Arnold Motor Supply and Barron Motor Supply announced a merger, both companies marking nearly a century serving customers in the automotive aftermarket industry.

Eric Johnson, president of Arnold Motor Supply, said, “Companies that last a century are rare, so the opportunity for two of them to join forces is a special opportunity.

Due to a family matter, country star Dylan Scott needs to return home this weekend and unfortunately must cancel his upcoming show on Saturday at the Clay County Fair.

Clay County Fair officials are actively searching for a replacement artist for the show.  

Fairgoers have the chance to come face to face with some big cats at the Clay County Fair. Traveling act Bruno’s Tiger Show will be performing at the fairgrounds south of Farmer’s Bank Stage at select times throughout the day.

Fairgoers have been enjoying one of the Clay County Fair’s new attractions this year — the Tasting Room at the BARn. Located south of the Outdoor Arena beside the Farm to Fork Market, local breweries have set up shop in the building to offer samples of their beer from 1-7:30 p.m. every fair day.

The area is sponsored by Hy-Vee this year, and any of the sampled beers may be purchased from the variety of breweries at local Hy-Vee locations.

In 2023, the Clay County Fair provided more than $180,000 of free entertainment for fairgoers of all ages to enjoy. Two of the acts, The Ice Cream Show and Rock-it the Robot, were interactive comedy performances which worked to include kids and adults alike.

Each act performed multiple times daily throughout the fair, surprising guests with an act as they strolled through the fair.

The construction of tennis courts on East 15th Street by Spencer Middle School is on schedule for completion in a few weeks. Spencer Parks and Recreation Director Bob Fullhart reported the project is in its last phases and will likely be finished this month.

OMAHA, Neb. — Iowa Great Lakes Area native and CEO/founder of OBI Creative, Mary Ann O'Brien, was one of five people inducted into the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce’s Omaha Business Hall of Fame in August. The Greater Omaha Chamber honors the community's best and brightest business leaders.

• Farmers and tractor owners take their antique rides for a whirl in the Antique Tractor Pull.
• Caricature artist Terry Linder sketches out some designs from his stand.
• A mother and daughter enjoy the classic corndogs at the fair.
• Fairgoers admire some displayed contest winners.
• Families say hello to returning strolling act Farmer Bob.
• Baby pigs are some of several animals that can be found at Grandpa’s Barn.
• Smith’s Concessions

ARNOLDS PARK — The Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association will host guitarist, author, and Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association member Ryan Sheeler on Saturday for a special booking signing event, featuring his second guitar book on Ritchie Valens. Connie Valens will also attend the event as we celebrate Ritchie’s music and legacy. Admission is free.

As the Clay County Fair wraps up its annual nine days of fun, Spencer Community School District will begin its Homecoming Week celebration Sunday. The 10 seniors selected for the Homecoming Court are (front) Saddie Kahley, Tyriana Vail, Alicia Graettinger, Emma Fassbender, Julia Gastelum, (back) Adrian Carrillo, Ross Carlson, Ross Carlson, Weston Johnson, Jaxon Heffner and Dalton Flikkema. Coronation will occur at 7 p.m., Wednesday, in the Larry Untiet Theatre on campus.

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is encouraging all Iowa high schools to participate in a statewide effort to register students to vote. Each school that registers at least 90% of their eligible students by March 22 will receive the 2023-24 Carrie Chapman Catt Award, named after the Iowan who was a national leader in the women’s suffrage movement. Schools that register at least 50% and 70% of eligible students will also receive statewide recognition.

• STORM LAKE — Buena Vista University congratulates more than 100 students who were named to the summer 2023 dean's list. The dean's list recognizes full-time students achieving a 3.5 GPA or higher for the semester.

BOOKED INTO CLAY COUNTY JAIL

Many Voices Choir, the premier community chorale of northwest Iowa, is currently looking for local, talented vocalists for their upcoming fall season. If you love to sing, they would love to have you sing with them. An interest meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 25, at 6:30 p.m., at the Iowa Lakes Community College in the Estherville campus choir room. New and existing members are encouraged to attend. Music for the holiday concerts will be distributed followed by a short rehearsal.

Monday night, the Clay County Fair welcomed Christian recording artist Katy Nichole to its grandstand stage as the seats filled with an appreciative audience. Nichole, despite dealing with what appeared to be a cold, soldiered on, delivering an interactive performance.