HARLAN — Secret Serenity Salon & Spa will permanently close January 31, 2026, as owner Tami Kloewer has announced her retirement. 
“We look forward to chasing our grand children and spending quality time with new endeavors! Serving our community has been one of the great privileges of our careers, and we are deeply grateful for your trust and loyalty throughout the years,” Kloewer said.

KIRKMAN —Each year on the first Sunday in October, Kirkman United Methodists members gather to walk for hunger.  Donations received are then presented to West Central Community Action Agency’s Shelby County Food Pantry for hunger relief in Shelby County.

HARLAN – Nurses at Myrtue Medical Center are being honored with The DAISY Award  For Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.

AREA — Regional Water Rural Water Association has sent notice of $4 increase for the cost for the first 2,000 gallons of water, also commonly referred to as customers’ “monthly minimum.”  

ALTOONA — The 42nd annual Iowa Middle School Mock Trial Competition was held December 1-3 in Altoona. Thirty-two schools of all sizes from across the state competed against one another with Regis Catholic Middle School of Cedar Rapids being crowned the 2025 State Champion. 

HARLAN — Jim Reischl has been recognized for his service at Myrtue Medical Center, and has been named Hospice Volunteer of the Year. 
Through his unwavering commitment to compassionate care, Jim has made a profound impact on the patients, families, and staff served by the hospice program.

AVOCA — What began as a simple Christmas list has turned into a growing community tradition for an Avoca woman. Four years ago, when asked to write down what she wanted for Christmas, Paige Heller decided instead to create “Paige’s Pantry Project,” a holiday food drive benefiting pantries in Avoca, Walnut and Harlan.

CARROLL – The Harlan Community High School boys basketball team hit the road Tuesday night for its second game of the season, falling 81–45 to the Kuemper Catholic Knights (1–0 overall, 1–0 conference).
Kuemper came out firing, jumping to a 23–7 lead after the opening quarter.
The Knights continued their offensive surge in the second quarter, adding 29 more points to take a commanding 52–20 lead into halftime.

HARLAN – The Harlan Community Cyclone boys basketball team opened their 2025–26 campaign in impressive fashion Thursday night, defeating the Shenandoah Mustangs 68–42 and giving Head Coach Dean Mosher a winning debut at the helm.
The Cyclones set the tone immediately, winning the opening tip and scoring just 15 seconds into the game when junior Kobe Klaassen stepped into a three and buried it for the first points of the season.