HARLAN -- May was national Foster Care Month in the United States.    During this time, organizations hoped to educate others about foster care and the children who need it, as well as encourage others to take on fostering, or help in some way.    Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) says children from western Iowa were referred into foster care 940 times in 2018, with the majority of those in foster care having experienced neglect, abuse or tr

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Community Library kicked off its Universe of Stories summer library program with the Absolute Science interactive show on Thursday, May 30.    Presenting the show was Toto Johnson, an entertainer from the Davenport area, who joined the program due to his 20 year relationship with founder Rick Brumer. “We were all doing different stuff at the time,” Johnson said.

    HARLAN -- Myrtue Medical Center will pay the Shelby County Medical Corporation $94 per work relative value unit (RVU) for professional services performed for the new fiscal year ending June 30, 2020 for a total estimated cost of $4.5 million.    MMC currently pays the Shelby County Medical Corporation $92 per work relative value unit.

 NEOLA (May 28) -- For the third time in four years, AHSTW finished the girls soccer season with a regional loss to Tri-Center. The difference this time around was the competitiveness of the match. Facing an opponent that was fast, physical and skilled with the ball, the Lady Vikes never backed down and kept it a one-score game until the 57th minute.

 TREYNOR (May 28) -- The Harlan Community girls soccer team advanced to the regional semifinal round courtesy of Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Logan-Magnolia in a Class 1A, Region 2 quarterfinal played at Treynor. Freshman Raegen Wicks scored two goals and senior Kara Weis added another for the Cyclones (10-7), who will now face fifth-ranked Treynor (11-2) in Friday’s regional semifinal back in Treynor.

 HARLAN (May 29) -- The Harlan Community baseball team improved to 4-0 Wednesday night, sweeping Shenandoah 8-0 and 24-7 in a Hawkeye Ten doubleheader played at Jim Goeser Field. The twin bill was scheduled to be played at Shenandoah but was moved to Harlan due to heavy rains in southern Iowa.

    SHELBY -- Frances Jensen, 87, formerly of Shelby, died Thursday, June 13 at Avoca Specialty Care in Avoca.    Services are pending at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.
See a PDF below of their obituary, if one was provided by the family or funeral home.

    HARLAN -- Thomas Ludwig, 72, Harlan, died Wednesday, June 12 at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.    Services are pending at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.

    SHELBY -- Mark “O.B.” Wilds, 63, Shelby, died Monday, June 10 in Shelby.    Services will be held Saturday, June 15 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Shelby.  Friends may call Saturday from 9-11 a.m.