COUNTY -- Gene Gross, Chair of the Shelby County Community Foundation, announced that approximately $114,600 in grant funds are available for Shelby County nonprofit organizations and that applications are due no later than February 1, 2017.    Application procedures, fact sheets, and a link to the application form are online at: omahafoundation.org/swiowa.

    COUNTY -- There are two ways to win in the Harlan Newspapers’ First Baby of 2017 contest. The first baby born at Myrtue Medical Center will be the recipient of several great prizes from greater Shelby County merchants.

  Over the holiday weekend seven windows were broken out of vehicles parked on the street in various locations in Harlan according to the Harlan Police Dept.  The total damage to all vehicles is in the area of $3000.  It appears that at least some of the vehicle windows were possibly broken out by a BB or pellet type gun.  Shelby County Crimestoppers is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of the person/persons responsible. 

    OAKLAND - Lois N. Hildebrand, 85, Oakland, died Sun., Dec. 25 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital, Council Bluffs.    Visitation is Wed., Dec. 28,  5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca.    Funeral services will be held on Thurs., Dec. 29 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Avoca.

    IRWIN - Services are pending for Maxine Heilesen, 87, Irwin, who died Mon., Dec. 26. She is survived by her son Keith Heilesen and daughter Denise Winchell.    Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home, Harlan, is in charge of the arrangements. 

    HARLAN - Thomas “Tom” Merritt, 84, Harlan, died Sat., Dec. 24.    Visitation is Friday, Dec. 30 from 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home, Harlan. Services are Sat., Dec. 31 at 10:30 a.m.

    HARLAN - Edward Fisher, III, 60, Harlan, died Thurs., Dec. 15 at his home.    A memorial service will be held Wed., Dec. 28 at 1:30 p.m.

    ELK HORN - Alfred L. Olson, 90, Elk Horn, died Sunday, Dec. 25 at Myrtue Medical Center.    Visitation is Tues., Dec. 27 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home, Harlan, with services Wed., Dec. 28 at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Harlan, and burial in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Kirkman.    He is survived by his daughter Deb Olson-Pehling, Lake Havasu City, AZ; sons A.

    HARLAN - Robert C. Kramer, 82, Harlan, died Sat., Dec. 24 at Elm Crest Retirement Community.    Visitation is Wed., Dec. 28 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.  with a  wake service at 7 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home.    A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thurs., Dec. 29 at 10 a.m. at St.