Stories from Wednesday, October 21, 2015

For the eighth year, Gary Holck's garden -- known fondly to many as Gary's Gardens -- will host its annual Fall Harvest fundraiser to benefit the Upper Des Moines Opportunity food pantry in Clay County as well as a variety of mission projects associated with the Ruthven United Methodist Church...

Kim Campbell, talent search advisor with TRIO, will be at Spencer High School Friday to talk to students about college and other post-secondary education opportunities. The goal, she noted, is to increase the number of youth to graduate from high school and enroll in college, whether a four-year institution or a two-year or other technical program...

For those looking to exercise their creativity and crafting ambitions, a beginner's crochet class will be offered by crocheter Sarah Bengford. The class will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, in a classroom at Hobby Lobby. "My thoughts are that I'm going to offer beginning, intermediate and advanced crochet classes," Bengford said. "I'm self-taught when it comes to crocheting, and I thought maybe I could share my talent with other people."...

Saturday afternoon, Spencer Police arrested 33-year-old Shawn Kilbride, of Spencer, on multiple burglary-related changes as well as drug-related charges. The arrest stems from three incidents which allegedly occurred earlier in the week. During the first incident Friday, it was reported that Killbride was seen committing a vehicle burglary at 1218 W. ...

"I saw a lot of positive signs and signals that a lot of great things are happening for kids in Spencer," Dr. Ryan Wise said following a Tuesday morning visit to Spencer. Recently named the director of education at the Iowa Department of Education, Wise spent the morning observing the workings of the Spencer Community School District, and visiting with administration, staff and students...

Approximately 30 members of the business community attended "Save you staff!," a seminar conducted by IowaWORKS and the Lakes Area Employer's Council of Iowa and hosted by Spencer Municipal Utilities Wednesday afternoon. The second in a series of monthly seminars to help employers and businesses better understand their changing workforces...

The Hy-Noon Kiwanis 2015-16 executive board were recently sworn in. The new board (from left to right) includes: Dr. Bill Phelps, Nate Newhouse, Tony Hall, Matt Hinkeldey, Cheryl Ahern, Treasurer Greg Meeter, Lezlie Pohlman, President Ryan Davelaar, Secretary Karen Buchholz, Mandi Winterboer, Immediate Past President Clark Marshall, President-elect Randy Cauthron and Maureen Oechslin. The Hy-Noon Kiwanis meet at noon on Mondays at the Spencer Golf and Country Club. Anyone interested in learning more about membership is encouraged to enjoy lunch as a guest at a club meeting, contact a club member or visit the Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis Facebook page. (Photo submitted)

Brianna Graff and Jim Sholly were united in marriage Aug. 1, 2015, at The Lodge at Gull Point State Park. Rev. Martin Lucin, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake, celebrated the 4 p.m. service. Scripture reading was given by Jill Applegate, cousin of the groom...

Wesley Christensen and Jackie Sorensen were united in marriage on Aug. 15, 2015, on Bay Lake, located in northern Minnesota. Wes is the son of Jim and Julie Christensen, of Royal. Jackie is the daugther of Soren and Mary Beth Sorensen, of Burnsville, Minnesota...

DES MOINES -- Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey commented on the Iowa Crops and Weather report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service. The report is released weekly from April through October. "The warm dry weather has allowed farmers to make good progress and now 83 percent of soybeans and 52 percent of corn has been harvested. ...

Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School Principal Dewey Torkelson and IGLLS School Board President Leonard Langner met with the Spencer Ambassadors Tuesday morning at the new Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School as it celebrated its ribbon cutting. The $3.2 million school opened Aug. 24. IGLLS stared in 1999 with five students and one kindergarten teacher and now teaches approximately 75 students in kindergarten through sixth grade with five teachers. Students attending the school study a traditional school curriculum along with the word of God. (Photo by Hanna Russmann)

I am being stubborn. I like the amount of money I can save by being stubborn though I know it can't last forever. I probably have only a few weeks left before crisp cool fall air turns into a frigid winter chill. That's right. I am talking about being stubborn when it comes to turning on the heat, which hikes up my utility bill quite substantially in the winter. Many like myself experience that tightening of the belt when winter comes and takes a little more out of the wallet each month...

A 45-year-old Spencer woman was charged on multiple drug counts when possible drug-related items were located in her purse at the Clay County Jail Monday. Teri Stevenson, of Spencer, was arrested at 8:38 p.m. after a Clay County deputy was called to the jail in reference to possible drug-related items in her purse. ...

Services are pending for Barbara Brownmiller, 85, of Spencer, who passed away Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015, at her home in Spencer. Boothby Funeral Home of Cherokee is in charge of arrangements.

Services for Marlene Lenz, 71, of Spring Park, Minnesota, will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. today, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer. Rev. Tom Flanagan will officiate the service. Visitation with the family was conducted on Wednesday beginning 5 p.m. at Warner Funeral Home...

EVERLY -- Clay Central-Everly and Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire entered Tuesday night's first round 1A regional game with a combined record of 1-58 with the lone win coming from the Mavs over the Titans in three sets in mid-September tournament action. Much like their first meeting, GT/RA kept it close and took a set, but it was the Mavericks that advanced to play No. 15-ranked Harris-Lake Park next Tuesday in Lake Park with a four-set victory...

SIOUX CITY -- Spencer's girls swimming regular season dried up Tuesday night during their final dual against Sioux City Metro and Storm Lake. The Tigers split the evening, beating Sioux City 58-33 and falling to the Tornadoes 51-40. Emma VerSteeg, Cassidy Fox, NancyLynn Maris and Madison Sieperda got the night going the right way with a win in the 200-yard medley relay...

PAULLINA -- Wilbur Meyer, of Paullina, had always loved watching Jeff Klatt carve trees into detailed artwork. Every year at the Clay County Fair, he would sit nearby and watch the process, fascinated. His family had hoped to have a failing tree in the yard near his home carved for him. It was on the list of things to do for Klatt, the Storm Lake artist, who has a lengthy list of projects awaiting his attention...

A combine might spark or the ember from a leaf pile might be carried off with the wind. Then, the pagers go off. They did the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 14, near Lake Park when a piece of farm equipment caught fire. Crews were able to keep the combine blaze from charring northwest Iowa's landscape...