HARLAN -- On January 21,  the Harlan Community High School Large Group Speech Team, under the direction of Ms. Lisa Hagemeier,  traveled to Abraham Lincoln School in Council Bluffs for the Iowa High School Speech Association’s District Competition.  Teams needed to earn a division I rating to advance to state competition on February 4 at Valley High School in West Des Moines, and a number of HCHS students moved on to state competition.

    HARLAN -- Leona (Salvo) Konz of Shelby was administered the oath of office as the newest member of the Myrtue Medical Center Board of Trustees on Tuesday at the January board meeting.    Konz was appointed and voted in to fill the position on the board when Cheryl Chipman chose not to seek election following 17 years of service as a trustee.

    HARLAN -- The Myrtue Medical Center Board of Trustees is proposing to lower the current tax levy rate to $1.22 per thousand taxable valuation for 2017-2018. The 2016-2017 rate was $1.27 per thousand taxable valuation levy.    This proposal would generate $1,018,543 in property tax dollars which is a $2,241 decrease in property tax dollars received in 2016-2017.

    HARLAN – The Harlan Community School District operated within its budget, has an acceptable solvency ratio and its unspent authority is in a good place, according to the annual audit prepared by Schroer & Associates and released this month.    The HCS Board of Education formally accepted the audit January 23.

    BRECKENDRIDGE, MN -- Bernice A. (Olsen) Ericksen Hooge, 93, Breckenridge, MN, formerly of Council Bluffs, died January 25 at CHI St.

    HAMLIN -- Michel Charles Carter, 57, Hamlin, died January 26 at Audubon County Hospital.    Services were held Monday, Jan. 30 at 10:30 a.m.

    HARLAN -- Services are pending for Edward John, 94, Harlan, at the Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan.    John died Sunday, Jan. 29 in Harlan.    He is survived by his wife, Donnabelle John, of Harlan, and daughter Deborah John of Timnath, CO. 

    COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Todd Randall Kay, 57, Council Bluffs, died January 23 at Creighton University Medical Center.    Graveside services will be held at a later date.    Kay is survived by mother Judy (Leslie) Knight of El Dorado Springs, MO; father Leonard (Celine) Kay of Council Bluffs; son Russell Kay of Omaha, NE; and daughter Melyssa Kay of Omaha.    Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan is in charge of arrangements. 

    HARLAN -- Theodore Lambert Rietveld, 77, Harlan, died January 26 at Myrtue Medical Center.    No services are planned.    Rietveld is survived by daughters Carolyn “Carrie” (Rollyn) Lee of Amery, WI; sons Christopher (Joanne) Rietveld of Northfield, MN, Charles (Cori) Rietveld of Mellen, WI, Andrew (Tricia) Rietveld of Harlan, Matthew (Tammy) Rietveld of Piedmont, OK, Jerry (Margie) Rietveld of Nennah, WI, and John Rietveld of Combined Loc