STATE – Iowa Gov.

    HARLAN – Approximately 125 local residents turned out at a legislative briefing Saturday morning, Feb. 18 in Harlan to quiz local representatives Sen. Jason Schultz (R-Schleswig) and Rep.

    HARLAN – Iowa Rep. Steve Holt says he’s spoken to everyone from superintendents, school board members, teachers, union members, non-union members, county supervisors and private citizens about the collective bargaining bill.    He thinks it’s a great move for Iowa.

    HARLAN – Local educators’ concerns about their voices going unheard at the bargaining table and a lack of faith in a fair process from those now in firm control of their work-related conditions, were heard by Iowa Sen. Jason Schultz and Iowa Rep. Steve Holt.    But both said they firmly believe there will be no ill intentions from superintendents and school boards. 

    REGIONAL – Iowa Rep. Steve Holt and Iowa Sen. Jason Schultz said they aren’t worried about their jobs come re-election time.    Local resident Aaron Nippert said he’s a lifetime Republican, and asked both about potential backlash from the passage of what some are calling a union-busting bill.  There are thousands of employees and their families affected by this bill, Nippert said.

    HARLAN -- Harlan Community Schools Superintendent Justin Wagner said that the collective bargaining bill being debated this week could have a positive impact for the school district should its final form address financial considerations.

    LE MARS -- Harlan Community junior Keaton Jones became just the second state qualifier in the history of the Cyclone boys bowling program Tuesday afternoon, rolling a career-best 461 series at the Class 1-A State Qualifying Tournament in Le Mars.  Jones rolled individual games of 245 (also a career best) and 216 at Sweet 16 Lanes, qualifying as an at-large entry for Monday’s 1-A State Bowling Tournament at Plaza Lanes in Des Moines.

    HARLAN – Local management officials are watching closely the developments at the statehouse this week, as any changes to Chapter 20 of the Iowa Code will have a significant impact on bargaining efforts going forward with local unions.    However, city and county administration are saying they have great relationships with the public employees that serve each, and regardless of what changes may come forward, they expect amiable discussions

       HARLAN – Union representatives across Iowa are watching very closely the debates this week on the proposed collective bargaining bill.  If it passes, significant changes will be made to how employees covered by a union negotiate with employers over wages and other work-related conditions.       Bryan Kaster, representative for the Harlan Education Association, said this week the proposed bill is troubling, affecting teachers by silencin

    HARLAN – Iowa Rep. Steve Holt (R-Denison) welcomes constituents to come Saturday to a legislative briefing in Harlan to discuss legislation being proposed and debated at the Iowa Legislature this session, including a bill that will effectively change Chapter 20 of the Iowa Code regarding collective bargaining.    Holt and Iowa Sen. Jason Schultz (R-Schleswig) will be at the Nishnabotna Valley REC building at 10 a.m.

    HARLAN -- Harlan Community High School’s  Reagan Hansen and Andrew Shelton have been nominated by their judges at State Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) contest as Outstanding Performers in Group Improvisation, and they will perform at the all-state speech festival later this month.    Speech Director Lisa Hagemeier said Hansen and Shelton’s accomplishment highlighted a state competition that saw HCHS competitors perform extreme

    WALNUT -- The Antique City is planning to preserve part of the past by converting the former school building located at 415 Antique City Drive into a new community center.    “We’re excited to put life back into this building and make it a place the community can once again utilize and appreciate,” said Mayor Gene Larsen.

    COUNTY -- Iowa Sen. Jason Schultz (R-Schleswig) and Iowa Rep. Steve Holt (R-Denison) will be in Harlan Saturday, Feb.

    COUNTY – The Shelby County Supervisors are expected to review a number of budget options at its next meeting Tuesday, Feb. 21, in preparation for finalizing the 2017-18 budget at the first meeting in March.    Shelby County Auditor Mark Maxwell said he’s working on the budget possibilities and will hopefully have options available for review at the Feb.

    HARLAN – The Harlan Fire Department will have three firefighters re-test for certifications by the state fire academy due to a scandal involving the state’s Fire Service Training Bureau and its former accreditation manager John McPhee.    McPhee has been arrested and charged with misconduct in public office as well as tampering with records.  He is accused of failing to grade tests and assigning random scores to tests.  He has pleaded not