REGIONAL -- Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) is celebrating National Adoption Month in November. It’s a time to celebrate with community members and families who have adopted children in need of loving homes.    This month is also a time to recognize the 123,000 children across the U.S.

    IRWIN -- Third grade students at IKM-Manning Elementary School have been exploring the life cycles of soybeans, chickens, sunflowers, and apples. Third grade teachers Lori Petersen and Greg Polzien invited “Loess Hills Agriculture in the Classroom” to speak to students about life cycles.

    REGIONAL -- A stranded motorist may be given a gas card.  A victim of domestic abuse may get a night’s stay in a safe place.      A family short on funds may receive assistance with their rent or utilities, or maybe they need winter apparel, or diapers and lice kits for their children.  An elderly person with no air conditioning could get a new fan to help them survive the summer’s heat.

    REGIONAL – The annual holiday adoption program is under way with a number of needy families hoping to receive some assistance this holiday season.    Administration of the adoption program is being handled by West Central Community Action, and the Harlan Newspapers remains actively involved in promoting and publicizing the adoptions.    Applications for families wishing to be adopted will be accepted now until December 6.  Children 18 and

    HARLAN -- Two Harlan Community Middle School mock trial teams will compete today-Thursday, Nov.

    MANILLA – Patrons of the IKM-Manning Community School District may see a general obligation bond referendum as early as March, 2020 with proceeds to help pay for facility needs as identified by a three-year master planning process conducted by the district with help from outside architects and financial planners.    School officials have been sharing results of the facilities planning process with the public, the most recent being Tuesday,

    HARLAN -- The Harlan City Council has decided not to proceed with a proposal to allow chicken raising within the city limits of town.    At its Tuesday, Nov.

    COUNTY – A Rock Road Summit will be held this week hosted in Denison, giving the opportunity for western Iowa county engineers, supervisors, foremen and legislators to meet with researchers from Iowa State University and discuss the challenges of maintaining rural gravel roads.    The summit comes on the heels of one of the most difficult years in not only securing needed rock, but being able to apply it timely in the wake of historic spri

    INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- Ten Harlan FFA members traveled to the National FFA Convention and Expo on October 29-November 1 in Indianapolis, IN. The members attended several tours and participated in various National FFA Convention activities while on the trip.

    HARLAN -- The annual audit report for Myrtue Medical Center for the 2018-2019 fiscal year has been approved by the Myrtue Board of Trustees. Chris Nelson of Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Co. P.C. CPA, Atlantic, presented highlights of the audit noting many positive financial indicators during the October MMC Board meeting.    Revenues totaled $44,332,600 for the year ended June 30, 2019, a 4.1 percent increase from 2018.

    HARLAN -- A ribbon-cutting was held Monday, Nov. 11 for the new Shelby County Historical Museum Military Exhibit Hall.  Approximately 50 people turned out for the event and to tour the new facility at the museum.       The Military Exhibit Hall explores the strength and sacrifice of Shelby County’s servicemen and women throughout our nation’s various wars.

    HARLAN -- After months of discussions and investigations on the best place to house a dog park in Harlan, the city has announced it will be placed at Potter Park.    The just less than one acre of available space currently is being under-utilized and will make the perfect location for a park for the city’s four-legged friends.    “This will be the north side of Potter Park,” said Harlan City Administrator Gene Gettys, Jr.  “It provides app

    HARLAN -- Final agreements have been signed on a housing project in north Harlan expected to start moving dirt as early as late fall.    “The last few weeks the closing has taken place on that land,” said Gene Gettys, Jr., Harlan city administrator.  “12 duplexes and two eight-plexes.    “In the next few weeks we plan to have a pre-construction meeting.  Still targeting we may see a little bit of dirt turning yet this late fall or winter. 

HARLAN -- Neil Ferguson was the guest speaker at the Veterans Day program at the HCS Elementary Schools on Monday afternoon, Nov. 11 in Harlan.    Ferguson is an Air Force Veteran and Commander of Helmer Reyelt American Legion Post 150. Veterans were recognized and the musical selections were presented by the fourth and fifth grade students.    Fifth grader Ainsley Mages read her essay on “Why Should We Honor Our Veterans.” 

    HARLAN – Harlan Community High School students often have the opportunity to hear from guest speakers on a number of topics and this school year has been no exception.    Last week, author Garry Clark shared his message of how to overcome fear and work toward success in life during an assembly at HCHS.      Sophomore students are reading Clark’s book, Unlikely Viking, in class which chronicles Clark’s story of leaving Washington, D.C.