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.

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors visited the Iowa Lakes Corridor Tuesday morning to welcome new President/CEO Curt Strouth and Senior VP of Economic Development Trevor Smith. Strouth joined the Corridor in August 2023 after more than 10 years at the Sheldon Chamber and Development Corporation.

The Spencer Parks Department has received initial concepts for a new splash pad, campground and a set of updates to the city aquatic center.

Engineers with Bolton and Menk presented their initial designs to the Spencer Parks Board during its regular meeting on Dec. 12. Combined, the three projects could cost more than $11 million, according to estimates provided by Bolton Menk.

Spencer High School graduate Sgt. Titan Coleman made history as the first ranger in the 1st Bn 194th Field Artillery Regiment. Coleman, a joint fire support specialist assigned to the 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, graduated ranger school this fall and is expected to return home to build training plans to get more Iowa soldiers through Ranger School.

Saturday afternoon, Spencer Fire & Rescue responded to the scene of a reported house fire.

At 2:07 p.m., Saturday, respondents were dispatched to 1311 Third Ave. W. for a reported house fire. The occupant of the home discovered a fire in a back room of the residence and called 911. She was able to escape the fire uninjured with their pet.

Spencer Rotary’s Bob Rose presented Kenny Sandvig, with Southside Monuments, with a $500 donation to put toward the new monument to be placed at Potter's Field in Riverside Cemetery. (Photo submitted)