STATE -- On Thursday, March 26, Gov.

    COUNTY -- Two additional cases of COVID-19 are confirmed in Shelby County     The first confirmed case of COVID-19 was on March 27 in Shelby County. The individual is between 61-80 years old.  The second confirmed case is an individual between 61-80 years old.

    STATE --     The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of 56 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 336 positive cases.

    HARLAN – When the local schools shuttered their doors earlier this month due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it created quite a dilemma for local child care services.  Should they close as well?    Kountry Kids Child Care, one of the two largest Shelby County day care services along with Time for Tots, did just that, and worked around the clock to clean, paint and get ready to re-open.

    HARLAN – Among the hardest hit during this coronavirus pandemic are small businesses.  Many have had to close per statewide mandates.  Others, such as bars and restaurants, can have no inside seating, and are only allowed to offer carry-out, drive-through or delivery options.    Look no further than Harlan’s upstart duo of businesses operated by Daniel and Ellen Walsh-Rosmann to see the unprecedented hardships placed on rural Iowa.  The pa

    HARLAN -- As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to hamper the local, national and world economy, one Harlan businessman is doing his best to “spread the kindness” for those currently feeling a financial pinch.    Alex Ahrenholtz, owner of Zander Ink, a Harlan-based screen printing and embroidery shop (719 Court Street), is printing T-shirts at cost to be sold by businesses to raise money for the company itself or for employees w

    HARLAN – An awesome idea for teachers to show the love they have for their students with a parade set for Monday was canceled Sunday evening for safety  and health concerns.    It’s been a couple of weeks since the Harlan Community Schools closed its doors, and guess what?  Harlan Community Schools staff miss the students.    So what better way to say “we care and miss you” than to have a staff parade!    Elementary Guidance Counselor Cour

    HARLAN -- The Iowa National Guard delivered a shipment of supplies and personal protective equipment (PPEs) to Myrtue Medical Center Thursday, March 26.  Helping to unload the supplies was Alex Londo (left), Shelby County Emergency Management Director, and a national guardsman.  (Photo contributed)

    HARLAN -- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the limitations of the number of people in social gatherings, Brett Croghan of Portsmouth and Clare Klein of Harlan have a “new” wedding date.    It’s a decision being made by couples nationwide as they come to grips with the uncertainty of the coronavirus.    Shortly after they became engaged last July, the couple set April 25, 2020 as their wedding date and the planning began.    Their wedding i

The Harlan Golf and Country Club is ready for the golf season, despite the COVID-19 outbreak, as they improvise on the playing field.The holes on each green have been adapted so the ball will sit on top once it enters the hole, thus guests do not need to pull out the flags.  Rules changed a year ago that allow golfers to putt with or without the pin in place, so play on without having to touch the flags!They also recommend that players, if not

Randy and Jean Feldman, Sandwich Bowl owners, got permission from the city to add a temporary drive-up window on the back side (east alley) for his take-out customers.“This way,” Feldman said, “customers don’t enter the building which protects our help, yet makes it easy for our customers to get their food.” With some other restaurants closing completely and no longer having breakfast available, he has also added 7-10:30 a.m.

    HARLAN - Another annual local event has been canceled due to concerns over COVID-19 and how long it will impact the State and tourism.    According to Sarah McDonald, executive director, “The Shelby County Historical Museum has reached the difficult decision to cancel this years Log Cabin Day that was previously scheduled for June 7.”    She added the Museum remains closed until further notice but it is being staffed daily and is taking ph

First Case of COVID-19 Confirmed in Shelby County
A case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in Shelby County. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), the individual is self-isolating at home.
“We encourage all residents to continue to make prevention a priority,” said Myrtue Medical Center’s Public Health Director Lori Hoch. These actions include:

"To the citizens of Harlan,        The health, safety and welfare of you all has been at the forefront of community leaders' decision-making regarding operational procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. From a community-wide standpoint, I urge you to heed the advice and directives from Governor Reynolds and Shelby Co. Public Health, intended to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 virus in Harlan and Shelby County.

    HARLAN -- They are patiently waiting the day when visitors can return, but for now the use of technology to connect residents at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan with their families is bringing big smiles to residents and their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.    Because visitors have been restricted until further notice at Elm Crest, creative ideas have popped up to show the outside world that the residents are doing well