HARLAN – Myrtue Medical Center is excited to announce a new home for mental health care. In early January the Behavioral Health department will move to the second floor of the newly expanded clinic at 1220 Chatburn Avenue in Harlan.

DES MOINES — The HCHS Dance Team earned two Division I ratings at the Iowa State Dance & Drill Team Association’s (ISDTA) State Championships in Des Moines last week.
The team performed in both the Pom and Hip Hop categories. The Pom team placed fifth in their class, while the Hip Hop team finished ninth.
Despite a long season marked by injuries, Coach Bre Fuhs said she is proud of the team’s performance.

NATIONWIDE — President Donald J. Trump, joined by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, members of Congress, and farmers from several states, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will make $12 billion in one-time bridge payments available to American farmers. The funding is intended to address temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs.

HARLAN — Longtime Taylor Quik Pik manager Virginia Smith will retire at the end of the year.
“My favorite memories are my customers,” Smith said. “Seeing them every day, joking around and having fun. I will miss that.”

HARLAN — Continuing our series of teacher interviews, this week HCHS News spotlights Mr. Ahrens, a business and technology educator whose path to the classroom began long before his college years.

HARLAN — Secret Serenity Salon & Spa will permanently close January 31, 2026, as owner Tami Kloewer has announced her retirement. 
“We look forward to chasing our grand children and spending quality time with new endeavors! Serving our community has been one of the great privileges of our careers, and we are deeply grateful for your trust and loyalty throughout the years,” Kloewer said.

KIRKMAN —Each year on the first Sunday in October, Kirkman United Methodists members gather to walk for hunger.  Donations received are then presented to West Central Community Action Agency’s Shelby County Food Pantry for hunger relief in Shelby County.

HARLAN – Nurses at Myrtue Medical Center are being honored with The DAISY Award  For Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.

AREA — Regional Water Rural Water Association has sent notice of $4 increase for the cost for the first 2,000 gallons of water, also commonly referred to as customers’ “monthly minimum.”  

ALTOONA — The 42nd annual Iowa Middle School Mock Trial Competition was held December 1-3 in Altoona. Thirty-two schools of all sizes from across the state competed against one another with Regis Catholic Middle School of Cedar Rapids being crowned the 2025 State Champion. 

HARLAN — Jim Reischl has been recognized for his service at Myrtue Medical Center, and has been named Hospice Volunteer of the Year. 
Through his unwavering commitment to compassionate care, Jim has made a profound impact on the patients, families, and staff served by the hospice program.

AVOCA — What began as a simple Christmas list has turned into a growing community tradition for an Avoca woman. Four years ago, when asked to write down what she wanted for Christmas, Paige Heller decided instead to create “Paige’s Pantry Project,” a holiday food drive benefiting pantries in Avoca, Walnut and Harlan.

 HARLAN — Michael Christopher Butler, 45, of Harlan faces multiple charges for alleged sex and drug related offenses and is currently being held in the Cass County Jail.
According to documents filed against Butler in Shelby County District Court, he is scheduled to be arraigned December 22. His pre-trial conference has been set for January 12, 2026, with trial set for February 3, 2026. 

SHELBY COUNTY — Gronwold, Bell, Kyhnn & Co. P.C. CPAs have released an audit report on Shelby County.
The County had local tax revenue of $29,375,216 for the year ended June 30, 2024, which included $1,831,978 in tax credits from the state. The County forwarded $21,069,167 of the local tax revenue to the townships, school districts, cities and other taxing bodies in the County.