COUNTY -- Most Shelby County communities have decided to permit trick-or-treating in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, but are asking kids and adults to take all precautions to stay safe and healthy when out and about this weekend.    The City of Harlan has put trick-or-treating times at 5-7 p.m.  Harlan Mayor Mike Kolbe said the city is stressing safety on Saturday.    “Obviously you don’t have to participate, so if you don’t want kids k

SHELBY COUNTY CONFIRMED CASES:  372Recovered:  314  
Negative:  2,416 
Pending:  20

Accident on Highway 59 near Willow St. Law enforcement and rescue personnel on scene. Avoid the area if possible.

HARLAN -- Signs have popped up in Harlan during the last few weeks.

   HARLAN (Oct. 23) -- The Harlan Community football team shook off some bye-week rust on offense and got scoring help from the special teams and defense Friday night to handle Bondurant-Farrar 36-7 in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs at Merrill Field.

    REGIONAL -- The Iowa Western Community College Board of Trustees announced this week it has selected three finalists for the presidency of Iowa Western Community College.      “I would personally like to thank the entire College community for your continued interest and support in the process to identify our next president,” said Brent Siegrist, chairman.

    COUNTY – Shelby County needs new representation on zoning boards after a change in state law mandates an adjustment in the make-up of those commissions to include only rural residents.    Shelby County Zoning Administrator Tony Buman said effective July 1, the legislature and governor signed into law legislation that requires two county boards be comprised of members who live in an unincorporated area, meaning outside any city limits.    H

HARLAN – It wasn’t officially a “snow quall” according to the National Weather Service until it reached further east of Harlan, but the beginning of the unexpected snow event had its origins in western Iowa, dropping four-five inches of snow in Shelby County early Monday morning, Oct.

    AVOCA -- The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has awarded Avoca Main Street, Inc. a $75,000 grant for the Edward Carroll Building Project. Thirteen other Main Street Iowa communities also received grants.    “We are very thrilled and honored to receive funding for this important project in our Main Street District,” said Amber Mohr, Director of Avoca Main Street, Inc.

    HARLAN – Nine Harlan Community High School students are recording videos to submit for all-state music consideration this week, a change in the process 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.    Band members Eric Torneton, trumpet; Devin Kearney, trumpet; Hannah Bissen, flute; Seth Anderson, euphonium; and Ian Kearney, trumpet; and vocalists Kylie Albertsen, Rebekah Bruck, Kaiden Milliken and Madison Schumacher are auditioning this year for the

    Get your tickets now at Harlan Sweets & Treats, Harlan Theatre, Harlan Newspapers, KNOD Radio or the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry.    Showing Hotel Transylvania, rated PG13, at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24    Harvest Hunt lollipops will be out at noon on Saturday!

SHELBY COUNTY CONFIRMED CASES:  353Recovered:  309  
Negative:  2,352 
Pending:  29

    SHELBY -- As a freelance musician living in New York City, my fall season is normally packed with performing gigs, running an elementary band program, and teaching private music lessons weekly.    COVID-19 has cut down immensely on my shows on the East Coast, but I continue to teach private piano and trumpet lessons online.

VERMILLION, SD -- Prentice Park was the place to be on Sunday, October 11, in Vermillion, S.D. It was a gorgeous Fall day for the music in the park event, which included performances by the USD Concert Band, USD Symphonic Band, a USD Percussion Ensemble, two USD Vocal Choirs, and the USD Jazz I Band.