For their last visit of 2022, the Spencer Chamber Ambassadors welcomed new Spencer City Department Heads at City Hall Council Chambers. Planning Director Adam Severson and Parks & Recreation Director Bob Fullhart each spoke about their positions and the dedicated team members working to make Spencer the best it can be. (Photo submitted)

Last Thursday into Friday’s first major snow event dropped eight inches on parts of Spencer, creating difficult travel conditions until city and county removal teams could hit the streets and clear the path. Friday morning, digging out began for area residents. After a brief respite, Tuesday the area is projected to face an ice and snow event with less of the white stuff but possibly icy conditions. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

There was a full house at the American Legion Post 1 of Spencer Saturday as veterans and their families turned out for a meal of appreciation. Honorable discharged veterans, their spouses and active duty service men and women enjoyed the annual meal from the legion and the Clay County VFW Post 3159. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

After an investigation stemming from a traffic stop in the 3700 mile of 340th Avenue, the Clay County Sheriff's Office arrested Tyson Kruse, 22, of Emmetsburg, charging him with OWI, first offense, a serious misdemeanor.

The stop occurred at 2:14 a.m., Sunday on Clay County Road N-18.

Kruse was also found with a loaded firearm within his immediate possession and charged with carrying a dangerous weapon while under the influence, a serious misdemeanor.

With 29 students, comprising three full teams, the Spencer Middle School mock trial program is the largest team in northwest Iowa. These three middle school teams, named Rook, Bishop and Knight, traveled to Sioux City to argue a slip-and-fall civil negligence case against other teams from this corner of the state. The team is coached by instructor Grant Muilenburg and Clay County Attorney Travis Johnson.

Last weekend, visitors of Grace United Methodist Church were treated to a trip back in time to the beginning of Christmas. The church’s Journey to Bethlehem tour was available all weekend for churchgoers to learn or be reminded of the birth of Jesus. The tour took attendees throughout the entire church, which was transformed to look like the setting of Bethlehem. With actors in full costume, interactive props and live animals, churchgoers traveled through the story as active participants.

INDIANAPOLIS — Janet Schutter, commercial exhibits director of the Clay County Fair, was recognized at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions Annual Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, as a graduate of the Institute of Fair Management.

On Dec. 5, at approximately 1:50 a.m., a Spencer Police officer on routine patrol noticed a vehicle in the parking lot in the 600 block of East 19th Street. The occupant of the vehicle, 47-year-old Eric Peterson, had valid arrest warrant for domestic abuse impeding air flow, a Class D felony.

Upon investigation, police were able to take Peterson into custody and at that time discovered that he was in possession of methamphetamine.

Each week — on Thursday nights — the CDC updates each county’s rate of community transmission. Currently, influenza rates are more significant than COVID-19 rates.

Schools and other learning institutions across the state spent the past week celebrating Computer Science Education Week, lasting from Dec. 5-11. However, Spencer students don’t need the one week to dedicate themselves — rather, students invest their time the entire academic year.

Registration is open to participate in the Christmas Home Decor Contest hosted by Spencer Chamber of Commerce. Spencer residents are welcome to decorate their home for Christmas. The contest is free to enter! To register your home, the chamber will need your name, address, phone number and email address. All registrations need to be received at the chamber office by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14.

Could a targeted three-drug combination help prolong the lives of patients who have a deadly form of advanced lung cancer? The SPRING trial sought to answer that question, and the final results show promise.

Iowa anglers can buy the Missouri and Big Sioux River paddlefish license and tags starting Dec. 15 through Jan. 7.

Buy your special paddlefish license and tags on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' online licenses sales website athttps://gooutdoorsiowa.com. A resident license sells for $25.50 and a nonresident license is $49. You must also have a valid Iowa fishing license.

Iowans can begin buying 2023 resident hunting, fishing and other licenses on Dec. 15. Licenses purchased for 2022 expire on Jan. 10.

The menu of license options includes the popular outdoor combo annual resident hunting/fishing/habitat combo license for $55; the angler’s special three-year fishing license for $62; and the hunter’s special three-year hunting license with habitat included for $101.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Lake Restoration Program is accepting comments on the newly released draft 2022 lake restoration report and 2023 plan, through Dec. 21.