ELK HORN — The Exira-EHK School District is considering the possibility of a four-day school week. The district had an informational meeting Tuesday, January 7 for parents, guardians, and community members. Superintendent Trevor Miller said there were approximately 55 in attendance. “We had a...
HARLAN — Gervas Mgonja will be the new Harlan city administrator. The Harlan City Council voted unanimously to appoint Mgonja to the position during the Tuesday, January 7 Council Meeting. Mgonja brings over 20 years of experience in the financial service industry. He holds a master’s degree in...
ELK HORN — Tim Fredericksen has been caring for the Museum of Danish America (MODA) in Elk Horn since it opened in 1994. After decades of maintaining the building and grounds, Fredericksen has announced his retirement. “I started there right after it opened,” Fredericksen said. “I did all the...
SHELBY COUNTY — The Shelby County Board of Supervisors began the new year with an organizational session January 2. Newly elected officials, Supervisors Mike Kolbe and Charles Parkhurst and Auditor Taryn Knapp, took the oath of office for their positions. Bryce Schaben was elected Chairman of the...
STATEWIDE — Iowa lawmakers will reconvene January 13 for the 2025 session, and the 91st Iowa General Assembly will bring new lawmakers to the Capitol. The Republicans have a supermajority in both the Senate and the House. Steven Holt (R, Denison), who has served as Iowa State Representative for...
HARLAN — In the early 1990’s, the Harlan Municipal Utilities (HMU) Board of Trustees began discussing a municipal telecommunications system. However, at the time, several hurdles stood in the way. In May 1995, residents of Harlan voted on two measures to establish broadband cable communications as...
SHELBY COUN TY — Myrtue Medical Center welcomed the first baby born in 2025.Baylor William Osbahr was born Friday, January 3. His parents are Brandon and Kynzie of Avoca.He weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces and has an older sister, Berklee Osbahr, who is one and a half years old.Grandparents are Bill...
HARLAN — CPM, a leading solutions provider of process equipment, engineered technologies and aftermarket parts and services, announced the acquisition of Jacobs Global in Harlan. Representatives from CPM said the transaction will enhance the company’s product offerings, expand its market reach...
SHELBY COUNTY — After serving on the Shelby County Board of Supervisors for 12 years, Chairman Steve Kenkel presided over his final meeting Tuesday. He was first elected to the Board in 2012, and has served as Board Chairman in 2014, 20117, 2020, 2022 ,2023, and 2024. He chose not to run for re-...
HARLAN — CDS Global, Incorporated has announced the closing of the Harlan location in early 2025. The Harlan facility of the subscription fulfillment company based in Des Moines employs 94 workers, according to the Iowa WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) website. The job losses...
HARLAN — Beth Collins has been named the new park manager at Prairie Rose State Park and is looking forward to meeting the park’s visitors. Collins graduated from Iowa Lakes Community College with an Associate’s degree in Environmental Studies, then transferred to Northwest Missouri State...
HARLAN — The first municipal water well in Harlan was completed in the spring of 1880, less than a year after the city was incorporated. In 1891, an election approved a local light plant and water works in Harlan. Now, over 130 years later, Harlan Municipal Utilities (HMU) is making improvements...
Sports
Hoping to snap their 5-game losing streak, the Exira-EHK Spartans boys basketball team started off Thursday’s home game strong against the Ar-We-Va Rockets leading at the end of the first quarter a
The Rocket
Special Sections
Obituaries
Dave Theodore Stessman born to Caroline and Fred Stessman on April 21, 1928 in Panama, Iowa. He was the oldest of ten children in his family. He grew up on a farm east of Panama helping...
Harlan Newspapers
1114 7th Street
P.O. Box 721
Harlan, IA 51537-0721
(800) 909-6397
news2@harlanonline.com