HARLAN -- Bert Hillers of Harlan will mark his 80th birthday on May 12. His family says his party is cancelled due to COVID-19 so a card shower is planned in his honor.    Cards will reach him if sent to 821 Linden Road, Harlan, IA 51537.–––––––––––––––––    Birthday milestone photos and stories for persons marking their 70th birthdays or more are printed free of charge in the newspaper.  

    HARLAN -- The superintendent, administrators, teachers and other school staff have been awarded varying salary and/or benefits increases for the 2020-21 school year, as approved by the HCS Board of Education.    HCS Superintendent of Schools Lynn Johnson will receive an overall salary and benefits increase amounting to $3,774 -- to $186,334 in 2020-21 from the current year’s $182,560.

    EARLING – Two individuals were injured in an explosion at the Earling Standard Gas Station Monday morning, April 27.    Dan Grote and Don Bruck were transported to Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, and Bruck was then taken by LifeNet medical helicopter to Omaha for further treatment of injuries.      Grote was released from the hospital later that day, and Bruck was expected to be released this week.

2020 Roster Seniors: Thomas Frederick, Allen Fries, Kobe Livengood, Johnathan Monson. Juniors: Isaiah Ahrenholtz, Brenden Bartley, Reed Boardman, Michael Erlemeier, Mason Griffith, Trey Gross, Ben Muenchrath, Wesley Muenchrath, Tyler Mumm, Brennon Munch, Jacob Schechinger, Jordan Schechinger, Andrew Schiltz (manager). Sophomores: Jameson Bieker, Joseph Fah, Connor Frame, Kemper Gorden, Hugh Griffith, Nick Livingston (manager), Will McLaughlin,

2020 Roster Seniors: Abby Alberti (S/MD), Lucy Borkowski (D). Juniors: Abi Albertsen (MD/D), Lauren Andersen (T), Olivia Anderson (MD/D), Justine Buman (S/H/J), Grace Eckermann (S/H/J), Liv Freund (MD/D), Brooke Goshorn (T), Ashley Hall (S/MD), Kennedy Kjergaard (S/MD), Lucy Metzger (S/H/J), Madison Schumacher (T), Aubri Smith (S/H/J), Brecken Van Baale (MD). Sophomores: Kaia Bieker (S/MD/J), Jaci Broeckelman (S/H), Loryn Bruck (S), Ally Curre

2020 Roster Seniors: Raine Meneough (S), Colten Brandt (H/S), Adam Gruhn (S/MD), Jackson Johnson (D), Will Jorgensen (H/S), Parker Behrens (S/MD/HJ), Ben Lingle (S), Colby Keller (S), Carter Sorensen (D). Juniors: Quentin Dreyer (D), Brody Swearingen (T), James Vega (S), Connor Keller (S), Hayden McLaughlin (S), Liam Carter (S/H), Drew Doyel (S/LJ), Ryan Ahrenholtz (D). Sophomores: Brody Blom (S/H), Tanner Crawford (S), Jaxon Doyel (D), Eli Gu

2020 Roster Seniors: Lexi Branning (T/S), Kamryn Lesle (S), Emily Kerkhoff (S/H). Juniors: Alexa Ahrenholtz (S/HJ), Lauren Danner (S), Erin Fineran (T). Sophomores: McKenna Mullen (MD/D), Taylor Ferneding (S), Jessica Christensen (S/H), Bianca Cadwell (S/MD), Emma Deets (MD/D), Macie Doyel (S/MD/LJ). Freshmen: Mabel Langel (S/T), Julianna Stribe (MD/S), Maddy Snyder (S/H), Kaitlynn Spoelstra (MD/D), Emmie Ring (S/MD/H), Amber Halbur (S/H/LJ),

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting a celebration of life parade on behalf of Sergeant Donavon Dontje, 83-3, on Saturday, May 2.  Staging will be at the Harlan Community High School for all law enforcement, fire/EMS and the public who would like to participate.  Parking begins at 8 a.m., with the parade beginning at 10 a.m.  The route is as follows:  From the High School  •  Durant St.

    STATE -- Ombudsman Kristie Hirschman is calling upon the public to stay on guard against child abuse, citing numbers from the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) that abuse allegations have fallen sharply since the COVID-19 pandemic prompted leaders to close schools.    Child-abuse reports to DHS fell from 5,033 in February to 4,209 in March, a drop of more than 16 percent.  Most schools in Iowa closed in mid-March.  This March’s numbe