HARLAN -- Another step forward has been made in the ongoing master facility plan project at Myrtue Medical Center. At the late November MMC Board of Trustees meeting approval was given to contract with Specialized Engineering Solutions (SES) for the design component and oversight of the central utilities plant infrastructure project at MMC.

    HARLAN -- An Eagle Grove man has been charged in Shelby County District Court with third-degree sexual abuse, accused of having sexual relations with a juvenile female.    Devon Dewaine Lentz, 19, 520 SE 1st St., Eagle Grove, is accused of having vaginal sex with a 13-year-old female in the basement of a residence in Harlan sometime between July 1-August 1.  A witness to the abuse provided law enforcement with verbal statements.

    REGIONAL – Today, Friday, Dec. 6 is the deadline to submit applications for families wishing to be adopted this holiday season.  Children 18 and under, along with elderly ages 65+, who are at or below 175 percent poverty level (or LIHEAP eligible) may apply.    For those donating, they can deliver gifts to WCCA’s Outreach Office on the designated drop-off day, Monday, Dec.

HINTON --  A former Westphalia resident is venturing on a cross-country bicycle ride this summer to raise funds for Colleen’s Dream Foundation and ovarian cancer research.    Greg Conry, the son of Tom and Lisa Conry, Harlan, and a 2012 graduate of Harlan Community High School, will be riding from Oceanside, CA to Annapolis, MD, approximately 3,100 miles over a roughly 42 day period (38 days of riding) beginning July 8.  Conry currently is see

    HARLAN -- The Shelby County Museum is excited to announce the fourth annual Santa in the Cabins event which will take place on Thursday, Dec. 12, from 5-7 p.m.    Santa Claus will set up shop in the historic McIntosh Cabin to hear all the items on local children’s Christmas lists.    All are invited to this free event at the museum.

    COUNTY – The Shelby County Compensation Board has recommended a three percent across-the-board salary increase for elected officials and their deputies for the 2019-20 fiscal year, following a meeting of the board November 13.    The county’s board of supervisors, who have the ultimate decision on pay raises for elected officials, will make a decision on the recommendation during its budgeting process for the next fiscal year.  The board c

    REGIONAL – The annual holiday adoption program continues this week with needy families hoping to receive some assistance this holiday season.    Applications for families wishing to be adopted will be accepted now until this Friday, Dec.

    COUNTY -- The Shelby County Community Foundation announced last week grants totaling $35,825 were awarded to Shelby County nonprofit agencies.

    REGIONAL – The annual holiday adoption program continues this week with needy families hoping to receive some assistance this holiday season.    Applications for families wishing to be adopted will be accepted now until December 6.  Children 18 and under, along with elderly ages 65+, who are at or below 175 percent poverty level (or LIHEAP eligible) may apply.    For those donating, they can deliver gifts to WCCA’s Outreach Office on the d

    ELK HORN -- 2019 is the 41st anniversary of the Danish Villages of Elk Horn and Kimballton, Iowa’s Christmas celebration called Julefest, which will be held on November 29-30.  The important elements of a Danish Christmas – good food, warm hospitality, flickering candles and other decorations – will all be a part of this weekend’s Friday and Saturday event.

    HARLAN – Board leadership in the Harlan Community Schools will remain the same for the next year as Amy Rueschenberg and Jessica Anderson were elected Monday, Nov.

COUNTY -- The sixth year of the holiday lighting ceremony in downtown Harlan will kick off Saturday, Nov. 30 with lots of Christmas cheer and holiday events to start the season in Shelby County.    The kick-off to the holiday season is a special one the weekend after Thanksgiving starting on Friday, Nov.

    The Harlan Newspapers, Keast Auto Center and Hy-Vee have again teamed up to sponsor coloring contests; one for children in Pre-K thru 2nd grade, with another for kids 3rd thru 5th grades. Winning entries and artists willbe featured on the covers of this year’s Holiday Greeting issues Dec. 20 and Dec. 24. Deadline for submissions is noon Friday, Dec. 13.

    HARLAN – The holiday season is upon us, and the Shelby County Historical Museum is commencing the festivities with the announcement of their annual Christmas Program. The Christmas Program is a time-honored tradition featuring a sing-a-long, refreshments, the candy cane legend, and more!

    COUNTY – It’s almost time!  Get ready, kids, for Santa to make a stop in your community in December.  Santa Claus is Coming to Town to make his rounds with his friends from the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec.