HARLAN – Most Shelby Countians would admit they are thinking more about fall colors, the harvest and Halloween decorations these days instead of Christmas trees, lighting ceremonies, hot cocoa and Santa Claus.    But that’s not the case for Harlan’s Christmas Light Celebration Committee, now in its second year, which is gearing up to build on a successful first effort a year ago to once again make the community a sea of lights and decorations

HARLAN -- The Harlan Community is ready to celebrate homecoming this week, under the theme “Toy Story – To Homecoming and Beyond.”    There’s plenty of excitement in the air as the Harlan Community Cyclone football team readies to meet ADM in a Friday night match-up, hoping to get another win after starting its season 3-1 with wins over Greene County, Creston-OM, and Glenwood, and a tough loss to Council Bluffs Lewis Central.    Students, teac

HARLAN -- The Hansen House broke ground this month on the memory care portion of the development at 703 Dye Street in Harlan. Their model is about a group of folks coming together and sharing services in a large household.

HARLAN -- The Harlan Municipal Utilities Board of Trustees and Management team met in an open strategic planning session on Monday, September 11 where the Board was briefed on current construction projects as well as near term additional infrastructure, operations and maintenance plans.    HMU CEO Ken Weber said, “It seems like we always have so much going on in terms of projects that it’s good to get together where we can focus on, and plan,

MANNING --  A week of spirit dates and preparation began on Monday, Sept. 18 for IKM-Manning and culminates with the pep rally, parade and big game vs. Missouri Valley on Friday, Sept. 22.    All IKM-Manning community members and alumni are invited to attend with the students to see the coronation of the homecoming king and queen.  The parade, beginning at roughly 2:30 p.m.

HARLAN – The first-ever Ag Festival held at the Shelby County Fairgrounds in Harlan Monday, Sept.

IRWIN -- The annual Greenridge Steam and Gas Antique Show celebrated its 41st year when events kicked off this past weekend at the Greenridge site southwest of Irwin.    This year highlighted a special Birds of Prey presentation display, and hosted a number of kids’ activities including a petting zoo, pedal tractor pulls, candy/money grab, trolley rides and corn husk doll making.    Dating back to 1977, it was two rural Irwin couples, Howard a

AVOCA -- AHSTW will host homecoming activities next week under the theme Vikings Know What’s Up!, and a variety of exciting events will be held throughout the week.    King and queen candidates have been selected, and the king and queen will be crowned at a formal coronation ceremony scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m.

REGIONAL -- Voters in the Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton School District gave approval to a $3.9 million bond issue Tuesday that will help the district grow into the future.    The general obligation bond issue for district facility improvements garnered 72.27 percent voter approval, with 258 yes votes compared to 99 no votes.  The issue needed a 60 percent approval to pass. 

HARLAN – The region’s top race car drivers will meet at the Shelby County Speedway this weekend, as the final event of the racing season kicks off tonight with the 25th anniversary Tiny Lund Memorial Races, Friday-Saturday, Sept. 15-16.    The Tiny Lund Memorial will feature two days of racing excitement beginning when the gates open Friday at 3 p.m. for qualifying heats for all classes (beginning with hot laps at 5 p.m.

HARLAN – An uptick in the number of yard signs being placed in the city right of way is leading Harlan city officials to begin enforcement of a long-standing regulation prohibiting any signs within the public right of way.    The Harlan City Council last Tuesday voted unanimously to begin enforcement following an upcoming  two-month process to educate the public about current regulations.    Specifically, no signs are allowed in the right of w

HARLAN -- A Harrison County woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 44 and County Road M16 west of Harlan Thursday afternoon, September 7.    The Iowa State Patrol reports that Nancy Louise Madsen, 58, Persia, died as a result from injuries suffered in the accident, and was pronounced dead at the scene.    Reports indicate the accident occurred at approximately 4 p.m.

HARLAN -- The Alzheimer’s Association® is inviting Harlan Area residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s.    The Walk will take place on Saturday, Sept. 16 at Pioneer Park in Harlan.

ELK HORN -- Homecoming festivities kick off this week for Spartan Nation under the theme Home Sweet Homecoming.

EXIRA -- Spartan spirit was in full force last Friday as Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton defeated Bedford in a football match-up in Exira.