HARLAN -- The Harlan Municipal Utilities is reporting that the month of August has extremely high water usage, and customers are being asked to scale back on usage.    During August, the HMU water plant produced more than 29 million gallons of water, making it one of the highest production months in 10 years. 

    COUNTY -- The Shelby County Area Solid Waste Agency is sponsoring their annual Free Cleanup Crew Event for residents wishing to dispose of household hazardous waste from their homes.  The event will be held on Saturday, September 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

    AVOCA – The AHSTW community and school are gearing up for an exciting homecoming week, with the AHSTW Student Council hard at work planning activities under the theme Viking Victory is Sweet!    Homecoming court and attendants were elected earlier this month and include:    King candidates:  CJ Best, son of Jason and Joy Best; Kyle Branan, son of Josh and Wendy Branan; Ben Ehlers, son of Todd and Darla Ehlers; Gabe Pauley, son of Gene and

    DAVENPORT -- Richard J. “Rick” Finken, 62, Davenport, died Tuesday, Sept. 11 at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City.    Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 15 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Davenport.  Family will greet friends from 9:30 a.m.

    EARLING -- Robert “Bob” Finken, 89, Earling, died September 10 at Little Flower Haven Nursing Home.    Services will be held Friday, Sept. 14 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling with burial in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery at Earling.  A prayer service and Knights of Columbus rosary was held Thursday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at the church.  Family greeted friends Thursday from 4-7 p.m.

    SHELBY --  Approximately 326 kids from Harlan Community Schools, Underwood, AHSTW, Riverside, Tri-Center and home schools attended the Carstens Farm Days event to learn about farming in the olden days.     last weekend.

EXIRA -- The Spartans hosted a big game vs. Glidden-Ralston Friday night at 7 p.m. in Exira.  Photo highlights of last week’s win over Audubon are pictured.

    HARLAN – Amy Rueschenberg was elected president and Jessica Anderson vice president of the Harlan Community Schools Board of Education Monday, Sept.

    ELK HORN -- Jerry Evans has been the Elk Horn wastewater superintendent for 22 years and is preparing to retire in April of 2020. Andy Ring will be replacing him.    Evans worked construction and then was involved in an accident. A job became available in Lewis and he decided to take the job. He then decided to move back to his hometown and take the position as superintendent.