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.

99% of American households have TV sets. The average household in America has 25 internet connected devices in it. When we look at children’s bedrooms, 40% of preschoolers have TVs in their bedrooms.” - Douglas Gentile, Ph.D.

DES MOINES —Brandt and Stacy Ferry of Kirkman were one of 44 families recently chosen to receive the Iowa Farm Environmental Leadership Award at the 2024 Iowa State Fair. The award acknowledges farmers who take voluntary actions to improve and protect our state’s natural resources, including our soil and water, serving as leaders within their communities.
 

 by Renée Brich,Managing Editor STATEWIDE  — Voters in Iowa can now request an absentee ballot for the November 5 general election. County auditors will send the requested ballot October 16, the same day voters will be able to start early in-person voting. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is reminding voters to make a plan to participate in the upcoming election.

 SHELBY COUNTY — Jay Goodvin, known as “The Iowa Gallivant”, recently made two stops in Shelby County for his popular travel blog. Goodvin travels Iowa, promoting tourism and dining throughout the state for his 50,000 followers.

    HARLAN — US Representative Randy Feenstra took questions from several local community and business leaders in Harlan Wednesday during a forum hosted by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Feenstra, a Republican serving Iowa’s 4th District, also received recognition for his military service and congressional productivity from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.    U.S.

 STATEWIDE — Ninety-two restored barns, including one in Shelby County, will be featured on a statewide tour organized by the Iowa Barn Foundation. The foundation raises money to preserve the state’s decreasing number of barns, and all barns on the tour have received a grant from the Iowa Barn Foundation to assist with restoration. The tour will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

AREA ­— The Shelby-Tennant Alumni Association is asking former students and classmates to help preserve the memory of the school by donating Shelby-Tennant yearbooks. Chuck Martens, member of the Alumni Association said it is uncertain what happened to the school library’s yearbooks when the school consolidated with what was AvoHa in 1996 to form the A-H-S-T (now AHSTW) School District. “Schools are a mainstay in a community.