HARLAN -- It was a regular day. Bruce Heilesen was mowing his lawn when the unthinkable happened.    The mower’s left rear tire intersected with a valve on a propane tank and turned it on.

    REGIONAL -- Everybody loves a classic.    Or, at least, that seems to be the case with current baby name trends. According to Myrtue Medical Center, the most popular name for a little boy is James, while girls’ trends sway toward Charlotte.

    REGIONAL -- The next time you go to vote, you’ll be asked for an ID.    Iowa’s Election Integrity Law is taking to polling places with a soft rollout. The law requires voters to present a driver’s license, a non-driver’s ID, military ID, veteran’s ID or Voter ID Card.    The new voter ID law will not be fully implemented until Jan. 1, 2019.

HARLAN – Months of discussions at the council table about an ordinance amending the age for minors in liquor establishments has resulted in a new ordinance amendment seeing a first reading approved by the Harlan City Council last week.    The council voted 5-0 (Mike Kolbe, Dave Pedersen, Sharon Kroger, Dave Miller and Jay Christensen aye; Greg Bladt abstain) approving the amended ordinance.    In short, the amendment allows persons under 21 ye

    HARLAN - Inland Sea – Harlan LLC announced Reicks View Farms of Lawler, IA, has made an anchor investment in the planned state-of-the-art recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) salmon production facility.

    REGIONAL -- After being shot in enemy fire three times, the first thing Glenn Dohrmann remembered was waiting in a 50-foot-long line to be taken into the Norwegian Mass Unit for operation.    Dohrmann, a Shelby native, had been hit by three bullets from a machine gun being operated by a Chinese soldier.

Learn more thanks to our friends at the Sioux City Journal....

DES MOINES – Bishop Heelan’s trip to the Iowa Class 3A semifinals Friday can be summed up by two words: elation and frustration.

    HARLAN – Three Harlan residents have asked the Harlan City Council to review its fireworks policy, requesting that the time for shooting off displays be more limited when the July 4 holiday rolls around next year.    Jeff Branstetter, Deb Jauron and Gordon von Ahsen each had their own stories to tell the council last Tuesday, July 18, all with the same theme that residents were shooting off fireworks past the allotted hours, and that they

COUNTY -- Brandon Burmeister has been hired as the new Shelby County Engineer effective November 16, taking over for long-time engineer Dan Ahart, who last week announced his retirement effective in November.    Burmeister currently is assistant county engineer, a position he has held for four years.    The Shelby County Board of Supervisors approved the hiring Tuesday, July 18.  They interviewed Burmeister on Friday, July 14 and extended the

    REGIONAL -- Hands off.    As of July 1, that’s the new rule regarding phone usage while driving. With the law now a primary offense, officers can stop citizens simply for being on their mobile devices. The law is clear that phones can, however, be used for GPS. If you are caught in violation, the ticket is $30.

    REGIONAL -- Some came to stand and gawk at them like living fossils. Others were moved in nostalgia. Many were  simply amazed that they still exist.    Antique motorcycles had their own night when Roar Into Harlan hosted its classic bike night on July 20 in the Historic Downtown Square of Harlan.    The night, packed with games such as slow bike rides and Indians vs.

REGIONAL -- Across the nation, fidget spinners are stirring up a fuss.
https://youtu.be/eUlkXosWlC8
    The spinners, which have a bearing in the center circular pad, are meant to be held while they spin.

    HARLAN -- Harlan Municipal Utilities Board of Trustees has approved a three-step water rate increase, effective Sept.

COUNTY -- There’s always a lifetime of memories to be made at the Shelby County Fair. From kids competing in the new 4-H Bottle-bucket Calf Competition to tots eating their cookie after the Pee Wee Cookie Decorating Contest, here are the highlights.

COUNTY – Harlan’s Mike Thraen is being inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame, it was announced during award ceremonies at the Shelby County Fair last week.    The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame recognizes volunteers and staff who have exhibited outstanding service to their county 4-H program.  Each county extension office may select an individual or couple to induct into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Iowa State Fair 4-H Exhibit building the l