The Festival of Lessons and Carols will be presented Sunday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer. The concert is sponsored by area churches as part of the Spencer Messiah Board. The board is sponsored by the Daybreaker Kiwanis and St. Luke Homes and Services. The concert will feature a children's choir this year along with a handbell group from Bethany Lutheran Church and a 45-member community choir all under the direction of Allison Oyler.

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that the sign-up for the state’s Crop Insurance Discount Program is now open and available. Farmers who planted cover crops this fall can apply for a $5 per acre discount on their spring crop insurance premiums.

The sign-up period opened on Monday, Dec. 2, and will close on Friday, Jan. 24. Farmers and landowners can enroll by visiting Apply.CleanWaterIowa.org or by contacting their crop insurance agent.

For Tyler Mar and Aria Volz, the path to the skies began long before they set foot on the Iowa Lakes Community College campus in Spencer. But it is here in rural northwest Iowa where they will hone their skills and earn the certifications they need to make their dreams of careers in aviation into reality.

Mar, a first-year student, found his calling for flight while serving in the U.S. Air Force.

The Spencer Community School District fared well on its latest school report card issued by the Iowa Department of Education.

SPENCER — A state-owned bridge that was so heavy damaged in the June 22 flash flood it had to be replaced has reopened.

The bridge over Stoney Creek on U.S. Highway 18 northwest of Spencer suffered catastrophic damage in the flooding, with most of an abutment washed away. It was closed immediately.

AMES — Despite the financial challenges facing consumers — lingering inflation, growing unemployment and higher interest rates for federal student loans — holiday shoppers appear to be in fairly high spirits leading up to the 2024 holidays. According to TransUnion's 2024 Consumer Holiday Shopping Report, more than half of holiday shoppers (57%) plan on spending the same as last year with 38% planning to spend less this year.

The Spencer Community School District is looking to secure $3.3 million in bond financing to help cover the costs of ongoing flood recovery efforts.

In a move that could reshape the high school sports landscape in the region, two northwest Iowa athletic conferences and a private school have announced their intention to combine.

DES MOINES — The Iowa Motion Picture Association and Fridley Theatres — operating the recently reopened The Palms Theatres in Spencer’s Southpark Mall — announced a strategic partnership focused on strengthening Iowa’s position in the future of the film industry and allow local filmmakers to have greater access to theatrical exhibition.

Spencer High School senior Braxton Nachtigal was honored as the November Rotary Student of the Month. Braxton is involved in band and theater and plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa in the fall to major in instrumental music education. He was also selected to be one of the 276 students to play in the all-state band. (Photo submitted)

ESTHERVILLE — Celebrate the holiday season with the joyous sounds of music at the Ring in the Holidays Concert held in the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center on the Estherville campus of Iowa Lakes Community College, on Dec. 8, at 3 p.m.

The free concert features the Iowa Lakes Handbell Choir and other ensembles, all under the direction of Carol Ayres. With an afternoon of festive music, attendees can enjoy a moment of holiday cheer and community.

Applications available

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.