HARLAN -- The Harlan Community recently honored and recognized a number of HCS Special Olympics participants, who took top honors at a recent event.  The students were honored immediately preceding the HCHS/Red Oak boys basketball game in Harlan Friday, Jan.

    HARLAN – The City of Harlan is in a better financial position now than it was a year ago, and city officials hope to continue that trend in future years.    The city’s general fund ending balance at the end of the 2016 fiscal year (June 30, 2016), was $641,684, up significantly from the beginning of the year’s balance of $400,296.  Jeff Peters, Williams & Company, PC, LeMars, briefed the Harlan City Council this month on the city audit

    HARLAN – Harlan Community High School basketball players, students, faculty, guests and community residents recognized the 380th anniversary of the National Guard during its Hawkeye Ten basketball conference match-up against the Red Oak Tigers Friday, Jan.

    HARLAN – Approximately 30 local residents turned out Saturday, Jan. 21 for the first legislative briefing of the year in Shelby County at the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry offices in Harlan.    On hand were Iowa Rep. Steve Holt (R-Denison) and Iowa Sen.

    HARLAN -- Myrtue Medical Center has recently installed a new CT scanning system.    Updating this equipment improves patient safety by reducing radiation exposure to the patient and provides features for more detailed tracking of total radiation dose.    The new equipment produces high quality images used for diagnosis. The speed of the CT system reduces exam times, improving patient satisfaction.

    REGIONAL – The Iowa Department of Education released its Iowa School Report Card this month, with area schools rating from commendable to acceptable on the new system’s scale.    Iowa’s schools are rated on certain educational measures, including math and reading proficiency, college and career ready growth and readiness, how many students are improving academically each year, efforts to close achievement gaps, graduation rates, attendance

2 hr late start for HCSD and SCCS. No AM Pre-school or Transitional Kindergarten for HCSD for Thurs, Jan. 26.

HOUSTON, TX – Back in the early 2000s, Harlan Community Schools used to host an annual Fine Arts Festival.    It was a showcase of the musical talent the school district had to offer, and featured everything from small group vocal ensemble acts and solos, to instrumental groups, soloists, jazz band performances and duets.  Elementary students to high school students participated in the event, attended by hundreds each year who filled the high

    HARLAN -- Daniel Kay works on a Lego® structure at the recently-held Lego® Challenge Night at the Harlan Community Library Thursday, Jan.

    COUNTY -- A 24-year-old Irwin man has been charged with vehicular homicide -- operating under the influence following the investigation into a fatality accident last August in Shelby County.    On January 13, deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol troopers served an arrest warrant for Orin Wesley Wright III.    The charges stem from an incident which occurred August 21, which resulted in the death of Russell

Streets in downtown Harlan were coated with ice from this week’s storm.  The storm closed schools and businesses, and made travel dangerous.  (Photo by Alan Mores)

    HARLAN -- Myrtue Medical Center Board of Trustees committee assignments for 2017 were approved at the December board meeting.    MMC Board members are Allan Hjelle, chair; Jim Zimmerman, vice chair; Terry Torneten, secretary/treasurer; Larry Miller, Rick Rasmussen, Jeanine Larsen and Leona Konz.    Konz will be installed as a new board member at the January MMC board meeting. Konz replaces long-time board member Cheryl Chipman.

Two area residents contacted the Harlan Newspapers on Thurs., Jan. 19 and Friday, Jan. 20 seeing a Bald Eagle feasting on a roadside carcass just west and south of HCHS at Durant and Hwy 59. In both instances staff from the Harlan Newspapers attempted to get to the scene to take a photo, but the Bald Eagle had been scared away.

Welcome Ethan Vernon KimballBorn January 10, 12:12 a.m.at Myrtue Medical Center, Harlan
    Molly Hernandez and Brett Kimball of Kirkman are the proud parents of this year’s first baby born in 2017 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.  Ethan Vernon Kimball was born at 12:12 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10.  He weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces. 

    HARLAN -- The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry will host its second legislative briefing of the year on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the chamber of commerce offices in Harlan.    The briefing will begin at 10 a.m.  On hand will be Iowa Sen. Jason Schultz (R-Schleswig) and Iowa Rep.