HARLAN – The City of Harlan and employees represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local #1014 have signed off on a three-year contract agreement that allows for raises and other benefit changes.    Employees will see a 1.5 percent wage increase beginning July 1 of 2018, 2019 and 2020.  In addition, employees are eligible for additional 1.5 percent merit pay increases January 1 of 2019, 2020

    HARLAN -- Congratulations to the Harlan Jazz Experience jazz band from Harlan Community High School!  The band was crowned state champions for the second year in a row in Class 3A at the Iowa Jazz Championships Thursday, April 5.    Two bands from Harlan Community High School performed at the 43rd annual Iowa Jazz Championships held at Iowa State University in Ames.

    NEWCASTLE, ME – A former Harlan Newspapers intern and Iowa State University graduate is making a name for herself on the east coast.    Maia Zewert, intern for the newspaper in the summers of 2013 and 2014, recently received the 2017 Bob Drake Young Writer’s Award from the Maine Press Association, making her the top young journalist in the state of Maine.    She is a general assignment reporter and social media manager for The Lincoln Coun

 KEARNEY, NEB. -- The post-season honors continue to accumulate for University of Nebraska-Kearney senior men’s basketball player Trey Lansman of Harlan. Lansman, who finished his career with 2,042 points to rank fifth on UNK’s all-time scoring list, was named first-team All-MIAA for the second straight year after leading the Lopers with per-game averages of 21.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals this past season.

    ELK HORN -- Timothy L. Hartvigsen, 61, Elk Horn, died April 4 at at Myrtue Medical Center.    Services will be held Monday, April 9 at 11 a.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan with burial at a later date.  Visitation is Monday from 9-11 a.m.

    ALTOONA -- Phyllis E. Evans, 91, Altoona, formerly of Shelby, died Friday, March 30 in Altoona.    A private graveside service and burial of ashes will be held at the Shelby Cemetery.    Evans is survived by sons LeRoy (Ella) Evans of Ankeny and LaVerne (Linda) Evans of Walnut; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.    Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

    CLARINDA -- Michael A. Assmann, 89, Clarinda, died April 2 at Clarinda Regional Health Center.    Services will be held Friday, April 6 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan with burial in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Earling.  A wake service was held Thursday, April 5 at 6 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.  Visitation was Thursday from 5-7 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Arlene Mae Christensen, 90, Harlan, died April 2 at Elm Crest Assisted Living.    Services were held Thursday, April 5 at 2 p.m.

    HARLAN – Leslie “Les” Portwood, 94, Harlan, formerly of Boone and Clear Lake, died Wednesday, March 21 at the Avoca Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Avoca.    Services will be held at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Boone on Friday, April 27 at 11 a.m.