Tim Weideman, Spencer Signal publisher

City News

mask used to cover a person's mouth and nose

Clay County Board of Supervisors approves face covering regulation

By Tim Weideman | December 1, 2020

The Clay County Board of Supervisors approved by a 3-2 vote a regulation that requires people to wear face coverings when in public and unable to stay six feet from others and when in certain indoor public settings. The regulation applies to all townships and incorporated cities in Clay County. However, those municipalities can opt out by approving ordinances of their own. The regulation will go into effect following publication in the Spencer Daily Reporter. It contains no penalty for violations.

City Council

Mayor: Yield, stop and wait for pedestrians at flashing lights on Grand Avenue

By Tim Weideman | September 8, 2020

Spencer city officials have a message for drivers on Grand Avenue: Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists at the two flashing lights crosswalks on that street. Officials spoke out Tuesday at the Spencer City Council meeting following a collision between a bicycle and vehicle at the South Grand crosswalk earlier that day.

“We had a very unfortunate bicycle accident on South Grand Avenue recently,” Mayor Kevin Robinson said. “And it was at the intersection where the lights are.”

The flashing lights are located on both sides of the street at two locations, one on South Grand and another on North Grande. “It’s an extremely dangerous four-lane (street) to cross, especially early evening or afternoon as people are going,” Robinson said. Robinson asked Spencer Police Chief Mark Warburton what drivers are supposed to do at those flashing light crosswalks.

Business

First filing of IGL Construction property rezoning approved

By Tim Weideman | September 8, 2020

The Spencer City Council may fast-track a request from IGL Construction that its property at 221 32nd Avenue West be rezoned from mobile home to A residential district. Council members approved the first of three filings of an ordinance approved the rezoning with a 7-0 vote. Ron Hanson, Ward 5 council member, asked City Attorney Don Hemphill how the process could be sped up. “I think you’re going to have the final plat before you at your next meeting,” Hemphill said. “Then if you want at that time, you could complete this rezoning.”

Mayor Kevin Robinson said the council could waive the required third reading at its next meeting later this month.

City Council

Council signs off on city hall roofing contract

By Tim Weideman | September 8, 2020

The Spencer City Council approved a contract with H & S Roofing out of Spencer on Tuesday for the city hall roofing project at a quoted cost of $103,398.35. The council had awarded the contract on August 17. Council Member At-Large George Moriarty said he thought work was already being done on the roof, but that was for the replacement of air conditioning units.

“Are they in place now, working?” Moriarity asked. “Yes, they are,” City Manager Amanda Mack said. “Not that you would need it this week.”

The council voted 7-0 to approve the contract.

City Council

City Council meeting notes: September 9, 2020

By Tim Weideman | September 8, 2020

The Spencer City Council discussed the following topics Tuesday at its regular meeting.

Planning director interviews begin

The city has started the interview process for its open planning director position. City Manager Amanda Mack told the council that interviews will finish Friday. Applicants will be reviewed next week to determine a recommendation to the council. City to purchase two new police cars for $69,885

The City of Spencer will purchase two 2021 Ford Utility Police Interceptors for the Spencer Police Department from Don Pierson Ford for $69,885.

City council members approved the purchase as part of the consent agenda at Tuesday’s meeting. The vote for the consent agenda was 7-0.

Crime

Stolen vehicle investigation leads to foot chase, arrest

By Tim Weideman | August 24, 2020

An Alta man tried to run from officers who were investigating a stolen vehicle before he was tased and arrested on multiple charges, including two felonies. The Spencer Police Department stated that police tried to make contact with the driver of the vehicle they were investigating at 12:27 p.m. Sunday in the 300 block of West Sixth Street. That’s when Dalton Goodman, 25, unsuccessfully tried to run on foot from police. Police stated Goodman was tased and taken into custody with minor injuries. Goodman was charged with second-degree theft, a Class D felony; possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, a Class B felony; possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor; interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor and driving while revoked, a simple misdemeanor.

COVID-19

Assisted living facility resident is Clay County’s 2nd COVID-19 death

By Tim Weideman | August 24, 2020

A resident of Riverview Terrace Assisted Living in Spencer died August 20 after contracting COVID-19, becoming Clay County’s second death attributed to the novel coronavirus. Marjorie Ann Dalen, 89, contracted the disease and “passed suddenly,” according to an obituary on Warner Funeral Home’s website. Clay County earlier this month had a notable rise in confirmed cases, at least some of which are connected to Riverview Terrace. The Signal reported on August 12 that multiple cases among residents and staff had been confirmed at the facility. Riverview Terrace officials have acknowledged the outbreak but are not providing specific information about confirmed cases to the public due to tenant privacy laws.

COVID-19

7 COVID-19 cases linked to assisted living facility in Spencer

By Tim Weideman | August 12, 2020

Update: Riverview Terrace Assisted Living issued a press release on August 13 confirming that it has experienced an outbreak of COVID-19. The full press release is below, followed by the original article. Press release (August 13):

Riverview Terrace Assisted Living, a division of St. Luke Homes & Services, is reporting an outbreak of Covid-19. Representatives of Riverview Terrace, Spencer, has notified immediate family members, tenants and staff, but due to tenant privacy laws, officials are unable to share any further specific information about the confirmed cases.

COVID-19

Tracking COVID-19 in Clay County and neighboring counties

By Tim Weideman | July 24, 2020

The Spencer Signal is tracking the spread of COVID-19 in Clay County and neighboring counties. Below are updated graphs for Clay, Buena Vista, Dickinson, O’Brien and Palo Alto Counties showing new confirmed COVID-19 cases per day and the seven-day average number of new cases. var divElement = document.getElementById(‘viz1593809897180’); var vizElement = divElement.getElementsByTagName(‘object’)[0]; if ( divElement.offsetWidth > 800 ) { vizElement.style.width=’100%’;vizElement.style.height=(divElement.offsetWidth*0.75)+’px’;} else if ( divElement.offsetWidth > 500 ) { vizElement.style.width=’100%’;vizElement.style.height=(divElement.offsetWidth*0.75)+’px’;} else { vizElement.style.width=’100%’;vizElement.style.height=’750px’;} var scriptElement = document.createElement(‘script’); scriptElement.src = ‘https://public.tableau.com/javascripts/api/viz_v1.js’; vizElement.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, vizElement);

New cases of confirmed COVID-19 for each day are represented on the left y-axis. The seven-day average of new cases is represented on the right y-axis. The seven-day average is the average number of new cases for that day and the previous six days.

COVID-19

Spencer Schools releases draft of Return to Learn Plan

By Tim Weideman | July 24, 2020

The draft of the Return to Learn Plan for the Spencer Community School District that was released earlier this week describes three ways the district could return to school next month. Spencer Schools are scheduled to begin classes on August 24 for grades 9-12 and August 25 for grades K-8. How classes look when students are asked to begin, though, comes down to the Return to Learn Plan. The plan, as its introduction describes, “is intended to assist staff, students and families in providing direction and clarification for the return to learning in the fall.” The plan, an effort to create a safe environment as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, provides descriptions of roles and responsibilities for “stakeholders” based on three possible scenarios for how school classes may look: in-person, completely remote or online learning, or a hybrid model of the two.