Spencer Ag Center and several area car enthusiasts hosted a hot rod night for the Clay County PALS on Wednesday at the Spencer Ag Center parking lot in east Spencer. According to Craig Neiderheiser, Clay County PALS president, the board came up with the idea of hosting a hot rod night after reading about a similar event held in California.

Against the backdrop of the beautiful waters of West Lake Okoboji, a bright sunny sky and a gentle northwest breeze, the eighth annual Okoboji Blue Water Festival held on Saturday, Aug. 12, at Preservation Plaza continued to provide the general public with both a celebration of clean water efforts and challenges to continue to address clean water issues. Beginning with the Chalkstock sidewalk art early in the morning and ending with the incredible concert in the evening with A. J.

Spencer Public Library has plans to improve its accessibility and is inviting its patrons into the decision-making process. Tuesday the library will host a community conversation on its accessibility starting at 2:30 p.m.

Spencer Public Library may be altering its hours slightly starting this fall. Thursday evening, the library board discussed closing the library an hour earlier during the week from Monday to Thursday.

The library is currently open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The board is looking at potentially closing the library at 8 p.m. from Monday to Thursday.

The Spencer Hospital board of trustees has announced plans to formally interview the hospital’s Senior Vice President of Patient Care and Operations Brenda Tiefenthaler for the position of hospital president.

The hospital is hiring a new president following an announcement by current hospital president Bill Bumgarner in February that he will be retiring at the end of the year.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Hope Markley, of Ruthven, has been grooming dogs for 1 1/2 years before walking away with a “best first timer” division win at the All-American Grooming Show, held this past weekend in Schaumburg, Illinois.

The Home Wine and Craft Beer Department will include 15 divisions in the wine category and nine divisions in the craft beer category for the 2023 Clay County Fair, powered by SMU, Sept. 9-17.

“Open to everyone, the wine and craft beer competition is a great way to get feedback from professional judges from wineries and breweries,” superintendent Kristen Hartwig said.

Anyone who has not learned CPR — or anyone looking for a refresher — will have the opportunity to learn this week. A CPR class will be offered for one night, on Thursday, from 6-8 p.m. at Hope Church.

ANKENY — Eight farmers, including three incumbents, have been elected to the Iowa Soybean Association board of directors, including Spencer resident Paul Kassel, who will represent District 1. He will join Brent Swart, of Spencer, who will continue his service as a director.

The association’s 22 volunteer farmer directors represent the state’s nine crop reporting districts in overseeing the management and allocation of soybean checkoff and non-checkoff resources.

Looking for a new perspective on a food, travel and life — check out Spencer resident Josie Hough’s new blog, “As Noted By Me.”

For the past six months, the stay-at-home mom — and self-proclaimed CEO of the Houghbunch — has been offering her thoughts on lifestyle.

August’s Voices on Grand session will feature an eclectic group of speakers including a trio of Spencer-area residents to Europe and Ukraine, a native composer and music teacher, and a local musician and poet. Doors open at 6 p.m., at Arts on Grand in downtown Spencer, with the program beginning at 7 p.m., Monday.

BOOKED INTO CLAY COUNTY JAIL

Aggravated misdemeanor domestic assault (impede air or blood flow) and serious misdemeanor assault with bodily injury charges were filed against Robert Petersen, 43, of Peterson, at 12:30 a.m., on Monday, Aug. 7, in Sutherland.

Spencer’s disc golf course at West Leach Park is going to have a new home at the Spencer Aquatic Center. The process of moving the course to its new location is already underway, Parks and Recreation Director Bob Fullhart informed the Spencer Park Board on Tuesday.

Just a little over a month since the movie “Sound of Freedom” was released in theaters, Spencer community members had the opportunity to watch a showing of “Gridshock,” an Iowa-made documentary that addresses sex trafficking in the state.