SHELBY COUNTY — When someone receives a cancer diagnosis, the first thoughts are often medical: What’s next? What’s the plan? But very quickly, another truth becomes clear — cancer is rarely faced by one person alone. It is faced by a spouse, a parent, an adult child, a friend, a neighbor, a co‑worker… a whole circle of people who step in and help carry the load.

SHELBY COUNTY — A Malvern man faces multiple charges after a pursuit in Shelby and Pottawattamie Counties Saturday.
According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, 34-year-old Nicholas James Gragg was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, 2nd offense, Prohibited Acts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Reckless Driving, Eluding, and several citations.

SHELBY COUNTY — The Shelby County Cattlemen held its Annual Meeting Saturday, Feb. 7 at St. Peter’s Hall in Defiance.
Over 600 attendees were served a New York strip dinner in less than an hour. Following the dinner, the Trophy Scholarship Fund Auction was held, raising $56,500 for future scholarships to local students. 

SHELBY COUNTY — Following a public hearing in which no written or verbal comments were submitted, the Shelby County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance regulating open burning during its Tuesday, Feb. 3 meeting.

Shelby County — Shelby County has initiated the formal process to repeal Zoning Ordinance 2022-4, which governs the placement of hazardous carbon dioxide pipelines within the county.

By Blake West, Sports Writer
HARLAN — Harlan Community sophomore Ellexis Stephens is set to return to the Iowa High School Girls State Wrestling Tournament on Thursday evening at Xtream Arena in Coralville, this time with a deeper appreciation for the moment and a championship mindset.

SHELBY COUNTY ­­­ Shelby County Conservation Board will be hosting a Hunter Safety Education Online Field Day  Saturday March 21 from 8 a.m. to noon at  Nishna Bend Recreation Area.
Anyone born after Jan 1, 1972 must complete a hunter            safety education course in order to obtain an Iowa hunting license. Attendees must be at least 12 years old to take the class

Manning – The Wall That Heals will be on display in Manning in 2026 and as part of the exhibit, local Vietnam Veterans who died after returning home are eligible to be honored as part of the In Memory Honor Roll display. Since the Vietnam War ended, thousands of Vietnam veterans have suffered due to Agent Orange exposure, PTSD and other illnesses as a result of their service.

AREA — Officials with the Atlantic-based Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA),  announced the organization was awarded a State Transit Assistance Special Project grant to help launch a pilot program to improve access to healthcare. SWITA is partnering with Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital and CHI Mercy Hospital to launch a new healthcare transportation program call SWI-Ride.

DES MOINES —Four representatives from the Harlan Community School District’s Student-Led Help Desk traveled to Des Moines on Monday, January 26 to participate in the School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) “Day on the Hill.” The event provides a platform for students and educators to meet with legislators and demonstrate the innovative programs shaping the future of Iowa’s workforce.

WESTPHALIA — For Ron Rosmann, farming, writing, and public service were never separate callings. With deep roots in rural Shelby County, both Rosmann and his pursuits have grown together through the years, shaped by family, faith, and a persistent belief that agriculture not only can — but must — be done differently.

SHELBY COUNTY - Nominations
are now being accepted for Shelby County Citizen of the Year.
Nominees must be residents of Shelby County for at least one year, and have achieved excellence in service and volunteerism to the Shelby County Community.

SHELBY COUNTY — Shelby County State Bank (SCSB) announced today that it will consolidate operations and close its Irwin, Portsmouth, and Battle Creek branch locations, effective April 30, 2026 at 4:00 pm. 

HARLAN - An estimated 20,000 participants of the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa will stop over in Shelby County July 19, as Harlan was named the first overnight community for the 53rd RAGBRAI. 
Harlan Mayor Jay Christensen  and  other Harlan municipal representatives attended  the RAGBRAI Announcement Celebration Saturday, January 24 at Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee.