ELK HORN -- The Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton School Board has approved the sale of not to exceed $3.9 million in general obligation bonds, to be used for capital improvements at school buildings in Elk Horn and Exira.    Bids were set to be opened yesterday, Monday, March 19, and were expected to be considered by the board for action at the meeting of the board Monday.    The dist

    HARLAN – Three culinary students from Harlan Community High School competed in a regional food competition that saw the trio team up to take first place at the event held Monday, March 5 in Council Bluffs.    The team of Kayla Pauley, Abie Gorden and Tara Hansen earned top honors in the baking division, competing in the 5th Annual Iowa Western Community College Baking Competition.    Competing teams had two hours to make four identical pla

    IOWA CITY -- More than 1,100 Special Olympic athletes and Unified Sports partners, along with more than 400 volunteers, were a part of the Mid-Winter Tournament held in Iowa City March 9-10.    Harlan Community Schools athletes competed well at the event with all 18 participants placing in the top three in their competitions.

    HARLAN -- Myrtue Medical Center generates 553 jobs that add $24.3 million to Shelby County’s economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association.

    HARLAN – School would start on August 23, 2018 and end on May 24, 2019 under a proposed school calendar being considered by the Harlan Community Schools Board of Education.    Only in draft phase, the calendar is hoped to be presented to the board at an upcoming meeting for final consideration once it has been vetted by administration and staff.    Highlights of the proposed calendar include:    - 80 days in the first semester ending befor

    HARLAN – The Harlan Education Association and Harlan Community Schools Board of Education met Friday, March 9 to present initial bargaining proposals.    The HEA’s initial bargaining proposal was a $150 increase to base wage as well as natural movement on the salary schedule based on years of service.    The HCS Board’s counter proposal included a $150 increase to base wage and also natural movement on the salary schedule based on years of

HARLAN – The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, FL on February 14, where 17 people were killed, has fueled efforts to enhance school safety nationwide.    School security is becoming a growth industry, with everything from bulletproof backpacks and palm scanners to metal detectors, bulletproof glass, remote door locks and even ballistic shelters being considered by school districts nationwide.    According to statistics

    HARLAN – A Harlan teenager has been awarded a scholarship from the Iowa Honey Producers Association to start and manage a beehive.    Miguel Mena will receive a bee hive, beekeeping equipment, honeybees, a mentor and beekeeping classes.  Soon he will receive the equipment and assemble his hive, and in late April he will receive his honeybees and install them into his hive with the help of his mentor. 

    HARLAN – Harlan and Shelby County need a weather observer.    Those words come from Iowa State Climatologist Harry Hillaker who said daily weather observations for Harlan have been non-existent for quite some time, with Harlan relying on automated weather observations made at the Harlan airport.    Hillaker said an official weather observer is much needed as the nearest active National Weather Service coop (cooperative weather observer) st

    HARLAN – Music students from Harlan Community High School are headed to the warmth of Florida next week to showcase their vocal and instrumental skills at Disney World.    Traditionally, every four years the marching band has blasted off for sunny Orlando for the Disney trip, to have some fun and to march down Main Street at Magic Kingdom.  This year’s trip is a little different, as it is a combined vocal and band excursion, and students f

    HARLAN – Harlan property owners will see a tax levy decrease this year as part of a proposed budget to be considered by the Harlan City Council Tuesday, March 13.    A public hearing on the proposed $8.58 million budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year will be Tuesday at 5:15 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Myrtue Medical Center Board of Trustees approved a proposal to lower the current tax levy rate from $1.22 to $1.20792 per thousand taxable valuation for 2018-2019. The unanimous board approval was given following no written or verbal comments or objections at the Tuesday public hearing.     According to MMC CEO Barry Jacobsen by lowering the levy rate by one cent the funding will remain the same as the current year.

    HARLAN – Shelby County’s tax asking will increase an estimated $90,750 under a budget proposal expected to be adopted by the Shelby County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, March 13.    A hearing on the 2018-19 county budget will be held at 9 a.m.

The HCSD has been made aware of a rumor which has begun to create increased levels of concern and anxiety amongst students and the community that the school was being targeted for a violent act. As of this communication there is no specific threat against the school. If a student or a parent/guardian comes across information that is contrary to this, please contact the school immediately.

    HARLAN – Fourteen Harlan Community High School Business Professionals of America (BPA) students have qualified for the national conference to be held in Dallas, TX May 9-13.    The 2018 national leadership conference, Dream Bigger, will welcome more than 5,000 conference delegates from across the nation to participate in national level business skills competitions, workshops, general sessions, and the national officer candidate campaigns a