HARLAN – The Harlan Community Schools Board of Education has reached an agreement with the Harlan Education Association, calling for a 3.13 percent package increase for teacher staff next year.    HCS Board members Lonnie Muxfeldt, Amy Rueschenberg, Angie Monson and Al Hazelton approved the agreement Monday, April 11.  Board members Monte Schechinger, Joni Larsen and Kathy Mahlberg were absent.    The HEA also has ratified the agreement.

    HARLAN - The Shelby County Public Health KidsFest Health and Safety Event was held on Saturday, April 16 at Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium with HCHS Athletic Director, Mitch Osborn acting as the 2016 guest of honor for over 425 in attendance.

    COUNTY – Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan has reported a laboratory-confirmed case of Mumps in Shelby County last week.    The most common symptoms of Mumps are fever, headache, and swollen glands under the jaw.  Other symptoms can include tiredness, muscle aches, and loss of appetite.  Mumps is an infectious viral disease that is spread by sneezing, coughing, or other saliva contact.  After exposure it usually takes 12-25 days for symptoms

    ELK HORN -- Melvin August Coenen, 93, Elk Horn, died April 16 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.    Services will be held Tuesday, April 19 at 11 a.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia with burial in the St. Boniface Cemetery.  A wake service was held Monday, April 18 at 7 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.  Visitation was Monday from 5-8 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m.

    RURAL HARLAN -- Ronald and Charlene Ruffcorn of rural Avoca will mark their 40th wedding anniversary at an open house on Saturday, April 23 from 1-4 p.m. at Altamont Baptist Church, 516 Quince Rd., rural Harlan. Friends and relatives are invited to attend.    Their children are Nickolas and Lisa Ruffcorn, Kansas City, MO; and Jeremiah Ruffcorn, Forever 29. The Ruffcorns have two granddaughters. 

    DEFIANCE -- Ronald and Rita Gross of Defiance will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on April 30. Their family is planning a card shower in their honor.

    COUNTY – County authorities are on the fast track to repair a significant portion of road in the northern section of Shelby County after an unforeseeable collapse occurred last month.    A section of County Road F16 near Manteno fell in Easter weekend, creating a crater the size of which hasn’t been seen before, officials said.

    SHELBY -- The heirs of Ernest (Ernie) Fuhs have agreed to donate a vacant lot in Shelby, Iowa to Carstens 1880 Farmstead, Inc.  As a long-time farm volunteer, this donation is in accordance with Ernie’s wishes.  Recent public notices in Shelby County have disclosed that the donation is currently processing.    The donation is occurring through a collaborative quiet title action, which has appeared in the public record as a lawsuit.  All pa

    HARLAN – Harlan Community will host students from 20 schools across southwest Iowa in a Battle of the Books, a program that encourages students of all levels to read.    The competition will be held Wednesday, April 20 from 10 a.m.-12:45 p.m., with an awards ceremony at the conclusion of the program.