STATE -- Iowa State Parks are open for day-use only.

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Community Schools grab and go lunch program will not be providing service on Thursday, April 9; Friday, April 10; and Monday, April 13.

    SHELBY -- The City of Shelby is starting a donation program for people who have self-isolated in their homes and need groceries and could use some help paying for them.    Call City Hall for more details - 712-544-2404 to donate to this program to help neighbors or buy groceries.  Drop them off at the old Shelby City Hall, 419 East Street.  The door is open.    Monetary donations can be sent to City Hall at 417 East Street.

    ELK HORN -- City of Elk Horn officials are inviting residents to take part in the Bornholm Street Bear Hunt of 2020.  Stan and Michelle Jens of Elk Horn posted this on his Facebook page.  “Take a slow drive or walk down Bornholm St.

    HARLAN - The Shelby County Plant Iowa has canceled what would have been their 37th annual tree giveaway this April.

    ELK HORN -- With the closing of the Museum of Danish America now extended until at least April 30, the annual piano recital that would have taken place on May 2 has been canceled. Stay tuned to the museum’s social media, @danishmuseum, for future updates and live programs.

    DES MOINES -- On Monday, Gov.

    STATE -- Eight more Iowans have died from COVID-19 and 83 new cases have been confirmed in the state, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health on Sunday.    Iowa now totals 25 deaths and 868 confirmed cases of COVID-19.    There have been an additional 680 negative tests for a total of 10,653 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.    Shelby County saw its seventh reported

    EARLING - A little more than five months ago, Pat Hoffmann faced the difficult decision of closing his family’s nursing home, Little Flower Haven, which had a storied 55-year history serving the elderly of greater Shelby County.    The transition allowed Hoffmann to focus on his other business, Lonely Oak Distillery, three miles west of Earling.

    COUNTY – Shelby County and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Naturalist Christina Roelofs is creating educational videos for students and others who are interested in nature during this COVID-19 pandemic.    Roelofs was a regular in area school districts every school year, providing enrichment opportunities for students on everything from snakes and furs to eagles and owls.  She also provides public programs on canoeing, hiking and anim

Shelby County residents consider this....a Happy Heart Hunt!    •  Cut out a heart of any size from any material (craft paper, cardboard, wrapping paper, newspaper, fabric, etc.)    •  Decorate the heart with a positive message or leave it blank.    •  Tape the heart to a street-facing window to show your love to all.    •  As word spreads, go on a safe (keeping six feet distance from others) family walk and see how many happy hearts you can f

    COUNTY -- An account from James White, raised in Harlan and now wintering in California but living in Michigan, gave a recent report of his grandfather, Harlanite Dr. James Bisgard, and actions he took during the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918.    Dr.

    HARLAN -- Harlan Community Elementary Schools staff put together a “virtual hello” to their students Friday, April 3, showing them how much they love and miss working with them in the classroom.    Elementary Guidance Counselor Courtney King Crum published the final product Friday.    All teaching staff at HCS continue to offer enrichment opportunities for students through online learning efforts.    Follow this link to see the video: 

    COUNTY -- Schools in Iowa will be shuttered through the end of the month, upon orders from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds Thursday, April 2.    Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration.

HARLAN -- Huge shout-out to the Harlan Pharmacy, which has set up a small food pantry/essentials area in the entryway to the business.  Anyone can come in and take what they need, and others can drop off items as donations for anyone to take.    Doors are open during regular business hours and disinfected after each entry/exit.    Anyone donating can put the items on or around the table.  Donations are welcomed and encouraged.    Pharmacist Je