STATE -- Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education today announced the state has received $26.2 million in federal relief to ensure education continues for students of all ages impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.    Iowa’s grant is part of the nearly $3 billion Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Community Library re-opens today, Tuesday, June 9.  It will be a grab and go event with hours as follows:  Tuesday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon.    Curbsyde hours are Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.    Following are guidelines for patronizing the library:    • Face coverings required of all patrons.    • Limited number of people in the library.  Use social distancing while

    HARLAN -- David Eugene Sargent, 50, Harlan, died June 4 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.    A Life Celebration will be held July 25 at Prairie Rose State Park Shelter House 2 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.    Sargent is survived by his mother, Lana (Blount) Sargent of Harlan; and brother Timothy (Donna) Sargent of Kimballton.    Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan is in charge of arrangements.

    OMAHA, NE -- Alice Alexander, 85, Omaha, NE, died May 22 at Bergan Mercy Medical Center.    Services were held Saturday, May 30 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling with burial in the St.

    ST. LOUIS, MO -- Mike and Donna Schmidt of Harlan announce the engagement of their daughter, Chantel to Blake Connor both of Swansea, IL. Blake is the son of Dean and Bonnie Leveling, Swansea.    The couple plans to marry on June 13 in a small outdoor private ceremony at Blake’s parents’ home. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chantel and Blake have postponed the original wedding ceremony and reception.
 

    ELK HORN -- The 2020 Exira-EHK seniors participated in a commencement parade with their families Sunday afternoon with the last stop at the high school in Elk Horn to pick up their diplomas in a drive-through ceremony. The parade traveled through Exira, Brayton, Kimballton and Elk Horn. Superintendent Trevor Miller presented the graduates their diplomas.

 PORTSMOUTH (May 31) -- Portsmouth rallied for six runs in the bottom of the eighth but left the bases loaded in a scoreless ninth inning on Sunday, falling to Walnut 11-9 in the Iowa Western League opener for both sides. Portsmouth trailed 11-2 at the seventh-inning stretch before mounting a comeback, but left the bases loaded in both the eighth and the ninth.

 AREA -- Three student-athletes from the Harlan Community Schools Delegation have been selected by Special Olympics Iowa as honorees for the 2020 Des Moines Register’s All-Iowa Sports Awards program. Seniors Gracie Assmann and Chloe Hays of HCSD are both among three finalists for the Special Olympics Iowa Girl Athlete of the Year while Cameron Hicks, a junior, is one of three finalists for the Special Olympics Iowa Boy Athlete of the Year. To

    STATE – Shelby County Republican voters showed continued support for controversial U.S.