“Trafficking.”

It’s a major issue, and one which Algona’s Stacy Besch isn’t going to ignore.

Recently, Spencer resident Sonna Winther traveled to Cherokee to join a friend and see Besch talk to an audience in the evening. She addressed the school district’s fourth through 12th graders during the day.

Besch is committed to bring her presentation to all 900 communities in the state to bring a “tidal wave of awareness.”

After devastating flooding hit Spencer back in June 2024, CAASA, the Center Against Abuse and Sexual Assault, lost their main building to the stream of storm water.

Eight months later, CAASA celebrated its resilience and community support at their High-Stakes for Hope charity casino night, raising an estimated $16,000 to $17,000 for sexual assault survivors.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. ― A book tour promoting the release of “Amazing Iowa,” by Michelle Sprout Murray, is underway across the state. Murray will serve as the reader's tour guide as the author shares her home state through the written word, released by Reedy Press.

DES MOINES — As warmer weather arrives and winter turns to spring, the Iowa Insurance Division is reminding Iowans that now is the time to be thinking about flood insurance.

A Spencer man is facing four felonies and one misdemeanor charge after police say he stole dozens of Iowa lottery scratch-off tickets from a local business over the course of several months.

Spencer Rotary members welcomed its two newest members, Nate Roos, with Warner Funeral Home (above), and Andrew Geelan, from Geelan Funeral Home (below). (Photo submitted)

Lincoln Elementary School is on pace to reopen to students next school year, and district staff say flood recovery renovations will likely be completed in June.

DES MOINES ― Iowa senators advanced a bill Monday to provide farms 40 acres or larger with state protection against surveillance by drone.

The proposed law has been met with objection from local pilots.

Lawmakers approved a law in 2024 to prohibit remote-piloted aircraft from flying over animal feeding operations and homesteads and create misdemeanor penalties for those who operate a drone over these areas.

Clay County Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Tigges and Dickinson County Emergency Management Coordinator Michael Ehret were attending webinars, sending out emails and using social media on what otherwise seemed like a quiet Tuesday in March.

The roads were bone dry, but both coordinators knew Wednesday would be a different story.

Spencer Hospital is enhancing its substance abuse services by introducing outpatient treatment, expanding access to essential care for individuals in the region. This addition builds upon the hospital’s existing evaluation services, offering more comprehensive support for those struggling with substance use concerns.

ARNOLDS PARK — The Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association announced that enrollment starts June 16 for the 2025 Iowa Rocks Talent Contest.

Ralph Kluseman, president of the board of the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association, said, “We are proud to present the 11th annual ‘Iowa Rocks Talent’ competition. This is a statewide competition for Iowa’s young musicians to showcase the music they love and to compete for a grand prize of recording time at a major Iowa recording studio.

SHELDON ― RISE Ministries has announced new artists for RiseFest 2025 including Crowder, Rend Collective, Patrick Mayberry and Megan Woods.

“It’s been a crazy year putting together the RiseFest 2025 lineup and then God just opens the doors and all at once we get to announce Crowder, Rend Collective, Patrick Mayberry and Megan Woods ― wow,” founder and President Rob Roozeboom said.

On Thursday, March 13, the Spencer Police Department were called to Walmart for a shoplifting complaint. Upon investigation, police identified 44-year-old Danielle Marie Davis, of Curlew, and charged her with third-degree theft, an aggravated misdemeanor; and possession of methamphetamine, a serious misdemeanor. The investigation continued and with the assistance of Spencer K-9 Balou, an additional 20 grams of methamphetamine was located in Davis' vehicle.

The Spencer Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee hosted its annual Ag Breakfast, Tuesday, in Clay County Regional Events Center. The committee transformed the hall into a dining broom complete with omelet stations, welcoming the general public, farmers and business community, serving them made-to-order omelets. (Photos by Olivia Baxter)

A three-vehicle accident, in south Spencer, caused a snarl in traffic Tuesday morning near Walmart.

James Arthur Hill, 70, of Spencer, driving a 2015 Hyundai Genesis, was stopped for traffic, traveling eastbound in the 400 block of 11th Street SW. Hill was stopped behind three other vehicles at a stop light near the intersection with Fourth Avenue SW. A 2004 Ford Econoline van, driven by Jeremy Michael Walters, 44, of Hartley, was stopped for traffic directly behind Hill.