WOODBINE (Dec.

    EARLING – Iowa Community Kitchen will be opening a second location in Shelby County on a trial basis in February, providing meals in Earling at St. Joseph's Parish Hall on Tuesdays from Feb. 4-18.    The Earling location has been in the work for months, officials said, and will serve a need for those individuals who can’t make it to Harlan at the First Baptist Church location every Tuesday.

    REGIONAL -- After having seen a decrease in 2018, the average value of an acre of farmland in Iowa saw a slight increase in 2019.  The average statewide value of an acre of farmland is now estimated to be $7,432.

    HARLAN - Elsie Elizabeth Phifer, 84, died Monday, December 23 in Harlan.    Friends may call on Friday, December 27 from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home and family will greet friends from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. There will be a prayer service on Friday, December 27 at 7 p.m. also at the funeral home.    Funeral services are Saturday, December 28 at 10 a.m.

    HARLAN -- A joyous holiday and Merry Christmas to all!  Jack (left) and Joey Holloway, the children of Mark and Dani Holloway of Harlan, visited with Santa Claus at the Harlan Community Library in December. 

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Municipal Utilities Board of Trustees  approved a recommendation from its finance committee for  a $692,708.41 “temporary transfer” of funds to the Telecommunications Utility.   Those monies would come from the surplus in the Electric utility.    There is a “temporary transfer” in place now that originated November 14, 2013 for $422,548.  It has been paid down to $288,291.59 with full principal due in nine years (Dec.

    HARLAN -- The first of five Shelby County legislative coffees was held  Sat., Dec. 21 at the Purple Door restaurant in downtown Harlan.    Iowa legislator Rep. Steve Holt (R-Denison)  was in attendance but a scheduling conflict kept Sen. Jason Schultz (R-Schleswig) from attending. Fifteen Shelby County residents were on hand to offer questions and listen to Holt discuss the upcoming legislative session.

    HARLAN -- Democratic Presidential Candidate Amy Klobuchar made a stop in Harlan Sunday morning, Dec. 22 to visit with local residents at Milk & Honey in downtown Harlan.    A standing room only crowd greeted Klobuchar, who took time to meet and greet those in attendance.

    COUNTY -- Shelby County Community Chest still has hopes of raising $35,000 for local organizations; 100% of your tax-deductible donation benefits the following Shelby County non-profit agencies:    Concerned, Inc.; Country Care Center; Faith Sound; Friends of Harlan City Parks; Girl Scouts; Harlan Community Library Foundation Inc; Harlan Community School District; Harlan Lions Club; Iowa Community Kitchen; Iowa State University Extension &