PORTSMOUTH -- Portsmouth native Jen Davidson won a gold medal recently at the 2017 U.S. Parachute Association National Skydiving Championships at Skydive Perris in Southern California.    Davidson and her team, the U.S. Army Golden Knights, took gold in the eight-way formation skydiving event. Her win also earned her a slot on the prestigious U.S.

REGIONAL – The deadline is now over for families to sign up hoping to be adopted in this year’s holiday adoption program, but there’s still plenty of time for donors to offer their financial help to those needy individuals and families on this year’s list.    The number of needy individuals and families this holiday season grew again this week.  There are many who still need to be adopted.    Administration of the adoption program is being han

HARLAN -- Beautiful weather greeted hundreds who turned out Saturday, Nov. 25 for the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony in downtown Harlan.  Participants got a chance to visit with Santa Claus, check out the downtown lights and climb on trains.  Refreshments were provided by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

HARLAN -- The remains of a body were discovered in a vehicle in southwest Harlan late Tuesday night, Nov. 28 following an explosion and vehicle fire in the back yard of a residence along Ridgeway Drive.    Shelby County Sheriff reports indicate at approximately 11:18 p.m., the Harlan Police Department, Medivac Ambulance, Harlan Fire Department and the sheriff’s office were dispatched to 4025 Ridgeway Dr.

Snowy Owls in the middle of the day in Iowa?  Numerous sightings have already occurred around Iowa this fall.  Every four or five years a large number of Snowy Owls head south, known as an irruption.  Researchers predict that this will be a good year to see Snowy Owls in the United States.    Irruptions typically occur following a summer with abundant food supply.  A Snowy Owl’s favorite thing to eat is a small furry animal called a lemming. 

COUNTY – Two Shelby County kindergartners are warming up hearts this holiday season through book and food drives, with all proceeds to be presented to West Central Community Action.    Brooklyn Hess, 5, the daughter of Brad and Staci Hess, Portsmouth, and Hunter Burmeister, 6, the son of Mitch and McKenzie Burmeister, Harlan, are excited for their donation drives.  The two say it’s important to give back to the community and they are doing it

SHELBY – Former Shelby resident Alicia Rau of New York City played her trumpet at the TD Garden in Boston Nov. 18 along with some celebrity special guests.

COUNTY – Shelby County has agreed to serve as the fiscal sponsor for grants received by the Shelby County Trails Committee, should it be fortunate to receive the grant monies the committee is applying for during the next few months.    The county’s board of supervisors unanimously approved the request by the committee for the county to serve as fiscal sponsor – specifically acting as a pass through for funding received and paying bills associa

HARLAN – A 50-year-old Harlan woman was killed early Thursday, Nov.

200 in grants have been awarded to Shelby County nonprofit agencies by the Shelby County Community Foundation, it was announced this week.  With these grants, the foundation has distributed nearly $2.4 million in grants and scholarships during the last 20 years.    The following nonprofit organizations, which submitted applications to the Shelby County Community Foundation by the September 1 deadline, were awarded grants by the Shelby County B

    HARLAN -- The remains of a body were discovered in a vehicle in southwest Harlan late Tuesday night, Nov. 28 following an explosion and vehicle fire in the back yard of a residence along Ridgeway Drive.    Shelby County Sheriff reports indicate at approximately 11:18 p.m., the Harlan Police Department, Medivac Ambulance and the sheriff’s office were dispatched to 4025 Ridgeway Dr.

HARLAN – This will be the second year the Shelby County Historical Society and Museum, along with the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry will host Santa in the Cabins.  The event will take place on Thursday, Dec.

        COUNTY -- The fifth year of the holiday lighting ceremony in downtown            Harlan will kick off Saturday, Nov.

    COUNTY – Hey kids!  Get ready for Santa to make a stop in your community in December.  Santa Claus is Coming to Town is a new event where Santa will be hosted in your community this season.    The idea was first brought to the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry by Harlan City Councilman Dave Pedersen as a way to kick off the holiday spirit throughout the county.

REGIONAL – The annual holiday adoption program is in full swing with a number of needy families already being adopted, and more needy families added to the list.    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.    Applications for families wishing to be adopted will be accepted now until December 1.  Child