In conjunction with next weekend’s Spencer Strong festivities, recognizing the year anniversary of the flood which dramatically devastated the community and other towns in northwest areas, Faster Horses will perform a concert with a purpose.

A Peterson man was arrested last month after police said he stole a purse in Spirit Lake and used it to make purchases in Spencer.

He was set to be arraigned in Clay County court on June 16.

A meeting Thursday meeting, in the basement of Spencer Hospital moved the effort forming an Opioid Fund Board one step closer. Clay County Attorney Travis County invited a perspective group to the gathering in order determine into in how the money is spent.

The 10th annual Okoboji Blue Water Festival set for Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Preservation Plaza green space in Arnolds Park is now less than two months away.

The Spencer Public Library will have Broadway and film actor, Duffy Hudson, at the library to perform two one-man shows; “The Magic of Dr. Seuss” for children on Thursday, June 26, at 2 p.m. and “Houdini! His Life His Magic!” for adults at 6 p.m.

A parade rider on horseback hands out candy during Saturday’s Flagfest parade downtown. The parade was just one of several activities which dodged the weather over the three-day weekend. The Spencer Chamber of Commerce activity celebrated 40 years in 2025.

From cinnamon rolls and charcuterie boards to pickles, peach pie and home-brewed beer, the 2025 Clay County Fair, powered by SMU, invites exhibitors of all ages and experience levels to showcase their culinary talents in three open-class cooking departments: Oven Products, Canned Goods and Dried Foods, and Home Wine & Craft Beer Making.

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation has announced the hiring of Jenny Dykema as office coordinator for the regional economic development organization serving Clay, Dickinson, Buena Vista and Emmet counties.

Routine water quality monitoring is conducted at all state park beaches and many locally managed beaches in Iowa. In order to help protect the health of those wishing to recreate at the beaches, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources works with various public health and management agencies throughout the state to inform the public of the most current water quality conditions.

Invasive species, like emerald ash borer (pictured above), Asian longhorned beetle, spongy moth and oriental bittersweet threaten Iowa’s ecosystem by competing with and destroying native trees and disrupting the natural complex habitat system.

A central Iowa wetland is now home to 32 young Blanding’s turtles, that were released Wednesday as part of a joint project to give the threatened species a jump on life. These hatchlings were part of four clutches that were incubated and hatched at Blank Park Zoo, from gravid females found last summer at the wetland.

Every Monday and Friday — 1 p.m.

Geri-Fit: Senior Chair Fitness — Limited space available.

May 28 to July 31

Monday, Hy-Noon Kiwanis board member Allen Batschelet presented the certificate of membership to Clay County Attorney Travis Johnson during his induction as a new member of Spencer service club. (Photo submitted)

The Clay County Fair & Events Center and the Art of the Que Planning Committee will welcome the return of Art of the Que on Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28, at the Clay County Fairgrounds. This Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned contest features two days of flavor and fun — complete with live music, food vendors, inflatables, craft and commercial vendors, a classic car show, and more.

Monday evening, Clay County Tourism joined the Clay County Trails Association for the ribbon cutting of the newest section of the Iowa Great Lakes Connection Trail. This brand-new, 8-mile stretch gives cyclists in Spencer safe access all the way to Fostoria and is part of an ambitious plan to eventually link the Iowa Great Lakes to Carroll County with a 220-mile trail system.