DES MOINES – The Iowa Finance Authority announced today that the deadline for eligible homeowners to apply for up to $50,000 for the repair or rehabilitation of their disaster-impacted home through the Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance Program is Nov. 20.

Clay County Tourism announced a photo contest to gather images for the 2025-26 Clay County Visitor Guide. Residents are invited to capture the beauty of Clay County through their lenses, focusing on scenes that highlight our county's events, places, people, local businesses and hidden gems.

Annual DNR Night

Libertarian Charles Aldrich has announced plans to seek the governorship of Iowa after a failed in his bid to unseat Rep. Randy Feenstra for the Iowa 4th District U.S. House seat.

“Time to start collecting signatures for the governor race in 2026,” Aldrich said.

The final numbers from the Secretary of State Office were out Friday. Aldrich explained the secretary of state failed to list who the write-in ballots were cast for, so he didn’t offer a conclusion.

ACCIDENT

On the morning of Nov. 5, at approximately 10:10 a.m., the Clay County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a car-deer accident that occurred in the 2300 mile of U.S. Highway 18. Kristine Pietsch, 35, of Estherville, was westbound in a 2020 Chrysler Town & Country, when a deer entered the roadway and the Pietsch vehicle struck the animal. No injuries were reported from the accident. Estimated damages to the Pietsch vehicle were $6,500.

Jason Warren, bank president of Northwest Bank in Spencer, and Stephanie Andrews, business banking assistant with Northwest Bank in Arnolds Park, successfully completed the 2024 Iowa Bankers Association’s Introduction to Commercial Lending School held Oct. 15-17 in Cedar Rapids. The school is an intense three-day program sponsored by the Iowa Bankers Association.

Tuesday, Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, was elected to return to Washington, D.C., after winning the race for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District against challenger, Ryan Melton, a Democrat, from Webster City.

“I’m humbled by the strong support of Iowans in all 36 counties in the 4th District who reelected me to be their voice in Congress,” said Feenstra, following Tuesday election.

Veterans from the area will offer three programs on Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11. Beginning at 11 a.m., at the National Guard Armory, a public event is scheduled to honor the men and women who served this country. The annual recognition is hosted by the Glen Pedersen American Legion Post No.1 and Clay County VFW Post No. 3159.

Shayla Bee announced this week that the 2024 Craft & Bake Sale will not go on this year. Nearly all of the craft items left over from the 2023 show were lost at the new center on First Avenue East, as well as much of the apparel.

The final two Spencer Community Theatre Playhouse production of “Oliver!” will be Friday and Saturday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Former Spencer High Director Larry M. Untiet oversees a large cast of 48 actors are bringing to life the story of Oliver Twist, the London orphan who escapes from the workhouse and finds refuge with a gang of young pickpockets and thieves. The cast includes 29 children, ages 7 through 14, playing the roles of workhouse orphans and Fagin’s gang of pickpockets.

Sacred Heart Catholic School will be hosting its 32nd annual Fall Gala this Saturday, Nov. 9, at the parish hall in Spencer. This is the school’s largest fundraiser of the year and proceeds will be used for school and technology upgrades, salaries and upgrades to the school bus that was recently purchased.

ROYAL — The Royal Riverton No. 8 Schoolhouse and Museum recently installed a handicapped-accessible ramp, which will provide better access to those visiting the historic society’s facility.

The Annual Rotary Book Sale, which began with a private viewing Wednesday evening, will conclude this weekend at the Clay County Regional Events Center. Hours vary by day, with special pricing as the yearly event comes to a close. (File photo)

The Spencer Messiah Board welcomes everyone to join them for this year's Festival of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer. The board is made up of area churches and presents the Messiah in Spencer every three years. The next Messiah Concert will be held in 2025. The Festival of Lessons and Carols is presented in the non-Messiah years for the benefit of the community by area singers.

After nearly a month of discussion and debate, the Spencer City Council has approved a new $300,000 flood recovery assistance program for rental properties.

On Monday, Nov. 4, by unanimous vote, minus the abstentions of councilors Tom Nelson, Ron Hansen, and Brian Balk, the council passed a resolution to provide micro-grants of up to $1,500 per rental unit to help rental property owners cover the cost of essential repairs, such as flooring and mechanical systems.