The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will be conducting prescribed burns within selected wildlife complexes in Dickinson, O’Brien, Lyon and Sioux counties between March 1 and May 20 to improve wildlife habitat, control invasive plant species and maintain native plant communities.

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation released its 2023 Annual Report of Activities at its Business Recognition Luncheon.

A full day of agriculture speakers, vendors and information will take over the Clay County Regional Events Center Tuesday when the 2024 edition of Ag Outlook, sponsored by the Spencer Chamber of Commerce and organized by the Chamber Ag Committee, returns. The day, which opens at 8 a.m. and concludes at 4 p.m., includes three speaker sessions, door prize drawings throughout the day and a grand prize drawing.

AG OUTLOOK PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird was in Spencer on Feb. 16 to meet with sheriffs in the region and discuss some of the issues they’re facing.

BOOKED INTO THE CLAY COUNTY JAIL

AMES — “Everything starts with an idea,” according to Sotirios Archontoulis, professor of agronomy at Iowa State University, who will co-lead a five-year, $16 million project to explore some big, interconnected questions impacting agriculture in the Corn Belt and Great Plains.

The Spencer Planning and Zoning Commission, on Wednesday, sided with local homeowners when it voted to recommend that the City Council deny a request to rezone a large parcel of land on the city’s east side.

For the ninth consecutive year, Spencer Hospital has been recognized as Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. Spencer Hospital is the only Iowa hospital to have earned this distinction every year since the award was created.

Ahead of Saturday’s scheduled of Say Yes to the Dress grand opening, three teens associated with Spencer High School’s No Boundaries program participated in a fashion show, broadcast live on Spencer Main Street’s Facebook page. The models were juniors Shayla Sanderson, Kiersten Campbell and Olivia Schuster.

The Clay County Conservation Board has officially switched gears and is moving forward with a new plan to build an environmental learning center at Oneota Park.

DES MOINES — Education advocates this week urged Iowa lawmakers to set the funding rate for public schools quickly to help school districts budget for the upcoming school year amid other potential education funding changes.

Spencer Police apprehended 20-year-old Adrian Frakes, Tuesday night, after he allegedly fled from police and engaged in a high-speed pursuit at approximately 9:30 p.m. As a result, the Ayrshire resident faces multiple charges including felony eluding.

On Jan. 25, 42 FFA members attended the Sioux Central FFA Awards night. Every member was recognized for their achievements over the past year, however, not just FFA members were recognized.

Kevin Wood, Sioux Central superintendent, was recognized for the Honorary Chapter Degree. This award is for people with outstanding service which was fitting for Wood because of his support of the Sioux Central FFA chapter.

The Sacred Heart Catholic Church Knights of Columbus Council 3965 recently donated $2,000 to Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School from proceeds collected through freewill offerings during the council’s recent omelet breakfast to kick off Catholic Schools Week. (Photo submitted)

• AMES — More than 10,800 Iowa State University students have been recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the fall semester 2023 dean's list.