On June 14, the Spencer Chamber Ambassadors gathered at Drivensole, located at 8 W. Fifth St., in Spencer. This new bohemian/vintage style clothing store is owned by entrepreneur sisters Abby Rutledge and Lisa Raper. They carry kids clothing and women’s up to size 3X. They also offer Kringle’s Pretzels in a wide variety of flavors and unique accessories and gift items. In the future, this business will also feature Lisa Nichole Photography.

Flagfest weekend in Spencer was greeted with three days of sunny skies and good crowds.

BOOKED INTO THE CLAY COUNTY JAIL

ROSSIE — A Clay County Sheriff’s Office investigation dating back to New Year’s Day led to the arrest of Stacy Baas, 56, of Rossie. The sheriff’s office received a report in December 2021 of alleged sexual abuse dating back to Jan. 1, 2016.

SIOUX CITY — Michaela Feldmann, regional communications lead, with MercyOne, based in Sioux City, issued a statement regarding Hartley Community Memorial Health Center announced transfer of operations from MercyOne to Spencer Hospital later this summer.

Saturday's early morning showers were a concern for some as organizers prepared to host an outdoor open house from 10 a.m. to noon at The Narrows Preserve that day. However, by 9:30 a.m., the showers were gone, and visitors to the open house were greeted by overcast skies and mild temperatures, fit for informal walking tours of the recently purchased 50-acre tract of land. The property features 2,020 feet of East Lake Okoboji's last undeveloped shoreline.

Gardeners are encouraged to enter their blue ribbon best in the Fields and Gardens Department at the 2022 Clay County Fair, Sept. 10-18. One of the fair’s original competitive departments, will yet again have another great year of showing.

“Even with the cool spring and all the challenges with the weather we are still hopeful for a good turn out on produce and exhibits for fair,” Fields and Gardens superintendent Jerry Groenewold said.

Thirty-year-old Courtney DeLoss, a lifelong Clay County resident, is looking forward to the arrival of the general election later this year. After earning the support of more than 900 voters in the June 7 primary, the mother of four and local business administrator, finds herself among three GOP candidates running unopposed on the ballot to fill three Clay County Board of Supervisor seats.

As part of the Spencer Public Library's Summer Reading Program, Explore Beyond the Beaten Path, the library had a visit from the Blank Park Zoo last Thursday. Kids learned about how to be a good explorer and how to recognize different animals in their natural habitat. A few animal friends even came along for the children to meet.

Spencer Mayor Steve Bomgaars signed a proclamation declaring World Elder Abuse Day, June 15, in Spencer. He was joined for the official signing in council chambers at Spencer City Hall by Nancy Ketcham, elder rights specialist at Elderbridge Agency on Aging; Tara Anderson, Department of Human Services Adult Protective Services; Shelly Sindt, CEO of Elderbridge Agency on Aging; Adam Severson, planning; Alek Schulz, planning director; and Anna Harmon, planning supervisor.

“If there’s a place you can get lost in Iowa, this is it,” said Curt Kemmerer, wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Maquoketa Wildlife Unit, while bushwhacking through White Pine Hollow State Preserve in northwestern Dubuque County.

Fourteen members of the Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis were recently recognized during a visit from former Kiwanis International President Jane Erickson as members of the Kiwanis Legion of Honors.

WASHINGTON — Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, met with the Young family, of Spencer, during their vacation visit to Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 9. Grassley said, “I enjoyed visiting with the Young family. I appreciate the opportunity to meet face-to-face, hear concerns and answer questions from Iowans.” The family spoke with Grassley about a variety of issues and current events.

ABATE of Iowa District 8 Toy Ride, took place Saturday. Toys collected on the ride were donated to Upper Des Moines of Spencer. The ride began in Paullina at 2 p.m. and ended in Spencer at Flagfest’s Christian Motorcycle Association’s Bike Show. UDMO staff gladly accepted the gifts.

Nothing beats the taste of a delicious mouth-watering burger. There are tons of great burgers out there, but have you ever wondered where the home of the best burger is? The Iowa Beef Industry Council and New York Beef Council are sending forth their state’s best burger to answer that exact question.