HARLAN -- The City of Harlan has filled its pool at the Norman D. Stamp Aquatic Center, but continues to work to determine a plan of action for pool usage this summer.      Filling the pool was done to protect the integrity of the structure as well as the immediate availability of water due to water tower maintenance.    Iowa Gov.

    STATE – Iowa Gov.

HARLAN – Teachers, staff and administration of the Harlan Community Schools crossed the finish line of the 2019-20 academic year last week, walking away with a gold medal for their efforts to keep their students safe, healthy and engaged in voluntary learning during this unprecedented time dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.    As he watched his staff hand back students’ collected belongings during a socially-distanced, drive-through event las

    HARLAN -- Abigail Lefeber, a junior at Harlan Community High School, has earned first place at the state level in the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest, and will represent Iowa competing at the national level.    Lefeber, the daughter of Kelly and Jennifer Lefeber of Harlan, is a student of Doug Renkly, art teacher at HCHS.    The winning state entry was inspired by Lefeber’s desire to spark a happy emotion.

    MANNING -- IKM-Manning seniors throw their graduation caps in the air, excited about being 2020 graduates.  Although the end of the academic year was anything but traditional, the seniors were able to get together for this photo.

    REGIONAL – Iowa’s top academic students have been chosen for the 2020 Governor’s Scholar Program, including five from area school districts that include Harlan Community, IKM-Manning, Exira-EHK, AHSTW and Tri-Center (Neola).    The Governor’s Office, the Iowa High School Athletic Association, and its title sponsor, the Iowa Farm Bureau, are presenting this recognition which began in 2003.

    HARLAN – The World Food Prize Foundation hosted its ninth-annual Iowa Youth Institute (IYI) on April 27 featuring the participation of 264 students and 110 teachers from 93 Iowa high schools, including Tianna Kasperbauer from Harlan Community High School.    This virtual, day-long event was the first of its kind for the IYI supported by more than 90 experts from across Iowa.

    REGIONAL – Many high school seniors in southwest Iowa were treated to a virtual commencement ceremony this past weekend, and are anxiously awaiting the possibility for in-person graduation in June or July.    To further celebrate their accomplishments and offer encouragement during an unprecedented time of COVID-19 and the year-end school disruptions, an innovative Facebook project aims to “adopt” a senior and provide gifts, cards, etc.

    REGIONAL – Shelby County residents have turned out in a positive way to fill out the Census.  It’s an important step in ensuring the community will receive its fair share of federal funds, grants and support for local hospitals, first responders, health clinics and many other programs such as the school lunch program and services for needy families.    To date, Shelby Countians have done well filling out the 2020 Census, with 68.4 percent

    HARLAN -- The Boy Scouts of Troop 90 announce that they will place flags in and around Harlan on Memorial Day as usual.    During these challenging times when we have been unable to celebrate important events together and publicly as usual, the Scouts are committed to providing this “Star Spangled Streets” service to the residents of Harlan to allow the community to come together in pride and patriotism to honor those who died while servin

    REGIONAL -- Harlan Memorial Day services will take place at the Harlan Cemetery at 10 a.m. Monday, May 25. Post 941 Veterans of Foreign Wars will host this year’s event with the assistance of American Legion Helmer Reyelt Post #150 and local veterans. Those wishing to process to the Harlan Cemetery Memorial with the Honor Guard will meet at the west entrance. The procession of the flag will go down the center of the road.

    STATE -- The state’s COVID-19 website is now offering data in real-time, Iowa Gov.

    STATE -- Due to planned systems maintenance beginning at 4 p.m. Friday, May 22, through 6 a.m. Monday, May 25, some Iowa state agency websites will be down, or in some cases not updating.    For example the State’s Coronavirus website, coronavirus.iowa.gov, will not reflect accurate counts during the maintenance period.  All case counts will be brought up to date by 6 a.m.

    COUNTY -- The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office has re-opened its lobby door for regular business to resume. Office hours of the office lobby are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

    COUNTY -- Shelby County Fair officials announced on Facebook® May 16 that a decision on any changes to the Shelby County Fair will be made the first week of June.    Officials are working with the extension staff and FFA teachers to provide the best possible experience for the youth who have been working on projects to showcase at the fair, while maintaining the respect for current state and local guidelines regarding the coronavirus pande