EARLING - Services for Laura Sandlin, 60, Earling, will be held Saturday, July 2 at 10 a.m.

    HARLAN -- As the starting pistol is raised into the warm summer air, swimmers raise their marks on the platforms, parents shifted to the edge of the bleachers and the coaches calmly stare through their sunglasses.    The Harlan Swim Team has developed over the course of decades to be a successful, fulfilling program for the community.

    HARLAN – Sports enthusiasts who have gotten used to parking on the north side of Elm Street near Merrill Field during ball games on football Friday nights may have to find a new place to park their vehicles, should a proposal being considered by the Harlan City Council be approved.    The council is proposing to amend current city code by adding a no parking zone on the north side of Elm St. between 10th and 12th Sts. from 3-11 p.m.

    HARLAN – Harlan Community Superintendent of Schools Justin Wagner will be paid a base salary of $167,982.20 in 2016-17 under a contract agreement approved by the HCS Board of Education Monday, June 20.    Total salary and benefits package for Wagner amounts to $224,885.60.    The board approved the contract 5-0 (Lonnie Muxfeldt, Al Hazelton, Angie Monson, Joni Larsen and Amy Rueschenberg voted aye).  Absent were Monte Schechinger and Kathy

    DES MOINES -- Kelly Fairchild of Harlan will celebrate his 80th birthday on Sunday, July 3 beginning at 1 p.m. at an outdoor open house at Saylorville Lake, Prairie Flower Recreation Area, Loop OX-E Site 0251. Friends and family are invited to attend.      Kelly’s family includes Kim and Dick Zimmerman, Cedar Falls; Kristi and Paul Wegner, Harlan; and Karla and Rick Kramer, Harlan.

    HARLAN -- The family of Ruth Lambertsen is hosting a get-together to celebrate her 80th birthday on Saturday, July 2 from 4-7 p.m. in the party room at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan.

    WESTPHALIA -- Delbert Rueschenberg of Westphalia will celebrate his 90th birthday at an open house on Saturday, July 9 from 1-4 p.m. at the Westphalia Fire Hall.

    IRWIN -- Cyrus and Marolyn Monson of Irwin will celebrate their 50th wedding at an open house on Saturday, July 9 from 2-4 p.m. at the Irwin Community Building. Friends and relatives are invited to attend.    The couple’s three sons and daughters-in-law are Cy and Kelly Monson, Atlantic; Eric and Julie Monson, Irwin; and Dave and Angie Monson, Harlan. The Monsons have eight grandchildren.

    HARLAN -- Due to the overwhelming number of complaints and violations of the state and local fireworks code in recent years, the Harlan Police Department will have extra officers out over the Fourth of July weekend.    Officers will be enforcing the laws.  Officials said it’s a public safety issue and the department is tasked with that responsibility.    Violators can be cited or arrested.