MANNING -- John “Johnny” Frees will celebrate his 90th birthday on April 22. John’s wife, Margaret, of Manning and daughter, Karen Frees of St. Paul, MN; are requesting a card shower in his honor.    Cards will reach him if sent to Accura Healthcare of Manning, 402 Main Street, Manning, IA 51455.

    HARLAN – Myrtue Medical Center has begun temporary furloughs of employees as part of a workforce plan that hospital officials say is necessary due to a nearly 50 percent drop in procedures, tests, visits and overall patient volumes because of the COVID-19 pandemic.    With 422 employees, Myrtue Medical is one of Shelby County’s largest employers.

HARLAN – The Harlan Community Schools’ tax asking for 2020-21 will increase $678,630 under a proposed budget approved by the HCS Board of Education Monday, April 6.    The budget calls for an approximate 60-cents per $1,000 taxable valuation increase, a move school district officials say is needed for the future financial viability of the district.  The levy will increase to $12.30 from the current year’s $11.70.

    HARLAN – Harlan property owners will see a tax levy decrease next year as part of a proposed budget approved by the Harlan City Council Tuesday, March 17.    A public hearing on the proposed $9.62 million budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year was held Tuesday, March 3.  The City Council accepted comments from the public before taking a final vote, which was unanimous to approve the budget.

    COUNTY – Shelby County’s tax asking will increase an estimated $195,032 under a budget plan approved by the Shelby County Board of Supervisors last month.    A hearing on the 2020-21 county budget was held Tuesday, March 3 in the supervisor’s room at the Shelby County Courthouse.  There were no written or oral comments from the public on the budget.

 HARLAN -- The Harlan Community bowling teams combined to set eight school records during the program’s eighth year of existence as both squads performed at their best late in the season. The Cyclone girls finished another successful campaign at the state tournament for the fourth time in the last seven years, placing sixth out of eight teams in Class 1A with a total score of 2,433.

 COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Three Harlan Community High School student-athletes competed this winter for the Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln boys swim team, also known as the CB Swim Team.

 STATE (April 6) -- The Iowa High School Athletic Association and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released an updated spring calendar on Monday for the sports of track and field, golf, tennis and soccer. The schedule is contingent on school resuming Friday, May 1, across the state, with all dates subject to change.

    HARLAN -- Andrea Ferry and Caleb Bieker both of Harlan exchanged marriage vows at Fresh Encounter Fellowship Church in Harlan on December 28, 2019. Pastor Mike Martin performed the 3 p.m. private double ring ceremony.    Parents of the couple are Darin and Jill Ferry, Portsmouth; and Jim and Sharon Bieker, Harlan.