HARLAN -- American Legion Post 150 has announced that the annual Fireworks Display at JJ Jensen Park in Harlan will go on as planned this year.  Officials said members of the Legion believe that this is the perfect time for area families and friends to celebrate the United States and all that it stands for.    J&M Displays will once again provide the display.    The show will begin at dusk, between 9-10 p.m.

    HARLAN -- The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry is partnering with Iowa Workforce Development and Iowa Economic Development Authority to complete a Laborshed employment study for the Harlan area.      This study will geographically define which communities contribute to Harlan’s workforce, regardless of political boundaries.

    HARLAN – Ron and Maria Vakulskus Rosmann, Harlan, have been honored as Iowa Master Farmers by Wallace’s Farmer magazine and the Iowa Master Farmer Association.    The two will be honored at ceremonies September 13, re-scheduled from March 25 in Ankeny due to the COVID-19 pandemic.    The Rosmanns join four other families from across Iowa who are being honored.    Henry A.

    COUNTY -- Want to help save lives by donating blood? Looking for an opportunity to volunteer?

    COUNTY -- As Shelby County continues to see its number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 rise, authorities are urging residents to remember the keys to slowing the spread of the virus in the community.    West Central Iowa, including Shelby County and the immediate counties surrounding, are seeing numbers grow at a significant rate.  In the last week, Shelby County has seen its numbers double, while other counties like Carroll saw numbers mor

FYI to all of Shelby County. Iowa Community Kitchen has decided not to re-open at this time due to rising COVID numbers here in Shelby County. They will keep all posted for a future re-opening date.  
 

    SHELBY -- The Board of Directors of Carstens 1880 Farmstead has decided to postpone Farm Days this year until September 11 & 12, 2021.  This is due to COVID-19 safety consideration.

    SHELBY -- Cousins Etta Augustine (left) of Colorado and Maya Boettger of Harlan enjoyed a picnic lunch in the park in Shelby on a sunny June day last week. They were at the park with their grandma, Jana Boettger. Etta and her family have been visiting their grandparents, Steve and Jana Boettger, during the COVID-19 pandemic which began in March.

    REGIONAL -- Nurses at Myrtue Medical Center are being honored with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to express gratitude to nurses that perform extraordinary care and compassion every day.    Myrtue Medical Center implemented The DAISY Award nomination and the honoree is recognized in a special ceremony held twice per year.

    COUNTY – A Shelby County judge has dismissed without prejudice a lawsuit by a Kansas man against the county, a judge, attorneys and his ex-wife alleging violation of his constitutional rights.    David Zachary Ostrom, 40, Paola, KS, filed the petition March 6.  Jeffery L.

    HARLAN -- During the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry June 16 board meeting, the board reviewed and approved the results of the fiscal year 2021 board election and budget presented by staff.

    REGIONAL -- Eighteen area music students, including six from Harlan Community High School, have been selected to participate in the Southwest Iowa Honor Marching Band, and will perform in the Holiday Bowl Parade in San Diego later this year.    Jack Klitgaard, Mitchell Rueschenberg, Ian Kearney, Emma Herzberg, Angie Ordonez and Ian Shelton from HCHS were selected following successful auditions in the spring.  Rueschenberg, Klitgaard and Ke

    COUNTY -- Shelby County saw a 26.67 percent voter turnout for the June 2 primary election, a high number according to county auditor and election commissioner Mark Maxwell.    The county saw a total of 2,397 ballots cast, which includes in-person voting and absentee ballots.  The total number of registered voters is 8,969.
 

    STATE -- Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an executive order last week establishing the Governor’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board.

    HARLAN – Disappointing is an understatement for students in the Harlan Community Schools music program when describing the end of this past year.    The COVID-19 pandemic and closing of the school buildings with cancellation of school-sponsored events was a bummer.  The students missed out on so many opportunities to perform, including the Iowa Jazz Championships, small and large group contests and graduation, to name a few.    “School was