HARLAN – The Harlan Community Schools’ tax asking for 2020-21 will increase $678,630 under a proposed budget approved by the HCS Board of Education Monday, April 6.    The budget calls for an approximate 60-cents per $1,000 taxable valuation increase, a move school district officials say is needed for the future financial viability of the district.  The levy will increase to $12.30 from the current year’s $11.70.

    HARLAN – Harlan property owners will see a tax levy decrease next year as part of a proposed budget approved by the Harlan City Council Tuesday, March 17.    A public hearing on the proposed $9.62 million budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year was held Tuesday, March 3.  The City Council accepted comments from the public before taking a final vote, which was unanimous to approve the budget.

    COUNTY – Shelby County’s tax asking will increase an estimated $195,032 under a budget plan approved by the Shelby County Board of Supervisors last month.    A hearing on the 2020-21 county budget was held Tuesday, March 3 in the supervisor’s room at the Shelby County Courthouse.  There were no written or oral comments from the public on the budget.

    HARLAN – An eight-year-old Harlan girl is taking it upon herself to help the community by sewing masks for healthcare workers, teachers, friends, police, cancer patients or anyone from the public who may need one to be safe during the coronavirus pandemic.    Maggie Petersen, the daughter of Andy and Mary Petersen, said she thought of the project recently as a way to help Shelby Countians.  She’s a member of the Clover Kids 4-H Club and kn

    COUNTY -- Two new COVID-10 cases were reported in Shelby County Thursday morning, April 16.  Seven of nine confirmed cases have fully recovered, reports Myrtue Medical Center and Shelby County Public Health.    There are 74 negative results with four pending.    Statewide, the number of confirmed cases continues to grow.  Iowa Gov.

    STATE -- The Iowa National Guard is providing facilities and personnel to support six Regional Medical Coordination Centers across the state as part of the Iowa Department of Public Health and Iowa Health Care Coalition initiative to pool resources and aid in the sharing of critical information across multiple agencies to combat the spread of COVID-19.    Soldiers and airmen are helping staff the RMCCs, based at Iowa National Guard facilit

    COUNTY -- The Iowa Community Kitchen based in Harlan is the recipient of a $17,280 grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority to provide meals to those in need in Shelby County.    “This is fantastic news,” said Todd Valline, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry Director.  “Through the support of the Shelby County Board of Supervisors, the Shelby County Public Health Nurse and Town and Country Credit Union, Iowa Communi

    HARLAN -- The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant challenges for many Iowans, including the most basic need of food security. To assist with the spike in demand at local food banks, the Shelby County Farm Bureau is donating $400 to West Central Community Action to help fill the need for Iowans who are impacted by this unprecedented time.

COUNTY -- Marsha Hursey, Shelby, recently donated these homemade sewn masks to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Jail Staff.  Officials said it was a great gesture.  “It was a generous thought as the supply chain is low all around the country and they come in handy when dealing with the public,” said jail administrator Kyle Lindberg.
 

    PANAMA -- Balloons with “Happy Hug” written on them were hung by a member of the Panama community this past weekend.    Every house in the town of Panama has a balloon on the front door. It was a nice surprise to see a happy hug from someone during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    HARLAN -- Three HCHS students have earned Hawkeye 10 recognition as part of the conference’s All-Academic Team and Character Awards Program.    The annual conference honoring the students was supposed to be held Wednesday, April 8, but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Hawkeye 10 officials are putting together a video to honor the students to be shared at a later date.    The academic honors and character awards are given by the

    HARLAN -- Myrtue Medical Center congratulates Jennifer “Jenny” Lefeber, RN, Manager of Myrtue’s Emergency Department, for being selected as one of the 100 Great Iowa Nurses for 2020.    Patients, colleagues and nurse leaders nominated more than 400 nurses across the state for this prestigious award.    100 Great Iowa Nurse Chairwoman, Dr.

HARLAN -- In this difficult time, there’s nothing cooler than some uplifting messages.  How about Kennedy, Drake and Avery Nippert (Aaron and Andrea) of Harlan with these inspirational sidewalk chalk messages and their hearts in the window?  Awesome.

    HARLAN -- The combination of available time, skill and compassion have fueled the efforts of Harlan Dentists Roy Burkhalter and Phil Markham in producing 150 face shields and about 10 N-100 masks for use in local medical facilities.    Dr. Burkhalter, DDS, and Dr.

    HARLAN -- Shelby County Farm Bureau Agent Dave Schwarte, along with the Harlan Subway Restaurant, recently gave out sandwiches, water and apples to truck drivers going through Harlan on March 31.