The city of Spencer has taken the next step in its process to eventually construct a new street on the north side of town. During Monday’s Spencer City Council meeting, the council authorized the condemnation of the required property if necessary.

With two emergency housing navigators hired in Clay County, the Community Housing Access Resource Team — or CHART — has requested funds to support the positions from the city and the county.

The emergency housing team asked for $28,667 from the city back in March, half of the total operating cost. The Spencer City Council awarded the requested amount on Monday.

A name for the recently constructed tennis courts on East 15th Street was approved by the Spencer City Council on Monday. The name of the “Dennis Price Courts” still requires approval from the Spencer Community School District, as the courts were a joint project.

The repair project at the Clay County Courthouse has run into some problems. An additional water leak has been discovered on the building’s east side, along with some necessary replacement to damaged clay tile.

The county was first approached by Samuels Group last October about repairing the courthouse, as they found necessary tuckpointing and roof replacement work. The construction company completed a facilities assessment and was later appointed to the project.

Voices on Grand, Friday, will be an evening filled with humor and music. Starting at 7 p.m., the event will feature heart-warming farm-family stories from Megan Jones and Ben Unseth, followed by Molly Brandt and Eric Carreanza, Minneapolis musicians.

ESTHERVILLE — Iowa Lakes Community College Music Department is excited to announce the upcoming Night at the Performing Arts Center — PAC — on Oct. 31, starting at 6:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center on the Estherville campus.

JOHNSTON — Enjoy a stunning presentation of one of the world's most beloved operas. Iowa PBS and Des Moines Metro Opera have partnered to provide exclusive coverage of “Des Moines Metro Opera presents Carmen.” This twisting tale of romance, intrigue and obsession will premiere on statewide Iowa PBS on Oct. 27 at 9 p.m. and will be rebroadcast Oct. 29 at 2:30 p.m.

The Cherokee Symphony will be presenting its “Pops” concert on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 4 p.m., in the upper level of the Cherokee Community Center. This will be the 68th season of the Cherokee symphony. Ted Hallberg, an educator and cellist from Le Mars, will be entering his 11th season as the conductor of the symphony.

Teaching: Third grade and Lincoln.

Education: I went to South Dakota State and received my degree in early childhood and elementary education. Go Jacks!

Q: What is your teaching background?

A: I taught first grade in Brookings, South Dakota, for the last five years.

Q: Any additional highlights to share?

Jean Fischer, English teacher at Spencer High School, was recently honored as the McDonald’s teacher of the month. Nominated by her colleagues and other community members for being thoughtful, kind and always going the extra mile for her students, she was surprised in the concourse with a victory tunnel and cheers. She received McCafe drinks for a year and $100 to spend in her classroom. (Photo submitted)

The Spencer Messiah Board is happy to welcome the community to their 2023 edition of the “Festival of Lessons and Carols” on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer. Preparations are upcoming for the choir as they prepare to share their gifts of music with the community.

Northwest Financial Corporation, one of Iowa’s largest family-owned bank holding companies, announced plans to merge two of its banks into one entity. The First National Bank in Creston with offices in Creston, Afton and Shenandoah — will integrate into Northwest Bank, providing additional products, services and banking locations to current First National customers.

Position: Clay County marketing and tourism coordinator.

When were you hired: August 2022.

Education: Spencer High School graduate, 2014. Simpson College graduate, 2017 with a B.A. in music and public relations.

The Spencer Chamber Ambassadors visited St. Croix Hospice, Tuesday morning, to welcome new staff and talk about their recent awards. They have recently earned the Quality Connections Four Rings award for exceptional care for the third consecutive year. In Spencer, they've also earned a five-star rating for Family Caregiver excellence, a testament to their commitment to delivering top-quality care to patients and families. St.

Delivery of the Tuesday, Oct. 17, edition of the Spencer Reporter is going to be delayed to most communities today. Our third party printer / mailer had trouble overnight and will not be able to get copies to the Spencer Post Office until after 8 a.m., and to our offices for newsstand distribution and distribution to other post offices until after that. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you want, you can access the e-edition of the newspaper at the Spencer Daily Reporter website.