Fairness in Farming: The Impact of Ag Policy

AMES — Fairness in Farming: The Impact of Ag Policy is set to take place on Dec. 6-7 in Ames. Convention registration packets are currently on their way to member mailboxes across the state. For those wishing to register online, visit https://iowafarmersunion.org/109th-annual-ifu-convention/.

Many Spencer residents are facing potentially life-altering decisions in the coming months as local and state officials work to implement three federally funded hazard mitigation programs.

As the holiday season approaches, the community of Spencer is preparing to come together for its annual Shop Small Saturday, which encourages residents to support locally-owned businesses.

The challenge: Eat one large pizza, consume 12 beers and complete a 500-piece puzzle first.

Spencer’s Hy-Noon Kiwanis will host its second annual Puzzle Race, Friday, Dec. 6, at Occasions. Activities will get underway beginning at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event will go to the Spencer Hy Noon Kid’s Christmas Shopping Program.

Registration is underway with 17 teams currently signed up ion the 20-team field. Each team consists of four players for $100.

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.