SHELBY COUNTY — The City of Harlan has contracted with Municipal Pipe Tool Company to complete sanitary sewer main lining and point repairs this fall.  City Administrator Gene Gettys said the $1.1 million dollar project is made possible due to a $500,000 CDBG award and use of ARPA funding.

SHELBY COUNTY —The Shelby County Auditor’s Office has been fielding concerns from voters who have received multiple absentee ballot request forms in the mail.  Not to worry, says Auditor Mark Maxwell.  Once an ballot applications are recorded, other applications from that voter are dismissed, but kept on file.  Many organizations send out mailers with the Auditors office address on them.

 by Renée Brich, Managing Editor HARLAN  — Ann Holt is no stranger to the staff at the Petersen Family Wellness Center. Holt visits the Wellness Center twice a day five days a week, and once a day on weekends, to walk, lift weights, and ride the stationary bike.

HARLAN — Backing up a 53-foot trailer semi truck is no easy task, but thanks to a new CDL simulator at Iowa Western Community College (IWCC), this skill is now more accessible for aspiring drivers. Funded by an Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRC) Grant obtained by Harlan Community High School, the CDL simulator was installed at the end of September at IWCC.

SHELBY COUNTY – Four Shelby County residents have been nominated to serve 4-year terms on the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Extension Council. Their names will appear on the Nov. 5, 2024, general election ballot. One additional candidate has been nominated for a two-year term to complete an unexpired term.Nate Botine, Harlan, nomination committee chair, announced the names of the candidates.

ELK HORN — The Danish Ambassador to the United States visited Elk Horn Friday afternoon. Jesper Møller Sørensen, Chief of Mission at the Royal Danish Embassy in Washington, DC was the featured guest at a “Kaffe og kringler” (Coffee and pastry) reception at Elk Horn’s Museum of Danish America prior to addressing the crowd of approximately 75 people. Ambassador Sørensen toured the Museum, and spoke about the relationship Denmark has with the Uni

SHELBY COUNTY — It’s National 4-H Week, and Shelby County 4-H members join over six million young people across the country in celebrating.

 HARLAN — A group of former Harlan Community High School baton twirlers dusted off their batons to perform during the Homecoming parade and pregame show last Friday. Vicki Strissel’s daughter, Emeri, is the HCHS Marching Band’s lone baton twirler this year, and Emeri has hosted baton camps for the past few years in hope to draw more interest in the activity.

 SHELBY COUNTY — Upon recommendation from the Shelby County Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Advisory Council, the Board of Supervisors voted for an annual wage increase of $2,500 for Interim EMS Director Jordon Sanders at the October 1 Board of Supervisors meeting. The Board also named Shelby County EMA Coordinator Alex Londo EMS Assistant Director.  Londo presented the board with the EMA quarterly report, and noted the Federal Emergency Manag

HARLAN —Sometimes great ideas take years to put into action. That axiom is now visible for all to see with the Nishnabotna Valley Rural Electric Cooperative (NVREC) tower in Harlan is now adorned with pink lights to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout October.NVREC employee Aaron Nippert and his 17-year-old daughter, Kennedy, have been kicking this idea around for years.

 HARLAN — Vanessa Martin, Harlan’s new Postmaster, was sworn in Tuesday, September 10. Martin transferred to the Harlan Post Office in January and accepted the Postmaster in April. Rich Foust, Manager of Post Office Operations, issued the oath of office to Martin. Foust and Martin worked together in Des Moines, and Martin said it was an honor to have him issue the oath.

 HARLAN — Harlan is even better than it was. Monday, Sept. 9, talented student artists from Harlan Community High School brought something extraordinary to our small town, using their creativity to leave a lasting mark across time, hearts, and streets! Nine students dedicated a full day of work to transform 6 foot by some 50 foot crosswalks of the Harlan Historic Downtown into a vibrant, fun art installation.

September 9th, the City of Shelby, notified the DNR Atlantic Field Office that it received a complaint about pink drinking water. City staff arrived at the plant to discover that two of the four well pumps did not turn on. Since the flow decreased drastically, potassium permanganate was overfed, causing the water to turn pink. The City immediately began working to remedy the issue.

    HARLAN – Myrtue Medical Center announces the addition of Nathalie Francis, MD, MPH, as a Family Practice Physician. Dr. Francis joins the Hospital medical staff who serve at Myrtue’s nationally recognized Top 20 and 5-Star Critical Access Hospital and medical clinic. Dr. Francis will see patients in the Harlan Rural Health Clinic starting Wednesday, September 11, 2024.     Dr.

 AREA — The Eleventh Annual Southwest Iowa Art Tour is scheduled for September 21 and 21 with sneak peaks available at limited locations on Friday, September 20. This year, Market Street Gifts, located at 608 Market St.