HARLAN – Students and staff in the Harlan Community Schools have begun wearing masks full-time while in the classroom this week to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.    In an update to district patrons last week, HCS Superintendent of Schools Lynn Johnson said health experts suggest the next couple of months may prove difficult due to the holidays and the mix of influenza and COVID-19.

 AVOCA -- A thriving AHSTW girls basketball program has experienced change since last season, but there’s still many familiar faces throughout the gym. Following the resignation of Steve Sauvain as principal and head girls basketball coach last spring, the school hired from within and named Jill Vanderhoof the Lady Vikes’ new head coach in early June.

 AVOCA -- AHSTW cross country coach Jenny Hamilton was selected as a Class 1A At-Large Girls Coach of the Year in November after guiding the Lady Vike harriers to their third state meet in four years. The IATC (Iowa Association of Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches) named Hudson’s Holly Peterson as its Class 1A Girls Coach of the Year while honoring Hamilton and five others as at-large coaches of the year. Hamilton guided the Lady Vik

    HARLAN -- Marjorie Elizabeth Gubbels, 88, Harlan, died December 3 at Myrtue Medical Center.    A private family Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan with burial in the St.

    PORTSMOUTH -- Clarence A. Reinig, 86, Portsmouth, died December 2 at Myrtue Medical Center.    A private family Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. at St.

    HARLAN -- Patricia Frances Blum, 84, Harlan, died December 2 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.    Private family graveside services will be held Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Panama.  Private extended family visitation is Saturday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

    HARLAN -- The Myrtue Medical Center Board of Trustees has approved additional compensation to all employees of Myrtue Medical Center during the COVID-19 pandemic.    Effective with the pay period which began November 22, any active employee at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan will be eligible to receive hazard pay for at least through eight pay period weeks which ends January 16, 2021.

    COUNTY – The cartoon character Scrappy Doo got a vote for Shelby County sheriff, while teachers and coaches in the Harlan Community Schools garnered votes for county supervisor, and others who cast ballots thought “anyone but” was the best choice for president and vice president of the United States.    Shelby Countians voted in record numbers in the November 3 general election, and while most took their voting rights seriously, others wro

    HARLAN – Patrons in the Harlan Community School District have offered their opinions on the most desired qualifications they’d like to see in a new superintendent of schools.    In a stakeholder survey offered for 10 days last month, district patrons said being approachable, accessible and welcoming, as well as demonstrating ethics and integrity, were the most important characteristics when considering superintendent candidates.    Trent G