The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors welcomed Lexi Marshall, office and finance coordinator at the Spencer Chamber. Marshall joined the chamber in October 2023. She is originally from Sheldon, however, she and her husband, Greg, moved to Spencer about six years ago. (Photo submitted)

The Hap Ketelson Center in Everly was packed with people on Saturday looking at Christmas trees, handmade goods of all kinds, custom signs, and baked goods — even the Easter Bunny made an appearance — for the city’s festival of trees and craft fair.

Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8-9, the Shayla Bee Fund will open its doors to the public as it hosts a grand opening at its new permanent home, located in a refurbished and remodeled 719 First Ave. W. in Spencer. As part of the grand opening, the popular Shayla Bee Craft & Bake Sale fundraiser will return. The opening also falls during the birthday week of Shayla, the support program’s namesake.

This 300-foot crane was recently assembled at Spencer Hospital. Workers will use the crane to hang steel girders for the hospital’s new Emergency Department addition. The crane came from Sioux City-based construction company DM Steel. It will be in Spencer for up to eight weeks. (Photo by Nick Lowrey)

Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer hosted the Festival of Lessons and Carols on Sunday. In this photo Rev. Shazzy Britz of the Spencer First Congregational Church reads from the book of Isaiah about his prophesy of the Messiah while a combined choir, led by Tim Schumacher, prepares to sing the hymn “Come Light of Hope.” (Photo by Nick Lowrey)

The Spencer High School Tigerettes dance team joined dancers from across the state at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Nov. 29 through Dec. 1, for 48th annual Iowa High School and College Dance Competition, the country’s largest high school dance team competition. The SHS girls performed in Class II Kick and Class XII Pom.The Tigerettes received a Division 1 rating in Class 12 Pom and Class 2 Kick, placing fifth in Kick.

A rural Laurens man is scheduled to be arraigned next week on charges of livestock abuse.

Brent Svuba, 39, was issued a summons to appear in court in late September after Clay County Sheriff’s deputies say they found starving, dehydrated and dead cattle belonging to him.

Arts on Grand announced its current gallery exhibit, “Christmas in the Gallery.” The exhibit will run through Thursday, Jan. 4.

A free come-and-go open house will take place featuring Paper Moon Jazz Quartet from 6-8 p.m., on Friday, Dec. 15. The public is invited to enjoy background music while wandering through the gallery.

In 1986, the downtown merchant association introduced what has become a tradition to kick off the season in Spencer, Grand Meander. Monday night, from 5-7 p.m., Grand Meander will be transformed into a northwest Iowa winter wonderland.

The Spencer City Council gave city employees permission on Nov. 20 to demolish a house that has fallen into disrepair.

The house in question is located at 302 W. 12th St. in Spencer. City officials say the building has not been adequately maintained and has become a danger to the community.

“This was not a close question,” Spencer City Attorney Don Hemphill said.

DES MOINES — The Iowa Association of School Boards presented two Spencer School Board members and the superintendent with 2022-23 annual Board Awards on Thursday, Nov. 16, during the IASB Convention.

Board members Shelby Haak and Bob Whittenburg each received the Individual Achievement Award; while Superintendent Terry Hemann was acknowledged with the Award of Honor.

The Spencer School District is in line for roughly $200,000 worth of federal grants to improve school security, but first, the district must adopt new rules.

After its late summer move from West Leach Park to River View Park, the Spencer disc golf course is due for a facelift, city officials say.

"They will soar on wings like eagles" — Isaiah 40:31.

The motto of Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School was demonstrated when it was recognized as an award winning school.

Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School was among nine Iowa schools chosen to receive the inaugural Yass Award for Education Freedom to enable the school to serve more students.

Iowa Lakes women’s wrestler and freshman Morgan Griffin will have her name in the Iowa Lakes women’s wrestling history books forever. In the team dual last week against No. 2 Iowa Central, Griffin picked up a pin in the 170-pound match against the Tritons Olivia Fausnaugh. With the victory, she became the first women’s wrestler to win a match in school history. (Photo submitted)