STATE -- Governor Reynolds this week announced the launch of a new Iowa Small Business Relief Program that will provide financial assistance to small businesses that have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.    The program offers eligible small businesses grants ranging from $5,000-$25,000 in addition to offering Iowa businesses a deferral of sales and use or withholding taxes due and waiver of penalty and interest.    “Sma

    STATE -- This week, Governor Kim Reynolds announced that first quarter unemployment tax payments that are due April 30  will be delayed until the end of the 2nd quarter, July 31, 2020.      Eligible employers include those employers with 50 or fewer employees.

    STATE -- Secretary of State Paul Pate is extending the absentee voting period to 40 days for Iowans who choose to vote by mail in the June primary. He is also encouraging Iowans to cast ballots by mail, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

    COUNTY -- The Shelby County Recorder’s Office is open for business.  While the doors to the courthouse remain locked, the office still is available for local residents via calling for an appointment, calling for information or doing business online.  The phone number is 712-755-5640, prompt 4 or email ggreer@shco.org or thaake@shco.org.    “We are in no way saying yo

    HARLAN -- Myrtue once again has been named one of the 100 highest-ranked Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in the United States by The Chartis Center for Rural Health.    This annual award is in its 10th year of honoring rural hospital performance. Myrtue is the only Iowa hospital to receive this award nine years in a row and is among only seven other CAH hospitals in the U.S. that have received nine times.

 ALTOONA -- Harlan native Lynn Cadwell and former Irwin coach Gary McElmuray were among four men inducted into the Iowa Football Coaches Association’s 2020 Coaches Hall of Fame class on February 28 at the IFCA “Clinic of Champions” Awards Dinner at Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel.

 HARLAN -- Two Harlan Community seniors, Jayden Gessert and Darren Stein, recently signed their letters of intent to join the women’s and men’s bowling programs, respectively, at Morningside College in Sioux City. Gessert averaged a 158.5 score as a senior and rolled a high game of 234, helping the HCHS girls qualify for their second consecutive state tournament.

    STATE -- On March 21, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Public Health released updated isolation guidance for all Iowans.

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Municipal Utilities on Friday, March 20 re-assessed its operational decisions as related to the COVID-19 pandemic.    CEO Ken Weber made this statement:    “HMU operations continues to comply with federal and state recommendations regarding the coronavirus.     “We said in our release of March 17th we would assess where we stood with the office closing and issue new information today.     “The HMU office will remain cl