As temperatures rapidly drop in the transition from fall to winter months, regionally, except for Wisconsin, harvest progress is above-average across the corn belt according to Gary D. Wright, farm management specialist with Agriculture & Natural Resources for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Allen W. Batschelet, retired U.S. Army major general and CEO of First Responders Foundation based in Omaha, will keynote Friday’s Veterans Day event at the Iowa National Guard Armory in Spencer, starting at 11 a.m.

A group of Clay County residents turned out at Scharnberg Park Saturday to fish for trout released by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

“Normally in the spring, fall or in the winter, we do trout stockings like this, normally in urban areas,” said Steve Pecinovesay, technician for the Iowa DNR. “It’s an event to get people out fishing, as trout can only be stocked in these areas in the fall, winter and spring when water temperatures cool down.”

Spencer Main Street was one of the 10 Main Street Iowa Communities to receive a Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant for 2022, marking the second straight year the Spencer organization has received funding. The Iowa Economic Development Authority awarded a total of $934,430 to the communities throughout the state.

Friday morning, an electronic message went out to parents and students indicating a potential threat at Spencer High School had been resolved and school would resume as scheduled.

The Clay County Regional Events Center was filled with books and browsing Spencer residents last week as the Spencer Rotary Club held its 30th annual book sale. From last Wednesday to Sunday, locals shopped for books from the large collection the club had put together. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

There was a record turnout for the sixth annual Clay County Pheasants Forever Ladies Hunt Saturday, the number of participants capped at approximately 70 women taking part this year.

Patrons of the Spencer Public Library will be treated to a historical one-woman musical “Oh Jackie O!” about the life of Jackie Kennedy Onassis on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 2:30 p.m. Written, directed and starring Jillann Gabrielle of Paradise Productions, the performance will depict the former first lady reflecting on some of the most profound moments of her life.

A Spencer-area holiday staple, the Holiday Family Adoption Program allows generous families, businesses and service groups to share the holiday spirit and bounty. Thanks to the generosity of families and businesses, area families will be gifted with items to help make this Christmas season a little bit brighter.

On Oct. 31, St. Luke Lutheran Home opened its doors to trick-or-treaters for Halloween night. Friends and family members of St. Luke's residents, along with eager trick-or-treaters, visited the facility in costume to receive candy from participating residents. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

Another busy camping year in Iowa state parks is coming to an end and staff are winterizing their facilities, including shutting off water in the campgrounds and closing shower houses.

Campers can check the status of water availability in a particular park by going to https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Alerts-and-Closures. The page is updated regularly by park staff.

Work will begin this fall on a section of Ingham Lake’s north shoreline that, once completed, will reduce the amount of siltation entering the lake and provide protection to the road surface of the adjacent Ingham Lake Road. Drivers who use Ingham Lake Road may experience occasional disruptions at County Road A34 while the work is underway.

For the past 10 years, Kabele’s Trading Post, located on the north end of Hill Avenue in Spirit Lake, has hosted its annual “Shop With the Pros” on the second Saturday of November. This year the event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. As always, there is no charge for admission.

To celebrate their 10th annual event, owners Thane and Tanya Johnson are making this “the biggest and best” yet! For 2022, Shop With the Pros will be the Fish and Hunt Edition.

The interior of the Occasions facility was decorated in a sea of colors Friday and Saturday, as the former Spencer Area Activity Center hosted its annual quilt show. Norma Fitzgerald, one of the event organizers, reported this year marked the eighth anniversary of the quilt display at the center.

IOUX CITY — CMBA Architects announced Lee Beukelman has been named a principal architect. Beukelman, originally from Sioux Center, brings more than 12 years of experience to the CMBA team. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University, is an active member of the American Institute of Architects and currently serves a number of our northwest Iowa clients.