HARLAN – Officials with the Essentia plant in east Harlan said this week it’s their top priority to eliminate the unpleasant odor that on occasion emanates from the company’s lagoons and wafting into the town.    John Abell, a representative of the plant, said officials believe the odor that was apparent a year ago at this time, and has resurfaced in recent weeks, is the result of the lagoons turning over, and the odor is a common result that

HARLAN – A Harlan man has been charged in Shelby County District Court with four counts of third-degree sexual abuse.    Donald Eugene Johnston, 67, 1208 7th St., faces up to 40 years in jail with additional fines totaling $40,000 if convicted of the class C felony charges against him. 

    HARLAN -- Former Harlan Administrator Terry Cox has pleaded guilty in Shelby County District Court to an amended charge of second-degree theft, a class D felony, as well as tampering with records, an aggravated misdemeanor.    On Monday, April 15, Cox appeared in court with his attorney, Matt Hudson, before district court judge Michael Hooper.  Appearing for the State of Iowa was Iowa Assistant Attorney General Tyler Buller.    Cox pleaded

    ANKENY -- Sadie Christensen and Derek Schwartz both of Iowa City  exchanged marriage vows at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny on October 20, 2018. The 3 p.m. double ring ceremony was performed by Suzy Christensen, mother of bride.    Parents of the couple are Jay and Suzy Christensen, Harlan; and  Dave and Tammy Schwartz, Ankeny.  

    MARYVILLE, MO -- Kirsten Applegate and Jeffrey Maronde both of Stanberry, MO were married at Hope Lutheran Church in Maryville on October 20, 2018. Pastor David Oddi performed the 4 p.m. double ring ceremony.    Parents of the couple are George and Jan Applegate, Harlan; and Steve and Gail Maronde, Benedict, NE.

 HARLAN (April 8) -- The Harlan Community girls soccer team lost its season opener to Kuemper Catholic 3-1 last Monday at Merrill Field.

 HARLAN (April 9) -- The Harlan Community girls golfers improved their team score by 24 strokes from meet one to meet two, defeating Lewis Central 210-242 last Tuesday on a pleasant late afternoon at Harlan Golf and Country Club. Junior Haley Manz paced the Cyclones (1-1) with a medalist round of 49 vs. the Titans, highlighted by a par-birdie combo on the par-3 fifth hole and the par-5 sixth.

 HARLAN -- Denison-Schleswig defeated the Harlan Community boys tennis team 9-0 last Monday (April 8), dropping the Cyclones to 0-3 on the season. The closest match came at number one doubles, where the HCHS team of Brock Bruns and Jonathan Cheek lost 6-10 to Sean Moran and Colin Reis. Bruns also lost his No. 1 singles match vs. Moran, 5-10.

 COUNCIL BLUFFS (April 9) -- Jay Swanson earned top medalist honors with a 39 but the Harlan Community boys golf team fell to 1-1 on the year following last Tuesday’s 163-179 loss at Lewis Central. Owen O’Brien of LC matched Swanson’s three-over-par 39 on the front nine of Fox Run Golf Course and was runner-up medalist based on a handicap hole tiebreaker.