•  Elk Horn: Elk Horn Lutheran Christian Outreach Food Pantry. Help Elk Horn, Iowa with #HOPE (Help Other People Eat). This is for anyone in the surrounding communities, not just Elk Horn residents, that are in need. Appointments are needed to pick up items at the food pantry by calling or texting Cathi at 712-249-1289 or Juanita at 712-249-6135.    Here’s how you can help.

    HARLAN – It was Sunday, March 16.

    PORT HUENEME, CA - “We Build, We Fight” has been the motto of the U. S.

    HARLAN -- Three Harlan Community High School students recently were honored by the Omaha World-Herald and Des Moines Register.    Danielle Arkfeld, Lucy Borkowski and Anna Nelson were named to the World-Herald’s Western Iowa Honorable Mention All-Academic Team.  The three appeared in the scholars section of the newspaper last month.

    COUNTY -- Shelby County Treasurer Carolyn Blum has announced that beginning yesterday, Monday, June 1, her office now is open to in-person transactions by appointments only.  Facial masks are highly recommended and health screening questions will be asked.     The following guidelines will apply until further notice:Driver’s License     Driver’s Licenses will be done by appointment only by calling 712-755-5898 ext 3.    Essential/expired l

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Community Library Summer Program will again provide fun and challenges for youth and adults but in a different format this year.

    HARLAN -- Harlan Municipal Utilities will now open its doors by appointment for customers as a start to return to what will be a “new” normal business operation.    In other action taken at its May 28 teleconference board meeting, “hero” pay of an additional $3 per hour was discontinued May 31.  Board members said with other businesses re-opening, and some even cutting hours or reducing pay during the pandemic, they felt an obligation to r

    COUNTY – Shelby County has begun the process of re-opening the courthouse in Harlan in a two-phased approach as the city, county and state start the process of lifting restrictions amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.    The Shelby County Board of Supervisors Thursday, May 28 approved a courthouse re-opening plan, that initially calls for limited access by appointment only to courthouse offices beginning June 1 through June 16, following by a ten

    REGIONAL -- A dry planting season allowed most area farmers to put their corn and soybean crop in the ground at a well-above-average pace this spring.    Consistent late-May rains have followed, quenching surface soils in need of moisture and allowing for strong  and even emergence.    Add in warmer temperatures in next week’s forecast and rapid plant growth is expected in the near future.

    HARLAN -- Katie Stern, representing the Harlan Girl Scouts, places flowers at the memorial site during Memorial Day services at the Harlan Cemetery Monday, May 25.  More photos inside today’s NA.

    COUNTY -- Shelby County voters will head to the polls Tuesday, June 2 to cast ballots in this year’s primary election.  Polls are open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

    HARLAN --  The Harlan Theatre will officially be back in business on Friday, June 5, reopening after a two-and-a-half month hiatus due to COVID-19.    Sharon Lucke, co-owner and operator of the Harlan Theatre along with her husband, Kevin, said that all safeguards and precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of customers and compliance with state health guidelines.    By orders of Governor Kim Reynolds, the theater closed its doors

    STATE -- Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has announced this week additional business sector openings as well as the loosening of restrictions on other sectors beginning June 1.    Highlights of the changes include restaurants and bars will be allowed to seat groups up to 10 individuals, an increase from the previous limit of six.  Speedways or racetracks, including horse and dog racetracks, may allow spectators beginning June 1.

    HARLAN -- Lucy Borkowski, a senior at Harlan Community High School, was recently presented the school’s highest agricultural honor, the Dekalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award, sponsored by Bayer Crop Science.    Borkowski, the daughter of Steve and Holly Borkowski of Manilla, received the award for excellence in academics, leadership and agricultural work experience.

    COUNTY -- Governor Kim Reynolds’ Proclamation of Public Health Disaster Emergency extended deadlines for many of the driver’s license services Shelby County provides to May 27, 2020.      If the proclamation is not extended the following deadlines and alternative services to be aware of are as follows: