The city of Spencer will soon be seeing some lane modifications on the highway heading south out of town. On Tuesday, the Spencer City Council approved its recommendation to the Iowa Department of Transportation to restripe some intersections along 11th Street Southwest.

City Manager Dan Gifford revealed the city had been talking about these changes for a while, wanting to make the intersections safer.

The Legislative Committee of the Spencer Chamber of Commerce will host the second date of the 2023 Eggs & Issues legislative forums on Saturday, from 9-10:30 a.m., in council chambers at Spencer City Hall. For this session, Reps. Megan Jones and John H. Wills, and Sens. Dave Rowley and Lynn Evans have been invited. (Above) Wills and Evans visit with Spencer Chamber Director Sheriffa Jones.

BOOKED INTO CLAY COUNTY JAIL

DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services announced 96 community water systems in Iowa have been awarded a Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Spencer Hospital has been selected as one of the Top 100 Rural and Community Hospitals across the country for 2023. This year is the eighth consecutive year the hospital has received the annual recognition.

Thirty-four-year-old Jessica Thornton, of Spencer, is facing multiple charges — including assault on a jailer — following an alleged trespass and subsequent incident at the Clay County Jail.

In a story of triumph and tragedy, Iowa PBS brings viewers an exploration into a legendary battleship's history and the lives of those who served on the famed ship in the new documentary, “USS Iowa.”

The documentary will premiere on Wednesday, March 1, at 6:30 p.m. and will be rebroadcast Sunday, March 5, at noon and Monday, March 6, at 8:30 p.m. USS Iowa will also be available to be streamed on demand on the PBS app.

Billed as the “Ultimate 90s Dance Party,” Fool House will make its first appearance in the Lakes region Friday with a 7 p.m. show at The Roof Garden Ballroom in Arnolds Park.

The live musical event will pay homage to the golden era of boy bands, pop stars, hip-hop and pop punk. With a larger-than-life production, the show recreates the sights, sounds and energy of the biggest stars of the '90s.

Six students recently represented the Spencer High School instrumental music department in the Norther Festival of Bands which was held at the University of Northern Iowa. Students who performed in this prestigious festival were Julia Gastelum, clarinet; Kamdyn Van Gelder, clarinet; Isaac Dean, alto saxophone; Braxton Nachtigal, baritone saxophone; Owen Kierscht, trumpet; and Devon Rees, trumpet.

Staff recently presented school board members with information and updates on the Spencer Community School District’s English Language program.

The EL program is designed to support Spencer students whose first language is not English. From KinderKids to 12th grade, there are 66 EL students currently served in Spencer schools.

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is currently leading a 16-member trade mission delegation to Japan and Korea. The mission, which is focused on the food and agriculture industry, is aimed at expanding trade and investment opportunities and is being coordinated by the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

Donning their traditional plaid jackets, the Spencer Chamber Ambassadors attended Ag Outlook on Tuesday morning, enjoying the sites and sounds of the event hosted by the Spencer Chamber Ag Committee. (Photo submitted)

A special "fair-well" event planned for Clay County Fair & Events Center CEO Jeremy Parsons, Wednesday afternoon has been rescheduled to 3-6 p.m., Wednesday, March 1, a a result of the winter weather. The event will be conducted in the Events Center Ballroom. Parsons was hired for the same role with the Iowa State Fair.

Monday, Feb. 20, shortly before noon, the Spencer Police Department and Spencer Ambulance responded to a call regarding an unresponsive male. When responders arrived, it was determined the individual was deceased.

In conjunction with Future Farmers of America Week, which has been designated from Feb. 18-23 Sioux Central’s FFA chapter has prepared several events for its students this week. FFA instructor Melanie Bloom reported the school district will have a series of games, activities and dress up days during the week, with special events scheduled for Friday and Saturday.