HARLAN -- As an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Dick “Slider” Gilmore has been mistaken for Jesus, the devil, a mental patient, a doctor and the cowardly lion from “The Wizard of Oz.”    Yet before this training, and the 20 years of experience that would follow his EMT training, Gilmore would come upon an accident that would change his life.    The accident, a head-on collision involving a semi, was fatal.

    REGIONAL -- The Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton (Exira-EHK) Community School Board approved early last week sharing a superintendent with the IKM Manning School District.    “We signed a one-year sharing agreement to see how it goes,” said Exira-EHK Superintendent Trevor Miller.    The share could bring significant financial benefits to both communities’ schools, as it would help both districts with state operational sharing dollars.    Over the

Five Harlan Community High School students earned outstanding honors at the national Business Professionals of America leadership conference this month, including a national runner-up crowned in Jay Swanson.    Swanson, a sophomore, earned second place in Administrative Support Research Project.  Joining Swanson as top 10 finishers at nationals were Alana Monson, Ellen Keast, Kyle Knudsen and Tyler Schaben.    Monson was fourth in Payroll Acco

ice Program (SFSP), administered by the USDA and managed by the Iowa Department of Education, will provide free meals to all students 18 years and younger in Harlan this summer beginning this week.    The program ensures that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session.    This summer, the USDA plans to serve more than 200 million free meals to children 18 years and under at approved SFSP sites and on

HARLAN – The Harlan City Council will meet in special session Wednesday morning, May 31 to discuss an ordinance outlining the sale and display of fireworks.      If approved, the ordinance would replace the current ordinance which doesn’t allow for the sale or discharge of fireworks in Harlan. 

    REGIONAL -- The Harlan Municipal Band will begin performing on Thursday, June 1 at 7 p.m. on the east side of the Square.    Rehearsals will begin at 5 p.m. in the high school band room. Anyone who can play an instrument is welcome, even if they haven’t picked up their instrument for years.

REGIONAL -- This planting season started with wet, rainy periods which created conditions that kept farmers from their fields. Now, they’re taking them back.    The temperature, along with the rain, resulted in cold, damp fields that made it impossible to plant in April.

HARLAN – Iowa Gov.Terry Branstad signed into legislation this month legalizing the sale and use of commercial fireworks in Iowa, and local communities, including Harlan, are now interpreting how that will affect their towns.    Under the new law, Iowans may purchase consumer fireworks beginning June 1, and fireworks may be sold in permanent buildings between June 1 and July 8, and again on December 10 through Jan.

HARLAN -- Next time you rent from the library, you may find more than just a story with your books and DVDs.    Amanda Brewer, the library director, decided to hide golden tickets in various library items for both children and adults to find. The tickets, upon discovery, can be exchanged for prizes.­­­­­    When children win, they receive the prize of a free, new book.

WEST DES MOINES -- Harlan Community High School senior Rebecca Sparandeo was recognized by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov.

https://youtu.be/6zTFaObJqi8

HARLAN -- Myrtue Medical Center and Petersen Family Wellness Center will celebrate the 24th Annual National Senior Health & Fitness Day (NSHFD) on Wednesday, May 31 with honored guest, Chuck Long, former Iowa Hawkeye football quarterback legend.    As an official host site, the Petersen Family Wellness Center will hold health and fitness activities from 8-10:30 a.m. in a mini-health fair format.

AVOCA -- Graduation ceremonies were held at AHSTW on Sunday, May 14.    Below, the graduates spray confetti in the gymnasium following the ceremonies.  At right,  Grace Russmann, Cydney Anderson and Ashlyn Heilig (L to R) share a laugh after commencement.    A number of other commencement exercises are scheduled this weekend.

REGIONAL – Area seniors are gearing up for commencement this weekend. Harlan Community High School will host graduation ceremonies Sunday, May 21 at 2 p.m. at the HCHS gymnasium. Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton will host graduation on Sunday, May 21 beginning at 2 p.m. The 54 students from IKM-Manning School District will graduate in ceremonies to be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 21.

REGIONAL -- Ten students will graduate this week with the highest distinction at Harlan Community High School, ranked as the top 10 senior students at HCHS based on grade point average.    The students will be recognized during commencement ceremonies to be held Sunday, May 21 at 2 p.m.