NEOLA – A teacher and coach in the Tri-Center (Neola) School District charged with sexual exploitation by a school employee and dissemination and exhibition of obscene materials to minors has had April 26 set as the date for her jury trial.    Ag/FFA Teacher and Girls Softball Coach Josie Mae McMinemee, 26, Shelby, had a preliminary hearing February 3, and will be arraigned on the charges March 14 in Pottawattamie County District Court.

    HARLAN – Harlan Community jazz musicians will have a unique opportunity to collaborate with some of Iowa’s finest college musicians when the University of Iowa Latin Jazz Ensemble comes to town April 9.    Through a partnership effort with the Western Iowa Regents Resource Center (WIRRC) and the UI Arts Outreach Program Arts Share, the group will host a clinic with the HCS jazz musicians and then present a concert that evening.    “We are

    NATIONAL --  In early April, 2021, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) began providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the               pandemic.
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    ELK HORN -- A standing room only crowd turned out Friday, Feb.

    COUNTY – Shelby County employees represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1014-2 and 1014-4 have presented their initial bargaining proposals to Shelby County as contract negotiations officially get under way.    Initial proposals from the union and counter-proposals from the county were exchanged Tuesday, Feb.

    REGIONAL – Southwest Iowa school districts are taking initiatives to retain quality staff members with financial incentives during this current school year as well as in 2022-23.    Red Oak, Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton and IKM-Manning are among the latest through board action to approve financial stipends for staff remaining with the school district into next year.    Red Oak will provide one-time $2,000 stipends for all returning regular, p

    HARLAN -- Beverly Ann Burmeister, 79, Harlan, died Friday, Feb. 11 in Harlan.    A private funeral and graveside services will be held.    Friends may call Tuesday, Feb. 15 from 3-7 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m.

    COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Connie Jean Witt, 82, Council Bluffs, died February 11 at Risen Son Christian Village.    Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan with burial in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Portsmouth.  Visitation will be held Friday, Feb. 18 from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday from noon-2 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Marie Arentons, 92, Harlan, died February 12 at Elm Crest Retirement Community.    Services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Harlan with burial in the Harlan Cemetery.  Visitation was Monday, Feb. 14 from 6-8 p.m.