PANAMA -- Irene D. Arkfeld, 96, Panama, died November 29 at her home.    A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling with burial in the St.

    HARLAN -- Lola Linton, 55, Harlan, November 28 at Elm Crest Retirement Community.    A private family funeral service will be held Saturday, Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.  Visitation is Friday, Dec. 4 from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home.    Linton is survived by brothers Mike (Marcia) Linton of Plymouth, MN and John (Peggy) Linton of Fort Calhoun, NE; and sister Ruth (Bobby) Schaben of Harlan.
 

    PORTSMOUTH -- Dave and Bev Ohlinger of Portsmouth will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on December 2. Their children include Al Ohlinger, Des Moines; and Marie Ohlinger, Iowa City.    Dave is employed as the maintenance and groundskeeper at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Church in Portsmouth. Bev is a retired special education teacher having taught at Tri-Center Community School and Exira-EHK Community School.
 

By Bob Bjoin,Managing Editor    COUNTY – The COVID-19 pandemic has forced local officials to make the difficult decision to cancel a number of holiday events for safety reasons, including the annual Welcome to the Holidays celebration originally slated for this weekend.    Todd Valline, executive director of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said with COVID-19, the communities in Shelby County are unable to do many of the t

    HARLAN -- The city’s Josh Travis works to trim branches off the bottom of the official Shelby County Christmas tree on the courthouse square last week.  The tree this year was donated by Tim and Kristi Pederson, and will light up the east side of the square beginning this weekend.

    COUNTY – No masks mandated, but they’re still requested.    The Shelby County Board of Supervisors in special session Tuesday, Nov.

    REGIONAL – The annual holiday adoption program continues this week with 16 needy families on the adoption list with many already adopted.    Administration of the adoption program is being handled by West Central Community Action, and the Harlan Newspapers remains actively involved in promoting and publicizing the adoptions.    Dena Briones, adoption coordinator for WCCA, said she recognizes the holidays can be a tough time for people, esp

    AVOCA -- Charles L. Obrecht, 81, Avoca, died November 25 at Avoca Specialty Care.    Private family funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 28 at 3 p.m.

    EARLING -- Aloys Joseph Graeve, 93, Earling, died November 23 at Elm Crest Retirement Community.    A private family graveside service will be held Saturday, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Earling.    Graeve is survived by his wife, Mildred (Erlbacher) Graeve of Earling; sons Dr.