IOWA -- In 1993, four generations of the Petersen family gathered for the dedication of Vern and Wilmer Petersen Wildlife Management Area in Shelby County.    Wilmer Petersen had donated an expanse of grassland and ponds in western Iowa to the state for wildlife and people to enjoy. His son, H. Rand Petersen, had encouraged Wilmer and assisted the donation.

    HARLAN -- Myrtue Medical Center Board of Trustees has given approval to contract with Shive-Hattery Architecture to work on the design work for the proposed renovation of the north visitors’ entrance and the third floor old pharmacy area at MMC.        MMC CEO Barry Jacobsen said DaVita Dialysis will be moving out March 1, 2020 of the north entrance area at MMC.

    HARLAN -- Fire department volunteers were at the area schools all week offering fire safety tips as part of Fire Prevention Week. Also shown is volunteer Patrick Gaul. 

    HARLAN – The sewer base rate in Harlan likely will increase in 2020 under a proposal being considered by the Harlan City Council.    Any increase requires an ordinance change – three readings, and if approved, a $2 per month increase, from $8 to $10, would be implemented July 1, 2020.    City administrator Gene Gettys, Jr. said the city’s financial advisor, PFM Financial, is recommending the increase.

    HARLAN – A Harlan man has been charged in Shelby County District Court with two counts of second-degree sexual abuse.    Dillen Brandyn Lee Hatcher, 27, 1712 8th St., faces up to 50 years in jail on the class B felony charges against him.    According to court documents, Hatcher allegedly was involved in a sex act with a six-year-old female on two occasions in September when the child was visiting at a residence where Hatcher was living. 

    HARLAN – Harlan city employees will not be allowed to use vaping products on city property or in city vehicles under a proposal being considered by the Harlan City Council.    The Harlan City Council this month unanimously approved updating the employee handbook to include the vaping language.  The move follows discussion by the council about the possible dangers of vaping products.

    EXIRA -- The Exira Elk Horn-Kimballton band and flag corps have been helping lead Spartan spirit during the football and volleyball games this season. 

    HARLAN -- Harlan residents could soon have chickens living in their neighbor’s back yard, should a proposal being given consideration by the Harlan City Council be approved.    The Harlan City Council has directed staff to develop guidelines and restrictions as well as a permit application process for people who want to house urban chickens.    The proposal was discussed this week following a request from a resident new to Harlan who asked

    HARLAN -- Harlan Community High School will host the 7th annual “Red Out” football game against Lewis Central Community High School on Friday, Oct. 11 where those in attendance can help build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.    HCHS and Myrtue Medical Center are hosting this event to help raise awareness in efforts to provide information to make the community a little healthier.

    AVOCA -- Avoca City Administrator Clint Fichter has resigned after 12 years serving the city, it was announced last week.    According to the Avoca Journal-Herald, the Avoca City Council voted 5-0 to accept his resignation during its Monday, Sept.

    EARLING – With one lift station pump out for repair, the city of Earling’s remaining pump failed, sending untreated wastewater from the pumping station into Mosquito Creek last week.    The city had been bypassing about 100 gallons per minute since 6 p.m. Thursday night, Oct. 3.

    HARLAN -- The recently completed and accepted Harlan Municipal Utilities fiscal year audit shows growth and no major concerns, according to auditors.      The 2018-19 financials show the net position of assets increased 4.33 percent or $1,709,207 during the last year, based on operating revenues that increased .55 percent or $80,967 more than the prior year.

 HARLAN -- The final phase of the multi-year electric overhead to underground conversion project is “substantially completed” it was announced at the Sept.

    HARLAN -- Harlan Municipal Utilities Chief Executive Officer Ken Weber got a raise of $3,900 beginning October 1, following recent HMU board meeting action that approved the salary increase.      His new salary will be $131,200

    Jessica Christensen shows her ghoulish spirit during a performance at halftime with the band and flags at a recent IKM-Manning football game.  The band’s presentation this year is Fright Night, and the group is performing at a number of contests.