SPIRIT LAKE — Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host the third annual Northwest Iowa Parkinson’s Disease Conference on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Milford. The conference is free to attend, but preregistration is required.

The program is designed to be a day of learning and networking for individuals with Parkinson’s, their care partners, loved ones and anyone with an interest in learning more about the disease.

The Spencer City Council, on Sept. 3, approved a $10,000 match from the Spencer Cares fund to help secure a $20,000 grant from the Clay County Community Foundation to help Spencer residents cover the cost of cleaning up right-of-way areas on their properties following the devastating June 22 flood.

Iowa Lakes Community College is excited to announce the upcoming Stay Active in Learning program will offer two enriching courses designed for lifelong learners on the Spencer campus this fall.

The Vietnam War with Dr. John C. McManus

• Class ID: 7796
• Instructor: Mr. H. Schar
• Dates: Monday, Sept. 16 to Dec. 9
• Time: 9-11:30 a.m.
• Location: Room 108A, Spencer Campus

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors visited Plaza Mexico on Tuesday to celebrate their grand reopening. After being heavily impacted by the flood, they have worked incredibly hard to get the restaurant back up and running — all new carpet, drywall, kitchen equipment and more. (Photo submitted)

Disaster recovery funds held by the Spencer Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Clay County Community Foundation got a shot in the arm from Community State Bank on Sept. 3.

A Spencer man was due to be arraigned on Sept. 3 on a felony burglary charge for entering an apartment abandoned due to the catastrophic June 22 flood and stealing purses, electronics and women’s underwear.

DES MOINES ― The Wellmark Foundation, a nonprofit created by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, has stepped up to help Iowa school districts recover from unprecedented flooding and violent tornadoes.

EMMETSBURG ― The Northwest Iowa RSVP program has hired Gabrielle Janssen as the new Northwest Iowa RSVP director on the Emmetsburg campus of Iowa Lakes Community College.

"My experiences with service groups like Alpha Phi Omega and PALS Programs built strong skills in volunteer leadership,” Janssen said. “My ability to foster cooperative relationships in diverse environments will help me develop my passion for community building and engaged curiosity.”

The Everly dance sponsored by Dance 4 Fun, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Hap Kettleson Community Center in Everly. The doors are open at 6:15 p.m., the dance is from 7-10:30 p.m. The band will be Prairie Thunder. Put on your dancing shoes and come join for a fun evening of dancing. Feel free to bring snacks to share. Singles and married couples are welcome. (Photo submitted)

BROOKINGS, S.D. ― South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome the public to its fourth annual Specialty Crop Field Day.

This free, family-friendly event will feature a series of presentations and field tours related to small- to mid-scale commercial vegetable production research trials. Field tours will feature SDSU Extension research plots of cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, onions, peppers and broccolini.

DES MOINES — The Iowa Utilities Commission has found that Summit Carbon Solutions LLC has substantially complied with the requirements of the IUC’s June 25 order regarding the company's application for a hazardous liquid pipeline permit and today has issued the permit under Iowa Code chapter 479B to Summit Carbon in Docket No. HLP-2021-0001. Today’s order issuing the permit does not modify the conditions Summit Carbon must establish in order to start construction.

Despite a mild winter, Iowa’s pheasant, quail and partridge populations appear to have declined in 2024 thanks to the state’s historically rainy spring, according to the state’s annual roadside small game survey.

The Spencer Community School District is making steady progress in repairing two of its elementary schools following the catastrophic June 22 flood.

WEST DES MOINES — Hy-Vee Inc. announces today that the newly approved COVID-19 and flu vaccines for the 2024-25 season are now available at Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations across the Midwest. At this time, Hy-Vee is offering the updated COVID-19 vaccine to individuals ages 12 and older.

The Spencer Community School Board has hired longtime community leader and Spencer Reads Initiative co-chair Amy Simpson to help manage the district’s post-flood repair projects.