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.

Those involved with Spencer Community School District’s preschool families have made some very new experimental snacks. (Photos submitted)

Spencer Sacred Heart Catholic Daughters of the Americas announced the winners of its annual Education Contest. The writing event was open to fourth, fifth and sixth graders at Sacred Heart School. They were to write a poem not to exceed eight lines. The themes were “He who forgives an offense seeks Love” or “How do I feel when I forgive.” (Front row) Fourth and fifth grade winners were: first Presley Winterboer, second Gemma Weber and third Jackson O’Clair.

P.E.O. Chapter GJ of Sioux Rapids is proud to announce the award of five $500 scholarships to local women enrolled in postsecondary education. The P.E.O. Chapter GJ scholarship has been awarded to Madison Thomsen, the daughter of William and Jamie Thomsen of Sioux Rapids, who is attending Dordt University majoring in business finance with a minor in theological and biblical studies. Four Dr.

RJ Hernandez, a musician with the Urbandale-based nonprofit CultureAll, leads students from Johnson Elementary in a lesson about the music of Mexico on Friday, March 14. CultureAll brought six cultural ambassadors to the Spencer School District that day to teach students about various aspects of Latin American culture. (Photos submitted)

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Local author, Vicky Treimer is announcing the release of her second book, “Horse Hitches, Draymen and Ice Houses: The History of Moneta, Iowa” which is an in-depth historical account of Moneta from 1879-2000. Treimer will appear at the Spencer Public Library on March 22, at 10 a.m.

WEST OKOBOJI — West O Beer, located in West Okoboji, has announced plans to host a Puzzle Race to benefit the Humane Society of Northwest Iowa. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, and will feature three races beginning at 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

The 1 p.m. race is family-friendly, with soda being offered in place of beer for those underage.

Milford Police say an intoxication and vandalism investigation escalated to a charge of terrorism just after midnight on Sunday, March 16. 
Officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of L Avenue near Harbor of Joy Lutheran Church in Milford, for an altercation between two men who were fighting in the church parking lot. Upon arrival, police encountered 34-year-old Paul K. Davis of Milford who was allegedly intoxicated and yelling loudly.