Robert L. McPherson, 95, passed away Jan. 30, 2022, in Lincoln, Nebraska. No formal services will be conducted.
Bob was born in Spencer, was a U.S. Navy Veteran and was a 76-year member of the Spencer American Legion.
He is survived by his wife, Doris (married 71 years); daughter, Cindy McPherson; and grand-dog, Riley
Memorials may be directed to Tabitha Journey House

Both the Democratic and Republican Clay County Central Committees are scheduled to host party caucuses at 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 7, at two different sites.
The GOP committee will meet at the Spencer Area Activity Center and the Democrats will gather at the Spencer School Administration Building.

Local photographer Jim Berhow captured a short-eared owl in the Trumbull Lake area. They are native to Iowa but not traditionally seen on a daily basis.

Roger Heikens, 91, of of rural Milford passed away on Jan. 25, 2022, at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was born on Sept. 12, 1930, near Spencer, and was a 1948 graduate of Spencer High School. Private family services were conducted Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. Interment at Riverside Cemetery.
He was born on Sept. 12, 1930, near Spencer, and was a 1948 graduate of Spencer High School.

Lauren Christianson joined the bank in June as the director of human resources, Scott Conrad came in June as a commercial lender and Megan Vanderberg started in September as the compliance officer. In addition, Kyle DeVary joined the bank in September as an agriculture loan officer, Kim Hohensee arrived in October in real estate loan support and Carla Painter joined the staff in January as a teller. Also, Julie Weaver moved to the position of vice president of retail banking.

Twelve students from Spencer recently participated in the Strong Foundations Honor Band held in Sioux City on Jan. 10. These students were chosen through a nomination process and 102 students were selected representing three states. The purpose of this honor band is to provide an opportunity for young instrumental musicians to have an excellent ensemble experience in a positive, friendly environment without competition or unnecessary stress, while working with outstanding music educators.

Dr. Robert Cozine, 90, of Emmetsburg, died Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, at his home in Emmetsburg. Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, at The Shores at Five Island in Emmetsburg, Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday at Martin-Mattice Funeral Home in Emmetsburg. The family encourages that masks be worn at the visitation and the memorial service.

Newly elected Spencer Mayor Steve Bomgaars was recently welcomed as a new member of the Spencer Rotary.

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors joined members of the community and business leaders to help Katie Gastellum and Colleen Krebsbach celebrate the one-year anniversary of KC Title & Closing. The two business partners and their staff joined for an official ribbon cutting at the remodeled offices located at 502 Grand Ave.

Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary in Spencer conducted its annual sixth grade Science Fair on Jan. 13. The sixth graders had a variety of topics they explored scientifically. All presented those topics to four guest judges Bree Blom, Clay County naturalist; Joe Yavoskii, with the Iowa Department of Natural Resouces; Isabel Dehrkoop, with the ISU Extension Office; and teacher Heather Davis.

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors welcomed a new pastor to town on Tuesday. The group was on hand to greet Rev. Ben Unseth at Faith Lutheran Church in north Spencer. He joined the church in early November. Unseth, the son of a pastor, grew up in St. Ansgar in north-central Iowa, and served church communities in Michigan, the Dakotas, California, Iowa and Minnesota.

Funeral services for Dick Hallett Jr., 67, of Spencer, were conducted Saturday, Jan. 17, 2022, at Warner Chapel in Spencer. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer. Hallett passed away Monday, Jan. 17, 2021, at Unity Point in Sioux City. The family requests no flowers. Warner Funeral Home of Spencer is in charge of arrangements.

Laker Joseph Owens had a nice week back from break for Iowa Lakes last week. In the two wins over Fort Scott and Ellsworth to start the 2022 schedule, Owens scored 29 total points, added with 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. He scored in double figures in both games for the second time this season and had a career-high 16 points at Ellsworth.

**Tigges picks up wins in 50, 100 free
SPENCER -- Minus some members, the Spencer boy's swim team hosted the Sioux City Metro squad at the Spencer Family YMCA on Monday night. The visitors had a good night in the water, racking up 121 team points despite junior Reid Tigges sweeping the 50 and 100 freestyle events.