The Spencer Police Department is facing a staffing shortage that could leave the city dangerously short of sworn police officers in the coming months, according to Police Chief Mark Warburton.

Warburton recently addressed the looming shortage of officers during a Committee of the Whole council meeting, during which the council can’t vote on issues. He said his department is currently short four sworn officers and there is a strong potential to lose two more by January.

The City of Spencer is proposing to reallocate $1.37 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from a planned bridge project to instead provide direct assistance to businesses and rental property owners impacted by recent flooding.

The Everly dance, sponsored by Dance 4 Fun, will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Hap Kettleson Community Center. The doors are open at 6:15 p.m., the dance is from 7-10:30 p.m. The band is The Itty Bitty Boji Band. Feel free to bring snacks to share. Singles and married couples are welcome. (Photo submitted)

The holiday season is sweeter when you save lives with LifeServe Blood Center. This winter, while you're baking cookies, building snowmen and staying cozy, don’t forget the gift that truly matters — saving lives. Through Jan. 4, every blood donation made could also mean winning one of the amazing gifts from Betty’s Nice List.

OKOBOJI — The board of directors of Okoboji Bible Conference Ministries is pleased to introduce as conference coordinator.

Six Spencer High School students performed in Hilton Coliseum for the 78th Annual All-State Festival Saturday, Nov. 23. These students were selected after auditions in late October. There is an opportunity coming up to watch this festival on Iowa PBS on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 1 p.m.

In a move intended to boost affordable housing stock, the Spencer City Council has given its initial approval to an ordinance amendment allowing for the construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on residential properties.

Iowa Lakes Community College announces the upcoming Stay Active in Learning program with two new enriching courses designed for lifelong learners that will be held on the Spencer campus starting in January 2025, with registration available now.

ORIGIN OF CIVILIZATION

Class ID: 7969

Instructor: H. Schar

Dates: Monday, Jan. 13 to May 5

Time: 9-11:30 a.m.

Farmers Bank hires Hagedorn for e-services

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors visited the new Thrivent Financial office on West Seventh Street. Jason Jacobs has been with Thrivent for about 2 1/2 years. (Photo submitted)

Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday, Dec. 2, announced her appointment of Kristi Busse as a district associate judge in Judicial District 3A.

Busse, of Spencer, is an assistant county attorney for Clay County. She received her undergraduate degree from Buena Vista University and her law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law.

Manufacturers in Iowa have had a tough year, according to the latest mid-America Business Index report from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

Since December of 2023, Iowa manufacturers have seen their exports drop by 8.5% or roughly $1.1 billion, according to the November business index report. The state’s overall business conditions index — a measure of economic growth — showed a continued economic decline.

Downtown Spencer was buzzing with commerce on Saturday, Nov. 30, as area residents spent quality time and hard-earned cash with local businesses, craftspeople and artists during the annual Shop Small Saturday celebration. Shoppers were able to get three pages worth of coupons from locally-owned businesses in the Grand Avenue Corridor. Meanwhile, at the Shop Small headquarters located in Arts on Grand, shoppers could pick up some free refreshments. (Photos submitted)

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health is excited to announce a ribbon cutting and open house for our brand-new crisis stabilization center on Thursday, Dec. 5. The ribbon cutting will take place at 10:30 a.m. with the open house to follow until 1 p.m. The facility was created as part of a remodel project at Seasons Center’s Administrative office located at 201 E. 11th St. in Spencer.

A Spencer man was set to be arraigned on Monday, Dec. 2, after police say he stole a wallet and up to $1,000 last summer.