COUNTY -- Todd H. Argotsinger, Chair of the Shelby County Community Foundation, announced that approximately $115,000 in grant funds are available for Shelby County nonprofit organizations and that applications are due no later than February 1.    Detailed application procedures, fact sheets, and a link to the application form can be obtained online now at http://omahafoundation.org/swiowa.

    REGIONAL -- Local medical officials and The Centers for Disease Control are reporting that the number of influenza cases increased significantly after the recent holidays.    At this time, influenza has been reported in every region of Iowa and has already caused the first death of the 2018-2019 influenza season.    Influenza is a respiratory illness that comes on suddenly.

    REGIONAL -- January has been designated as Radon Awareness Month, and local officials are suggesting homeowners consider getting their homes tested for Radon.    Radon is a radioactive gas released from the normal decay of uranium in rocks and soil. It is invisible, odorless and tasteless, and seeps up through the ground and diffuses into the air.

    HARLAN – Shelby County Catholic School, along with other Catholic schools across the nation, will celebrate Catholic Schools Week January 27-February 2.    Catholic Schools Week is an annual observance meant to highlight the value of Catholic education and its contributions to communities and the nation.    The new theme for this year is Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead.

    Former Panama resident and HCHS graduate Ann (Keane) Burmeister of Omaha was the guest speaker at the Pink Out event held at HCHS Thursday, Jan. 17 during the doubleheader basketball games. Burmeister spoke to the crowd about her journey as a cancer survivor.    Pink Out is held annually to raise funds for cancer research, specifically breast cancer awareness. 

    STATE -- Former Harlan Community High School teacher and coach Ted Williams last week was the recipient of a silver medal, 75 years later, for his second-place showing in the men’s discus at the Drake Relays in 1944.    On his 93rd birthday last Thursday, Jan.

    HARLAN -- Work continues on the development in south Harlan.  Officials said the new Bomgaars store is proceeding as planned after a wet summer put the project behind.  Plans are to move the old store to the new building the week of March 18, with hopes of opening for business at the new location on March 21.  The old store on Chatburn Ave.

1)  Why did you get involved with your agriculturally-based career?    “I retired from being a classroom teacher in May of 2018 after 38 years as a Family and Consumer Science Educator.

    COUNTY – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach – Shelby County has developed a committee to support the agriculture and natural resources programming for the county.    The committee consists of members of the ag community who have been asked to meet on a quarterly basis to discuss the community needs and to coordinate efforts.    Here is the sixth in a series profiling committee members.    For information on the committee and its

    REGIONAL -- Myrtue Medical Center’s Blood Analysis Screening (BAS) Clinics will feature some important changes with clinics starting in February.    These changes will allow Myrtue to provide more privacy, utilize the new electronic health record for better communication with your primary care provider, and provide an additional screening option free of charge.    These changes include:    1.    New Location - Harlan BAS Clinics will be he

    HARLAN – The Harlan Community School District operated within its budget, increased its solvency ratio and decreased its bond indebtedness during the 2017-18 fiscal year, according to the annual audit report prepared by Schroer & Associates and released last week.    Representatives from Schroer and Associates were not on hand to discuss the audit, but HCS Superintendent of Schools Justin Wagner and Director of Finance Brian Gubbels pr

    HARLAN – Harlan’s Shopko Hometown is not on the list of 105 store closings announced this week by the company as part of a bankruptcy filing and restructuring effort, meaning the local store will remain open for business.    Shopko, a leading operator of general merchandise stores throughout the Central, Western and Pacific Northwest regions of the U.S., Wednesday announced that it, along with its subsidiaries, has filed voluntary petition

    HARLAN -- Harlan Community Schools held its annual Pink Out event Thursday, Jan. 17 during the HCHS boy/girl basketball doubleheader vs.

    HARLAN -- From 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at Brick Wall Gallery, Harlan, former Iowa lawmaker Ed Fallon will read from his book, Marcher, Walker, Pilgrim, and discuss growing concerns about the climate crisis.    The book is Fallon’s memoir from the 2014 Great March for Climate Action, when a core of 35 marchers walked 3,100 miles from Los Angeles to Washington, DC.

1)  Why did you get involved with your agriculturally-based career?    “I’m not really in an agricultural-based career...but the reason that I’m in my career is because I’ve always loved being outdoors and learning about things in the outdoors.  I’ve always loved outdoor activities.”2)  What are the greatest challenges with your career?    “One of the greatest challenges of my career is figuring out the best way to get the word out about what