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...
After years of sitting empty, the former Hallmark building on Grand Avenue is getting a new resident. Game State will be moving to the new location on September 1. Game State is a store in downtown Spencer specializing in board games, card games, table-top games, and game accessories. Aside from selling games, Game State hosts...
Spencer’s getting a new piece of equipment for its annual mosquito battle. On Monday, the Spencer City Council approved the purchase of a London Foggers Model 18-20/GPS Mosquito Sprayer for $15,940. The purchase was identified in this year’s capital improvement plan, but only for $14,500. The rest of the money will be covered through the...
Spencer needs to hear what Thursday’s protesters have to say. If you don’t know, there’s a peaceful protest planned for 5 p.m. Thursday in Spencer. Protesters will gather at East Leech Park and march on the sidewalks of Grand Avenue to the Spencer Police Department, where they will share their message before heading back. The...
Kay Meyer was more than ready to reopen her bar Thursday afternoon. Like other bar owners throughout Iowa, Meyer, owner of 5:13 at 513 S Grand Ave. in Spencer, has had to keep her establishment closed to guests since March 17. That was the day Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered restaurants, bars and many other...
A Mason City architecture firm will begin preparing design guidelines for the Grand Avenue Historic Commercial District. The Spencer City Council on Monday approved with a 7-0 vote an agreement with Bergland and Cram to create the guidelines. The discussion about the need for guidelines began, City Manager Amanda Mack told the council, after a...
ATVs and golf carts will be legal to drive on city streets effective May 27. On Monday, the Spencer City Council voted 7-0 to approve the third and final filing of two sets of ordinance revisions that make those vehicles street legal on all city streets but not state highways in town. City Manager Amanda...
Though the city hopes to update traffic signal timing systems on Grand Avenue in the next few years, a steep increase in the expected cost has led the city to take a closer look at its options. On Monday, the Spencer City Council voted 7-0 to have Bolton and Menk conduct a review of the...
Like a bad batch of beer, some ordinances apparently are best dumped and brewed fresh. The Spencer City Council did just that last week when it voted 5-1 to approve the first filing of a clarified ordinance that would allow microbreweries, microwineries and microdistilleries downtown and other areas as a permitted use. The council flushed...
Scott Simpson’s favorite part of working in the insurance industry is being there for people. “I love helping people and working with people,” said Simpson, owner and president of Community Insurance. “My slogan has always been ‘Insurance stinks until you need it.’ It’s great when you can work with people and when something does go...