Walls shook, windows rattled and the ground moved shortly before 10 p.m., Wednesday evening. The event resulted in startled panic among some and blew up social media with those searching for answers.

Spencer Police Chief Mark Warburton said, “When I looked back at the calls for service, dispatch just made up one call for service but noted that she had received several calls.”

Clay County Sheriff Chris Raveling admitted he had “no idea what caused it.”

May 25, at 2:30 p.m., the Spring Lawyers in Libraries Program, sponsored by The Iowa State Bar Association Elder Law Section in honor of Older Iowans Month, will be conducted at the Spencer Public Library. This program will focus on financial power of attorney, health care power of attorney, living wills and the Final Disposition Act.

Lawyer Dalton J. Kidd of Kidd Law Firm will talk about the legal topics listed above and answer questions that may come up.

Beginning at 11:30 a.m., Friday, the city of Spencer will host a groundbreaking event for the North Y Gateway First Addition Development, at 4000 Highway Blvd., in north Spencer. The expansion will include a half-mile-long newly constructed Second Avenue, along with two cross streets — 42nd Street and 37th Street. Also platted are future one block streets to the east. The commercial infrastructure is regarded as vital to Spencer’s economic growth with 10,000 vehicles traveling U.S.

The week of May 21-27 was proclaimed as Emergency Medical Services Week by the Clay County Board of Supervisors during its meeting on May 2. The seven volunteer services in Clay respond to over 400 calls in the county. (Photo by Celia Brocker)

During Monday’s Spencer City Council meeting, the city moved forward with some projects that have been in the works for a few weeks, including some speed zone changes and culvert replacement project.

Clay County’s budget for the 2023 fiscal year was amended by the Clay County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. After adding approximately $1.5 million back in cash balances for the year, the total ending fund balance is approximately $13.4 million, an increase from the approximate $11.8 million it was previously.

Avera Health Marketing has won two Gold Stevie Awards for its “Ask the Question” suicide awareness campaign and “Moving Health Forward” branding campaign. “Ask the Question” also received a Grand Stevie Award as the Highest Rated Nomination of the Year.

The Stevie Awards were recently announced as part of the 21st Annual American Business Awards competition. Winners will be honored during the ABA banquet on June 13, in New York City.

Traffic was slowed both north and southbound traffic for a period of time downtown following a single-vehicle accident in the 10th block of North Grand Avenue just before 2:15 p.m.

A 2012 Ford F-150, operated by 35-year-old Levi Mingus, of Spencer, was northbound when it crossed into the southbound lane, in-front of oncoming traffic, before colliding with a tree in front of the downtown Brew location, across the street from the Spencer Fire Department.

Spencer High School senior Jerra Merchant was selected as May’s Spencer Rotary Student of the Month. Merchant plans to attend UNI in the fall, run track and focus on her education on exercise science. Spencer Schools Administrator Elli Wiemers recognized Merchant. (Photo submitted)

ANKENY — Eleven Iowa Lakes Community College students and three Iowa Lakes Career Academy students received top rankings at the 2023 Iowa SkillsUSA competition in Ankeny at Des Moines Area Community College on April 28.

EMMETSBURG — Iowa Lakes Community College nursing students preparing to graduate on Friday, May 12, took part in the annual pinning ceremony on Tuesday to celebrate their entry into the nursing field. The Iowa Lakes nursing pinning ceremony occurred at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 9, in the Smith Wellness Center Gymnasium on the Emmetsburg campus. Twenty students make up the nursing class of spring 2023 and were recognized as graduate candidates for an associate degree in nursing.

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors welcomed Dr. Connor Butson to Homestead Small Animal Practice. Originally from Hampton, and a graduate of Ross Vet School, Butson joined the team in November of 2022. (Photo submitted)

The solution to fix an odor on the west side of Spencer will be advancing in the coming days. The Spencer City Council was informed on Monday the parts for a lid to cover specific tank at the Symrise egg processing facility have been delivered after some delay.

“We learned on Monday the lid has arrived,” Gifford said. “We’re waiting on the contractor, they should be here on Thursday to start putting that together.”

A reception for Spencer Fire Chief John Conyn was held at City Hall on Monday to celebrate his retirement. Friday will be Conyn’s last day as chief after seven years of service.

Dozens of Spencer community members stopped by City Hall on Monday to share their appreciation for their fire chief of the last seven years. In turn, Conyn expressed his gratitude to the city and its citizens for allowing him to serve as fire chief.

The 2023 baccalaureate service for this year's Spencer High School seniors was held Sunday at Spencer Sacred Heart Parish. Students and their families heard poems and songs of praise dedicated to the graduating class. The baccalaureate was in memory of 2023 classmate Sully McGuire, complete with a rose dedication and prayers of inspiration.