HARLAN – The Grinch Who Stole Christmas gifts has been arrested and charged with allegedly stealing packages off a doorstep thanks to the quick thinking of a Harlan homeowner who wasn’t going to let a third package be taken from his home this holiday season.    Jeffrey Allen Rowland, Sr., 50, 1215 College Blvd., Harlan, has been charged with aggravated misdemeanor theft.

    REGIONAL – Father Paul Monahan, a priest who served as principal at St.

    COUNTY – Outgoing Shelby County Auditor Marsha Carter and outgoing sheriff Mark Hervey received high praise from the county’s board of supervisors this week, who thanked both for their long-time service to the citizens.    Hervey and Carter’s reigns will end December 31.  Supervisor Chairman Roger Schmitz said, “On behalf of the board and all of Shelby County, we want to thank (Mark) for his 42 years of service.  We really appreciate it.”

    COUNTY – Auditor-elect Mark Maxwell will take on the duties of budget director when he takes office January 1, appointed by the county’s board of supervisors Tuesday, Dec.

    HARLAN -- A group of community leaders has formed a new nonprofit in the area to address initiatives in Harlan and Shelby County.    Community and Rural Initiatives, Inc., known as CARI, will work closely with city and county governments, the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry, area school districts, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and area banks and businesses to assess the needs of the county and communities.   

    REGIONAL – The sixth and final adoption list of the Christmas season has been released this week, with the final list of needy families showing all have been adopted this holiday season.    Donations still are being accepted through today, Friday, Dec.

 HARLAN -- With back-to-back wins against a state-ranked Denison team and Creston under its belt, the Harlan Community girls took momentum and positive vibes into Friday’s home showdown vs.

 COUNCIL BLUFFS -- The Harlan Community boys basketball team suffered its second straight road defeat on Friday night, falling behind 34-17 at halftime and losing to ninth-ranked (4-A) Lewis Central, 62-42. HCHS shot just 32.6 percent from the field, including 8-of-29 from three-point range, and only had three players score more than three points in the game. Lewis Central, which improved to 6-0 overall (5-0 in the Hawkeye Ten) shot 57 percent

 AVOCA -- The AHSTW boys basketball team bounced back from its first loss of the year in a big way Friday night, blowing out Missouri Valley 79-29 in a Western Iowa Conference game. Three nights after losing 61-59 at Logan-Magnolia, the Vikings stormed out to a 29-5 lead after one quarter and went to halftime up 53-8.