The Spencer Daily Reporter

09/27/2025

SPENCER GIRLS TENNIS ON TO STATE

Spencer defeated Sgt Bluff-Luton, Saturday, on the Riverview Courts to punch their team ticket to state. Look for story in Tuesday’s Spencer Reporter.

09/27/2025

09/26/2025

INTERNSHIP IMPACT: Maureen McDermott

“This past summer, I interned at the The Spencer Daily Reporter. I had a great experience at the Daily Reporter. Throughout my time working there this summer, I learned a great deal about the newspaper business, how to write for a newspaper, and the Spencer community through various writing topics. I saw the internship opportunity in the Spencer Daily Reporter over winter break and thought that it would be a good experience for me to work on my writing skills. Going into the internship, I had no idea how much I would learn and how much I would be able to improve my writing and communication skills.”

“After my experience this summer, the newspaper and media business is a career path I am a lot more interested in exploring post-grad.”

This summer position was made possible in part by The Iowa Newspaper Foundation's paid internship program, one of its core initiatives to help young people experience real-world media.

09/26/2025

09/26/2025

Public Awareness

• Fraud threats focus of local bank-driven event

Randy M. Cauthron
Managing Editor
[email protected]

A Fraud Awareness & Prevention Seminar, put together by four Spencer local banks, will be hosted from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the Clay County Regional Events Center. The evening is free, with appetizers and refreshments provided.
Dani Brink, who has been with Northwest Bank for 17 years, is the branch’s retail manager, said, “This is open to everyone.
“Fraud does not discriminate,” she pointed out. “If you have a phone, you can be scammed — we want to spread the word and try to help protect our community.”
The forum will address current fraud trends and what people can do to prevent them from happening. A Q&A panel of local bankers and law enforcement will address the issues, and there will also be a short presentation from Jenica Lensmeyer, with the Iowa Bankers Association.
“Fraud is rapidly on the rise,” according to Brink. “Even people who think they would never fall victim to something are. We are trying to stop it and protect our customers' money.”
“The increasing amount of fraud we are all seeing” is driving the discussion, one of the event coordinators, State Bank Senior Vice President Brianna Dean, said. “We want customers to know it's everywhere, and as banks, we are really looking out for them and want to protect their money.”
Seth McCaulley, Community Bank president and a shareholder/director, leads the financial institution’s fraud team. He has been with Community Bank for nine years.
“It is a combination of fast-moving technology, the ability to move money rapidly across the world, and laws and enforcement that needs to be revamped and made a priority,” McCaulley cited as the cause behind the problem.
He continued, “It is difficult to keep up with these attacks at this rate. Your bankers deeply committed to fighting fraud and are on your side. The better we can safeguard our community and increase the education and tools of our customers, the harder it is for criminals to take our money.”
The group is hopeful participants take away advice on what to do and not to do, and who to turn to and trust.
McCaulley admitted while not all bank customers are direct victims, he suggests everyone receive texts, social media messages, emails and calls attempts to take advantage.
“We hope they learn about all the different types of scams, so if they are targeted, they know the red flags immediately,” Dean, who has been with State Bank for 13 years, said. “And if it doesn't happen to them, they might be able to recognize it with a friend or family member to help protect them as well.”

09/26/2025

SHS selects homecoming court

(Left to right) Jivahny Lovan and Madison Steven; Kamden Young and Sydnee Hopkins; Cristian Mendex-Garcia and Avery McEntee; Dylan Timmer and Gretchen Haak; and Trenton Hallett and Abbey Crew were chosen to represent Spencer High School on the homecoming court, Thursday. Madison is the daughter of David Steven, Sydnee is the daughter of Corey and Beth Hopkins, Gretchen is the daughter of John and Shelby Haak, Avery is the daughter of John and Janelle McEntee, and Abbey is the daughter of Pete and Andrea Crew. Dylan is the son of Casey and Stacia Timmer, Jivahny is the son of Tebrina Lovan and Boun Lovan, Kamden is the son of Ryan and Kristine Brooks, Cristian is the son of Javier and Blanca Mendez-Garcia, and Trenton is the son of Corey Hallett and Amanda Hallett. (Photo submitted)

INFO BOX

SPENCER HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING
Oct. 5-10
Theme: “Turning up the Tempo”

DRESS UP DAYS
Monday — Country, Tuesday — Hip-Hop, Wednesday — Rhythm & Blues, Thursday — Disco, Friday — Rock Out for Tigers

ACTIVITIES
Monday — Powder Puff, Time TBD
Tuesday — Boys Volleyball, after VB
Wednesday — Coronation, 7 p.m., Larry Untiet Auditorium
Thursday — Color Run, Time TBD
Friday — Parade, 1:30 p.m.
— Start at MS, followed by a Pep Rally at Dale Norton Field
— Football Game vs. Sioux City West at 7 p.m.
— Fireworks at Half Time
— Dance following the game, 9:15 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.

Homecoming shirts can be ordered at the online store, https://spencerhoco2025.itemorder.com/.

09/26/2025

Friday Edition Correction

In Friday’s Spencer Homecoming Court story, both Sydnee Hopkins and Madison Steven’s parents were accidentally left out of the photo cutline. They are Corey and Beth Hopkins, and David Steven, respectively. Sorry for the confusion and the Daily Reporter congratulates all of court and their parents.

The Fraud Awareness & Prevention Seminar is scheduled at the Clay County Fair & Events Center, Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 5-7 p.m., not Oct. 30 as indicated.

09/25/2025

The bird’s bright red eyes glared up following every movement of the hands pulling at its wings and webbed feet.

Every instinct the small, scruffy-looking duck possessed was probably screaming in panic about the bird’s imminent demise. After all, usually when a bunch of predatory mammals grab hold of a wood duck, they eat it. But not that day.

READ MORE: https://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/articles/news-spencerreporter-2/how-iowans-help-keep-tabs-on-americas-tree-duck/?pubid=spencerreporter

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09/25/2025

09/24/2025

A new sculpture dedication and installation took place at Spencer’s Stolley Park. JoAn Stolley and her partner, Roger Ulrich, commissioned a beautiful windmill piece designed by an artist in Utah.

READ MORE: https://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/articles/news-spencerreporter-2/stolley-welcomes-first-art-piece/?pubid=spencerreporter

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09/23/2025

Spencer Community Theatre recently announced its upcoming Mainstage productions for the coming fall, winter and spring. Celebrating its 66th season, organizers have scheduled three productions as well as other events.

READ MORE: https://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/articles/news-spencerreporter-2/sct-announces-mainstage-schedule-for-2025-26/?pubid=spencerreporter

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09/23/2025

A project leader workshop was hosted Saturday morning at Spencer’s First Congregational Church, and provided an opportunity for churches, individuals and groups to learn more about Operation Christmas Child, led by Samaritan’s Purse.

READ MORE: https://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/articles/news-spencerreporter-2/volunteers-sought-for-operation-christmas-child/?pubid=spencerreporter

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