The City of Spencer might become the first community to integrate real-time flood monitoring data from the Iowa Flood Center into its new city app.

The 2024 Michael Rohan Memorial Fund raffle quilt winner is Jill Larson, of Spencer. She was very excited to receive the phone call that she won this year's quilt and received the quilt a couple days after. This funds raised from the quilt auction is a small part of what keeps Michael's Fund able to keep providing swimming lessons for children and grandchildren. (Photo submitted)

The Okoboji School District Board of Eduction on Wednesday reached an agreement with Alburnett Superintendent Will Dible to be the Milford-based school’s next lead administrator. Pending board approval Jan. 8, Dible will succeed Todd Abrahamson who has guided the Okoboji School District since the 2016-17 school year.

Dible will officially begin his new role on July 1. He graduated from Okoboji High School in 2004.

Monday afternoon, Spencer Fire & Rescue responded to a call about a house fire at 1710 Fourth Ave. W.

Sixteen firefighters and five emergency vehicles answered the at 4:54 p.m. along with five Spencer Police Department officers and Spencer Municipal Utilities.

On scene, light smoke was showing, prompting the engine crew to enter the back door of the residence. They quickly located the fire in the kitchen on the stove and extinguished the fire.

Spencer Police Department officers will see their wages increase between 4% and 23% depending on rank and seniority under a new pay plan approved on Dec. 16.

The Spencer City Council has approved a plan to redirect $1.3 million of federal COVID relief funds from the planned West 18th Street bridge replacement and use the money for flood relief.

The Clay County Community Foundation shared its 2024 Year-End Report, highlighting its commitment to improving the quality of life for residents of Clay County through grant making, community engagement and strategic partnerships. The foundation’s impact has been felt across a wide range of sectors, from education and health to arts, culture, and local infrastructure.

The Iowa State Bar Association and the Iowa State Bar Foundation announced the winners of the Sesquicentennial Celebration Essay Contest. Held in honor of the ISBA’s 150th anniversary, this contest provided Iowa high school students with a unique platform to explore the impact of law on their lives, communities and the history of the state of Iowa.

In the Christmas spirit, the annual drives for the Spencer Reporter’s Holiday Family Adoption and the Jaycees' Tree of Joy bring smiles to faces of families additionally. The longtime traditions both receive support from public donations. (Above) Spencer Fire & Rescue and UPS workers volunteered to deliver items to homes last Sunday to homes around the area after loading the packages from The Depot on the Clay County Fairgrounds.

Spencer High School senior Lilly Gross was honored as the Spencer Rotary Club's December Student of the Month. Gross is in National Honor Society and swimming. For college she is leaning toward UNI or Iowa majoring in nursing with an emphasis in dermatology. (Photo submitted)

Iowa Lakes Community College celebrated the achievements of Carol Ayres Stueven and Tim Ireland, who were honored with awards during the Second Annual Convention and Tradeshow hosted by Community Colleges for Iowa on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Des Moines. The awards recognize the exceptional contributions of faculty and staff who exemplify excellence in education, leadership and service.

Both were presented with the Outstanding Faculty Award.

Iowa Lakes Community College proudly announces the renaming of the SAVE Scholarship to the Elise Hinders Memorial SAVE Scholarship, honoring the remarkable life and legacy of Elise Hinders, who inspired many people despite her young age.

During the week of Dec. 9, NEW Cooperative Inc. held its annual Hams for Hunger event, benefiting food pantries across Iowa. The Clay County Upper Des Moines Opportunity Outreach received hams from NEW Cooperative this year.

Spencer Chamber Ambassadors visited JCL Solutions/Spencer Office Supplies Tuesday for the grand reopening of the business’ new location. Originally, the Ambassadors were supposed to visit on June 25, but there was a bit of flooding. Spencer Office Supply and ServPro purchased each others’ buildings back in March and have renovated the space to house their warehouse and all new offices. Spencer Office Supply employs about 50 people between its Spencer and Sioux Falls locations.

Okoboji Summer Theatre patrons will have to wait for the University of Okoboji Winter Games to learn the official 2025 schedule, but they can save money at the ticket booth right now.

The Okoboji Summer Theatre Association on Friday opened the purchase window for discount ticket vouchers for the 2025 OST season. The upcoming season’s lineup includes four musicals and three plays.