DES MOINES -- The Healthiest State Initiative has announced the finalists for the 2019 Healthiest State Annual Awards, and among those finalists is local resident Katie Sandquist.    Individuals, communities, schools and workplaces will be recognized for their efforts to improve the physical, social and emotional well-being of Iowans in their respective sectors.    Sandquist, Community Coordinator for the Shelby County Wellness Alliance (S

    WEST DES MOINES -- Shannon Coughlon and Michael Schwery both of Grimes plan to wed in September at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines.    Parents of the couple are Steve and Deb Coughlon, Peoria, IL; and Ed and Wendy Schwery, Harlan.

    DENISON -- Garrett Thomas Carroll, 24, Denison, died January 22 at Crawford County Memorial Hospital.    A celebration of life will be held Friday, Jan. 25 from 5-7 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca.  A prayer service will be held Friday at 6 p.m.

    GLENWOOD -- Nicholas Joseph Gross, 54, Glenwood, died January 23 at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital.    Services  will be held at a later date with burial at a later date in the St.

    HARLAN -- Students, staff and the community recognized Harlan Community School’s Special Olympics athletes during the HCHS vs. Red Oak doubleheader basketball game in Harlan last week. 

    COUNTY -- The Shelby County Board of Supervisors has approved a three percent, across-the-board salary increase for elected officials for the 2019-20 fiscal year.    Total annual cost to the county for the increased salaries is estimated at $12,000, said Mark Maxwell, Shelby County Auditor.    Action from the supervisors comes after a recommendation from the county’s compensation board for a 4.5 percent across the board increase, but the s

    COUNTY -- Todd H. Argotsinger, Chair of the Shelby County Community Foundation, announced that approximately $115,000 in grant funds are available for Shelby County nonprofit organizations and that applications are due no later than February 1.    Detailed application procedures, fact sheets, and a link to the application form can be obtained online now at http://omahafoundation.org/swiowa.

    REGIONAL -- Local medical officials and The Centers for Disease Control are reporting that the number of influenza cases increased significantly after the recent holidays.    At this time, influenza has been reported in every region of Iowa and has already caused the first death of the 2018-2019 influenza season.    Influenza is a respiratory illness that comes on suddenly.

    REGIONAL -- January has been designated as Radon Awareness Month, and local officials are suggesting homeowners consider getting their homes tested for Radon.    Radon is a radioactive gas released from the normal decay of uranium in rocks and soil. It is invisible, odorless and tasteless, and seeps up through the ground and diffuses into the air.