HARLAN – The City of Harlan and employees represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local #1014 have signed off on a three-year contract agreement that allows for raises and other benefit changes.    Employees will see a 1.5 percent wage increase beginning July 1 of 2018, 2019 and 2020.  In addition, employees are eligible for additional 1.5 percent merit pay increases January 1 of 2019, 2020

    HARLAN -- Congratulations to the Harlan Jazz Experience jazz band from Harlan Community High School!  The band was crowned state champions for the second year in a row in Class 3A at the Iowa Jazz Championships Thursday, April 5.    Two bands from Harlan Community High School performed at the 43rd annual Iowa Jazz Championships held at Iowa State University in Ames.

    NEWCASTLE, ME – A former Harlan Newspapers intern and Iowa State University graduate is making a name for herself on the east coast.    Maia Zewert, intern for the newspaper in the summers of 2013 and 2014, recently received the 2017 Bob Drake Young Writer’s Award from the Maine Press Association, making her the top young journalist in the state of Maine.    She is a general assignment reporter and social media manager for The Lincoln Coun

    KIMBALLTON – A Kimballton author has released a new novel set back in the 1960s highlighting the coming of age of a young man set to be drafted into the service.    Back in the Day, a new book by Steve Heuton, has been released by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc., and transports the reader to the late 1960s to experience life as it actually was back in the day.  The book’s powerful descriptions of the life of Jimmy Reno are founded partially

DENVER, CO – Jacob Taggs says having a meal should be an experience – kind of an adventure of sorts that leaves the diner happy, full and glad they sat down with good friends at the table.    That’s how he approaches it from the other side; from his spot in the kitchen at Annette Restaurant in Aurora, CO.

    COUNTY -- Shelby County Public Health and the newly formed Shelby County Prevent Child Abuse Council (SCPCAC) are kicking off a campaign to provide opportunities and educational events that strengthen families and support positive childhood experiences. 

    ELK HORN - Members of the founding committee to establish the museum in 1983 were part of the more than 130 participants at the anniversary kick-off event on Monday.  Denmark’s ambassador to the U.S., Lars G. Lose, had his trip delayed due to illness, but planned to be in Elk Horn and Kimballton on Wednesday afternoon followed by a trip to Omaha on Thursday. Elk Horn beat out Minneapolis / St.

    HARLAN – Two Harlan Community High School Mock Trial students earned all-state attorney honors at the Mock Trial State Meet held at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines March 26-27.    Alexis Irlbeck and Hannah Bissen were awarded for their efforts at the state meet which saw two HCHS teams compete.

    HARLAN -- Myrtue Medical Center Diagnostic Imaging Director Keri Schwieso said MMC has had great response from the community and are seeing new patients each week since the addition of the 3D mammography at MMC last summer.

    HARLAN – Employees of the Harlan Community School District who traditionally have been among the lowest paid will get a significant bump in hourly pay next year under a proposal approved by the HCS Board of Education last week.    Associate pay increase for the 9/10 month employees will increase $1.50 per hour on the base pay to $12.35 an hour in 2018-19, a 13.8 percent increase.  Food service staff pay will increase $1 per hour on the bas

    HARLAN -- “Is it true we got picked for IJC?,” Jazz Ensemble member Asia Williamson asked her director, Tom Cronin.    “100 percent,” he replied.    Cue the screaming....    In a fantastic, history-making accomplishment, the Harlan Jazz Ensemble will join the Harlan Jazz Experience as one of the top 15 bands in the state performing at the Iowa Jazz Championships Thursday, April 5 in Ames.    “She just couldn’t believe it,” Cronin explained

HARLAN -- If there was any question as to whether Harlan Community’s jazz program has set the Iowa bar for high school jazz music groups, look no further than who was selected for this year’s Class 3A All-State Jazz Band.    Of the 21 band members announced in mid-March, nine of those come from HCHS.  Emma Krehbiel, Gabe Madson, Sam Heileson, Fidel Martinez-Greer, Ben Rihner, Drew Voge, Jennifer Weisenborn, Fay Porter and Jack Klitgaard will p

HARLAN – Employees of the Harlan Community School District who traditionally have been among the lowest paid will get a significant bump in hourly pay next year under a proposal approved by the HCS Board of Education last week.    Associate pay increase for the 9/10 month employees will increase $1.50 per hour on the base pay to $12.35 an hour in 2018-19, a 13.8 percent increase.  Food service staff pay will increase $1 per hour on the base wa

ELK HORN -- Demolition crews tore down the Danish Inn building in Elk Horn last month, paving the way for a new project in the works that could include a new restaurant on the site.  In 2015 the Danish Inn closed, and in August, 2017, Mike and Lou Howard of Elk Horn purchased the property with hopes of restoration.  Due to years of sitting empty and costs of restoration, it was determined the best option would be to take the building down and

    HARLAN -- Hundreds of people turned out Thursday night, March 22 for the third-annual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Extravaganza held at the Harlan Community Schools.    The Southwest Iowa Regional STEM Hub hosted the event in the primary and intermediate gyms in the Harlan Community Schools.  The extravaganza was a celebration of all things STEM, with many booths of student and community businesses representing various