SHELBY -- On October 11, United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose sentenced Matthew P.

REGIONAL – Those nasty “little black bugs” with the horrible bite have made their return to Shelby County the past few weeks.    You definitely feel them before you see them.  Those little black bugs which seem to have more teeth than they do body, swarming through the air in the early fall evenings just before dark, causing distress for anyone who may be gardening, attending a ball game or just out for a walk.    And that ferocious bite they

COUNTY – Shelby County has asked a Corley resident to stop operating what it feels is a salvage yard, which is not permitted under county code.    In a letter to Ricky Lee Hansen, 211 South St., Harlan, Shelby County Planning and Zoning Administrator Tony Buman said Hansen’s Corley property is zoned R-5 Rural Village.  The county has received a complaint of the operation of a salvage/junk yard on the property.    “I have personally observed th

    EARLING -- Marcella Marie Smith, 99, Earling, died October 18 at the Little Flower Haven Nursing Home.    Services will be held Saturday, Oct. 21 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling with burial in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery at Earling.  A Catholic Daughters Rosary will be held Friday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. at the church.  Visitation is Friday from 4-8 p.m.

    AVOCA -- Diana Kay Dewaele, 66, Avoca, died October 18 at Avoca Specialty Care.    Services will be held Saturday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca with burial in the Grange Cemetery at Honey Creek.  Visitation is Saturday from 1-2 p.m. at the funeral home.    Dewaele is survived by her husband, Robert Dewaele, of Avoca. 

    AVOCA -- Dorothy M. Mosher, 93, Avoca, died October 16 at Avoca Specialty Care.    Services were held Thursday, Oct. 19 at 11:30 a.m.

HARLAN – The elementary schools at Harlan Community celebrated Character Counts Week this week.  Elementary School Counselor Courtney King-Crum said as October is a busy month, the schools have once again decided to combine Red Ribbon Week activities with character counts week in a joint celebration.  Red Ribbon Week promotes a healthy drug-free lifestyle while Character Counts Week celebrates positive character.    “This is a chance for schoo

HARLAN – The Harlan Community School District may have the opportunity to tap into additional funds at the end of the year for educational needs, thanks to recent legislative action that opened up internal funding streams should there be unspent balances in those funds.    A bill enacted this year allows for the transfer of unspent funds from three funds – Home School Assistance Program, Pre-School, and Professional Development – to a super fl

HARLAN – The Harlan Community Schools likely will again offer an early retirement incentive to certified staff members this year.    Discussion last week at the Harlan Community Schools Board of Education table included offering a $20,000 stipend to staff that are eligible to retire, and who notify the district by February 1, 2018.  Staff members must be IPERS (Iowa Public Employment Retirement System) eligible, meaning age 55 or qualify for t