REGIONAL – The number of families still needing to be adopted stands at 35 now as the annual holiday adoption program begins to wind down this year.  Hopes are that all gifts to needy families can be distributed this week.    Administration of the adoption program is being handled by West Central Community Action, and the Harlan Newspapers remains actively involved in promoting and publicizing the adoptions.    For those donating, they can del

HARLAN -- Harlan The Christmas City holiday lights glowing. Homes, businesses and city streets are brimming with traditional Christmas lights.    Locations include the Historic Downtown Courthouse Square and Pioneer Park. There are tens of thousands of lights, beautiful displays, and a Santa Workshop constructed by the 2016 HCHS Building Construction Class.    Pioneer Park between Pine and Willow on 12th St.

    HARLAN -- Verda Larsen of Harlan will celebrate her 90th birthday on December 23. An open house in her honor is planned for December 23 from 1-3 p.m. at Westridge Apartments in Harlan.    Cards will also reach her if sent to 2004 Garfield Ave. Apt. 110, Harlan, IA 51537. Her family includes Phil and Genene Larsen, Fontana, CA; Marie and Warren Madsen, Newton; Scott and Jeanine Larsen, Harlan; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

    ELDRIDGE -- Dorothea Catherine Paulsen, 98, Eldridge, died December 1.    Services will be held Friday, Dec. 8 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca with burial in the Graceland Cemetery at Avoca.  Family greeted friends Thursday, Dec. 7 from 5-7 p.m.

HARLAN -- Bruce Burger Construction brought this home through the country and into north Harlan where it is was placed at the corner of 7th and Broadway.  Moving the oversized load on a truck and trailer made for some interesting travel, but the home made it safe and sound at its new location.  Officials called it a great project for Harlan as the community continues to look for ways to develop needed housing.

HARLAN – The City of Harlan has developed a building demolition program that will provide funds for and help in the removal of dilapidated structures in the community, something officials say is critical to the long-range development of the city and its neighborhood.    The Harlan City Council last month unanimously approved the measure, with hopes of securing applications from interested homeowners for spring and summer, 2018 demolition work.

HARLAN -- The Harlan Municipal Utility Board of Trustees met in an emergency meeting Monday, Dec.

HARLAN -- For the second year in a row, Santa Claus will be making an early stop in Harlan, at the historic McIntosh cabin. Do not miss the chance to see Santa Claus at the Shelby County Historical Museum’s Santa in the Cabins. Santa in the Cabins is a community-oriented event that will feature ornament decorating, cookies and hot chocolate, and of course, Santa Claus.

HARLAN -- The recently released and board accepted 2016-2017 audit for the Harlan Municipal Utilities showed a ‘clean” audit with their combined net asset position up slightly on increased revenues.    The Utility’s combined net position increased by $1,856,290 or 5.17 percent, an amount that was $664,077 higher than originally budgeted.  This came with an operating revenue increase of 5.74 percent and despite a 3.59 percent increase in expens