HARLAN – An eight-year-old Harlan girl is taking it upon herself to help the community by sewing masks for healthcare workers, teachers, friends, police, cancer patients or anyone from the public who may need one to be safe during the coronavirus pandemic.    Maggie Petersen, the daughter of Andy and Mary Petersen, said she thought of the project recently as a way to help Shelby Countians.  She’s a member of the Clover Kids 4-H Club and kn

    COUNTY -- Two new COVID-10 cases were reported in Shelby County Thursday morning, April 16.  Seven of nine confirmed cases have fully recovered, reports Myrtue Medical Center and Shelby County Public Health.    There are 74 negative results with four pending.    Statewide, the number of confirmed cases continues to grow.  Iowa Gov.

    STATE -- The Iowa National Guard is providing facilities and personnel to support six Regional Medical Coordination Centers across the state as part of the Iowa Department of Public Health and Iowa Health Care Coalition initiative to pool resources and aid in the sharing of critical information across multiple agencies to combat the spread of COVID-19.    Soldiers and airmen are helping staff the RMCCs, based at Iowa National Guard facilit

    COUNTY -- The Iowa Community Kitchen based in Harlan is the recipient of a $17,280 grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority to provide meals to those in need in Shelby County.    “This is fantastic news,” said Todd Valline, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry Director.  “Through the support of the Shelby County Board of Supervisors, the Shelby County Public Health Nurse and Town and Country Credit Union, Iowa Communi

    HARLAN -- The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant challenges for many Iowans, including the most basic need of food security. To assist with the spike in demand at local food banks, the Shelby County Farm Bureau is donating $400 to West Central Community Action to help fill the need for Iowans who are impacted by this unprecedented time.

COUNTY -- Marsha Hursey, Shelby, recently donated these homemade sewn masks to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Jail Staff.  Officials said it was a great gesture.  “It was a generous thought as the supply chain is low all around the country and they come in handy when dealing with the public,” said jail administrator Kyle Lindberg.
 

    PANAMA -- Balloons with “Happy Hug” written on them were hung by a member of the Panama community this past weekend.    Every house in the town of Panama has a balloon on the front door. It was a nice surprise to see a happy hug from someone during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    DUNLAP -- Jacob Charles Klein, 18, Dunlap, died April 13 at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, NE.    The family will be having a private Mass of Christian Burial.  The mass will be live-streamed on Saturday, April 18 at 10:30 a.m.  See Fouts Funeral Home’s website for the live stream information.    Klein is survived by his parents, Mark and Catherine Klein, of Dunlap; sister Katie Klein of Dunlap; paternal grandparents Charles and Marie (Gr

    MENIFEE, CA -- Roger Elmer Schechinger, 55, Menifee, CA, died February 26 at Loma Linda University Hospital in Murrieta, CA.    He was a former Westphalia resident and graduate of Harlan Community Schools.    A full Marine funeral service was held March 17 at the Riverside National Military Cemetery in Riverside, CA.  Local services are pending in Westphalia due to COVID-19 virus.  Information will be forthcoming.    Schechinger is survive