The Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis Club held its second puzzle race on Friday, Dec. 6, at Occasions. A total of 80 competitors signed up to compete in teams of four to see who could complete a holiday-themed puzzle quickest, but minigames were also thrown in to keep things interesting. The goal, ultimately, was to raise money for the Hy-Noon club’s annual kids’ Christmas Shopping event.

Trinity Lutheran Church is in midst of a toy drive for the youth of Spencer. Toys can be dropped off at Trinity, Monday through Friday, Dec. 9-17, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the church entryway, and distribution will be conducted Wednesday, Dec. 18. Families can come to Trinity, behind the Spencer Family YMCA, between 3-7 p.m. and pick out a toy for their child.

A property owner in Spencer’s North Y development is appealing a nearly $200,000 award for damages related to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s taking of 2.77 acres of property through eminent domain to Clay County district court.

An Illinois man was scheduled for arraignment in Clay County court on Dec. 9 on two felony counts related to the sexual abuse of a minor.

Chronic wasting disease, a fatal neurological disease affecting deer, elk and moose, continues to spread across Iowa, with new detections in 11 counties since last year.

Nonprofit Clay County Food for Life is seeking public assistance in the aftermath on the June 22 local flooding. The agency, which provides meat to people in need throughout the county, is asking for ongoing support as it navigates the changes in the livestock industry — which requires the meat to be purchased from federally inspected plants as opposed to the past when area farms donated.

A special “Kid’s Day Without Parents” invites Spencer-area children to come to brunch with Santa, at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, at Grace United Methodist Church, on West Fourth Street in Spencer.

Parents can enjoy a free coffee bar and some “me time” while kids are invited to a meet and greet with Santa. The activity is for children age four through fifth grade.

Ambassadors visited Seasons Center on Thursday for the grand opening of Alex's Place, in memory of Alex Jacobsen. This is a new four-bed facility that offers crisis stabilization services up to five days. Alex's Place will officially open after the new year, and will work based on a referral system, after the needs of the individual have been evaluated.

A new mental health crisis stabilization center called Alex's Place is set to open at the Seasons Center early in 2025.

The voluntary, client-focused facility will provide a much-needed local resource for residents in the area who find themselves dealing with a variety of mental health challenges.

"It is a huge deal for this to be in our own backyard," said Karen Rosengreen, the Seasons Center’s vice president of medical services.

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.