HARLAN – The recent death of former Cuban president Fidel Castro brings back memories of a particularly interesting story involving Castro, an Omaha man who happens to be friends with Ray Buman of Harlan, and a seized camera after a 1960 international incident in Havana.    Castro died November 25 at 90 years old, and his death has created headlines in recent weeks.  He ruled Cuba for approximately 50 years before his brother, Raul, took o

    COUNTY -- The Shelby County Board of Supervisors has four options heading forward in developing next year’s budget, including an offer from a Harlan citizen to prepare it pro bono, and will determine soon how best to proceed in developing the county’s 2017-18 fiscal year plan.    At the request of the board, auditor-elect Mark Maxwell attended Tuesday’s regular meeting to discuss auditor duties, including whether or not he will serve as bu

    HARLAN -- Funeral services are pending at Pauley Jones Funeral Home for Gordon Nelson, 84, formerly of Harlan, who died Wednesday, Dec. 14 at the Avoca Specialty Care in Avoca.

    HARLAN -- Funeral services are pending at Pauley Jones Funeral Home, Harlan, for Barbara Morgan, 87, Harlan, who died Wednesday, Dec. 14 at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan.    Morgan is survived by children Kathy Lee of Austin, TX, Kent (Deb) Morgan of Harlan and Karen (Roy) Fordyce of Papillion, NE; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. 

    ELK HORN -- Edwin “Ed” Larsen, 96, Elk Horn, died Tuesday, Dec. 13 in Elk Horn.    Services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 10:30 a.m. at Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn with burial of ashes in the Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery.  Friends may call Tuesday, Dec. 20 from 5-8 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Eric Paul Thompson, 54, Harlan, died December 13 at his home.    Services will be held Friday, Dec. 16 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irwin.  Visitation is Friday from 10-11 a.m.

    MANILLA -- Barbara F. Saunders, 71, Manilla, died Friday, Dec. 9 at Iowa Methodist Health Center.    A celebration of life will be held at United Presbyterian Church in Denison on January 7.  Visitation will be from 1-4 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Arlene V. Marcussen, 97, Harlan, died Sunday, Dec.

    REGIONAL – The fourth adoption list of the Christmas season has been released this week, and the number of needy families this holiday season continues to grow.    The deadline has passed for those families wishing to be adopted, but there still are many on the list who need assistance this year.    For those donating, they can deliver gifts to WCCA’s Outreach Office on Wednesday, December 21 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.