DES MOINES -- The Iowa Supreme Court has selected Justice Susan Christensen, Harlan, as its next chief justice.  Justice Christensen will succeed Chief Justice Mark Cady who passed away suddenly November 15, 2019.    Justice David Wiggins has served as acting chief justice since Chief Justice Cady’s passing. Justice Christensen will be the second woman to serve as chief justice of Iowa’s highest court.
 

    HARLAN -- Harlan Community Middle School seventh-grader Lael Taylor recently was honored with Silver Key recognition in a scholastic writing competition, sponsored by the Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development at the University of Iowa.  The award places Taylor in the top 7-10 percent out of 7,000 entries in Iowa.    Students age 13 and older can submit works in several categories, including art and writing such as

    HARLAN – Essentia Protein Solutions, Harlan, has expansion plans, and part of its future development means requesting an agreement with the City of Harlan to hook into its wastewater treatment facility to handle some of the company’s wastewater streams.    Following a review of the proposal and discussion Tuesday, Feb.

    COUNTY – Shelby County Public Health is advising residents about what they can do now to prepare for potential spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19.    While most cases are associated with travel to or from China, person-to-person spread is now being reported in other countries, including Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

OMAHA -- Courtney Buman and Tanner Woslager both of Omaha were married on September 7, 2019. The 2:30 p.m. double ring ceremony, performed by officiant Jim Kresnik, was held outdoors at the Thompson Alumni Center on the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus.    Parents of the couple are Dan and Karen Buman, Harlan;  and Dave and Tammy Woslager, Winside, NE; and Karlene Benshoof, Winside.
 

    COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Former Earling resident Ella Mae Stolz of Council Bluffs will celebrate her 80th birthday on March 11. A card shower is planned in her honor.

 ATLANTIC (Feb.

 DES MOINES -- Four wrestlers from AHSTW and three from Harlan Community have qualified for the 2020 State Wrestling Tournament February 20-22 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. AHSTW senior 195-pounder Gavyn Fischer (45-5) is the only area qualifier to draw a top-eight seed in his bracket. Fischer, who also qualified for state as a sophomore two years ago, is seeded seventh and also ranked seventh by The Predicament.

 UNDERWOOD (Feb.