HARLAN — Construction of Harlan’s Grandma B’s Dream Playground at Harlan’s Pioneer Park is well underway, and while recent warm weather has allowed crews to continue working this fall, city officials said the playground likely will not open until spring.

COUNCIL BLUFFS — Two Harlan Community Middle School Mock Trial teams competed in the regional competition held at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs November 7. 

SHELBY COUNTY — The Shelby County Community Foundation has awarded $39,531 in grants to local nonprofit organizations and community projects as part of its Fall 2025 grant cycle.

SHELBY COUNTY — The Shelby County Board of Supervisors met Wednesday November 12 and Tuesday, November 18 and canvassed the results of the November 4,2025 City/School Election.
The Supervisors, which consists of Bryce Schaben, Mike Kolbe, and Charles Parkhurst unanimously voted to certify the following results.  
Official city results
City of Earling Mayor – Janice A. Gaul

SHELBY COUNTY — A woman who plead guilty to being an Accessory After the Fact in connection with the death of an Earling resident was sentenced Monday, November 17 in Shelby County District Court.

HARLAN — Hansen House is proud to announce the launch of its newest innovation in tenant engagement: all-electric carriages. Owners Rick Hansen and Bill McCarty recently hosted a special event where tenants became the first to experience these modern carriages, marking a significant milestone in the facility’s Life Enrichment Programing.

NATIONWIDE — As of Wednesday, a penny saved is more than just a penny earned — it’s a piece of history.
The United States Mint hosted a ceremonial strike event Nov. 12 at its Philadelphia facility, where U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach struck the final circulating one-cent coin. The event marked the official end of the penny’s 232-year run as a circulating coin.

AREA — Loess Hills Agriculture in the Classroom (LHAITC) is proud to announce that it has received funding from  the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa (Harrison and Shelby Counties) during the Fall 2025 grant cycle. This generous support will help LHAITC continue its mission of bringing agricultural literacy into local classrooms through hands-on, curriculum-based lessons.

HARLAN —For public record, the accounting firm of Eide Bailly LLP released an audit report for the Myrtue Medical Center, Harlan on November 4, 2025.

SHELBY COUNTY — West Central Community Action (WCCA) is now accepting applications from families and individuals requesting assistance this holiday season through the Shelby County Adopt-A-Family Program.
Applications will be accepted through December 1, 2025.

HARLAN — Area medical agencies recently received hands-on training when the University of Iowa’s Simulation in Motion–Iowa (SIM-IA) truck made a stop at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.
SIM-IA is a program designed to bring simulated clinical learning opportunities to local communities across the state.

WESTPHALIA – St. Boniface Parish in Westphalia will celebrate the dedication of its newly constructed Heritage Center on Sunday, November 30, following 10:00 a.m. Mass. A meal and a blessing by the Bishop will mark this special occasion, honoring the parish’s long legacy of faith, tradition, and community leadership.

 HARLAN — Stetson Thurman’s lifelong dream is to join the Professional Bull Riders association, and at just 10 years old, he’s well on his way to making it happen.
 The fifth grader was recently crowned the Junior Bull Riding World Champion of the International Miniature Rodeo Association. Only the top 10 in each division qualified for the championships based on their performances throughout the year.

DENISON — Officials with Project Harmony, a recognized leader in child advocacy, announced Wednesday, the opening of their newest satellite location at Senior Life Solutions – located East of the main campus at Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison.

INDIANAPOLIS — Nine students and two advisors from the Harlan FFA Chapter traveled to Indianapolis for the National FFA Convention, held October 28–31. Along the way, the group visited several locations for educational tours, giving members opportunities to meet new people, build leadership skills, and explore career paths.