REGIONAL – “I’m on the Elk Horn ramp.  My wife is getting ready to have a kid.  I need help.”    That plea was from Chris Bengel early Tuesday morning, March 29, as it became apparent that his wife, Erica, would likely not make it to the hospital in Council Bluffs, and that their third child could be delivered in their truck along Interstate 80.    The couple got five minutes out of Atlantic when Erica’s contractions became more intense. 

HARLAN -- Approximately 500 people turned out Tuesday night, March 22 for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Extravaganza held at the Harlan Community Schools.    Some of the amazing projects showcased by students included:  Kaede Loudy works on the go-cart he built, ready to show off to those in attendance.

    HARLAN -- The Harlan FFA Chapter recently held its 75th Anniversary Awards Banquet at Harlan Community High School. Nearly 450 people met for a meal catered by Irwin Locker and Catering, an awards presentation and a concert presented by country music band, Maiden Dixie, in the high school gym.

    HARLAN -- Carmen Hosack of Harlan has submitted her resignation as a member of the Myrtue Medical Center Board of Trustees. The March board meeting was the last for Hosack who has served as a MMC board member for the past 20 years.    She will be leaving the MMC board due to meeting conflict times with her new position at Nishnabotna Valley Rural Electric Cooperative in Harlan.

    NEOLA – A 14-year-old Tri-Center High School student was killed and three others were injured in a one-vehicle accident near Neola Monday afternoon, March 21.    Gage Williams, Neola, has been identified as the teenager who died in the accident, according to the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office.  Injured in the accident were Kael Karagianis, 18, Neola; Kaden Karagianis, 16, Neola; and Jordan Macias, 16, Neola. 

COUNTY – Shelby County Emergency Preparedness partners will participate in a county-wide tornado drill to be held on Wednesday, March 23 from 10-11 a.m.  Shelby County Emergency Management, Shelby County Public Health and Myrtue Medical Center encourage everyone to take this opportunity to prepare, plan, and protect their loved ones from the effects of severe spring weather.    This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 21-25, as declar

    HARLAN -- From left: Nicholas Kohles, Braxton Gaul and Austin Schumacher work on identifying the parts of a sheep on a graph at the ISU Extension booth at the Ag STEM event at Shelby County Catholic School on Wednesday afternoon, March 16.The celebration was held in conjunction with National Agriculture Week.    The Shelby County Catholic School Afterschool Ag Club held a reception in celebration of National Agriculture Week 2016, inviting

AMES -- Katie Andersen, a fifth-grader from Exira-EHK Schools, finished in 15th place in The Scripps State of Iowa Spelling Bee Contest held March 12th at Iowa State University.    The spelling bee is sponsored by ISU Greenlee School of Journalism & Communication. 

HARLAN – For the first time in school history, three teams have qualified for the state mock trial competition to be held in Des Moines March 28-29.    The top four teams from regional competition move on to state, and Harlan Community High School earned 2-0 records at regionals, qualifying them for state competition.  Regionals were held March 9 at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs.  There were 13 teams in regional competition

    HARLAN – Thirty-seven community members, Harlan Community School District staff members and HCSD board of education members gave unanimous approval to a school calendar proposal that will be brought to the board of education for formal vote.    Those words come from HCS Superintendent of Schools Justin Wagner who presented the information and calendar recommendation via e-mail to school district patrons this week.

    HARLAN – A dramatization of The Living Last Supper is being presented by First United Methodist Church, Harlan, at various locations in the region this month.    The first performance was Sunday, March 13 at Altamont Baptist Church in Harlan.  Next up is a Sunday, March 20 performance at Congregational United Church of Christ in Harlan at 7 p.m.    Additional performances include:   •  Wednesday, March 23, St.

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Newspapers’ Annual Home, Garden & Living Show is set for Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20 in Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Harlan.    Approximately 2,000 people attend the free event each year, which runs 4:30-8 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday.    This year’s show will feature 34 businesses and organizations.

    COUNTY – With warmer weather and the first signs of spring arriving this month, soon there will be increased traffic on the roadways, including the rural roads in Shelby County.    The Shelby County Engineer’s Office and Iowa County Engineer’s Association are reminding motorists this week to be specifically aware when traveling in rural parts of the county, specifically where there may be uncontrolled intersections.    A number of serious

    AVOCA – Three culinary students from AHSTW High School earned top honors last week at Iowa Western Community College’s Culinary and Baking Competition March 7.    Held for area family and consumer sciences high school students, the AHSTW group of Holly Hatch, Cassie Renfeld, and Anna Bauer earned first place in the baking competition.    Nine schools and 40 students participated in this year’s event.

    HARLAN – The Harlan Community School District has learned this month it has been selected to receive $435,563.24 in state Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) monies, to be utilized next year to fund educational processes including putting teachers in coaching roles, providing mentoring and opportunities for observing instructional practice.    The TLC system was created through bipartisan legislation with a goal of all school distric