The Senders may very well be Iowa's longest-running rock 'n' roll band, but after New Year's Eve, another group will have to take up the mantle. The send-off for the Senders will take place from 7:30-11 p.m. on New Year's Eve at the Dickinson County Expo Center in Spirit Lake. The Expo Center is part of the Dickinson County Fairgrounds complex.

A Spencer man is facing a potential criminal charge for contempt of court for ignoring more than $3,500 worth of fines for a series of traffic tickets issued over more than seven years, according to court documents.

About two hours before sunrise, Spencer Fire & Responders were called the scene for mutual aid with the Fostoria Fire Department for a single-car rollover in the 2400 block of 300th Street East.

Spencer was called to the scene at 4:48 a.m., arriving at 5 a.m., alongside the Spencer Hospital ambulance and a Clay County Sheriff’s deputy.

Spencer Fire & Rescue responded to a two-vehicle collision with injuries at 1:26 p.m., Thursday, in the 1300 block of 11th Avenue SW in Spencer. Three responding vehicles and four Spencer police officers arrived at the scene, at the intersection of the Menards intersection with minor injuries. One patient in each vehicle sustained minor injuries. They received care until EMTs arrived in the ambulance. One patient was transported with injuries.

Santa was on-hand at Walmart (above) Saturday morning, posing for pics with kids after their families finished shopping with the Hy-Noon Kiwanis. The shopping project is hosted annually by the Hy-Noon club as part of a collaborative effort. (Below) Help from Spencer Key Club, from Spencer High School, wrapping gifts last week assisted the Hy-Nooners get ready for our big shopping event on Saturday morning. (Photos submitted)

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is partnering with Iowa Workforce Development and Iowa Economic Development Authority to complete a Laborshed employment study for the Corridor Region.

This study will geographically define which communities contribute to Spencer, Estherville, Spencer and Storm Lake’s workforce, regardless of political boundaries. This defined area is called a Laborshed area and is based upon commuting patterns.

Sunday early morning, the Spencer Fire & Rescue sent three vehicles and nine firefighters who worked alongside three Spencer police officers to subdue a vehicle fire.

A call received in station shortly after 1:16 a.m. prompted a response in just over six minutes to car blaze if north Spencer where the engine compartment of the vehicle was fully engulfed with fire on arrival.

One attack line was deployed and firefighters who extinguished the fire.

Every Monday and Friday — 1 p.m.

Geri-Fit: Senior Chair Fitness — Limited space available.

Dec. 1-31 — December Reading Round-up

Adult Reading Wrap-up: Beanstack Reading Challenge.

The Spencer Daybreakers Kiwanis collected for its annual toy drive and last week delivered the toys to Upper Des Moines for children in need this holiday season. This was originally started by Duaine Holck and Keith Bress and has become an annual tradition for the club. (Photo submitted)

Crop Insurance Discount Program open

DES MOINES — Gov. Kim Reynolds and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens honored heroic citizens and first responders at the 2024 Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor and Governor’s Lifesaving Awards ceremony held this morning in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda.

Evan Scheck, of Spencer, and Joseph Salmon, of Spirit Lake, were among seven people receiving including three officers from Oelwein, as well as individuals from Adel and Waterloo.

Spencer Hospital employees are embracing the spirit of the season by adopting 15 senior citizens as part of the Upper Des Moines Opportunity and Elderbridge Santa for Seniors program. This heartwarming initiative is just one example of how hospital staff give back to the community throughout the year, embodying a common trait of “Caring Beyond the Hospital Walls.”

Rides, northwest Iowa’s regional public transportation service, is taking steps to diversify its revenue stream as grant funding and local tax dollars have become more challenging to secure.

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation has launched a new program to bring people who grew up in the four-county region but left to seek training or education elsewhere back to their roots.

Blend "I Want to Know What Love Is" and "Urgent" with stouts, ales and lagers and you'll have the recipe for a memorable summer night at the Roof Garden in Arnolds Park.