COUNTY – The first round of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer Inc.

    HANCOCK -- James “Jim” Marcus Kock, 68, Hancock, died December 5 at his home.    Private family services will be held Thursday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. at United Church of Avoca with burial at a later date.  A drive by visitation will be held Wednesday, Dec. 9 from 5-7 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Alice E. Wegner, 94, Harlan, died December 5 at Hansen House.    Graveside services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. at St.

    SHELBY -- Terry “Loud” Lippold, 68, Shelby, died December 4 at Mercy Hospital.    A memorial service will be held Sunday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca with burial at a later date.  Visitation is Sunday, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

    WALNUT -- George Mertz, 105, Walnut, died December 4 at Cass County Memorial Hospital.    A private family service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Walnut with burial in the Layton Township Cemetery at Walnut.  A public visitation will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 5-7 p.m.

    HARLAN – Harlan Community Schools’ holiday concerts are going virtual this year, in a time when safety protocols to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 are being implemented, but students still are able to participate in most co-curricular activities in the district.    Farmers Mutual Cooperative Telephone Company (FMCTC) will be recording the high school portion of the annual band and vocal concert on December 7.  Harlan Municipal Utili

    HARLAN -- Myrtue Medical Center has received the Mission: Lifeline® Gold Referring Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks.    Myrtue is the first Critical Access Hospital in the state of Iowa to receive this elite cardiac care designation.    This is the second year in a row that the American He

    COUNTY -- The Shelby County Compensation Board has recommended a three percent, across-the-board raise for elected officials for the 2021-22 fiscal year, a number the county’s board of supervisors approved this week, except for themselves.    The supervisors voted unanimously to give themselves a lower two percent raise, but approved the compensation board’s recommendation of three percent for all other elected officials.  
 

STATE -- A priest who served Shelby County parishes back in the 1980s, the Rev. Robert “Bud” Grant, will return to ministry with restrictions and supervision, following an investigation into an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor.    Evidence gathered during the investigation established the allegation did not meet the criteria necessary to take to the Vatican for further review or canonical trial.