HARLAN – Patrons in the Harlan Community School District likely will see in front of them in September a proposal to extend the district’s Instructional Support Levy (ISL) and Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL), both deemed critical to the long-term financial success of the school system.    Following the narrow defeat of both measures last December when joined on the ballot with a $28.5 million bond issue that was soundly voted down

    HARLAN -- On Friday, May 31, Relay For Life gathered at Merrill Field to bring awareness to cancer. During the event, participants enjoyed a variety of food, activities and musical entertainment during the night. Relay for Life was able to raise more than $89,000, and will continue to raise money until August.  Participants at Relay for Life cut their hair to help bring awareness to cancer and to donate to cancer survivors.

    HARLAN – The City of Harlan’s run as having one of the longest-standing traditional municipal bands in Iowa is coming to an end this year.    The city cut funding for the municipal band, opting to put the $1,200 it has allocated in previous years to the band toward other city needs.    Harlan Community High School Band Director and city municipal band director Bill Kearney said he was notified this spring that the funding had been cut.  In

    HARLAN – Interest in the superintendent’s vacancy at Harlan Community Schools is considerable, with 11 potential candidates for the interim position already expressing interest in the job as of Wednesday, May 29.    The deadline for applications to Grundmeyer Leader Services is June 9, and the district is hoping to have an interim superintendent on board by July 1 or shortly thereafter, if possible.    Kevin Fiene, consultant with Grundmey

    HARLAN -- For the second year in a row farmers in Iowa are facing a late planting season.    In a statement released by Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, the amount of rainfall Iowa has received is responsible for the late planting.    “The corn belt is in a weather pattern that’s creating persistent, wet conditions,” Naig said. “This is causing historic planting delays.” 

    AVOCA -- Griffin Schleimer, of Troop 97, Avoca, had an awesome experience recently as he performed with the Boy Scouts band at the Indianapolis 500 last month.  Schleimer (shown in front here with his trumpet) is a Life Scout who attends Harlan Community High School and will be junior this fall.  He is the son of Mike and June Schleimer.    Last summer Schleimer attended Medicine Mountain Boy Scout Camp with his troop.  He and fellow scout

 HARLAN -- For years, Relay For Life has been  a staple in Shelby County, fundraising and donating money raised to the American Cancer Society.    On Friday, May 31 the Shelby County Relay For Life ceremony was held in Harlan at Merrill Field starting at 4 p.m.    The theme for this year’s event was Lights, Camera, Relay!

AVOCA -- The AHSTW Class of 2019 celebrated on Sunday, May 26 when the seniors officially graduated from high school.  

    HARLAN -- Sydney O’Neill, 15, Harlan, the daughter of Tim and Jenny O’Neill, has qualified as a state finalist in the National American Miss Iowa Pageant.    The event will be held June 28-30 at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Omaha, NE.    The pageant is held for girls ages 4-18 in five age divisions.    The newly crowned Miss Iowa Jr.

    HARLAN -- Seth Piro has been appointed to the Harlan Community Schools Board of Education replacing Lonnie Muxfeldt who resigned May 6.    The HCS Board of Education voted 3-2 Wednesday, May 29 appointing Piro, who will serve District 3 for the remainder of Muxfeldt’s term, through November, 2021.

    WEST DES MOINES -- Andrea Ferry, a student at Harlan Community High School, was recognized by Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg for outstanding achievement at the 17th annual Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony April 28 at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. 

    HARLAN -- Charlotte Frank, 85, Harlan, died Monday, May 27 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.  Services are pending at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan. 

    ELK HORN – Mike Howard is journeying back to Normandy, France in early June, to participate with the World War II Airborne Demonstration Team in a jump marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day, June 6.    Howard, of Elk Horn, will be in a group that will be the lead aircraft when the participants jump that day.  The day prior, the demonstration team will jump in Duxford, England on June 4.    Howard’s journey to Normandy began in October of 2

ELK HORN -- Professional eater Miki Sudo ate a jaw dropping 91 1/2 Æbleskiver  on Saturday, May 25 to become the 2019 professional eating champion during the third-annual Tivoli Fest Æbleskiver-eating contest.    See Friday’s Harlan News-Advertiser for more photos from Tivoli Fest.

HARLAN -- There’s no doubt Harlan is one of the most patriotic communities in Iowa.  Severe weather Memorial Day Monday, May 27 kept Harlan Boy Scout Troop 90 from placing the flags across town as part of its Star Spangled Streets Project.  The flags are placed each holiday, but the safety of the Scouts and their families takes priority should there be inclement weather.