PETERSON — While running stationary radar operation, the Clay County Sheriff's Office attempted to stop a 2008 Chevrolet Impala, driven by Wesley Euchner, 28, of Holstein, in the 4800 mile of 125th Avenue near Peterson, who was allegedly driving 69 mph in a 55 mph zone on May 28. The vehicle continued to speed up, reportedly hitting speeds of more than 110 mph. Clay County deputies lost sight of the vehicle when it entered Peterson at an unsafe speed and ended the pursuit.

The local nonprofit organization Old Iron Company makes an annual donation to different local organizations and nonprofits. This year, the nonprofit has awarded $3,300 to a variety of places.

The 2022-23 school year officially wrapped up Wednesday as students and faculty enjoyed the last day of school. Yearbooks were signed, lockers were cleaned out and the beginning of summer was celebrated. Staff of Spencer Community Schools received special recognition for their service in an afternoon ceremony. Employees who had been working in the district for several years were awarded, along with the 14 staff members retiring this year. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

ESTHERVILLE — The Iowa Lakes Community College music department will be hosting the 42nd annual Reggie Schive Jazz Camp with six concerts featuring The Headliners, camp participants, jazz camp staff and camp alums from Monday, June 12, through Thursday, June 15.

The detour signs and bright orange traffic cones along Highway 71 are on a sort of summer vacation now that the first phase of repaving U.S. Highway 71 is complete.

Many Spencer families filled the Clay County Regional Events Center two nights this week for a special circus performance. The Great Pages Circus brought its performers, animals and fun to Spencer on Tuesday and Wednesday. There were no shortage of circus activities for families to try, including pony rides, camel rides, face painting and inflatables.

Clay County was one of the lucky counties to receive a portion of a $10 million grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to establish septic systems in unsewered communities. Thanks to the swift applications sent in from Clay County Zoning, the county was able to receive approximately $900,000 in separate grants.

ARNOLDS PARK — The Native American musical group Brulé took the stage Sunday night in Preservation Plaza. The group's performance was part of the Live at the Lakes concert series and drew thousands of spectators to Arnolds Park that night. Brulé is now in its 20th season, according to the group's website. Organizers said the group was founded by Paul LaRoche, and their performances blend rock elements with native beats, dances and other theatrical elements. (Photo by Dave Petrick)

The roof on the Clay County Administration Building needs repair, county officials say. According to County Auditor Ann Baschke, water was leaking into the county treasurer’s office during the heavy rain this March, and the last time the building was reroofed was in 1997.

Arts on Grand, together with Spencer Radio Group and the Clay County Fair Association, is hosting a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned BBQ Contest July 7-8 at the fairgrounds in Spencer.

All-day Pre-K teacher Nicole Dowdy recently presented seven youngsters for graduation from Trinity Preschool, in Spencer, on Wednesday, May 24. Parents and grandparents lined up to celebrate the graduates in ceremonies that included prayers and music. Students sang their traditional “thank you” song for family members, and each were invited to the mic to share their future plans when they grow up. Plans included being a princess, a doctor and even future parents.

When Isaac Dean was little, he was used to seeing his parents volunteer at church, at the Spencer Christian Homeschooling Co-op, and at the Grand Avenue Community Outreach. When he was old enough to help, he put his little body to work. By the time he was in ninth grade, his family started going on an annual mission trip, some overseas and others in the states. Dean had also started regularly volunteering at his local church which is Foundation Church.

• SIOUX CITY — 200 undergraduate students and 247 graduate students graduated from Morningside University on Saturday, May 13, at the commencement ceremony held at Elwood Olsen Stadium on Morningside's campus. Local graduates include: Amy Kruse, MAT, of Albert City; Jaclyn Leuer, MAT, of Mallard; Jamie Baraibar, MAT, of Milford; Rochelle Achenbach, MAT, and Sara Schiltz, MAT — both of Spencer; and Benedict Steffens, B.A. in business administration, and Danielle Unrau, B.S.

Each year the Spirit of Harmony Chorus selects one of its members to be the Sweet Adeline of the Year and another member as Woman of Note. The Woman of Note award goes to a member who has made a significant or noteworthy contribution to her chorus within the past year. Spirit of Harmony has selected Marsha Swanson (left) as its 2023 Woman of Note. She and her husband, Dick, are from Spirit Lake.

Spirit of Harmony Chorus of Sweet Adelines International was thrilled to be performing in person, for the first time in three years, at the Northern Lights Region Six convention held in Rochester, Minnesota, April 21-22.