COUNTY -- Brandon Burmeister has been hired as the new Shelby County Engineer effective November 16, taking over for long-time engineer Dan Ahart, who last week announced his retirement effective in November.    Burmeister currently is assistant county engineer, a position he has held for four years.    The Shelby County Board of Supervisors approved the hiring Tuesday, July 18.  They interviewed Burmeister on Friday, July 14 and extended the

    REGIONAL -- Hands off.    As of July 1, that’s the new rule regarding phone usage while driving. With the law now a primary offense, officers can stop citizens simply for being on their mobile devices. The law is clear that phones can, however, be used for GPS. If you are caught in violation, the ticket is $30.

    REGIONAL -- Some came to stand and gawk at them like living fossils. Others were moved in nostalgia. Many were  simply amazed that they still exist.    Antique motorcycles had their own night when Roar Into Harlan hosted its classic bike night on July 20 in the Historic Downtown Square of Harlan.    The night, packed with games such as slow bike rides and Indians vs.

REGIONAL -- Across the nation, fidget spinners are stirring up a fuss.
https://youtu.be/eUlkXosWlC8
    The spinners, which have a bearing in the center circular pad, are meant to be held while they spin.

HARLAN -- Arlin and Nancy Sorensen of Harlan marked their 40th wedding anniversary on July 16. Their family includes son and daughter-in-law, Peter and Megan, Harlan; daughter, Laurie, Omaha; and four grandchildren.

PORTSMOUTH -- Thomas and Denise Reinig of Portsmouth announce the engagement of their daughter, Regina to Travis Peters both of Ames. Travis is the son of Tony and Pat Peters, Cedar Falls.    The couple will exchange marriage vows on August 5 at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth.

    AUDUBON -- Wilma M. Sorensen, 82, Audubon, formerly of Harlan, died Tuesday, April 4 in Audubon.    Services will be held Saturday, July 29 at 1 p.m.

 HARLAN -- For the Harlan Community baseball team, the pressure of getting back to the state tournament reached a nerve-wracking crescendo at the halfway point of Wednesday’s Class 3-A, Substate 8 final against Denison-Schleswig. Facing a team they had soundly defeated by scores of 11-1 and 12-0 during the first half of the regular season, the top-ranked and defending state champion Cyclones suddenly found themselves in a 2-2 scuffle as they c

 HARLAN -- Steve Daeges is in his 24th year as Harlan Community’s head baseball coach, during which time the Cyclones have qualified for state 15 times and won three state titles. To his best recollection, Daeges had never witnessed a postseason no-hitter by one of his pitchers until Joshua Cheek pulled off that very feat here Monday night. Retiring nine straight Greene County batters on two separate occasions, Cheek pitched his first career n