HARLAN — Over 100 Harlan Community High School students volunteered their time to help others in their community Wednesday. No classes were held Wednesday, however, the students volunteered to assist 38 community members in spring yard work. “I am very proud and thankful to all the students for giving up their no-school morning to help others,” said HCHS National Honor Society sponsor Jami Andersen.

HARLAN— Myrtue Medical Center has been recognized as one of the 20 highest-ranked Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in the country by National Rural Health Association (NRNA). This distinction places Myrtue in the top 1 percent of more than 1,300 critical access hospitals in the nation in the categories of quality, patient perspective, finance and market share.“We are celebrating a significant milestone of 70 years of service to our community.

SHELBY COUNTY — The Shelby County Board of Supervisors reviewed  and approved the job description for the hiring of a permanent Emergency Medical Services (EMS) coordinator.Board members thanked members of the EMS Advisory Council. “The Council put a lot of thought into it,” said Board member Bryce Schaben.

SHELBY COUNTY — The generosity of a Shelby County farmer and the fund raising skills of a community made Myrtue Memorial Hospital a reality. In 1880, Andrew Myrtue, his wife and 10 children came to America from Denmark. Chris, the Myrtue’s third son, was 10 years old.In his early teens, Chris and his four brothers helped their father establish the Myrtue homestead in Lincoln Township in Shelby County.He left home at 16, renting a nearby farm.

HARLAN  — Harlan City Council Member Jeanna Rudolph has resigned her position. Mayor Jay Christensen announced Rudolph’s resignation during the April 2 council meeting.Rudolph has represented Ward 3 on the Council since 2018, and will remain on the council until May. Christensen said the position will be filled by appointment. A public notice will be published, and interested individuals have until 4:30 p.m.

SHELBY COUNTY — Shelby County Emergency Management will be celebrating Telecommunicator Week Sunday, April 14 through Saturday, April 20.“During this week, we acknowledge our employees who serve the county by answering emergency calls, dispatching first responders, rendering life-saving assistance to those in need, and countless other things on a day-to-day basis,” said Shelby County EMA Coordinator Alex Londo.Londo said these “heroes with hea

SHELBY COUNTY — Shelby County is in a good financial position according to an audit report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.Chris Nelson, president of Gronewold, Bell, Khynn & Co., PC of Atlantic presented the report to the Shelby County Board of Supervisors April 2.“There was nothing new or unusual,” Nelson said.

SHELBY COUNTY — The Shelby County Board of Supervisors voted to sell the County Annex building during a meeting held Tuesday, April 2.The building, located at 719 Market Street in Harlan, will be sold though a sealed bid process, with a minimum required bid of $256,000, the building’s appraised value. Three tenants are currently renting space in the annex, however there is still ample space not being used.

HARLAN — Students from Harlan Community High School’s Business Professionals of America (BPA) Chapter have qualified to attend the 2024 BPA National Leadership Conference in Chicago May 10-14.Those attending the National Conference advanced from the State Leadership Competition held in Des Moines February 18 - 20.Chad Swanson and Mark Kohorst sponsor the Harlan Community BPA.

 SHELBY COUNTY — Candidate filing for the June 4 Primary Election began March 4 and will continue until 5 p.m. March 22. Shelby County Election Commissioner Mark Maxwell said all paperwork must be received at the Shelby County Auditor’s Office within this time frame. Maxwell, who is also the Shelby County Auditor, announced he will not be filing papers to run in the primary.

UPDATE: Shortly after noon today, the jury in the Rob Arkfeld trial returned a verdict of Guilty of Serious Injury by Vehicle.  No other information as to when sentencing will be is available at this time

HARLAN — Following the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Board, the Harlan City Council voted Tuesday to increase the starting pay of lifeguards and raise admission prices for the upcoming season at the Norman D.

STATEWIDE – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director in Iowa Theresa Greenfield announced the Agency is investing $21,457,000 in loans and $4,695,000 in grants to provide clean, safe water and promote economic growth in rural Iowa communities as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. Area recipients include Harlan Municipal Utilities, Regional Water, and the City of Elk Horn.

SHELBY COUNTY — The Shelby County Board of Supervisors voted to give elected  county officials a salary increase in 2025.The increase was approved following a recommendation by the Shelby County Compensation Board, represented at the February 20 meeting by Ruthann Grimsley.