HARLAN -- Bonnie Peterson of Harlan observed her 94th birthday on April 27. Bonnie was born on her parents’ 13th wedding anniversary.    Her family is planning a card shower in her honor. Cards will reach her if sent to 1603 Cheyenne, Harlan, IA 51537. 

    DEFIANCE -- Vernon and Mary Miller of Irwin will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with an open house on Saturday, May 14 from 5-8 p.m. at St. Peter’s Hall in Defiance. Friends and relatives are invited to attend the celebration hosted by their children.    Cards will also reach them if sent to PO Box 58, Irwin, IA 51446.

    COUNTY – Keith Bauer remembers the days when the Western Iowa Arts Association performed full-blown Broadway musicals.    Oklahoma and The Music Man.  Those were some awesome productions.    They used to rehearse and perform in the old St.

    HARLAN – School board members who attended a national conference in Boston, MA this month said they were excited to bring back information from the convention that will directly improve student learning in the Harlan Community School District.    Those sentiments come from Kathy Mahlberg and Joni Larsen, who indicated Monday that the National School Board Association conference April 8-11 was definitely worth the $4,713.96 price tag.    “I

    HARLAN -- The Harlan City Council this week appointed Ahlers & Cooney, P.C. as special legal counsel to represent the City of Harlan in employment law matters.    The council met in special session Wednesday, April 27 for the sole purpose of appointing special counsel.  The council voted unanimously approving the measure. 

    ELK HORN -- A gas leak in Elk Horn Monday, April 25 forced a small evacuation until the leak could be contained and fixed.    At approximately 11:15 a.m., Shelby Co. Emergency Management and 911 were notified of a gas line rupture near 4013 Main Street (Highway 173) in Elk Horn. Elk Horn Fire Department was dispatched and established incident command. 

    HARLAN -- Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Co., Atlantic, will continue to provide auditing services to Myrtue Medical Center. The MMC Board of Trustees approved the recommendation made by Kristy Hansen, chief financial officer at MMC to remain with Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Co.

    PERSIA -- Catherine Ann Franks, 81, Persia, died April 26 at Immanuel Medical Center.    Services will be held Friday, April 29 at 2 p.m. at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Church in Portsmouth with burial in the Valley View Cemetery at Persia.  Visitation was held Thursday, April 28 from 4-8 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m.

    PERSIA -- John Ferdinand Bauer Stamp, 85, Persia, died Sunday, April 24 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs.    Services will be held Saturday, April 30 at 11 a.m.