PORTSMOUTH (May 31) -- Portsmouth rallied for six runs in the bottom of the eighth but left the bases loaded in a scoreless ninth inning on Sunday, falling to Walnut 11-9 in the Iowa Western League opener for both sides. Portsmouth trailed 11-2 at the seventh-inning stretch before mounting a comeback, but left the bases loaded in both the eighth and the ninth.

 AREA -- Three student-athletes from the Harlan Community Schools Delegation have been selected by Special Olympics Iowa as honorees for the 2020 Des Moines Register’s All-Iowa Sports Awards program. Seniors Gracie Assmann and Chloe Hays of HCSD are both among three finalists for the Special Olympics Iowa Girl Athlete of the Year while Cameron Hicks, a junior, is one of three finalists for the Special Olympics Iowa Boy Athlete of the Year. To

    STATE – Shelby County Republican voters showed continued support for controversial U.S.

    COUNTY -- With an expected spike for need at the beginning of June, donations of food and personal hygiene items are still very much needed at the West Central food pantry in dowtown Harlan.    West Central Community Action Outreach Director Dena Matthews said needed items include food and toiletries (toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, dish soap, laundry soap, body soap, and deodorant).    Because the office remains closed to the public,

    COUNTY -- The recycling container in the former Shopko building parking lot has been removed from service.  The Shelby County Landfill Commission and county engineer’s office made the decision this week due to years of improper usage by the public.  Officials said on nearly any day of the week, piles of garbage (like above) can be seen at the site.  The operator at the landfill also averages three large garbage cans full of trash every tim

    COUNTY -- Over the past several months, Shelby Countians have experienced unprecedented times of change with COVID-19.

    HARLAN – Harlan has re-opened its playgrounds, shelter houses, park restrooms and the skate park this week, after closures prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic this spring.    Portable restrooms at Little George Park and North Park are not yet available.    In addition, the city made an announcement this week regarding the Norman D. Stamp Aquatic Center.  Iowa Gov.

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Wastewater Treatment Plant has seen a “significant” reduction in the amount of inappropriate items being flushed down the system during the last two weeks.    “I’d like to thank the public for helping us by being more aware of the items that should not be flushed down the toilet,” said Steve Kenkel, wastewater superintendent.  “The last two weeks we’ve seen a huge difference.”    The plant had been inundated over the p

    HARLAN  -- Auditor of State Rob Sand released an audit report on the City of Harlan recently.    The city’s receipts totaled $7,354,256 for the year ended June 30, 2019, an 18.6 percent decrease from the prior year. Disbursements for the year ended June 30, 2019 totaled $7,859,467, a 9.2 percent increase over the prior year.