ELK HORN – Local residents looking for a unique holiday gift for that special someone or family member need search no further than the Design Store at the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn.    For nearly 26 years the museum has been offering Danish, Danish-American, and Scandinavian gifts for the holidays at its store, and what began as a small, four-page tabloid showcasing gift opportunities in 2004 has now grown to a full catalog feat

    REGIONAL – Harlan Community Schools’ students are offering kindness and appreciation this month to the many health care workers in southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska working to keep residents healthy and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.    Ashley Nihsen, a nurse with Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs and parent to students in the district, recently reached out to the teachers and students seeing if they would be will

HARLAN – Shelby County residents may remember a Kansas man who challenged his ex-wife and her attorney, both of Harlan, earlier this year to a duel in hand-to-hand combat style with melee weapons, who says now he will seek public office in an effort to argue for judicial openness and the rights of individuals in similar custody disputes.    David Zachary Ostrom, Paola, KS, continues his family legal and custody matter in Shelby County District

    EARLING -- Marcus Walter Kaufman, 71, Earling, died December 11 at his home.    Private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, Dec. 17 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church with burial in the St. Boniface Cemetery in Westphalia.  Visitation is Wednesday, Dec. 16 from 4-8 p.m.

    STILWELL, KS -- Evelyn Ann Jacobsen-Plumb, 89, Stilwell, KS, died December 12 at Addington Place.    Graveside services will be held Thursday, Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. at the Harlan Cemetery.  Visitation is Thursday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Shawn Havick, 51, Harlan, died December 13 at his home.    Services are pending at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.    Havick is survived by his mother, Myrna Havick, father Allan Havick, and wife LaDonna Havick, all of Harlan; daughters Chelsey (David) Ray of Ames and Hannah Havick (friend Dakota Clausen) of Ankeny; and brother Shane (Deb) Havick of Harlan.
 

    PERSIA -- Jerry Bobo Plambeck, 72, Persia, died December 9 at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital.    A private family Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m. at St.

    KIMBALLTON – Olympic dreams are a lofty goal for the top competitive athletes in the United States, but a Kimballton teenager is one step closer and can see those dreams within reach after solidifying herself last week as one of the finest youth weightlifters in the country.    Bella Muller, 13, a seventh-grader at Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton, placed sixth in her division at the USA Weightlifting national championships Thursday, Dec.

    REGIONAL -- With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, cold and flu season and with the winter blues upon us, a healthy immune system is more important than ever.    Myrtue Medical Center, Harlan, officials said this week they want to empower local residents with some tools that give you some control of your health.    “There are many things you can do to support a properly functioning immune system: Eat a balanced diet, stay physically active, g