Larry M. Untiet Theatre — Friday to Sunday, April 25-27

Join Alice as she weaves her way through Wonderland, desperate to get home where a birthday party with friends and family awaits her. This fun-filled adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic story brings intrepid Alice into a fantastic world of famous characters.

CAST

Alice: Sylvia Ruden

Cheshire Cat: Braxton Nachtigal

White Rabbit: Joey Ruden

Four bookish fellows stood staring up at the dark, bumpy-looking clouds forming north and west of Spencer’s KwikStar gas station, occasionally pointing up excitedly.

Spencer Municipal Utilities has once again transferred significant surplus funds to the city's general fund, continuing its practice of financially supporting the local government through strategic allocation of funds.

Being "part of the family" isn't just a slogan for Hope Haven — it's the foundation for their new host home program.

The nonprofit disability organization has deep roots in northwest Iowa. Recently, they're branching out.

The nonprofit just launched host homes — a new initiative providing personalized support for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation has announced two grant award winners for the Homegrown Talent Initiative, recruiting young minds back to the Corridor’s four-county region — Callan Hinn and Taylor Krager.

The Homegrown Talent Initiative is a new program by the Corridor to encourage former students of the region’s schools to come back to the Corridor and fill the high-quality jobs available here.

A special reception to honor Spencer 2024 Citizen of the Year Jeff Huckfelt, and wife Jackie, will be conducted from 5-6:30 p.m. at Occasions, Tuesday, April 29. A program honoring Huckfelt and past recipients will begin at 5:30 p.m. (Photo submitted)

A Minnesota woman is facing four felony theft and elder abuse charges after police say she was seen on video using a now-deceased person’s credit and debit cards without permission.

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 619 into law Tuesday, providing funds for the state’s recovery efforts for 2024 natural disasters and beyond. It provides $13.6 million from the Iowa Economic Emergency Fund retroactively for fiscal year 2025. The law will provide funding for flooding which impacted the Spencer area as well as other communities in northwest Iowa in the summer of 2024. The bill goes into effect immediately.

Tens of thousands of people filed through St. Peter’s Basilica as three days of public viewing continued for Pope Francis in Vatican City.

Francis died Monday morning, April 21, at the Domus Santa Marta hotel where he lived at the Vatican, according to reports from Vanessa Gera and Nicole Winfield of the Associated Press.

Andrew and Kayla Geelan recently opened Geelan Funeral Home in a temporary location while its permanent home is being prepared. Currently located at 3 W. Third St. in downtown Spencer, work continues at the couple’s future funeral home site, 403 11th St. SE in town.

Andrew explained he and Kayla had great “experiences growing up where others were kind and helpful towards them.” The result, a mission to serve families in the community.

A public meeting with the Iowa Department of Transportation is scheduled for Monday, April 28, at Spencer City Hall, to look at the proposed roundabout at the U.S. Highways 18 and 71 in north Spencer. The public's input session is scheduled from 4-6 p.m. A video will be available online from April 28 to May 12 at https://bit.ly/iowadotreg6606. Comments are due by May 12.

SHELDON — RISE Ministries has announced a new artist and speaker for RiseFest 2025 — Allison Eide and Greg Stier.

“Friday at RiseFest is getting more and more exciting,” RISE Founder and President Rob Roozeboom said. “Allison Eide is joining the lineup to kick things off with powerful music and Greg Stier will share the life-changing message of the Gospel, Friday night.”

The public is invited to attend the “Wedding Dress Museum” and the “Wedding Traditions Program — Something Borrowed … Something Blue” at the Ruthven Spring Fling on Wednesday, May 7, at the Ruthven United Methodist Church. The museum opens at 6:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7:15 p.m.

There will be a display of vintage wedding dresses and attire to view in the museum before the program.

Spencer High School’s Larry M. Untiet Theatre transforms into Wonderland this weekend for the classic “Alice in Wonderland.” Alice’s adventures when she falls down a rabbit hole opens on Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m., with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, April 27.

The Spencer School Board grappled with a pair of critical, and unexpected facility improvements during its April 22 regular meeting, ultimately approving two major projects despite concerns from one board member regarding the district's procurement process.