AVOCA -- Dolores Mae Ensley, 88, Avoca, died Wednesday, March 17 in Avoca.    Services were held Monday, March 22 at 10:30 a.m.

    COUNTY – Shelby County has signed off on its five-year secondary roads construction plan that includes some innovative solutions to bridge, culvert, and other road-related projects.    Among the most cutting-edge answers is happening now, where old railroad tank cars are re-purposed to use for secondary road culvert projects.  Not only do they hold up well, but they are more financially appealing as well, said Shelby County Engineer Brando

HARLAN -- “You want to blame somebody, blame me.  But don’t blame the employees.”    Those sentiments come from Harlan Municipal Utilities Chief Executive Officer Ken Weber this week, who is making a request of the Harlan community at-large.    He knows residents are upset with their utility bills.    However, “you’ve got a very dedicated group down there with the employees of HMU,” he said.  “Their sole purpose is to make sure the lights come

    HARLAN – A Change.org petition signed by more than 600 individuals requesting electric utility competition in Harlan has no legal standing in Iowa, while gas utility competition is deemed unnecessary duplication and financially unfeasible, according to attorneys who addressed the Harlan City Council this week.    While Harlan residents continue to reel from high energy purchase adjustments on their most recent utility bills due to February

    HARLAN -- Manning native Ben Wegner said it has always been a dream of his to work in law enforcement. His first day as an officer with the Harlan Police Department was February 22.    Wegner is a graduate of IKM-Manning High School and Iowa Lakes Community College, Estherville, where he earned an associate of applied science degree in criminal justice. He also attended Iowa State University.

    NATIONAL – The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced recently that its Office of Enforcement is examining wholesale natural gas and electricity market activity during February’s extreme cold weather, to determine if any market participants engaged in market manipulation or other violations.    If the Office of Enforcement finds any potential wrongdoing that can be addressed under FERC’s statutory authority, it will pursue t

    HARLAN – Shelby County’s government is hoping not to have to raise property taxes to offset costs associated with increased utility bills from the Harlan Municipal Utilities due to last month’s unprecedented cold weather.    Like other Harlan residents receiving their power purchase adjustments recently, Shelby County government also was hit with “sticker shock,” and is working to determine the best course of action to pay those bills with

    HARLAN -- Justin Henriksen, 38, Harlan, died March 16 at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital.    A celebration of life will be held Sunday, March 28 at 2 p.m. at the C.G.

    HARLAN -- Virginia Anne Johnson, 92, Harlan, died Sunday, March 14 in Harlan.    Services were held Thursday, March 18 at 11 a.m. at Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan with burial in the Jacksonville Cemetery.    Johnson is survived by son Frank Johnson of Plant City, FL; daughters Ellen (Dr.