With an arena full of agriculture vendors and implements, and multiple speakers covering a wide variety of topics specific to the agri-business industry, the Spencer Chamber of Commerce’s annual Ag Outlook packed in attendees from around the region. (Above) Century Farms Distillery was among the many local agriculture retailers participating on the arena floor, showcasing its locally sourced whiskey products.

One of the opening speakers at Tuesday’s 2023 Northwest Iowa Ag Outlook was Matt Campbell, a risk management consultant from StoneX. Campbell was a returning speaker from last year’s Ag Outlook and was eager to be speaking again in Clay County.

“I was very pleased to be back here this year,” Campbell said. “Last year was my first year, and getting the repeat offer to come speak again is always a sign that I had something interesting to say.”

One of the vibrant speakers at the 2023 Northwest Iowa Ag Outlook was Jolene Brown, professional speaker and family business consultant. With years of experience in helping settle agriculture family business disputes, Brown put together a lively presentation to teach farm owners how to keep their family business operational after they’ve passed on.

Local farmers were given updates on new agriculture legislation in Iowa during the 2023 Northwest Iowa Ag Outlook on Tuesday. Kristine Tidgren, director of Center for Agricultural Law & Taxation, informed the attending farmers of a new legislation introduced in the Iowa House on Monday.

Gary Hoefling and Midwest Ag & Urban were recognized as the 2023 Ag Outlook Vendor of the Year by members of the Spencer Chamber Ag Committee during Tuesday’s annual northwest Iowa daylong agriculture showcase at the Clay County Regional Events Center. (Photo by Celia Brocker)

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.