61st Celebration — 10 a.m., Spencer High School Theatre

Featured speaker: Bonnie Anderson, U.S. Army veteran.

Two Spencer men found themselves in the Clay County Jail recently after police say they responded to a vehicle fire at a home in the 500 block of East Ninth Street and smelled marijuana while speaking with the homeowner.

Mo McDermott began Tuesday and will serve as the summer intern for the Spencer Reporter and the Dickinson County News.

Born and raised in Spencer, graduating from Spencer High School in May 2023. The daughter of Jim and Kris McDermott, she just finished her sophomore year at Iowa State University, where she studies communications and history. McDermott said she is excited to learn more about the newspaper business and to gain experience in the field.

The Iowa Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, created in response to the series of disasters that hit the state in 2024, has been funded to the tune of $134.6 million, according to Spencer City Manager Kevin Robinson.

“I have never been one to want to take a lead role but rather a supporting role to make the business, the airport and the traveling community a better place,” Gayle Brandt said. “Once you are in the aviation business, there is a passion that comes along with that. Like other businesses, it is a community of great people who many have become great friends over the years.”

The first four homes set to be demolished through three federal buyout and/or demolition flood recovery and mitigation programs will likely be razed in June or July, City Manager Kevin Robinson said during a May 19 regular City Council meeting.

On June 12, a meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. in Spencer Hospital’s Maple Conference Room to look at how to proceed in the county battle with the opioid crisis. Clay County currently has almost $136,000 in opioid litigation funds, with additional payments scheduled at this time until approximately 1938. The money is being maintained in an interest-bearing account at a 4.8% rate.

ESTHERVILLE — Iowa Lakes Community College is expanding academic opportunities for students planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree, with several new transfer major degrees launching fall 2025. These programs are designed to provide students with a clearly defined and seamless path to Iowa’s public universities, ensuring transfer of credits directly into specific majors.

The new transfer major degrees available beginning in fall 2025 include:

ESTHERVILLE — The Iowa Lakes Community College Alumni & Friends Association presented Scott Nolte with the 2025 Jim Hall Outstanding Alumni Award during the college’s Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 9, in Estherville.

PELLA — Johnathan Giacobbe, of Spencer, received the Journey Scholarship Fund and Kathryn Kling Whittlesey Memorial Scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year from Central College for a high commitment to academic achievement. Giacobbe is a member of the Class of 2028 at Central College in Pella.

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors visited the Clay County Fair & Events Center on Tuesday to welcome Jason Brockshus into his new role as CEO. Brockshus has been on staff since 2021 and began transitioning into the role this past winter. (Photo submitted)

The graduating class of seniors at Spencer High School ― its 138th annual class ― accepted their diplomas and prepared to head their separate ways Sunday afternoon.

A new 18-hole disc golf course at Riverview Park will integrate seamlessly with plans to transform Riverview Park into a recreation destination, thanks to an innovative collaboration between parks staff and high school students.

Wednesday, May 21, the Clay County Conservation Board is encouraging the public to participate in its first Hiking Club, beginning at 10 a.m., at Stolley Park in Spencer. The theme of the event is “Get Out and Trek.”

“May Trek is part of the hiking club,” said Bri Blom, environmental education coordinator and naturalist with Clay County Conservation Board. “It will be at Stolley's. We offer a hike in Clay County once a month.”

Get ready to “Level Up At Your Library” this summer.

Spencer Public Library announced its 2025 Summer Reading Program, which will run from May 28 through July 31. Readers of all ages ― from babies to adults ― are invited to join in a summer full of reading, games, puzzles and fun.