STATE -- Iowa has updated the positive case analysis dashboard on coronavirus.iowa.gov to include new data for total tests, in addition to individuals tested, providing the public more comprehensive testing data that more clearly illustrates recent virus activity and testing volume.

     MT AYR -- Norman James Holcombe, 94, Mt.

    OMAHA, NE -- David G. Weis, 58, Omaha, NE, formerly of Harlan, died December 7.    A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Dec. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Mary Our Queen Catholic Church with interment in the Resurrection Cemetery.  Visitation following CDC guidelines was held Thursday, Dec. 10 from 5-7 p.m.

    AVOCA -- James Nelson Shelley, 81, Avoca, died Friday, Dec. 4 in Omaha, NE.    No services are planned.    Shelley is survived by sons Greg (Stacy) Shelley of Trumansburg, NY, Eugene (Phet) Guiney of San Diego, CA, and Kevin (Lucia) Shelley of Bismarck, ND; sister Raelene Carstensen of Shelby; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.    Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

    PANAMA -- Alfred Pauley of Panama will celebrate his 85th birthday on December 13. His family is planning a card shower in his honor.

    TENNANT -- Harold Peters of Tennant will mark his 94th birthday today, December 8. His family is requesting a card shower in his honor. Cards will reach him if sent to 906 Stevens Ave, Tennant, IA 51537.    A drive-by birthday celebration at his home is also planned from 3:45 p.m. until dark today, December 8.

    COUNTY – The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges throughout 2020.  Nowhere is it more apparent than in the need for continued giving for the most needy during the Christmas season.    With the arrival of the holidays, Shelby County residents know it is time for the annual appearance of the Salvation Army bell ringing campaign, and this year donations are even more important to help those who may have lost employment during the past ye

    HARLAN -- As temperatures drop and campers wane, Prairie Rose State Park employees Brianna Martens, park manager, and Brent Martens, park technician, no relation, are able to finish projects such as burning the wood species they collect during the year that are not native to the prairie.

    COUNTY – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) has announced that the destructive Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been detected for the first time in Shelby County.     The invasive, tree-killing pest was collected from trees recently in Shelby.  EAB is a significant threat to all species of ash trees, infesting and killing both stressed and healthy trees.    The destructive wood-boring pest tunnels just beneath the b