REGIONAL -- Blizzard conditions greeted Shelby County residents Thursday morning, Jan.

COUNTY – The well-being of Shelby County children continues to be better than average, according to the National Kids Count Initiative sponsored by the Annie E.

HARLAN – Twenty thousand pounds of produce had to be distributed and donated to regional food outlets last week after the heat went out at a local business New Year’s weekend.    Farmtable Procurement and Delivery staff and volunteers spent parts of last week loading and delivering squash, onions and sweet potatoes to local food banks, food rescue and soup kitchens in Nebraska and Iowa, so the produce wouldn’t go to waste after the building in

    HARLAN -- Gary Hans Christiansen, 80, Harlan, died January 10 at CHI Health - Creighton.    Services are pending at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.    Christiansen was a former mayor of Harlan, serving the city for 12 years from January 1, 2000-December 31, 2011.

DES MOINES - Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 2.9 percent for November. The last time the rate was this low was in December 2000. The state’s jobless rate was 3.5 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 4.1 percent in November. 

    MILFORD -- Shelby Nelson and Dylan Book both of Adel exchanged marriage vows at the Okoboji Events Center on September 30, 2017. Pastor John Burger performed the 4 p.m. double ring outdoor ceremony.    Parents of the couple are Jeff and Penny Nelson, Harlan; and Jim and Anne Book, Adel; and Karen Book, Adel.

    HARLAN -- Gary Hans Christiansen, 80, Harlan, died January 10 at CHI Health - Creighton.    Services are pending at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.    Christiansen is survived by his wife, Judy, of Harlan; sons Richard Christiansen of Temecula, CA, Dennis Christiansen of Papillion, NE; and Brent (Sara) Christiansen of Peoria, AZ; brother Monty (Connie) Christiansen of State College, PA; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildre

    HARLAN -- Darlene Elsie Schuning, 88, Harlan, died January 9 at Elm Crest Assisted Living.    Services will be held Saturday, Jan. 13 at 10:30 a.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca with burial in the Minden Cemetery at Minden.  Visitation is Friday, Jan. 12 from 5-8 p.m.

    AVOCA -- Gerrit Feekes, 90, Avoca, died January 9 at Avoca Specialty Care.    Services will be held Saturday, Jan. 13 at 2:30 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca with burial in the Graceland Cemetery at Avoca. Family will greet friends Saturday from 1:30-2:30 p.m.