The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is providing $900,000 in competitive grants for communities to plant trees.

The Iowa DNR received these funds from the USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act. The IRA Iowa Tree Planting Grant provides reimbursable grants to purchase trees, mulch, tree staking/protection and supplemental watering by contractor or city staff.

My friends and I got together again a few days ago. It seems like when a person becomes a “certain age,” aka “retired,” they spend more time getting together with friends or acquaintances who have also achieved “retired” status.

Pheasant hunting is such a great sport. Every day seems to bring something different. Just when you think you have things figured out, something different pops up. No matter what, though, trust the dogs! Whether it’s a retriever or a pointer, trust the nose!

• 200-Yard Medley Relay: 1. Ames 1:46.20; 12. Spencer (Halle Sears, Ella Kasperbauer, Lily Gross, Ava Vogt), 1:53.46.
• 200-Yard Individual Medley: Dawysn Green, PV, 2:07.05; 4. Halle Sears, Spencer, 2:09.52.
• 100-Yard Butterfly: 1. Hayden Bailey, Waukee West, 56.60; 5. Halle Sears, Spencer, 57.98.
• 200-Yard Freestyle Relay: 1. Bettendorf 1:36.39; 27. Spencer (Ava Vogt, Ella Kasperbauer, Lily Gross, Halle Sears) 1:45.42.
• 100-Yard Breaststroke: 1.

2024 THUNDER BRIDGE RESULTS

18 AND UNDER 5K TOP 5

1. Laynee Healey 22.38.27
2. Emerie Fullhart 23.20.18
3. Lauren VanderHeide 23.23.78
4. Jade Frankenstein 24.58.05
5. Calista Frankenstein 24.58.37

BOY’S 18 AND UNDER 5K TOP 5

Now in her senior year, Addison Hoben signed a letter of intent Wednesday, joined by her coaches and parents, to continue her soccer career as part of the Drake University program. The future Bulldog scored 64 goals and recorded 15 assists on a team which recorded five straight 10-0 wins. (Photo submitted)

Approximately, four weeks ago, at a football game, boys wrestling coach Dave Doebel spoke to some of locals and floated the idea of a Spencer wrestling Hall of Fame.

Doebel began speaking old Tiger wrestlers in the area and looking into Spencer’s wrestling history. Girls wrestling coach Dave Storm and Doebel started charting names on the wrestling room walls.

MAASON CITY — It was a good Saturday in Mason City for the Spencer girls swim team as they qualified six for state in Marshalltown next weekend in as many events.

“We had some amazing swims and a fabulous experience today at the Regional Meet with so many great time drops for the swimmers,” said Amie Lawrence, Spencer head coach, following Saturday’s competition.

In Iowa, only approximately 3% of the land is available for public use. This makes it extremely important to protect the public land we have. With everyone’s help, we can all preserve our public land for future generations to come.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has recently confirmed zebra mussels in Saylorville Lake, after concerned boat owners contacted the DNR while removing their boats from Saylorville for the winter.

Staff with the Iowa DNR confirmed the presence of zebra mussels on multiple boats in the Saylorville Marina area and will conduct additional monitoring around Saylorville Lake next summer to determine the abundance and distribution of zebra mussels.

Fishing Iowa’s trout streams is a unique way to enjoy the cool fall weather and marvel at the amazing colors of Iowa’s prize trout. Male brown and brook trout display their brightest, most vibrant spawning colors this time of year.

Turtle Lake, a waterway connecting Millers Bay, Emerson Bay, and Spencer Beach, is in urgent need of preservation. The newly formed Save Turtle Lake Committee has launched a campaign to raise $750,000 for a dredging project to restore the lake and its canals, protecting this essential ecosystem and recreational space.

When I first moved to Estherville in 1978, one of the obvious draws as an outdoor person was the Iowa Great Lakes. There were so many sloughs, ponds and lakes to explore and to fish. Many of these required boats, but there were a lot of areas to fish from shore.

Men’s Soccer — Division II

Lauren Horst received the highest honor for the Spencer Tigers volleyball squad, earning second team All-Lakes Conference nods, while teammate Addison Hoben landed on the honorable mention unit.

Cherokee, which completed the conference season unbeaten, scoring four of the six first placements; and added two more on the second team.

Several Tigers were also recognized for their All-Lakes Academic skills.

FIRST TEAM