COUNTY – A unique petition filed in Shelby County District Court January 3 has the petitioner requesting a trial by combat, with melee weapons in hand-to-hand combat style to resolve the dispute between he and the respondent.    David Zachary Ostrom has filed a motion for trial by combat against Bridgette Marie Ostrom for resolution of disagreements over alleged “illegal telephone and electronic contact as well as unpaid property taxes.”

    ELK HORN -- Showing her Spartan Spirit at a recent Exira-EHK girls and boys basketball doubleheader is Haley Harris, who performed as part of the winter guard.  The winter sports season kicked off again this week after holiday break.

    HARLAN -- Myrtue Medical Center provided $3,027,219 in uncompensated care and health care services to the community last year, according to a recently completed statewide assessment of those programs and services by the Iowa Hospital Association.

    HARLAN – Policy reviews by the Harlan Community Schools Board of Education recently have further defined how the public corresponds with the board during official board meetings.    The board has updated Policy 213 regarding public participation in board meetings, saying the board recognizes the importance of citizen participation in school district matters.  In order to assure citizens are heard and board meetings are conducted efficientl

    COUNTY -- Welcome to the 2020 New Year’s Baby Eden Bieker, born Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 9:47 a.m.

    HARLAN – The importance of police reserve officers in the Harlan community and across the state and nation is gaining more steam as these volunteer officers help communities become safe and secure alongside veteran certified officers, and the City of Harlan is no exception.    Harlan’s reserve force presently is five strong and is 13 years old, said Harlan Police Chief Frank Clark who gives high praise for the volunteers who work with them

    HARLAN – The City of Harlan is preparing to offer a free yard waste disposal site for city residents on a trial basis beginning in the spring.    The move comes upon request from the city residents and a petition filed asking for a free yard waste site.  The city’s public property committee reviewed the request and made the recommendation to the full city council, which has directed city administration to begin the planning stages.    Alth

    HARLAN -- The Myrtue Medical Center Board of Trustees has renewed MMC CEO’s Barry Jacobsen’s employment contract for another three years effective January 1, 2020. He serves as CEO of MMC and the Shelby County Health Corporation.    Jacobsen’s salary will be $239,875 for the coming year which includes a $11,787 bonus (see below), a 2.5% staff-wide market increase and a 1.75% staff wide merit increase.

    COUNTY – The well-being of Shelby County children continues to be better than average, according to the National Kids Count Initiative sponsored by the Annie E.

Remembering Shelby County's happenings in photographs. See the Friday, January 3, 2020 News-Advertiser for more photos.

    REGIONAL – The annual weather summary from the Farmers Almanac says this winter will be milder than normal and wet, but not necessarily the precipitation being all snow.    December has shown some snow, but the cold temperatures this month aren’t what the almanac has forecasted thus far for the winter, but that could all change soon.  In general, it’s forecasted to be above average temperatures and particularly wet.    The almanac paints a

    COUNTY – Local residents considering a run for public office in Shelby County are being made aware this month of filing periods for the 2020 election, courtesy of Shelby County Auditor Mark Maxwell.    County offices up for election in 2020 include the auditor (Maxwell), sheriff Neil Gross and supervisors Steve Kenkel and Charlie Parkhurst.    The first day to file nomination papers for county office is Mon., March 2, with the deadline bei

    REGIONAL – The number of registered sex offenders that call the greater Shelby County area their home has increased in the last six months, according to Iowa’s state sex offender registry.    Shelby County and areas surrounding the county have 44 registered sex offenders as of this month, as opposed to December, 2018 when there were 34 registered sex offenders listed in the area.

HARLAN - Influenza activity continues to increase across the state and locally. In the past week, influenza’s geographic spread has increased to the regional level. Regional geographic spread is characterized by outbreaks of influenza or influenza-like illness (and recent laboratory confirmed influenza) in at least two regions of the state.    Currently, both influenza A and B subtypes are circulating in Iowa, including Shelby County.

    HARLAN -- Those who celebrate the ringing in of the new year tonight - New Year’s Eve, are being urged to be careful heading home after out and about celebrating.  Local law enforcement want to protect the safety of area drivers on the eve of 2020.    The Harlan Police Department will again be offering a free ride for those who celebrate on New Year’s Eve.  It’s a “no strings attached” offer that’s meant not only to keep drinking drivers o