Spencer Public Library announced an upcoming event featuring Iowa author Ann Hanigan Kotz, from Adel. The event is scheduled for Monday, March 25, at 1 p.m. and is open to the public, free of charge.

School attendance rates in Spencer still haven’t recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic and may actually be getting worse.

The Legislative Committee of the Spencer Chamber of Commerce announced the final date of the 2024 Eggs & Issues legislative forums, March 23, from 9-10;30 a.m., in council chambers at Spencer City Hall. This forum, a great opportunity to meet area legislators and discuss the issues that impact Spencer, Clay County and northwest Iowa, is sponsored by Clay County Farm Bureau.

Clay County Community Foundation presented its annual award to area nonprofits, organizations and responders, handing out 20 checks amounting to $118,000-plus to representatives at a ceremony at the Clay County Regional Events Center. The foundation’s new Director Terri Batschelet and Board President Tennie Binzer delivered the funding to the individual reps from each group (pictured below).

This year, the Spencer Community Schools Foundation awarded scholarships to 79 seniors on Sunday, March 17, at the Clay County Regional Events Center. These awards are available through benefactors, as well as annual contributions from those choosing to support students, the school and the community. Foundation Board President Shelly Helmink welcomed the recipients, donors, and parents. Dr.

ESTHERVILLE — Iowa Lakes Community College recently became an Authorized Academic Partner with CompTIA, a well-known computer and information technology training leader. This partnership marks a significant stride in expanding educational opportunities for students and community members interested in pursuing certifications in the dynamic field of IT.

Living Word Church will host a free screening of a documentary called "Letter to the American Church" on April 5. The 60-minute film will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday morning, the Spencer Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee welcomed the post-COVID return of the annual Ag Breakfast — for the first time since 2019 — in the Clay County Regional Events Center arena. Sponsors and volunteers prepared made-to-order omelettes for guests including farmers, area business people, the public and the visiting Chamber Ambassadors.

Eden Marshall, 3, and her father, Greg, met the Jersey dairy cows of Jones Dairy on Saturday, March 16, as part of an event called Books in the Barn. The event was part of the Read Across Iowa program and a partnership between the Iowa State University Extension Service and the Iowa Ag Literacy Foundation. The goal was to help children learn to read while developing their appreciation for agriculture and food.

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On Aug. 25, 2021, Chuck Schany, a retired Spencer resident, was in his basement, using a rowing machine. As he completed his exercise routine, he went to the family’s upstairs bathroom to put his contact lenses in.

Then it happened. Schany had a stroke. Now, two-and-a-half years later, while continuing a rehab program for his own continuing aftereffects, he is also facilitating a support group for stroke survivors.

Clay County Sheriff Chris Raveling and retired law enforcement Mike Harleman have coordinated a service of remembrance for slain Clay County Deputy Louis Dayton who was killed in the line of duty on March 20, 1929. The graveside service will be conducted at Riverside Cemetery Wednesday beginning at 9 a.m.

The City of Spencer is looking to invest $50,000 in the renovation of a historic building on Grand Avenue in downtown Spencer.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s Knights of Columbus conducted its monthly winter omelette breakfast in its Fellowship Hall, Sunday morning, generating funds for Spencer native Megan Dykstra, who continues to fight an illness. The fundraiser packed the house, forcing the Knights to set up extra tables as lines waiting for omelettes, from approximately 8:30 a.m. on, were four or more persons deep through the end of the events.

Spencer’s Historic Preservation Committee will host its April Lecture Series which will focus entirely on the history of Spencer. The series is put together by Spencer HPC, Spencer Municipal Utilities and a lineup of speakers in Spencer City Council chambers beginning at 5:30 p.m.

SPENCER — On Saturday, March 23, Col. Robert F. Howe II will be inducted into the Dustoff Hall of Fame — a legacy honor recognizing the retired soldier’s 30-year U.S. Army career.

Howe is the son of Tom and Katie Howe, of Spencer.

According to the announcement of his coming induction, it was noted he “made significant and long-lasting contributions to Dustoff and our Army. …”