HARLAN – High school students in southwest Iowa likely will have more career and technical educational (CTE) opportunities at Iowa Western Community College’s rural centers should state grant funding applied for by IWCC for the programs be approved.    The Harlan Community Schools have provided a letter of support to IWCC for a partnership academy program and grant funding offered through the state.

    COUNTY – Rural residents are in danger of having their regional drop-off recycling buildings removed due to improper usage by the public.    Shelby County Engineer Brandon Burmeister said the county has recycling buildings in Portsmouth, Irwin and Earling, but officials are considering removing them from service.    “They have become nothing but a dump ground for people to throw their garbage,” Burmeister said.  “I am afraid that the compa

    REGIONAL -- The remaining health care public health workers in Shelby County were expected to get their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine last week, as shipments of the Moderna vaccine made their way from pharmaceutical companies to states like Iowa and then to individual counties.    Next on the list will be long-term care facilities, where residents have been hardest hit by the coronavirus.    While the general public is further down t

    MANNING – The IKM-Manning Marching Band recently finished an outstanding season, earning a number of trophies and medals during a year that could have been further interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.    Director Ryan Runyan said the band earned three marching band trophies, was tapped as the viewer’s choice for field show at one contest, and garnered top three honors at state for color guard with seven color guard medalists and a Southwe

    REGIONAL – The annual weather summary from the Farmers Almanac says this winter will be milder than normal and not quite as wet, with the majority of heavy wet snow staying west in eastern Colorado and western Nebraska and to the north.    It’s been a little unusual this year as the Shelby County area has seen four significant snow events of 4-6 inches from October through December, but in each case the snow melted rather quickly.  A heavy

    HARLAN -- Those who celebrate the ringing in of the new year Thursday - New Year’s Eve, are being urged to be careful heading home after out and about celebrating.  Local law enforcement want to protect the safety of area drivers on the eve of 2021.    The Harlan Police Department will again be offering a free ride for those who celebrate on New Year’s Eve.  It’s a “no strings attached” offer that’s meant not only to keep drinking drivers

    REGIONAL – The number of registered sex offenders that call the greater Shelby County area their home has remained steady in the last 12 months, according to Iowa’s state sex offender registry.    Shelby County and areas surrounding the county have 45 registered sex offenders, as opposed to December, 2019 when there were 44 registered sex offenders listed in the area.

    HARLAN – As the Harlan Police Department’s expert and chief investigator of sex crimes, Steve Davis has seen his share of tragic situations.    Interviewing sexual predators who have abused their spouses, family members, strangers, or other acquaintances is a part of police work that admittedly, Davis said, not many consider taking on.    “I’ve done the stuff that really nobody wants to do,” Davis said.    It’s a position he found himself

    COUNTY -- Shelby County received the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine last week.  Officials with Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan said 200 doses of the Moderna vaccine were brought to the hospital on Tuesday, Dec.

    COUNTY -- The Shelby County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted from organizations providing charitable services in Shelby County.    As part of this spring grant cycle, approximately $90,000 is available to support Shelby County nonprofit organizations and community projects.    The deadline to apply for funds through the online application process is February 1, 2021.

    COUNTY -- There are two ways to win in the Harlan Newspapers’ First Baby of 2021 contest.

    ELK HORN – The hit Christmas song Old Toy Trains (sometimes referred to as Little Toy Trains) talks of the holiday season with Santa bringing gifts, including little toy trains and little toy tracks, to a youngster at Christmas time.    The song was written by Roger Miller for his son back in 1967, and gained popularity when sung by the likes of not only Miller, but The Forrester Sisters and Glen Campbell.    For those who are passionate a

    HARLAN -- Harlan Community High School mock trial students had an amazing experience last week, as the chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, Susan Christensen of Harlan, served as judge for their in-class mock trials.
 

    ELK HORN -- Siblings Cayde Jacobsen (front) and Joshlynn Jacobsen mail their letters to Santa Claus in a special mail box set-up at the Elk Horn Library this holiday season. They are the children of Jordan and Chelsee Jacobsen.

    HARLAN – Heating, holiday decorations, winter storms, and candles all contribute to an increased risk of fire during the winter months.    The Harlan Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and U.S.