STORM LAKE — On Friday, May 12, Seasons Center for Behavioral Health will host two free events featuring keynote speaker and Golden Gate Bridge suicide survivor, Kevin Hines. Both events will take place at King's Pointe Resort in Storm Lake.

The eighth annual Okoboji Blue Water Festival, the foremost clean water event in the state of Iowa. Held at the Preservation Plaza green space in Arnolds Park on the shores of West Lake Okoboji, the free day is one huge all-day clean water celebration.

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and a 15-member delegation have just returned from a trade mission to Vietnam and the Philippines. The mission, coordinated by the Iowa Economic Development Authority, included representation from Iowa’s livestock and grain organizations as well as other agricultural associations. The purpose of the mission was to encourage trade development, bolster partnerships and identify opportunities to expand export markets.

Local memoir writers Steve and Mary Steele will be leading a memoir writing workshop at the Iowa Lakes Community College this month. Titled “Who Will Tell Your Story?” the workshop will be available on April 20 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at ILCC’s Spencer campus.

“I really felt it was important for people to write their stories to pass on to their children and grandchildren,” Mary said. “I also found (memoir writing) to be therapeutic, and very enjoyable.”

The Spencer Public Library was filled with patrons Thursday night for a presentation on the Holocaust. Retired teacher and current member of the Iowa Holocaust Council Brad Wilkening taught his program “Lessons of the Holocaust” to library patrons.

The Hap Ketelsen Community Center was a full house Sunday to celebrate the birthday and retirement of Roger “Lefty” Ginger. After serving the Everly Fire & Rescue for the past 50 years, there was no shortage of co-workers and community members wanting to express their appreciation for the volunteer firefighter.

Last week, Clay County Attorney Travis Johnson spent a day at the Iowa Capitol, voicing support for Senate File 525, a bill which seeks to make several changes to criminal rules, two of which he claims of large concern to his office.

According to Rep. Megan Jones, R-Sioux Rapids, the bill failed to advance out of a House subcommittee before Friday and is effectively and procedurally dead for the legislative session.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, announced that high school students across Iowa’s 4th Congressional District are invited to submit their artwork for the 2023 Congressional Art Competition. This competition is conducted by members of the U.S. House of Representatives to encourage students from across the country to express their artistic talents.

Friday was a night of nostalgia for Clay Central-Everly as the school hosted its first carnival since the middle school and high school were closed. With a fish fry meal and a variety of carnival games, CC-E families enjoyed the festivities together. The night capped out with some sweet fun as mayors of Rossi, Royal, Everly and Greenville volunteered to have students throw pie at them alongside some CC-E teachers. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

The BUS-eum mobile exhibit from TRACES Center of History and Culture kicked off its Midwest tour at the Clay County Heritage Center last Friday. TRACES volunteers and the German students who created the latest climate change exhibit presented their work to Spencer community members. (Photos by Celia Brocker)

SPIRIT LAKE — Effective April 1, the District Court for Clay and Dickinson counties launched its first Adult Drug Treatment Court. District Judge John M. Sandy spearheaded the launch of the program and will preside over the docket with the assistance of District Judge Shayne Mayer.

Giving back to others isn't just good for the community — it's also good for a volunteer's health. April is National Volunteer Month, the time to celebrate volunteers for all they do. While it is easy to see the role volunteering has in the community, it's also essential to recognize the benefits for the actual volunteer.

An accident just before 6 p.m., Sunday, claimed the life of a Terril man after the International 300 tractor he was operating was rear-ended by a 2022 Chevy 1500 on U.S. Highway 71.

Irene Leu’s parents haven’t met her children — at least the face-to-face.

“They have a relationship with Babusia and Diduce 15 minutes at a time,” Irene’s husband, Jeremy, said. “… We haven’t seen them since 2019 because of COVID and the war.”

A group of German students have brought their mobile exhibit on climate change to Spencer this week as the kickoff event for their tour across the Midwest. The exhibit will be open to the public at the Clay County Heritage Center Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with panel discussions led by the students at noon and 5 p.m.