HARLAN — The Harlan Community High School Marching Band is in step for another successful season of performances and competitions.Director Bill Kearney said The Marching Cyclones are 78 members strong this year. On September 16, they earned 3A first place at Creston Balloon Days.The group will be in the Southwest Iowa Band Jamboree parade in Clarinda September 30 and will compete in the Glenwood Fieldfest Marching Contest October 7.

HARLAN — It’s Homecoming week for Harlan Community Schools, and the district has a week full of activities and fun planned to celebrate “Hollywood Lights, Football Nights.”Monday’s dress up day was Twin Day, or Toga/cheerleaders for the seniors, and the Powder puff game was held at Merrill Field at 7 p.m.Tuesday, high school students are encouraged to dress as a character, and the HCHS volleyball team will host Creston, with freshman/junior va

 SHELBY COUNTY — Robin Butler of Harlan knows first hand the importance of having an Emergency Medical Service with the ability to transfer patients in dire need of definitive care. An early morning transfer from Myrtue Medical Center (MMC) in Harlan to the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in 2021 saved her life. In September 2021, Butler woke up with pain in her back.

    HARLAN - The making of the 2023 historic downtown Harlan history book had been on Alan Mores’ mind since 2020 when he delved again into the history of the 51 buildings that surround the downtown square.    The original 2002 downtown guide was based on the work of historical consultant, the late Leah D.

  by Renée Brich,Managing Editor FORT DODGE — Attorney Tim Whipple introduced four expert witnesses in the Iowa Utility Board’s evidentiary hearing for the Summit Carbon Solution pipeline permit last week.Whipple is providing legal representation for Shelby, Kossuth, Emmet, Dickinson, Franklin, Woodbury and Wright Counties.

AREA — The Tenth Annual Southwest Iowa Art Tour is scheduled for September 16 and 17, with sneak peaks available at certain locations on Friday, September 15.The Brick Wall Gallery, located on the east side of the square in downtown Harlan, is one of the 18 stops in Southwest Iowa to see work from local artists in painting, sculpture, fabric art, photography, pottery, wood carving, jewelry and mixed media.Bringing these artists to Harlan is ma

SHELBY COUNTY — By definition, a stone catcher is “a person who defends the downtrodden, speaks up for those who cannot speak, and seeks fellowship with all.” Since its inception in 2021, The StoneCatchers Society has stayed true to its mission statement of providing  grace, hope, and mercy to those facing misfortune, while supplying hundreds of educational books to incarcerated people in Iowa and Nebraska.Co-founded by Harlan Community High S

SHELBY COUNTY —  November 7, 2023 is Election Day, with  area city councils and school boards, as well as the county-wide public measure regarding Emergency Management Services on the ballot.

HARLAN — Myrtue Medical Center’s Hospice Department has been named a 2023 Hospice CAHPS Honors Elite Award recipient by HEALTHCAREfirst, a leading provider of revenue cycle management services, CAHPS and bereavement surveys, and advanced analytics for hospice organizations. This prestigious annual review recognizes agencies that continuously provide positive patient and caregiver experiences and high-quality care.

FORT DODGE — The second week of the Iowa Utilities Board’s (IUB) evidentiary hearing for Summit Carbon Solution’s proposed pipeline permit wrapped up Thursday, and will recess Friday and Monday before resuming Tuesday, September 5 at 8 a.m.The hearing began Tuesday, August 22, at the Cardiff Event Center in Fort Dodge.

Harlan - U.S. Senator Charles Grassley stopped by Molded Products, Inc. in Harlan Aug. 28 as part of his annual 99-county tour through Iowa.

Harlan -  In a contested election August 24, Nishnabotna Valley REC members reelected Donna Olson to continue to serve on the board. Olson defeated challenger Nick Olsen from Kimballton to retain her seat from district three. Following the annual meeting, Olson was appointed as board president by her fellow directors.This year’s election also saw two incumbents reelected to the board in uncontested districts.

HARLAN — The Harlan Community Library will be hitting the streets with a book bike.

SHELBY – Iowa farm history will be showcased September 9 and 10 at Carstens Farm during the 41st Annual Carstens Farm Days. This farm show showcases threshing, sawmill operations, crafters and vendors, a quilt show and of course, tractors.

COUNCIL BLUFFS – Shelby County Sheriff’s Office assisted in an investigation which led to arrests of Cass County residents for conspiring to distribute fentanyl causing serious bodily injury or death, according to a report from the Southern District Court of Iowa.Collin Jacob Clarken, 21, was sentenced to 252 months in prison. Colby Ray Clarken, 25, was sentenced to 240 months in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.