Heroes of the Heartland

    DES MOINES – Harlan’s Barb Jorgensen was honored recently by the American Red Cross for her efforts in alerting a neighbor to a fire in their home last December.
    Jorgensen was one of six individuals recognized by the Red Cross of Central Iowa as 2016 Heroes of the Heartland at ceremonies held Friday, April 8.  They were honored as outstanding citizens who have demonstrated courage, compassion and unselfish character in the eyes of their neighbors and communities.
    On December 28, 2015, Jorgensen went outside to shovel snow when she noticed thick black smoke pouring from her neighbor, Theo Behrens’, front window in north Harlan.  Jorgensen ran to the side of the house, where she knew the bedrooms were located, because she knew that she couldn’t go to the front door.