Community Health Center of Fort Dodge Inc. will expand into Spencer in 2025 with the opening of a new Federally Qualified Health Center. A FQHC is a health care provider that receives federal funding to offer comprehensive services to underserved communities.

• Scott Richard Johnson, 63, of Albert City, was held on an arrest warrant at 1:09 a.m. on Dec. 25.
• Jonathan Arthur Idtensohn, 33, of Spencer, was held on mittimus at 5:05 p.m. on Dec. 26.
• Devin Alexendar Larue, 23, of Spencer, was charged with domestic abuse assault — first offense at 9:34 a.m. on Dec. 27.
• Brianna Morgan Anderson, 26, of Harris, was charged with two arrest warrants at 10:39 a.m. on Dec.

Tom Petersen and Mark Japenga were inducted recently as new Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis members thanks to longtime Hy-Noon Kiwanian Allen Batschelet. (Above) Hy-Noon President Levi Morris, Batschelet, Petersen and Japenga. (Photo submitted)

Monday, Jan. 13, District 6 Rep. Megan Jones, of Sioux Rapids; District 10 Rep. John Wills, of Spirit Lake; District 3 Sen. Lynn Evans, of Alta; and District 5 Sen. Dave Rowley, of Spirit Lake, return to their respective chambers in the Capitol building in Des Moines. The elected officials — all Republicans — will be representing the constituents in Clay County and neighboring northwest Iowa counties.

Iowa’s manufacturing exports were down again, and prices were up as 2024 came to an end.

According to the latest Mid-America Business Conditions Index, the state’s manufacturers saw a $1.4 billion or 9.9% decline in exports compared to 2023.

Effective Jan. 1, a number of changes went into effect affecting motor vehicle transactions. Citizens will be able to do most of their motor vehicle transactions in any county in Iowa. This includes titling cars and trucks, getting replacement titles, salvage titles, dealer titles, junking certificates, adding security interest notations on titles among other transactions. Originally transactions were restricted to the county of residence.

The response to the City of Spencer’s four locally funded flood recovery micro-grant programs was strong, but according to data from the Planning Department, not all of the available money has been spent.

Health care scholarship and loan programs

Warner Funeral Home donated to Megan Hanges, volunteer and logistics coordinator for the Clay County Long Term Recovery Group. (Photo submitted)

The flood of 1953 left an impression on Spencer which remains legend. That was until Saturday, June 22.

After setting the Little Sioux high water mark of 20.2 feet 71 years ago, the flood of 2024 will be remembered for establishing the new standard at 22.2. Before noon, Sunday, June 23, water had begun receding — dropping to 20.18.

It was a record nobody in Spencer or Clay County had any desire to see broken.

Thursday evening, May 16, with the Little Sioux River under a flood warning, a Spencer High School tennis coach was forced into action, selflessly entering the elevated, rushing waters to rescue two 12-year-old boys, one clinging to a utility pole in the middle of the river.

After watching the work for the past few months on the new Kwik Star, near the North Y intersection, doors opened Friday on the convenience store, the newest of 800-plus stores.

According to Ben Leibl, public relations specialist for Kwik Star, Friday was the soft opening.

“With opening two days after Christmas we weren’t sure … we’re very excited with turnout in Spencer,” Leibl said.

GRIMES — Black Hills Energy announced Monday the Iowa Utilities Commission has approved its request to update natural gas rates for customers. The new rates will take effect on Jan. 1, and will replace a temporary natural gas rate increase which has been in place since May 2024, as allowed by Iowa law when Black Hills Energy submitted its rate review proposal to the IUC.

• James Dawson Manwarren, 25, of Spencer, and was charged with possession of a controlled substance — first to third, and possession of drug paraphernalia at 11:49 a.m., Dec. 17.
• Gena Lyn King, 65, residence not provided, was charged with possession of a controlled substance — first to third, and possession of drug paraphernalia at 12:59 p.m., Dec.

A new study on behalf of Trace One has identified the locations where natural hazards have the greatest impact on the United States' food supply.