COUNTY – The primary election still will be held June 2, but local and state officials are urging voters to consider absentee ballots this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.    Shelby County Auditor and Elections Commissioner Mark Maxwell said this week Secretary of State Paul Pate issued a directive this week that extends the absentee voting period to 40 days for Iowans who choose to vote by mail in the June primary.    The directive also

    HARLAN -- Dennis Zang, 77, Harlan, died March 22 at his home.    No services are planned at this time.    Zang is survived by his wife, Pamela Zang, of Harlan; son Joseph (Molly Jacobsen) Zang of Harlan; brother Matt Zang; and sister Mary Zang of Chaptico, MD.    Pauley Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
 

    AVOCA -- Betty Jean Holtz, 88, Avoca, died March 23 at Avoca Specialty Care.    Private family services were held Wednesday, March 25 at 10:30 a.m.

    HARLAN -- The Feed the Children meal program offered by the Harlan Community Schools is going strong.    HCS Director of Wellness, Food and Nutrition Ellen Walsh-Rosmann said Tuesday they are serving about 450 meals per day, with 350 of those being delivered to people’s doors.    “Our most important goal is to make things as normal as possible for children and to provide at least two meals a day to them,” said Walsh-Rosmann.    “They are g

    HARLAN – In conjunction with the free meal program for kids being coordinated and offered for the Harlan Community Schools, there is a sharing table of donated items kids/families can grab on their way out.    During the grab-n-go meal service, a table is provided with a number of fresh, ready-to eat items for participants to take home for supplemental food. Items will be kept at appropriate food safety temp.

    NATION -- The purpose of this FEMA page (https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus-rumor-control) is to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.    Rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis, stay informed with the updated myth vs.

    STATE -- Governor Reynolds this week announced the launch of a new Iowa Small Business Relief Program that will provide financial assistance to small businesses that have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.    The program offers eligible small businesses grants ranging from $5,000-$25,000 in addition to offering Iowa businesses a deferral of sales and use or withholding taxes due and waiver of penalty and interest.    “Sma

    STATE -- This week, Governor Kim Reynolds announced that first quarter unemployment tax payments that are due April 30  will be delayed until the end of the 2nd quarter, July 31, 2020.      Eligible employers include those employers with 50 or fewer employees.

    STATE -- Secretary of State Paul Pate is extending the absentee voting period to 40 days for Iowans who choose to vote by mail in the June primary. He is also encouraging Iowans to cast ballots by mail, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.