BOOKED INTO CLAY COUNTY JAIL

SPENCER — The driver of a semitruck was taken to Spencer Hospital following a crash on Christmas Eve.

According to a report from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, at 5 a.m. on Dec. 24, the office responded the report of a rollover in the 3000 block of Highway 71, north of Spencer. Ronald Peters of Rembrandt, no age given, was driving a 2017 Peterbilt owned by GWS Farms.

National Fentanyl Awareness Day, was recognized on Aug. 21 nationwide, and while it can be found locally, its existence isn’t currently as prominent as methamphetamine, according to Spencer Police Chief Mark Warburton.

ARNOLDS PARK — Fifty years ago on June 8, 1973, Dickinson County Chief Deputy George O. Williamson was killed in an automobile accident while responding to Superior after receiving reports of a 4-year-old boy who had been struck by a car. Williamson, a former Spencer police officer, and the driver of the other vehicle both passed as a result of the collision.

While most young men and women celebrate their 21st birthday by flashing their ID at bars around the area where they live, 2021 Spencer graduate Sgt. Titan Coleman spent his 21st on Aug. 7 in Ranger School.

Coleman made history recently as the first Ranger in the 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division.

MANKATO, Minn. — Glen Taylor, with ties to the Spencer area and northwest Iowa, has announced the start of a new charitable legacy plan that will fund a wide range of philanthropic activities for decades to come. Taylor is gifting assets valued at $172 million with the goal of supporting people in southern Minnesota and rural communities across Minnesota and Iowa.

The Spencer Community School District accidentally built 16 parking spaces for its administration building on land owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway.

The Spencer City Council, on Monday, held its first reading of an ordinance amendment that would allow realtors to place lighted signs at properties they’ve listed for sale.

The ordinance is an update to city code that heretofore hasn’t accounted for technological advancements in sign lighting, said Spencer planning director Adam Severson. He said the change comes in direct response to local realtors' requests.

The Spencer Hospital board of trustees welcomed a new member on Thursday, Dec. 21, following the resignation of longtime board member Gary Van Hofwegen. The new member, Larry Harden (far right), took his oath of office with returning board members Julie Christiansen, Bruce Nystrom and Steve Lensing. (Photo by Nick Lowrey)

Two more school districts are hoping to send students experiencing behavioral issues to the Lakes Partnership School in Spencer.

HULL — U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, announced that he would seek reelection to a third term serving Iowa’s 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Clay County employee wages are “highly competitive” with their peers, according to a new study of the county’s pay structure.

Toward the end of October Hannah Brown and Melanie Bloom went down to World Food Prize in Des Moines. Brown went to Global Youth Institute were she got to meet people from all over the world. She gained many friendships through this opportunity.

In November, 53 new students were inducted into the Spencer High School National Honor Society, joining the current roster comprised of 44 current seniors. Seniors inducted this year include Skylar Finch, Jace Fullhart, Traeyton Griffin, Rylee Hamrick, Owen Manwarren, Elizabeth Morse, Caitlyn Mueggenberg, Keegan Nissen, Aubriel Rabel, Sophie Richardson, Tyriana Vail, Parker Van Otterloo and Aubreigh Werts.

On Dec. 6, Sioux Central FFA took three students to Ames for the Beef Scholarship Extravaganza put on by the Iowa Cattlemen. The team was Grace Ahrensen, Leah Bean and Linnea Bloom. The team brought back a seventh place finish.