HARLAN -- Julie Ann Suntken and Ryan Michel Carter both of Irwin plan to marry on June 12, 2021 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan. The couple had originally planned to wed on June 27, 2020 but with the COVID-19 situation the wedding has been postponed until 2021.    Julie is the daughter of Alan Suntken, Denison; and Cynthia Suntken, Moberly, MO.

 AVOCA -- Steve Sauvain has stepped down as the high school principal and girls head basketball coach at AHSTW. Sauvain has accepted the position of Field Director with the Green Hills Area Education Agency in southwest Iowa, calling it a professional opportunity that was too good to pass up. He will continue his duties as AHSTW principal until early June. “I have the opportunity to impact schools on a bigger scale,” Sauvain said of his AEA jo

 WATERLOO -- A Denison-Schleswig bowler with area ties finished his sophomore bowling season at the Class 2A state tournament this past winter after posting the top individual qualifying score in the entire state. Denison’s Trey Brotherton bowled a two-game series of 565 (269-296) at the 2A State Qualifying Tournament in Le Mars on February 18.

    HARLAN – Myrtue Medical Center has received federal stimulus dollars recently to help offset what’s projected to be considerable net revenue loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.    Myrtue is among hospitals in the country to receive emergency hospital funding under the federal stimulus CARES Act.

    HARLAN -- Anyone interested in seeing what people in Harlan are flushing down their toilets?    Employees have to fish this stuff out of the trash basket at the plant to keep the pumps from clogging.  You can see rubber gloves, wipes and hand towels mostly.    During this pandemic and the shortage of toilet paper, residents have been flushing things they shouldn’t.  City officials are asking residents to please not flush anything but toile

    COUNTY -- Shelby County has received more than 1,700 absentee ballot requests for this primary.  The last similar primary in 2016 yielded only 212 absentee voters counted.  Total votes in the 2016 primary were counted at 948.      The deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed is 5 p.m. May 22.   The Shelby County Auditor’s Office must have a signed request that has the ballot preference (Democrat or Republican) marked by 5 p.m.

    COUNTY -- The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency has purchased a 3D printer and has begun making personal protection equipment for use by county first responders.    EMA Director Alex Londo said the agency purchased the printer for roughly $300, and is hoping to be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which in disasters such as the coronavirus pandemic offer reimbursements of up to 75 percent for COVID-19 related e

    ELK HORN -- Gerald “Jerry” McCreary, 69, Elk Horn, formerly of Harlan, died Sunday, May 17 in Elk Horn.    Services will be held Friday, May 22 at 10 a.m. at Harvest of Hope Church (formerly First Assembly of God) in Harlan with burial in the Harlan Cemetery.  Friends may call Thursday, May 21 from 2-8 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Helen Avis Fischer, 91, Harlan, died Sunday, May 17 in Harlan.    Private graveside services will be held.    Fischer is survived by daughters Sandy (Tom) Cuscino of Harlan and Karla (Mike) Dillard of Iowa City; seven grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.    Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan is in charge of arrangements.