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Spencer City Council Chambers sign

Council approves second filing of solid waste rate increase proposal

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The Spencer City Council approved the second filing of an ordinance that would increase residential rates for solid waste charges by $0.73 per month beginning July 1. The council will need to approve the ordinance for a third filing before it goes into effect. The rate increase is for one year as city staff looks to bring a new rate schedule to the council next year that incorporates the waste disposal by weight, according to an agenda memo. Under the proposed ordinance, commercial rates will increase between $1.75 and $31.25 per month depending on container size and collection frequency. 

Ward 4 City Councilman asked whether the city or council had received any feedback from commercial users about the proposed increase. 

Nobody said that they had.

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COVID-19 Local, State and Federal Updates. Spencer Signal circle and signal tower logo in background.

Governor’s proclamation sets opening dates, limitations for movie theaters, swimming pools, bars, other businesses

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DES MOINES – Today, Governor Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the Public Health Disaster Emergency. The proclamation permits summer school activities, including baseball and softball, to resume on June 1.  And effective this Friday, May 22, Movie theaters, zoos, aquariums, museums, and wedding reception venues will be permitted to reopen with appropriate public health measures in place. Swimming pools will also be permitted to reopen for lap swimming and swimming lessons. Governor Reynolds also announced that next Thursday, May 28, bars and other alcohol-related establishments that have been limited to carryout and delivery will be permitted to reopen for indoor or outdoor seating. These establishments will follow the same public health measures that restaurants have been implementing for the past several weeks.

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COVID-19 Local, State and Federal Updates. Spencer Signal circle and signal tower logo in background.

Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation opening more businesses throughout Iowa

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DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the Public Health Disaster Emergency. The proclamation permits salons, barbershops, and massage and tattoo establishments to reopen throughout Iowa in a limited fashion with appropriate public health measures in place. It also permits restaurants (but not bars), fitness centers, libraries, and race tracks to reopen in the 22 counties where they have remained closed. These changes are effective at 5:00 a.m. on Friday, May 15. The proclamation continues the other ongoing closures and public health measures, including the prohibition on social, community, recreational, leisure, and sporting gatherings and events of more than 10 people, until 11:59 p.m. on May 27, 2020. 

It also strongly encourages all vulnerable Iowans, including those with preexisting medical conditions and those older than 65, in all counties of the state to continue to limit their activities outside of their home, including their visits to businesses and other establishments and their participation in gatherings of any size and any purpose

The full proclamation is online in its entirety and substantive information can be found below: 

NOW THEREFORE, I, KIMBERLY K. REYNOLDS, Governor of the State of Iowa, by the power and authority vested in me by the Iowa Constitution, Art.

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Iowa Workforce Development

Iowa Workforce Development reports 16,735 initial unemployment claims filed May 3-9

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DES MOINES – The number of initial claims in Iowa, filed between Sunday, May 3, and Saturday, May 9, was 16,735. There were 15,411 initial claims by individuals who work and live in Iowa, and 1,324 claims by individuals who work in Iowa and live in another state. 

The number of continuing weekly unemployment claims was 191,257. Unemployment insurance benefit payments totaled $52,903,527.20 for the same week. 

The following industries had the most claims: 

Manufacturing (4,065)Industry Not Available – Self-employed, Independent Contractors, etc. (2,103)Health Care & Social Assistance (1,865)Accommodation & Food Services (1,269)Retail Trade (1,133)

This week, a total of $108,219,000 in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefits was paid. Since April 4, 2020, a total of $547,345,200 in benefits has been paid.

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Fareway logo

Fareway donates more than $200,000 to support small businesses and their employees

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Fareway Stores, Inc. recently announced a $200,000 donation to the Iowa Chamber of Commerce Executives (ICCE). The donation provided for $1,000 or more in gift cards to ICCE chamber of commerce members in the communities Fareway serves. ICCE distributed the Fareway gift cards to its chamber of commerce members. The Spencer Chamber of Commerce received an additional $1,000 in gift cards, which will be distributed to local small businesses and their employees. The Chamber previously received $2,000 in Fareway gift cards and are in the process of dispersing those to nominated businesses and individuals.

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Spencer Together window decal

