AVOCA -- Michael “Mike” James Hope, 63, Avoca, died October 18 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.    Services will be held Friday, Oct. 25 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Avoca with burial in the Graceland Cemetery at Avoca.  A rosary will be held Thursday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. at the church.  Visitation is Thursday from 3-8 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5-8 p.m.

    CORLEY -- Ronald Raymond Ellsworth, 76, Corley, died Sunday, Oct. 20 in Harlan.    Services will be held Thursday, Oct. 24 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan.  Friends may call Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 2-8 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m.

    AVOCA -- Ted Nielsen, 77, Avoca, died October 15 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.    Graveside services will be held Saturday, Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. at the Shelby Cemetery in Shelby.    Nielsen is survived by cousins Lois (Larry) Knop of Hancock, Richard (Karen) Robinson of Beardstown, IL, Dave (Lori) Robinson of Shelby and Darlene Flood of Council Bluffs.    Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca is in charge of arrangements. 

  HARLAN – The 19th-annual Harvest Fest celebration will be held Saturday, Oct.

    COUNTY -- Each tax year Shelby County Extension & Outreach, with the support from the Iowa Center, IRS, DHS and volunteer certified tax preparers, serves Iowans by providing tax preparation help for low-income residents in Shelby County.    Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) helps lower-income households file their tax returns for free, enabling them to receive the tax credits they’ve earned.  Last year, VITA volunteers prepared an

    HARLAN – Third, fourth and fifth graders at the Harlan Community Intermediate School have an important message for everyone.    Choose to be kind.    It may be a simple notion, but students feel so strongly about the message that they’ve formed a Kindness Club that is gaining members and support.  The first quarter of this school year has been special, and kids are excited for the future of their efforts.    This all began last year.

    HARLAN -- The postponed Red Out event from two weeks ago due to cold weather conditions will be held at Friday’s’s HCHS-Winterset football game.    Harlan Community Schools and Myrtue Medical Center are hosting the Red Out to raise awareness and funds in the fight against heart disease.    There will be a number of activities related to healthy heart awareness.

    EARLING -- It’s been a difficult 14 days for the residents, families, employees and owners of the longtime nursing home - the Little Flower Haven.

    HARLAN -- Jerry and Debbie Stendrup of Harlan celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on October 15. Their family includes Penny and Jeff Nelson, Harlan; Jerrad and Jennifer Popp, Adel; four grandchildren and one great-grandson.