HARLAN – A split vote during the organizational meeting put newly-sworn-in board member Jim Reischl in the president’s role of the Harlan Community Schools Board of Education Monday evening, Dec. 13.    A few minutes after taking the oath of office, newcomers Reischl, Greg Bladt and Jade Albertsen, as well as incumbent Joe Herzberg, voted to have Reischl be the next board president.

By Bob Bjoin, Editor    HARLAN – Ask Debbie Pennington about her late husband, Joe, and she says it’s pretty easy to describe him in a few words.    “Godly, caring, sarcastic and funny,” she said.  “Maybe we can combine sarcastically funny?”    He loved God first and foremost, and enjoyed making people feel at home.  Joe was kind of shy until you got to know him.  He was a fantastic cook, family man and found a joy in the pulpit sharing the wo

    OMAHA, NE -- Della Newlin, 83, Omaha, NE, formerly of Harlan and a long-time Harlan Community Schools teacher, died November 24 in Omaha.    Newlin is survived by three sisters and four children: David Newlin of Austin Texas, Dixie Peterson (Todd) of Ankeny Iowa, Dee Newlin of West Des Moines Iowa, and Dan Newlin of Seminole, Florida; three grandchildren: Logan Peterson, Taylor Peterson and Morgan Newlin.    A Graveside Service for family

    HARLAN -- Ray Erwin McIntosh, 92, Harlan, died December 17 at Elm Crest Retirement Community.    Services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Irwin with burial in the Oak Hill Cemetery at Irwin.  Visitation is Wednesday from noon-2 p.m.

    HARLAN -- H. Minehart “Miney” Brasch, 81, Harlan, died Thursday, Dec.

    SEBASTIAN, FL -- Debra Lynn Martin, 71, Sebastian, FL, died December 12 at her home.    A graveside service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan with burial in the Harlan Cemetery.    Martin is survived by sisters Tookie Smith of Sebastian and Marlyce Schraeder of Denison; and brothers Jeff (Loretta) Rademacker of Lincoln, NE and Jason Eckermann of Harlan.

   DES MOINES -- The HCHS Dance Team performed two dances at the Iowa State Dance Competition held at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Thursday, Dec. 2.  The team received fifth place in its hip hop dance, and for both hip hop and pom dances the team received a Division 1 rating.

    HARLAN – Joe Jennings’ cremated remains finally have been returned to the United States following weeks of negotiations with Mexican government and hospital officials.    Teresa Jennings said Joe’s remains are back in Iowa, arriving at a funeral home in Council Bluffs on Wednesday, Dec.

    HARLAN – Approximately two years after shooting down a request to allow chickens to be raised in the Harlan city limits, local officials are again being asked to consider a similar effort, this time for county youth projects.    Pam Borkowski, poultry superintendent for the Shelby County Fair, addressed the Harlan City Council Tuesday, Dec.