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

    HARLAN -- The Myrtue Medical Center Board of Trustees voted to approve a proposal for a new funding agreement increase with Shelby County for public health services.    MMC CEO Barry Jacobsen stated in the current three year period, MMC has been receiving $100,000 per year from the county.

    HARLAN – Harlan Boy Scout Troop 90 has announced a new community project called the Harlan Avenue of Flags that kicks off this week.    With the guidance of Scoutmaster Dr.

    HARLAN – Downtown building owners in Harlan have the unique opportunity to participate in façade improvement through a state/federal grant program being offered through the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), and being applied for by the City of Harlan.    The Harlan City Council last week hired RDG, Des Moines, as architect for the downtown façade improvement project.  The council is proceeding with an application for $500,000 fro

    HARLAN – Iowa Gov. Terry E.

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Newspapers is again teaming up with area merchants to give away $1,100 in gift certificates this holiday season.    Simply find the announcement inside the Harlan Tribune or PennySaver each of the next five weeks for details, complete the registration form and deliver to the Harlan Newspapers office.    Winners  will be drawn each Monday, Nov. 16 - Dec. 14.

Coach Angie Spangenberg talks with the team during the Cyclones’ sweep of Bondurant-Farrar. See Sports in the November 10 Harlan Tribune.