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.

HARLAN — A new creative venture has opened its doors in Harlan, bringing rustic charm, reclaimed décor, and one woman’s passion for creativity to the community. Rusty Rubbish, LLC, owned and operated by Bobbie Jo Cruise, officially opened last week November 24 at 805 7th Street — a location many locals will remember as Subs-N-Suds or DADA’s.

 Elk Horn — The Museum of Danish America was honored to welcome Jesper Møller Sørensen, Ambassador of Denmark to the United States, along with his family, his policy advisor, and Grand View University President Rachelle Keck, for a special visit during the Thanksgiving holiday.

HARLAN —Students in the Harlan Community High School Entrepreneurship class are getting a true taste of business ownership as they operate the school-based coffee shop, Cyclone Brew. The class, made up of sophomores, juniors, and seniors, provides hands-on experience in finance, marketing, customer service, and day-to-day business management.
Participating students include:

HARLAN — A group of South Sudanese refugees have found their homes in Harlan and a place to belong  at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
“It’s a quiet town,” said Tino Ngelo. “It’s close to the city. I like the community. It’s been very welcoming.”

Harlan – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Shelby County office will host a Pest Control Operators Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. The program provided by the ISU Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) can be seen at office locations across Iowa.