HARLAN – Harlan Community High School Business Professionals of America students picked up dozens of awards at the Iowa BPA competition recently, solidifying the program as one of the best in Iowa.    Overall, 33 students qualified for nationals, which is by far the most the program has ever had, said Chad Swanson, BPA Advisor and Business Instructor at HCHS.    “We will have 14 students who have chosen to advance and compete virtually at

    RURAL JACKSONVILLE -- Edward and Vickie Andersen of rural Jacksonville will mark their 50th wedding anniversary on April 17.

    COUNTY – Shelby County’s official website is offline due to hacking vulnerabilities following an update recommended by the state regarding election security.    Taryn Knapp, Director, Shelby County Information Technology, said it could be up to three months before a replacement website is up and running.    “Most things are still available,” Knapp said.  “We have a lot of links to secondary sites with property taxes and assessments.”    Th

    COUNTY – Shelby County’s financials look solid for the year ended June 30, 2020, according to an audit report presented to the Shelby County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, April 6.    “The county continues to be in a good financial position,” Chris Nelson, president, Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Co, PC, Atlantic, told the board.    Revenues of the county’s governmental activities decreased 12.3 percent, or approximately $1,961,000 from the

    HARLAN – Staff in the Harlan Community Schools will be receiving a one-time $750 stipend in December as part of a retention incentive plan proposed by administration through negotiations with staff and as approved by the HCS Board of Education Monday, April 12.    The stipend is a way for the district to keep its quality staff at all levels, said HCS Superintendent of Schools Lynn Johnson.    “I think what was imperative for the (negotiati

    HARLAN -- Lavina Rose Gross, 99, Harlan, died April 17 at Hansen House.    Services will be held Wednesday, April 21 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling with burial in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery at Earling.    Visitation is Tuesday, April 20 from 4-8 p.m. with a Catholic Daughters Rosary at 7 p.m.

    ELK HORN -- Jeanette Swensen, 90, Elk Horn, died April 17 at Elm Crest Retirement Community.    A private family graveside service will be held at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Kimballton.  Visitation is Tuesday, April 27 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

    HARLAN -- When she was young, Harlan Community High School 2016 alum Samantha Schmitz sang in her church’s childrens’ choir, and fondly remembers their Christmas performances at nursing homes.    But at the time, Schmitz saw herself as an athlete, that is, until everyone grew taller and ran faster than her, Schmitz said with a laugh.    So she pursued music.    Paired with her mother’s influence as a music teacher at Logan Magnolia High Sc

 DENISON (April 9) -- The Harlan Community girls and boys track teams combined to win 18 events and score 325 points here Friday night, sweeping the team titles of the Denison-Schleswig Co-Ed Invitational. IKM-Manning also made a strong showing in the seven-team meet, combining for six golds and 158 points as the boys placed third and the girls finished sixth. The HCHS girls were the top-scoring team of the night, earning 12 gold medals and ea