COUNTY -- The Shelby County Community Chest has kicked off its annual fund drive with hopes of raising $40,000 this year for local organizations.    Shelby County Community Chest raises funds for agencies which provide valuable services to youth, for area residents and to communities in the Shelby County area. The SCCC board currently is conducting a direct mail campaign during the month of October.

    HARLAN – Harlan Community music students have embarked on a Magical Mystery Tour this fall, as marching band students are preparing an exciting Beatlemania show that culminates this season at the state marching contest in Glenwood this weekend.    The 75-student-strong marching Cyclones will take the field at 2:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct.

    COUNTY – The Shelby County Conservation Board and Iowa Department of Natural Resources are partnering to offer a full-time naturalist position serving both entities for the next two years.    A two-year agreement has been signed providing Christina Roelofs’ services, with the option of extending the agreement up to five years.    “We are thrilled with this arrangement,” said Roelofs.  “It eases the financial burden of the Shelby County Con

    REGIONAL -- Iowa State Representative Jack Drake (R-Griswold) died Sunday, Oct.

    HARLAN -- While Harlan Community High School’s football team looks to beat Adel DeSoto Minburn Community High School on October 23, local supporters can help the American Heart Association defeat the nation’s number one and five leading causes of death: cardiovascular diseases and stroke.    Fans are asked to wear red to the football game on Friday, Oct. 23 in support of the school’s third “Red Out.”   

    HARLAN -- Students in the Harlan Community Schools were paid a visit from firefighters with the Harlan Fire Department, who talked about fire safety as part of Fire Prevention Week activities in Harlan. 

    ELK HORN -- On Monday, Oct. 5, the Museum of Danish America closed on the purchase of land that adjoins its current property, adding five acres to its grounds.    The land, purchased from the recently-dissolved First Baptist Church with the help of the congregation and a number of individual donors, is the site of the former Elim Children’s Home. 

    HARLAN -- The City of Harlan has filed a petition in Shelby County District Court this month, seeking title to an abandoned property located at 1014 Broadway St.    According to court documents, the defendant is Paul E. Berkley, 1410 7th St. Apt. #2, Harlan.  Also named in the petition are an unknown spouse of Paul E.

    COUNTY -- Every five years in Iowa, local boards of health lead a community-wide discussion about health needs and decide what can be done about them.    A Shelby County community health survey has been developed and is open for the public to complete.      Public opinion is an important step in this planning process. Your time and input is valued, Myrtue Medical Center officials said.

    MANILLA -- Ray “Bubba” Sorensen of Greenfield was in downtown Manilla last week painting the Crawford County Freedom Rock. Sorensen began painting on Sunday and expected to have it completed by the end of the week.

Images from HCS Homecoming 2015

    HARLAN – Republican Presidential Candidate Bobby Jindal Tuesday called this year’s election “the most important election in our lifetime,” while stumping in Harlan and visiting with approximately 30 local residents who turned out at a town hall meeting at Nishnabotna Valley Rural Electric Cooperative.    The Louisiana governor said the reason for his statement is many-fold, and pointed to the policies of the current administration for the

    HARLAN -- The cost for natural gas from Harlan Municipal Utilities for the upcoming winter heating season is the same as last year, according to Doug Hammer, Director of Marketing and Stakeholder Relations at HMU.    “In 2012, we signed a multi-year agreement to purchase natural gas at $4.59 per thousand cubic feet,” said Hammer.  “This means the cost of gas for this heating season will be the same as it was for last year.    “Our philosop

    REGIONAL -- While the Iowa influenza season typically starts in November and peaks in January or later, flu can begin any time of year.    The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Shelby County Public Health Department at Myrtue Medical Center urge everyone to get their annual flu vaccination as soon as possible.    “Since it takes up to two weeks after vaccination for the body to have the full protection from the flu virus, bei

    HARLAN -- Alex Assmann and Jessica Klein were crowned Harlan Community High School Homecoming 2016 king and queen during coronation ceremonies at HCHS Friday afternoon, Oct. 2.  The two then presided over homecoming activities including the parade and pep rally downtown and the HCHS football game vs. Winterset Friday night.  See more photos in Friday’s NA.