HARLAN — The rain may have dampened the ribbon-cutting
ceremony for Harlan Community Elementary’s new playground
Thursday, but not even inclement weather could douse the students’
excitement.
“It’s as inclusive as possible,” said HCSD Elementary Principal
Jeff Moser. One-third of the surface area surrounding the equipment
is pour-in-place rubber surfacing, making it accessible for

ELK HORN — The Danish Windmill has temporarily disabled the ability to receive payments via PayPal on its website due to a substantial increase in bot/scam traffic. 
Manager Shaun Sayres said, “We have received over 250 fraudulent payments, mostly via PayPal, over the last week. We apologize for any inconvenience and are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.”

SHELBY COUNTY — The Shelby County Ambulance Service finished 2025 with a total of 1,444 calls, EMS Director Kenny Hansen said.
Hansen, who has served as director since May, said he is proud of the accomplishments made last year.
“We had big goals,” he said. “And many were accomplished.”

HARLAN — Area grocery
shoppers helped a Harlan Community
graduate fulfill a service
assignment for a college course,
donating 269 pounds of food to the
University of Iowa’s Panther Pantry.
UNI freshman elementary
education major Tatum Lacey returned
to Harlan over Thanksgiving
break, and used her time at
home to collect donations for foodinsecure
college students.
“My geography class was

HARLAN – Myrtue Medical Center is excited to announce a new home for mental health care. In early January the Behavioral Health department will move to the second floor of the newly expanded clinic at 1220 Chatburn Avenue in Harlan.

DES MOINES — The HCHS Dance Team earned two Division I ratings at the Iowa State Dance & Drill Team Association’s (ISDTA) State Championships in Des Moines last week.
The team performed in both the Pom and Hip Hop categories. The Pom team placed fifth in their class, while the Hip Hop team finished ninth.
Despite a long season marked by injuries, Coach Bre Fuhs said she is proud of the team’s performance.

NATIONWIDE — President Donald J. Trump, joined by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, members of Congress, and farmers from several states, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will make $12 billion in one-time bridge payments available to American farmers. The funding is intended to address temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs.

HARLAN — Longtime Taylor Quik Pik manager Virginia Smith will retire at the end of the year.
“My favorite memories are my customers,” Smith said. “Seeing them every day, joking around and having fun. I will miss that.”

HARLAN — Continuing our series of teacher interviews, this week HCHS News spotlights Mr. Ahrens, a business and technology educator whose path to the classroom began long before his college years.

HARLAN — Secret Serenity Salon & Spa will permanently close January 31, 2026, as owner Tami Kloewer has announced her retirement. 
“We look forward to chasing our grand children and spending quality time with new endeavors! Serving our community has been one of the great privileges of our careers, and we are deeply grateful for your trust and loyalty throughout the years,” Kloewer said.

KIRKMAN —Each year on the first Sunday in October, Kirkman United Methodists members gather to walk for hunger.  Donations received are then presented to West Central Community Action Agency’s Shelby County Food Pantry for hunger relief in Shelby County.

HARLAN – Nurses at Myrtue Medical Center are being honored with The DAISY Award  For Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.

AREA — Regional Water Rural Water Association has sent notice of $4 increase for the cost for the first 2,000 gallons of water, also commonly referred to as customers’ “monthly minimum.”