HARLAN -- The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office completed a theft investigation March 30, culminating with the arrest of Justin Levell, 28, 207 Jane St., Irwin.    Sheriff’s officials said Levell was found to be in possession of a 35-foot camper trailer at his residence in Irwin, along with  a John Deere, four-wheel Gator.

HARLAN -- Harlan Municipal Utilities Board of Trustees approved bids to clear out and clean up parts of the former headquarters facilities to be used for “cold storage.”    The old facilities, located on the east end of Highway 44 going through Harlan, will see demolition to floors, walls, plumbing, electrical, hvac, etc to provide open space for storage.

    HARLAN – Class sizes at the elementary level likely will be higher next year as Harlan Community Schools administration wrestles with the difficulty of balancing financial solvency with state funding, staffing and declining enrollment.    The HCS Board of Education unanimously approved the 2016-17 budget Monday, March 21.  Board members Kathy Mahlberg, Lonnie Muxfeldt, Al Hazelton, Angie Monson, Joni Larsen, Amy Rueschenberg and Monte Sche

    HARLAN -- Charles and Delores Schaben of Harlan will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on April 14.

    DES MOINES -- Iris Ilarslan and Jason Noon both of Ames exchanged marriage vows on June 27, 2015 in a double ring ceremony at Glen Oaks Country Club in Des Moines.    Parents of the couple are Resit and Hilal Ilarslan, Shelton, CT; and Jon and Cathy Noon, rural Elk Horn.

    WESTPHALIA -- Funeral arrangements are pending at Pauley Jones Funeral Home, Harlan, for Ivo Wilwerding, 80, Westphalia, who died Monday, April 4 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.    He is survived by his wife, Darlene Wilwerding, of Westphalia.    Call the funeral home at 1-800-831-6805 or 755-3135, or visit www.pauleyjones.com for more information.

    AVOCA -- Martha E. McCord, 87, Avoca, died Friday, March 25 at the Avoca Nursing Home in Avoca.    A graveside memorial service will be held at a later date.    Survivors include her children Marion McCord of Urbandale, Melinda McCord of Omaha, NE, and Melanie McCord.    Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca is in charge of arrangements. 

    HARLAN -- Students in the Harlan Community Schools were treated to a program about eagles from Shelby County/DNR Naturalist Christina Roelofs this week.  The eagle in the background is Cassie, a partial amputee most likely due to collision with a train.  The tip of one of her wings was mangled so they had to take it off.  She was found in Cass County, NE.  Roelofs has had her since 2007, and estimates the eagle’s age at probably between 20

    HARLAN -- Harlan Community High School juniors and seniors will once again be hosting a community service day, scheduled for Wednesday, April 20.    Students will contribute up to six hours of volunteer work in the many communities served by HCHS.    “We are extremely fortunate to be part of a community that values education and partners with the school to provide opportunities and programs that benefit the students,” said teacher coordina