The Spencer Daily Reporter

The Spencer Daily Reporter The Spencer Reporter is the hometown newspaper of Spencer, Iowa. It publishes each Tuesday and Friday.

The Spencer City Council got its first look at a new initiative to help elderly and disabled residents keep their sidewa...
12/03/2025

The Spencer City Council got its first look at a new initiative to help elderly and disabled residents keep their sidewalks clear after snowstorms.

Dubbed the “Snow Buddies” program, the plan would pair community volunteers with those who are physically unable to shovel snow themselves, easing the burden on vulnerable citizens while ensuring local sidewalks remain safe and accessible through the winter months.

READ MORE: https://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/articles/news-spencerreporter-2/city-working-on-program-to-help-elderly-disabled-clear-snow-after-winter-storms/?pubid=spencerreporter

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12/01/2025

ATTENTION!
IMPORTANT PACKAGING INFO for
Family Adoption drop-off Dec 6, 13

The Reporter asks that all gifts be delivered in sturdy boxes that people can easily lift. The boxes should be marked on at least three sides with the corresponding number of the families being served. Each gift should be individually wrapped, with the gender and age of the intended recipient either firmly taped to the gift or written large enough on the wrapping paper to notice.
The drop-off times are 9 a.m. to noon, either Saturday, Dec. 6, or Saturday, Dec. 13, at The Depot building at the Clay County Fairgrounds. Thanks to the Clay County Fair for donating the space for the drop-offs. UPS drivers and Spencer firefighters will deliver the gifts at a later time.
This year, 47 families were adopted through the Reporter, and they were adopted in less than one business day. Thanks to all of you who adopted families, and thanks to those of you who just didn't get to the list in time. All of your interest indicates just how important this is to the community.

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is planning to give 1,000 area students hands-on experience with local e...
11/30/2025

The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is planning to give 1,000 area students hands-on experience with local employers in Clay County next spring as part of its ongoing workforce development efforts.

Known as “Build my Future,” the program will be the newest of several ILCDC workforce programs aimed at keeping younger people in the region or bringing them back to it, said Curt Strouth, the organization’s CEO. He and Trevor Smith, ILCDC’s vice president for economic development, described their organization’s workforce initiatives as part of their pitch for $35,000 from the Clay County Board of Supervisors made on Nov. 25.

READ MORE: https://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/articles/news-spencerreporter-2/ilcdc-to-bring-1000-area-students-to-spencer-for-hands-on-career-program-next-year/?pubid=spencerreporter

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Organizers met their $10,000 goal — before their fundraising event even got started.Now, free carriage rides, Santa phot...
11/29/2025

Organizers met their $10,000 goal — before their fundraising event even got started.

Now, free carriage rides, Santa photos, and hot cocoa await Spencer families on Dec. 6.

Seasons Center for Behavioral Health hosts “A Very Merry Market” at the Clay County Events Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event combines a 60-vendor shopping fair with free family activities. Proceeds to go to benefit mental health services in northwest Iowa.

READ MORE: https://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/articles/news-spencerreporter-2/season-of-giving-2/?pubid=spencerreporter

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The National Weather Service is predicting a potent winter storm will sweep across Spencer and surrounding regions on No...
11/28/2025

The National Weather Service is predicting a potent winter storm will sweep across Spencer and surrounding regions on Nov. 28 and 29.

Meteorologist Jeff Chapman with the NWS Sioux Falls office said area residents should brace for hazardous conditions that could make travel dangerous through the Thanksgiving weekend.

The storm, expected to arrive Friday afternoon, will be marked by a powerful surge of warm air pushing into a lingering cold dome over the area, Chapman said. The clash of temperatures will produce a mid-level temperature gradient in the atmosphere, fueling widespread, potentially heavy snowfall.

READ MORE: https://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/articles/news-spencerreporter-2/weekend-snowstorm-predicted-to-blanket-spencer/?pubid=spencerreporter

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Returning to IAFE competition for the first time in several years, the Clay County Fair & Events Center came back strong...
11/27/2025

Returning to IAFE competition for the first time in several years, the Clay County Fair & Events Center came back strong in 2025, earning three awards, including the coveted Best of Division honor, during the International Association of Fairs and Expositions Virtual Awards Show on Nov. 20.

�This marks the fair’s second Best of Division award, and its first in the Commercial Exhibits & Concessions contest. The fair earned the Best Overall Commercial Exhibits & Concessions Award in Division 3 and was recognized specifically for its vendor recognition initiatives. The fair last received a Best of Division award in 2022 for excellence in agriculture.

READ MORE: https://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/articles/news-spencerreporter-2/clay-county-fair-events-center-receives-international-recognition/?pubid=spencerreporter

As the holiday season approaches, Spencer’s downtown business community is readying itself once again for Small Business...
11/26/2025

As the holiday season approaches, Spencer’s downtown business community is readying itself once again for Small Business Saturday.

The event, set for the Saturday after Thanksgiving, will be headquartered at Arts on Grand, which is bedecked with the gallery’s festive “Christmas in the Gallery” display, spotlighting local artisans selling their wares.

From 9-11:30 a.m., at Arts on Grand, visitors can pick up special coupons — crafted exclusively for the event — for discounts at downtown stores. Each shopper will receive a “shop small” bag filled with treats, and will be able to register for one of at least a dozen door prizes, donated by downtown merchants and Spencer Main Street.

READ MORE: https://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/articles/news-spencerreporter-2/grand-avenue-prepares-to-launch-holiday-season-with-small-business-saturday/?pubid=spencerreporter

The River’s Edge Church in northeast Spencer is hoping to make a dent in one of the city’s most difficult-to-address iss...
11/25/2025

The River’s Edge Church in northeast Spencer is hoping to make a dent in one of the city’s most difficult-to-address issues, the lack of affordable, quality child care.

The church is building a new child care center with 8 spaces for infants, 12 for 1-year-olds, and 14 for 2- and 3-year-olds. Classrooms will be outfitted for safety and comfort. A new playground was also recently added to the renovated campus. The center will welcome families of all backgrounds — church membership is not required.

READ MORE: https://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/articles/news-spencerreporter-2/rivers-edge-church-aiming-to-open-child-care-center/?pubid=spencerreporter

Spencer Rotarians gathered on Nov. 17 to hear from a pair of aviators who recently completed an extraordinary mission: F...
11/23/2025

Spencer Rotarians gathered on Nov. 17 to hear from a pair of aviators who recently completed an extraordinary mission: Flying around the Atlantic Ocean in a single-engine airplane in 37 days, all to raise money and awareness for the fight to eradicate polio.

Pilots Peter Teahan and John Ockenfels, both of whom are Rotarians themselves and are members of the International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians, had already been fighting polio for years when they embarked on their latest aeronautical adventure.

READ MORE: https://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/articles/news-spencerreporter-2/record-setting-aviators-land-in-spencer-to-talk-adventure-and-the-fight-against-polio/?pubid=spencerreporter

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While many will enjoy a warm, home-cooked Thanksgiving meal on Thursday with family and friends, there are others who wi...
11/22/2025

While many will enjoy a warm, home-cooked Thanksgiving meal on Thursday with family and friends, there are others who will rely on the compassion of others for a meal next week. The Spencer High School Key Club and Spencer Middle School Builders Club are busy collecting items to make sure everyone is fed ahead of the holidays.

READ MORE: https://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/articles/news-spencerreporter-2/making-a-dent/?pubid=spencerreporter

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Address

22 E. 4th Street
Spencer, IA
51301

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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+17122626610

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