HARLAN -- The Iowa Department of Education recently released new results and features in an online school accountability reporting system called the Iowa School Performance Profiles.    Among the highlights was Harlan Community Schools’ named high performing in its primary, intermediate and middle schools, and commendable in the high school, a significant increase in percentages as compared to a year ago and above the state average in all

    HARLAN -- As the master facility plan at Myrtue Medical Center continues as a work in progress, the MMC Board gave approval to contract with Shive-Hattery (Architects), West Des Moines, to do the design work for the proposed two story addition for expansion of the rural health clinic and behavioral health services at MMC in Harlan.    The estimated timeline for design work would be in 2020 with the bid process beginning in early 2021.

    REGIONAL -- January was designated as Radon Awareness Month, and local officials are suggesting homeowners consider getting their homes tested for Radon.    Radon is a radioactive gas released from the normal decay of uranium in rocks and soil. It is invisible, odorless and tasteless, and seeps up through the ground and diffuses into the air. Radon exists in very low levels outdoors and higher levels in areas that have poor ventilation.

    DES MOINES - The Harlan Newspapers took home six awards at the annual two-day Iowa Newspaper Association convention last week, including two first place finishes.

    HARLAN -- Harlan's Matt Hudson visits with caucus-goers at the Democratic Caucus Monday, Feb. 3 at the C.G. Therkildsen Activity Center in Harlan.  Hudson was making a point about Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg to some of those in attendance at the Ward 3 precinct, which gave candidate Pete Buttigieg five delegates.

    HARLAN -- Pat Kenkel talks to a group at the Grove/Union/Washington/Westphalia precinct of the Republican Caucus in Shelby County Monday evening, Feb. 3.  The caucus was held at Vet's Auditorium in Harlan.  Kenkel and the group had just broken into small groups to talk about delegates.

    HARLAN -- According to Harlan Community Schools Activities Director Davis Pattee, the next HCHS Cyclone head football coach will likely be named sometime in February.    In fact, a recommendation to the HCS Board of Education from school administrators could take place as soon as the end of the current week or early next week in regards to the coaching hire. The next HCS Board of Education meeting currently is set for Monday, Feb. 17.

HARLAN – Harlan Community Schools’ past decisions to keep its tax levy unchanged for numerous years is leading to some tough discussions moving forward on how best to keep the district financially stable in the wake of declining enrollment and increasing special education costs.    The HCS Board of Education held a financial workshop recently with Travis Squires, managing director with Piper Sandler, Des Moines.  The firm provides public finan

    HARLAN – Harlan Municipal Utilities telecommunications customers will see a rate increase as approved by the HMU Board of Trustees January 23.    The board voted 4-0 on a resolution to approve rates for cable TV/internet services, with the increases to become effective March 1.

    HARLAN -- On January 25,  the Harlan Community High School Large Group Speech Team, under the direction of Ms. Lisa Hagemeier, traveled to Woodward-Granger High School for the Iowa High School Speech Association’s District Competition.  
 

    MANNING -- IKM-Manning hosted the Western Iowa Conference Jazz and Show Choir Festival Wednesday, Jan. 29 in Manning.  In the jazz division, Treynor took top honors followed by Tri-Center (Neola) in second and Logan-Magnolia in third.  In the show choir division, Logan-Magnolia was first followed by Underwood and Audubon.  In Jazz Choirs, first went to Riverside and Underwood and Treynor tied for second.

    PANAMA - Guyle Sonderman (center), owner, Sonderman Charolais Farm, Portsmouth, was honored Saturday night before a crowd of more than 700 at St. Mary’s Parish Hall at the annual Shelby Co. Cattlemen’s yearly banquet. Guyle, is pictured with his wife, Julie, and Cattlemen’s president, Ken Schechinger.

    COUNTY – Shelby County has proactively approved resolutions that would allow county officials to place embargoes on county roads should there be a need, without having to wait for a special meeting of the county’s board of supervisors to approve an embargo request.

    REGIONAL -- In December 2019, a novel or new coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan, China.    As of January 28, there have been more than 6,000 confirmed cases reported globally, including five cases in the United States.

    HARLAN -- Harlan Municipal Utilities has released the wages paid to its 33 employees during the 2018-2019 fiscal year.