunderstorms rumble the northern Plains and Midwest.

Community members share thoughts on urban chickens

Spencer residents shared differing opinions about allowing chickens within city limits during a public hearing at Wednesday’s Planning and Zoning meeting. After hearing from community members, the commission decided to recommend the ordinance after working on it for several months.

Sirens
  • Eric Raymond Wirkus, 18, of Spencer, was held on a judgment entry on June 27.
  • Jay Russell Newcom, 27, of Cherokee, was charged with interference with official acts, diving under suspension, an arrest warrant and possession of drug paraphernalia on June 27.
  • Ann Catherine Putzier, 58, of Spencer, was charged with no CCDE and held on a judgment entry on June 27.
  • Judge Jaden Altenburg, 23, of Rossie, was charged with contempt — violation of a no contact order, a
Patrons share stories at library book swap

Book lovers came together to have a night dedicated to their love of books at the Spencer Public Library's Book Swap Party on Monday. Library patrons brought in some of their old favorites and switched them out for something new to read. Guests chatted about their favorite books and made recommendations to each other, participated in a library quiz and tried their hand at making at a novel craft. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

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