The Spencer Messiah Board invites the public to 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, concluding with the performance of “Handel’s Messiah.” 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.

The Everly Public Library and Friends of the Everly Public Library are sponsoring the 2024 Festival of Trees at the Hap Ketelsen Community Center, from 5-7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13.

Cash Teepe, 10, his mother Darcy, sister Journey, 13, and grandmother Shelley LaDoux, spent the morning of Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Spencer Holiday Craft and Vendor Show. The family stopped to taste some of the sauces created by Pleasant Lake Peppers. The Spirit Lake-based hot sauce company uses peppers grown locally to flavor its extensive line of hot sauces. (Photo by Nick Lowrey)

AMES — Summit Carbon Solutions announced last week it had submitted its permit application to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, amidst court cases filed in Iowa.

Nine Iowa counties have passed zoning ordinances with six counties having been sued by Summit.

LifeServe Blood Center hosted two blood drives in the month of November. A total of 42 units of blood were collected, potentially sustaining the lives of 126 people in need. The donations you give go right back to the local community hospitals, like the Spencer Hospital. LifeServe Blood Center recognized donors that achieved milestone donations at this blood drive. They are:

• 12 galloneer — David Loomis.

• 8 galloneer — Donald Nielsen.

Every Monday and Friday — 1 p.m.

Geri-Fit: Senior Chair Fitness — Limited space available. No Geri-Fit Nov. 29. Free to the public. Limited space available.

Nov. 1-30

Members of the Spencer-based Knights of Columbus presented a donation to Upper Des Moines Opportunity. (Photo submitted)

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors helped cut the ribbon at Sapphire & Sage Salon and Spa Thursday.

Spencer’s new flood-recovery micro-grant programs have been seeing strong demand, city Planning and Zoning Director Adam Severson said during the Monday, Nov. 18, City Council meeting.

Residents and business owners in northwest Spencer say they are increasingly frustrated with persistent and worsening odors emanating from the IsoNova egg processing plant.

Spencer High School is inviting the public to participate in its upcoming Career Nights, held during the Parent/Teacher Conferences on Nov. 25 and 26, from 4-6 p.m., each evening. This is an opportunity for students to learn about career paths in health sciences (Nov. 25) and manufacturing (Nov. 26). Those in the professions are invited to share expertise and insights.

As winter approaches, the City of Spencer has taken steps to ensure residents' sidewalks are cleared of snow and ice. During the Monday, Nov. 18, City Council meeting, Planning Director Adam Severson announced that the city had selected a contractor to handle snow removal when property owners fail to shovel their sidewalks.

ESTHERVILLE — Iowa Lakes Community College is hosting an open house for its Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success on Friday, Nov. 22, from 9-11 a.m.

Community members, veterans and their families are warmly invited to attend, tour the Center, meet the Veterans Center staff, and explore the resources available to support veterans transitioning to civilian life.

ESTHERVLLE — The Iowa Lakes Community College board of trustees convened for their regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 19, spotlighting the impactful changes and continued growth within the culinary and hospitality management program.

A traffic stop conducted by a Clay County Sheriff's deputy landed two adult males in the county jail on drug charges, and another adult male was booked and released on alcohol and tobacco violations, according to a news release from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.