IRWIN (July 13) -- The AHSTW and IKM-Manning softball teams will open Class 2A regional play against each other Monday night in a 7:00 p.m. game at Irwin. The Lady Vikes will take an 8-7 record into the contest while the Wolves are 3-10. The winner plays at fifth-ranked West Monona on Wednesday, July 15.

    COUNTY -- Ten young women are vying to become the Shelby County Fair Queen this year.    Coronation took place Monday, July 13 with a reverse parade that allowed well-wishers to drive through and support the queen candidates and a few other static exhibits from 7-7:30 p.m.

    HARLAN -- A former Harlan Community Schools superintendent was the highest paid individual in the HCS district based on the 2019-20 reported earnings as published in last week’s Harlan News-Advertiser.    Justin Wagner earned $158,050.50 according to the legal notice, required to be published by the district annually.    Thirteen individuals, exclusive of Wagner, were paid more than $90,000 annually, according to the legal, and include:• 

    REGIONAL -- Shelby County residents may be seeing significant damages to trees, bushes and flowers this summer, courtesy of the Japanese Beetle that has emerged during the past month.    This nasty new visitor to Iowa devours roses, fruits, lawns, and just about anything else that gets in its path.    It used to be that we heard about Japanese beetles only from eastern gardeners. It arrived in New Jersey in 1916 from Japan and has spread.

    HARLAN – The Harlan Municipal Utilities (HMU) is seeking damages from an engineering firm and construction company over alleged problems and issues with its water treatment plant.    HMU filed a petition in Shelby County District Court June 26 against Veenstra & Kimm, Inc.

    SHELBY -- Rick Kiesel received 58 votes in the special election Tuesday, July 7 to fill a vacant seat on the Shelby City Council.    The unofficial results has Kiesel the winner, with Patty Welsh earning 46 votes.    The city council vacancy became open upon the unexpected death of Donavon Dontje.  Once the vote totals are certified and Kiesel declared the official winner, he will serve the remainder of the term through 2023.

    EARLING -- Al and Mick Graeve of Earling will  observe 70 years of marriage on July 19. They plan to celebrate at a later date.    Their family includes Dr. Allen and Val Graeve, Tacoma, WA; Mike and Nancy Graeve, Westminster, CO; Marcia and Mike Linton, Plymouth, MN; Craig and Lori Graeve, Omaha; Eric and Judy Graeve, Eagan, MN; Doug and Kim Graeve, Westminster, CO; 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

 HARLAN (July 2) -- Emily Brouse blasted her fourth home run of the year and notched her seventh pitching win here Thursday night as Harlan Community defeated the Red Oak softball team 8-1. The 13th-ranked (Class 4A) Cyclones won their third straight game and improved to 12-2 overall and 8-1 in the Hawkeye Ten Conference.

 HARLAN (July 2) -- A six-run third inning propelled the Harlan Community baseball team to an 8-1 home win over Red Oak Thursday night at Jim Goeser Field. The Cyclones finished 3-1 on last week’s four-day home stand, including Hawkeye Ten victories vs. Atlantic, Clarinda and the Tigers. They improved to 7-3 overall and 7-2 in conference play.