ELK HORN—2015 is the 37th anniversary of the Danish Villages of Elk Horn and Kimballton, Iowa’s Christmas celebration - Julefest on November 27 and 28.  The important elements of a Danish Christmas – good food, warm hospitality, flickering candles and other decorations – will all be a part of this weekend.

CORLEY -- High winds made fighting a garage fire more difficult, but firefighters were able to knock down the blaze fairly quickly Thursday afternoon, Nov. 19 before it had a chance to spread to neighboring residences.    The garage/workshop located at 104 3rd St.

    REGIONAL – Needy families are getting some help from generous donors this holiday season as part of the annual Adopt-A-Family Christmas program in Shelby County.    The list has grown to 43 families desiring “adoption,” and potential donors should contact West Central Community Action. Calls will be taken Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. or 2-4:30 p.m., for persons wishing to be adopted or to adopt a family.

    COUNTY – Iowa Western Community College’s Shelby County Center has seen an uptick in enrollment this fall, attributable to everything from adults returning to college and distance learning options to community college affordability and an increase in part-time students.    “We are very lucky to have a community college right here in our county,” said Lori Stitz, IWCC Shelby County Center Director.  “Community colleges provide opportunities

    HARLAN -- Fourteen Harlan FFA members and advisors, Justine McCall and James Shughart, traveled to the National FFA Convention and Expo October 27-30 in Louisville, Kentucky. The members attended several tours and participated in various National FFA Convention activities while on the trip.    On the road trip to Louisville, the group stopped in St.

    HARLAN – The City of Harlan is applying for grant funds to assist local homeowners in fixing up their homes.    The Iowa Economic Development Authority offers a community development block grant (CDBG) program for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation.    If approved, the city would be able to receive funding to rehabilitate approximately 8-10 homes.  The maximum funding for actual rehabilitation costs is $24,999 for each home.  Individual

    REGIONAL – Needy families will get some help from generous donors this holiday season as part of the annual Adopt-A-Family Christmas program in Shelby County.    The Christmas season is just around the corner and a few families already are signed up for adoption.    Since the program was first started 58 years ago by the Harlan Newspapers, more than 3,900 low-resource families in need of assistance have had a merrier holiday season.  In 20

HARLAN -- Sam Bladt thanks veteran Ken Olson of Harlan for his service following the Harlan Community Elementary School Veteran’s Day program Wednesday morning.    Programs honoring local veterans were held in the elementary and at the middle/high school on Veteran’s Day last Wednesday, Nov. 11. (Photo by Kim Wegener)

COUNTY – Lonnie and Joann Rose called it “experiencing four seasons” all in one day last Wednesday, Nov. 11, as a powerful storm system rolled through the Midwest, including Shelby County, causing damage in its path.    The two were home when a suspected tornado raced through their property at 512 Juniper Rd, just southwest of the Harlan airport, at about 2 p.m.

    HARLAN – The search for a new city clerk/finance director to serve the City of Harlan has begun, following action by the Harlan City Council last week to hire HR-OneSource as consultants to coordinate the efforts.    At a cost of upwards of $15,000 to the city to utilize the search firm, city officials had good conversation about the pros and cons, and ultimately decided that the position is very important one for the community, and a prof

    HARLAN – Harlan’s City Council this month forgave a $11,550 balance of a fire response bill to ROV Holdings, LLC, and pledges to re-assess the city’s need for the city’s uniform fire billing ordinance.    The council voted 5-0, and Harlan City Administrator Terry Cox said Harlan residents can expect changes.

    REGIONAL -- Shelby County is assessing damage from an apparent tornado, which reportedly touched down in northern Pottawattamie County and tracked through the southern parts of Shelby County Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 11.    “This was a very unusual event for November,” said Shelby County Emergency Management Director Bob Seivert.    The damage is estimated to be minimal and no injuries were reported.

    COUNTY – Residents in Shelby County have reported seeing a wandering moose in the northern portion of the region.    Multiple reports have been received that a young male bull moose was spotted along Highway 59 and U. Ave., also called the Buck Grove Rd., near Goshorn Seed and Ag Supply, on Monday, Nov.

    HARLAN -- Retired Iowa Supreme Court Justice Jerry Larson was honored last week as the longest serving justice in the history of the Iowa Supreme Court (1978-2008).    Larson (middle), of Harlan, was honored by Chief Justice Cady and the justices of the Iowa Supreme Court  during the court’s visit to Harlan Wednesday, Nov. 4.    The court convened at Harlan Community High School, and heard oral arguments in the case The State of Iowa vs.

COUNTY – Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) compliance changes have led to the elimination of a local testing location, forcing those interested in pursuing their CDL to travel further to do so.    Local businesses are trying to change that, however, and are teaming up with Shelby County and the Shelby County Fair Board in hopes of having a testing area remain in Harlan.    Shelby County Treasurer Carolyn Blum said compliance changes went into