Chamber announces Spencer Together Patriotic Decorating Contest

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Put your decorating skills to good work and win Chamber Dollars! Spencer is a Flag City of Iowa and Flagfest was formed by former leaders of Spencer to show our patriotism.  In an effort to continue the patriotism, the Spencer Area Chamber of Commerce is launching the first “Spencer Together” event to show the patriotism of Spencer’s residents and business owners! Spencer residents are welcome to decorate your landscaping and home in red, white and blue to show your patriotic spirit for a chance to win Chamber Dollars.  Contact the chamber by phone at 712.262.5680 or email programs@spenceriowachamber.org  to register your home – we will need your name, address and phone number.  There will be three winners of this contest – 1st place will receive $200 in Chamber Dollars, 2nd place will receive $100 in Chamber Dollars and 3rd place will receive $50 in Chamber Dollars.  Decorating needs to be complete by June 9th so that the judging may be able to take place on June 10th and 11th with winners announced on June 12th. All contestant addresses will be listed on our website and Facebook page so that residents may drive or walk by your home to see the wonderful decorating skills.  We will not share your name(s) or contact information. Spencer Chamber Member Businesses are invited to decorate the windows of your business in red, white and blue to show your patriotic spirit for a chance to win Chamber Dollars.  Contact the chamber by phone at 712-262-5680 or email programs@spenceriowachamber.org to register your business – we will need the business name, contact person, and contact information.  There will be three winners of this contest – 1st place will receive $500 in Chamber Dollars; 2nd place will receive $250 in Chamber Dollars and 3rd place will receive $150 in Chamber Dollars.  Decorating needs to be complete by June 9th so that the judging may be able to take place on June 10th and 11th with winners announced on June 12th.  All businesses that register will be listed on our webpage and Facebook page so that residents may drive or walk by to take in the patriotic decorating ideas.

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Debbie Sundall

Farmers Trust and Savings Bank announces Debbie Sundall to the Board of Directors

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Mike Bryan, President and CEO is pleased to announce that Debbie Sundall was elected to the Farmers Bank Board of Directors on April 17, 2020. 

Sundall, has been with Farmers Bank for nearly 46 years and has worn many hats throughout her duration. She is currently the Sr. Vice President/Cashier/Human Resources/Adventure Club Director. She oversees all aspects of Human Resources as well as oversees the Adventure Club program at the bank. She is part of the Senior Management Team which means she is involved with the day to day decisions of the bank. 

Sundall began her employment with Farmers Bank in 1974, as a teller at the south drive-up location but soon she was moved into the main bank location as a front-line teller. Her career at Farmers Bank has been very extensive including working in the role of Personal Banker and Trust Officer.  In 1990, she was instrumental in beginning a seniors program, known as the Heritage Club, which continues to be an active club now known as the Adventure Club. It was not long after that, that she began to assume Human Resource and Cashier duties along with being the Director of the Adventure Club.

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Land O Lakes logo

Land O’Lakes offers free Wi-Fi access in Spencer to help bridge telehealth and educational digital divide during COVID-19

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ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – As the coronavirus pandemic has created an unparalleled and sudden shift to virtual working and learning, people in rural areas now more than ever are feeling the impacts of limited or unreliable internet connectivity. To help its neighbors communicate with friends and relatives, gain access to critical telemedicine services, keep up with schoolwork, and take part in other activities that are now done almost entirely online, WinField United, with the support of its landlord, is making guest Wi-Fi access available in the parking lot of its leased Spencer location to area residents. This initiative is part of a larger effort by Land O’Lakes, Inc., a member-owned co-op with deep roots across rural America. “As millions of Americans shift to work and school from home and increasingly look to telehealth for critical healthcare services, the urgent need for internet connectivity in rural America has never been so dire,” said Beth Ford, president & CEO of Land O’Lakes, Inc. “Today, we are proud to take the step along with many partners to bridge the gap and provide this critical service to these communities during this crisis. But our efforts now are only a short-term solution for a much bigger problem that people in our rural communities face, even when we are not experiencing a viral pandemic.

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Spencer Hospital employees wearing face shields

Local companies adapt business models to respond to health care needs

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What do a distillery, fire apparel company and a print shop all have in common? In addition to being northwest Iowa businesses, when the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their operations, they were able to be flexible and change their production models to help fulfill needs at Spencer Hospital. Veridian Fire Protective Gear

Based in Spencer, Veridian Fire Protective Gear manufactures protective clothing for fire fighters and emergency first responders internationally. By having the right equipment available combined with skilled staff, the Veridian team was able to adjust their production model to make a different highly needed item for Spencer Hospital and other healthcare organizations – medical isolation gowns. “The current need nationally and locally for medical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is substantial,” commented Veridian president Bill Van Lent.

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Avera Medical Group logo

Avera Medical Group Spencer temporarily adjusts Quick Care hours

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Effective immediately, Avera Medical Group Spencer (AMGS) has temporarily adjusted hours for Quick Care services. The clinic is open each weekday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., with afternoon Quick Care hours until 5 p.m. On Saturdays, Quick Care services will be open from 8 – 11 a.m. Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, all visits are by appointment only. “During the week, we offer three distinct clinic services,” explained Nate McCormick, clinic manager. These include:

· Virtual appointments which are conducted online between a provider and patient;

· An in-person respiratory clinic which uses a separate entrance for anyone experiencing respiratory illness type symptoms such as a cough, shortness of breath or fever;

· In-person appointments for non-respiratory issues

McCormick encouraged anyone with a health concern to call the clinic. “We’ve heard stories that some people are avoiding calling their physician’s office, thinking we’re only providing care for emergencies or patients who have Covid-related symptoms. We don’t want people to put off their health issues that we can address today.