WALNUT -- The Walnut community is in the Christmas spirit, highlighted by the annual Christmas tree in downtown Walnut welcoming visitors to town.

COUNTY – Elected officials and their deputies in Shelby County will see a three percent salary increase in 2018-19 as approved by the Shelby County Board of Supervisors last month.    The board voted unanimously approving the raise following discussion of recommendations made by the county’s compensation board.  The compensation board met on November 7 and voted 5-0 to “approve an increase for all elected officials to be equal to the increase

HARLAN -- The official launch of Myrtue Medical Center’s new EPIC hospital information system was midnight on December 1.

    HARLAN – Shelby County economic development efforts are ramping up with many projects in the works as the year comes to an end, including Buck Snort Restaurant developments for Harlan.    Todd Valline, executive director of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said there are many projects currently under way with others rumored to begin.  His office is assisting where it can, he said.    “On the economic development side we’

REGIONAL – The number of families still needing to be adopted stands at 35 now as the annual holiday adoption program begins to wind down this year.  Hopes are that all gifts to needy families can be distributed this week.    Administration of the adoption program is being handled by West Central Community Action, and the Harlan Newspapers remains actively involved in promoting and publicizing the adoptions.    For those donating, they can del

REGIONAL – The number of families still needing to be adopted stands at 35 now as the annual holiday adoption program begins to wind down this year.  Hopes are that all gifts to needy families can be distributed this week.    Administration of the adoption program is being handled by West Central Community Action, and the Harlan Newspapers remains actively involved in promoting and publicizing the adoptions.    For those donating, they can del

HARLAN -- Harlan The Christmas City holiday lights glowing. Homes, businesses and city streets are brimming with traditional Christmas lights.    Locations include the Historic Downtown Courthouse Square and Pioneer Park. There are tens of thousands of lights, beautiful displays, and a Santa Workshop constructed by the 2016 HCHS Building Construction Class.    Pioneer Park between Pine and Willow on 12th St.

HARLAN -- Bruce Burger Construction brought this home through the country and into north Harlan where it is was placed at the corner of 7th and Broadway.  Moving the oversized load on a truck and trailer made for some interesting travel, but the home made it safe and sound at its new location.  Officials called it a great project for Harlan as the community continues to look for ways to develop needed housing.

HARLAN – The City of Harlan has developed a building demolition program that will provide funds for and help in the removal of dilapidated structures in the community, something officials say is critical to the long-range development of the city and its neighborhood.    The Harlan City Council last month unanimously approved the measure, with hopes of securing applications from interested homeowners for spring and summer, 2018 demolition work.

HARLAN -- The Harlan Municipal Utility Board of Trustees met in an emergency meeting Monday, Dec.

HARLAN -- For the second year in a row, Santa Claus will be making an early stop in Harlan, at the historic McIntosh cabin. Do not miss the chance to see Santa Claus at the Shelby County Historical Museum’s Santa in the Cabins. Santa in the Cabins is a community-oriented event that will feature ornament decorating, cookies and hot chocolate, and of course, Santa Claus.

HARLAN -- The recently released and board accepted 2016-2017 audit for the Harlan Municipal Utilities showed a ‘clean” audit with their combined net asset position up slightly on increased revenues.    The Utility’s combined net position increased by $1,856,290 or 5.17 percent, an amount that was $664,077 higher than originally budgeted.  This came with an operating revenue increase of 5.74 percent and despite a 3.59 percent increase in expens

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced on Monday that his office will begin mailing Voter ID cards this week to registered voters in the state who do not possess a valid Iowa driver’s license or non-driver’s ID.    The cards are free and will be sent automatically to 123,000 Iowans, roughly six percent of the state’s registered voters.

DEFIANCE -- Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds toured Smitty Bee Honey Inc. in Defiance on Thursday as part of her 99 Iowa county tour. Leading the tour were Smitty Bee’s Owner Doug Schmitz (right) and his son, Smitty Bee’s President Tony Schmitz. Doug briefed Gov. Reynolds on the history of Smitty Bee Honey as well as how the business continues to expand. Smitty Bee Honey is a four generation business with a more than 95-year heritage.

HARLAN -- An 18-year-old Harlan man has been charged in Shelby County District Court with two counts of third-degree sexual abuse.    Noah E. Stout, 3002 12th St. #1, is accused of performing a sex act on a 13-year-old girl on October 23 at the swimming pool park, 2100 block of 9th St., in Harlan.