DES MOINES ― Tuesday night, Gov. Kim Reynolds delivered her 2025 Condition of the State Address, touting the state of Iowa’s achievements, accomplishments and challenges facing the elected officials representing their respective constituents as they enter the 2025 session.

Spencer’s June 22 flooding was included in the speech.

“Fire line do not cross” tape and a frozen pond of ice remain at the site where an unoccupied trailer burst into flames in the overnight hours leading into Sunday morning.

The fire broke out at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, at the Pioneer Trailer Court, which is about four blocks southeast of Okoboji High School and Middle School in south Milford.

A new economic analysis of Iowa and nine other states contains gloomy news for rural communities.

The Clay County Fair & Events Center, and Raise ‘Em Rank announced the return of bull riding to the Clay County Regional Events Center on Friday, March 7, and Saturday, March 8, with Bulls & Brews, presented by C&B.

Bull riding, produced by Raise ‘Em Rank Rodeo, will kick off Bulls & Brews and will include some of the top bull riders and animal athletes in the industry.

ESTHERVILLE — Iowa Lakes Community College announced its annual Jam the Gym Laker Visit Day, happening on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 10 a.m. on the Estherville campus, located at 300 S. 18th St. This event offers a hands-on introduction to college life at Iowa Lakes, designed to inspire and inform prospective students and their families.

• CEDAR RAPIDS — Coe College is recognizing its highest performing students as members of the dean's list, including Bailey Swanson, who is currently among this elite group. Swanson, of Spencer, has been named to the prestigious fall 2024 dean's list at Coe in Cedar Rapids.
• WAVERLY — Wartburg College has recognized 554 students who were named to the 2024 fall term dean's list.

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors visited Windcrest Village Apartments, Tuesday, for its grand reopening. During the flood, about 82 of the 182 total units ― townhomes and apartments ― were damaged. They have welcomed many former tenants and new tenants back to Windcrest, and now have 21 available units.

In a move designed to provide more winter recreation options for the community, the local parks department has opened up Moose Pond for ice skating this winter.

The Spencer Parks Department was forced to get creative when devising winter recreation options this year because the June 22 flood destroyed plumbing at the shelter house in East Leach Park.

The Spencer Police Department has a new weapon in the fight against drugs in the community — a four-legged officer named Balou.

Officer Turner Soden, a two-year veteran of the Spencer PD, recently completed specialized training to become the department's newest K-9 handler. Soden and his canine partner, a black Labrador retriever from Germany, hit the streets just over a month ago, and they're already making an impact.

In 2009, Michelle Cowan, a wife and mother, was living a life she always dreamed of — with her husband Joe and daughter AJ. Michelle worked as a nurse case manager and Joe as an accountant for the state of Nebraska. Life was at a good point. Her life would change in an instant.

A Fort Dodge man is facing theft charges in Spencer after police say witnesses reported seeing him steal three jackets and two knives from a local retailer.

This week we report on yet another wonderful citizen in our community who is dedicated not only to her family, neighbors and the local community ― but to the betterment of all people in our area and the world. This giving of her time has provided motivation, even through tough times, to positively impact our community.

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation announced Kyle Norris and Scott Siepker as keynote speakers for the 14th Annual Business Recognition Luncheon to be held Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association has named Spencer Community School District Superintendent Terry Hemann as its 2025 Administrator of the Year.

A committee of Iowa athletic directors selected Hemann for the award. He was honored at a home wrestling event on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

The Clay County Long Term Recovery Group will host World Renew, Disaster Response Services in Spencer to assess flood affected families and individuals. Assessment centers will be open for Walk-Ins will Feb. 10-14 and Feb. 17-21.

World Renew is bringing a team of volunteers to meet with Clay County’s flood affected population individually to assess unmet needs. There will be walk-in assessment centers located at the Spencer Public Library and another undetermined location.