COUNTY -- Beginning in 2020, U.S. Highway 59 from Harlan to Avoca will undergo construction for needed repairs.    The project is part of the Iowa Department of Transportation’s five-year Iowa Transportation Improvement Program, which was released this summer.

    REGIONAL -- After a late planting season, crops in Iowa have started to sprout up and bloom across the vast number of fields in Iowa. However, the month of August will prove to be the deciding factor for many farmers across the state. According to Iowa State Field Agronomist Michael Witt, Iowa has received cooler than average normal temperatures during the month of August.

    IRWIN -- 4-H has been a staple for many families in the Shelby County area. The organization has provided many families with the opportunity to work on projects, present livestock and learn many social skills which will help later in life.    No one knows this more than Larry Knudson, whose family has had four generations worth of 4-Hers dating back to his mother. “My whole family was involved in 4-H,” Knudson said.

    IRWIN -- Michael and Kathy Fara of Irwin will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary on September 1.    Their family includes Steven and Leigh Fara, California, MD; Sharon and Burke Blanchard, Walford, IA; Eric and Katie Fara, Irwin; and five grandchildren.

    HARLAN -- Richard and Janie Croghan of Woodbine announce the engagement of their daughter, Shelby to Preston Nelson both of Harlan. Preston is the son of Greg and Donna Nelson, Harlan.    The couple will exchange vows on September 28 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan.

 HARLAN -- If 2018 was viewed as a small step, the 2019 season must be considered a giant leap for the Harlan Community softball program. Following three sub-.500 records during head coach Brooke Wilson’s first three years at the helm, including a 15-17 mark last summer, this year’s Cyclones got back on the winning track in a big way. Dominating the Hawkeye Ten Conference at times, HCHS won its first outright league title since 2013 with a spa

 HARLAN -- If all good things must come to an end, it was a heck of a ride for the Harlan Community baseball team. On the heels of eight straight trips to the state tournament, including a 3A championship in 2016 and runner-up finishes in 2011, 2015, 2017 and 2018 - a run that saw them average 29 wins per year - the Cyclones had another great season in 2019 but fell one victory shy of their ultimate goal. Ranked in the top five nearly wire-to-

 PORTSMOUTH -- The National League defeated the American League 12-9 in the annual Iowa Western League All-Star Game held Wednesday, August 7. The AL All-Stars trailed 12-3 before scoring six runs in the bottom of the sixth to make it close. Both squads finished the seven-inning game with nine hits and stranded seven men on base. The Home Run Derby held before the game was won by Justin Schaben of Portsmouth.

 HARLAN (Aug. 12) -- The Harlan Community volleyball team began practicing for the 2019 season Monday morning as it looks to improve on last year’s 18-21 match record. Third-year head coach Willie Baughman expects to start the season with a roster of approximately 35 players in grades 9-12.