HARLAN -- The Harlan Community School’s summer feed program will begin on Thursday, May 28 for children aged 18 and younger.    While during the COVID-19 pandemic the school district has been providing delivery of meals to those 18 and younger who request it, the summer program will be a grab-n-go format only.    “Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to continue with door drop delivery,” said HCS Superintendent of Schools Lynn Johnso

    HARLAN -- The opening of Harlan’s new park feature at Potter Park has been delayed slightly to allow for some grass to be sown before the town’s four-legged friends hit the turf.    Klein Fence Co.

    HARLAN – Harlan Community Schools has finalized its 2020-21 academic calendar, with plans to head back to the classroom Monday, August 24.    There’s been much discussion at the state and federal levels about school resuming in the fall.  While some experts suggest it may be too early to do so due to the COVID-19 pandemic, others suggest Iowa and the nation will be ready.    In fact, Iowa Gov.

    HARLAN – Myrtue Medical Center has received federal stimulus dollars recently to help offset what’s projected to be considerable net revenue loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.    Myrtue is among hospitals in the country to receive emergency hospital funding under the federal stimulus CARES Act.

    HARLAN -- Anyone interested in seeing what people in Harlan are flushing down their toilets?    Employees have to fish this stuff out of the trash basket at the plant to keep the pumps from clogging.  You can see rubber gloves, wipes and hand towels mostly.    During this pandemic and the shortage of toilet paper, residents have been flushing things they shouldn’t.  City officials are asking residents to please not flush anything but toile

    COUNTY -- Shelby County has received more than 1,700 absentee ballot requests for this primary.  The last similar primary in 2016 yielded only 212 absentee voters counted.  Total votes in the 2016 primary were counted at 948.      The deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed is 5 p.m. May 22.   The Shelby County Auditor’s Office must have a signed request that has the ballot preference (Democrat or Republican) marked by 5 p.m.

    COUNTY -- The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency has purchased a 3D printer and has begun making personal protection equipment for use by county first responders.    EMA Director Alex Londo said the agency purchased the printer for roughly $300, and is hoping to be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which in disasters such as the coronavirus pandemic offer reimbursements of up to 75 percent for COVID-19 related e

    COUNTY -- A Kansas man who asked a Shelby County District Court judge to allow a trial by combat with melee weapons in a child custody situation has passed a psychological evaluation, and in turn has filed a lawsuit against the county, judge, attorneys and his ex-wife for violating his constitutional rights.    David Zachary Ostrom, 40, Paola, KS, provided the Harlan Newspapers with a copy of his court-ordered evaluation, which indicates h

    REGIONAL -- Area school districts are preparing to honor their seniors a variety of different ways, including postponed in-person commencement exercises and virtual commencement or parades this month.    Exira-EHK, IKM-Manning and AHSTW have announced their end of the year and/or graduation plans this week.

    HARLAN -- Students in the Harlan Community Schools will be able to pick up their belongings from their desks, lockers and classrooms next week thanks to a tremendous effort by teachers, staff and administration to gather it all together for quick distribution.    Dates, times, logistics and other details have been finalized, and distribution of belongings and computer collection begins Tuesday, May 19 with an identified schedule.    School

    HARLAN – Two months into the COVID-19 pandemic, and Harlan residents still aren’t heeding the call to quit flushing items down the toilet they shouldn’t.    A toilet paper shortage in March-April left residents scrambling for anything, and it all has been getting flushed.  Fortunately the shortage has subsided, and local outlets are able to stock toilet paper on a regular basis each week; but the abnormal flushing habits haven’t changed, a

    STATE – On Wednesday, May 13, Iowa Gov.

HARLAN -- Recent high winds in Harlan lifted this portion of the roof/skylight off at the Norman D. Stamp Aquatic Center, with the remnants left in the parking lot.  The roof portion was over the pool house, and city officials currently are getting estimates for repairs.

    REGIONAL -- Ten students will graduate this week with the highest distinction at Harlan Community High School, ranked as the top senior students at HCHS based on grade point average.      The students are being recognized during a virtual graduation video to be released Sunday, May 17 via Harlan Municipal Utilities and Farmers Mutual Cooperative Telephone Company (more details in the NA on Friday).

    STATE -- While the number of coronavirus cases and deaths continue to rise in Iowa, the state continues to move forward with re-opening efforts.  Iowa Gov.