https://youtu.be/jUiyiVvYZJ8
An estimated 950 Shelby County Republicans packed into the Harlan Veterans Memorial Auditorium, while the Therkildsen Center held another 300 Democrats for the annual Iowa Caucus...on the Republican side Ted Cruz topped Donald Trump in a heated battle while Bernie Sanders upped Hillary Clinton on the Democratic side.

Maybe it was the non-stop barrage of warnings that started on Thurs., Jan. 28 that warned us of impending Winter Storm Kayla...it didn’t hit with a whimper...it’s pretty much what we expected....heavy wet snow with estimates in the eight inch range but worse as you go north of Shelby Co....

    COUNTY – Local political chairpersons are excited about caucus night next Monday, and are urging residents to turn out and participate in the process that will ultimately vault presidential hopefuls into frontrunner status.    The countdown to the caucus is on, with only a few days left until the eyes of the nation will be squarely on Iowa.  The Republican and Democratic caucuses will be Monday evening, Feb.

    HARLAN – Shelby County Catholic School, along with other Catholic schools across the nation, will celebrate Catholic Schools Week January 31-February 5.    Catholic Schools Week is an annual observance meant to highlight the value of Catholic education and its contributions to communities and the nation.    The theme for this year is Catholic Schools:  Communities in Faith, Knowledge and Service, which encompasses the concepts that are at

    Highlights include:  Nancy Osborn and Lori Baughman share an embrace after Baughman was honored as a Cancer survivor.  The half-court basketball shot fundraiser was a success.  Students sell ducks as a fund-raiser event during the evening.  Clare Klein hands a rose to Cancer survivor Ruth Hoffmann.

COUNTY – Shelby Countians heading to the driver’s license office to renew their driver’s license have the option of now selecting the REAL ID, a two-year old program that is hoped to provide more federal security and cut down on identity theft and fraudulent activity.    Iowa began implementation of the REAL ID in 2013.

    COUNTY – Roger Schmitz has been named chairman of the Shelby County Board of Supervisors this year, and will preside over a board that is currently working diligently to prepare next year’s budget.    Schmitz is joined on the board by supervisors Charlie Parkhurst and Steve Kenkel.    Schmitz was unanimously elected chairman while Kenkel was unanimously elected vice-chairman of the 2016 board.

    HARLAN -- Tonight, Tuesday, Jan.

    COUNTY – Most elected officials in Shelby County will see a 2.5 percent salary increase under a proposal approved by the county’s board of supervisors Tuesday.    After hearing recommendations from the county’s compensation board, the supervisors voted to implement the 2.5 percent increase for the auditor, treasurer, recorder, attorney and sheriff (and chief deputy).  The three supervisors will not receive an increase next year.    The com

    HARLAN --  Harlan Community Schools’ Health Occupations Students of America and a number of other school organizations will host the annual Pink Out fundraiser for breast cancer awareness Tuesday, Jan. 26.    The event will be held in conjunction with the boys/girls doubleheader high school basketball game at Harlan Community vs. Denison-Schleswig.

HARLAN – Republican Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee says he’s hoping Iowans will turn the tables of the election come caucus night, suggesting that the mainstream media has it wrong and that the current frontrunners for the republican nomination may very well not be.    The former Arkansas governor who currently sits in 8th-10th place in national polls, made a Harlan stop Wednesday, Jan.

    HARLAN -- Chad Butler (right) of the Harlan Fire Department receives the Firefighter of the Year for 2015 from Fire Chief Roger Bissen. Butler was presented the award because of his dedicated service and countless hours put toward the fire service in Harlan and the surrounding communities. 

    HARLAN – Jane Smith, Denison, has been hired as the new director of finance/city clerk for the City of Harlan, it was announced this week.    Smith replaces Debra Sawyer, who was terminated October 27, 2015, and discharged from her duties.    Smith will begin duties February 1, said Cox.  She was offered and accepted the position following a nearly three-month search.  Smith comes to Harlan after most recently holding the position of finan

    HARLAN – The Harlan Municipal Utilities will mark its 125th anniversary this year, with plans for a celebration this summer to highlight the years of service provided by the governmental agency to the community.    HMU’s annual municipal celebration is scheduled for June 14 and will be expanded this year to help the utilities commemorate the anniversary.    This week is special in itself, as January 20, 2016 marks the 125th anniversary of

    REGIONAL – Jason Andersen has joined the USDA Service Center in Audubon as a Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist serving Shelby, Audubon and Cass Counties.    Andersen’s role is to work in a joint capacity with Pheasants Forever, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and others on conservation planning and implementation.