OMAHA, NE – On-site learning for high school students can be just as rewarding as classroom bookwork, and some Harlan Community High School students had the chance recently to take a field trip to Omaha and learn about the development of the Buffett Cancer Center.    HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) traveled to Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center Research labs, and toured the Buffett Cancer Center.  

    HARLAN – Harlan property owners will see a steady tax levy this year as part of a proposed budget approved by the Harlan City Council Tuesday, March 7.    A public hearing on the proposed $8.84 million budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year was held Tuesday with no comments from the public.  The Harlan City Council approved the measure 6-0.    Harlan’s tax levy will remain at $17.13047 per $1,000 taxable valuation, nearly identical to the curr

    HARLAN – Shelby County’s tax asking will decrease an estimated $62,395 under a budget proposed to be adopted by the Shelby County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, March 14.    A hearing on the 2017-18 county budget will be held at 9 a.m.

    HARLAN -- For the sixth year in a row, Myrtue Medical Center has been named one of the 100 highest-ranked Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in the United States by iVantage Health Analytics and The Chartis Center for Rural Health.    The honor was announced this week.      There are only eight out of the 1,300 Critical Access Hospitals in the country who have received the award for six-plus years.

Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday night!

 DES MOINES -- Each time the Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton girls tied up Turkey Valley at crunch time Thursday, the Trojans had an answer. And so it went: fourth quarter ties at 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42; another deadlock at 44 in overtime. The Spartans knotted the score seven times in all, and only once - in the final seconds of regulation - did the Trojans not score on their very next possession. When this virtual tug-of-war finally ended in the

DES MOINES -- Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton junior Sophia Peppers was one of six girls named to the Class 1-A All-Tournament Team at the Girls State Basketball Tournament in Des Moines last Friday night. In two state tournament games, Peppers ranked third in the 1-A field with 43 points while also grabbing 17 rebounds. She shot 57.6 percent from the field (19-of-33) in helping the Spartans reach the 1-A semifinals.

COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Mary Louise Hansen, 97, Council Bluffs, died March 7 at Bethany Lutheran Home.    Services will be held Saturday, March 11 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Walnut with burial in the St. Patrick’s Cemetery at Walnut.  A prayer service will be held Friday, March 10 at 7 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca.  Visitation is Friday from 5-8 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Ursula Bruck will celebrate her 85th birthday on March 9. Her family is requesting a card shower in her honor.    Cards can be sent to Elm Crest Retirement Home, Ursula Bruck, 2104 12th St. Rm# 241B, Harlan, IA 51537.  Ursula was married to the late Michael Bruck.