SHELBY -- Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, twin sons of the late teen-idol Rick Nelson, stopped for breakfast at The Corn Crib in Shelby Dec. 11. They visited with restaurant owners, brothers Dave Robinson (left) and Doug Robinson, and posed for a picture with “Sherman.” The Nelsons are singers, and they each play guitar. After performing in Iowa, they headed to Austin, TX, for a Dec. 13 gig.  (Photo contributed)

    COUNTY – Every county employee is receiving $100 in chamber gift certificates this holiday season thanks to their willingness to participate in a wellness incentive that is saving Shelby County $50,000 in health insurance premiums.    Total cost to the county for the gift cards will be $6,100, but the savings is tremendous, officials said.  If there wasn’t that type of participation, the savings wouldn’t be there.

    COUNTY -- On Thursday, Dec. 22, “Small Town Big Deal” TV show co-hosts Rodney Miller and Jann Carl will feature Earling’s Steve Kenkel’s efforts to preserve one of the most important historical agricultural discoveries - hybrid seed corn.    The show airs at 8:30 p.m. on RFD-TV and 20 minutes of the 30-minute program will be devoted to the corn museum and how the invention of hybrid corn revolutionized American agriculture.

    HARLAN -- Major projects completed at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan during the past year were highlighted by Chuck Assman, facilities director at MMC, during his facility presentation at the recent MMC Board of Trustees meeting.    Assman said the two major projects were the re-roof project completed in May on the 1964 building. Replacement of the x-ray machine was completed at the beginning of 2016.

    REGIONAL – The fifth adoption list of the Christmas season has been released this week, and the number of needy families this holiday season continues to grow.    The deadline has passed for those families wishing to be adopted, but there still are many on the list who need assistance this year.    For those donating, they can deliver gifts to WCCA’s Outreach Office on Wednesday, December 21 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

    HARLAN -- The annual Blue Out Event to raise funds for Cancer research was a huge success last Friday evening, raising more than $5,000 for the cause.

WESTPHALIA -- Firefighters from multiple departments battled a house fire in Westphalia Friday evening, Dec. 9.  Westphalia Fire Chief John Henscheid said crews were called to 107 4th St.

    HARLAN – The recent death of former Cuban president Fidel Castro brings back memories of a particularly interesting story involving Castro, an Omaha man who happens to be friends with Ray Buman of Harlan, and a seized camera after a 1960 international incident in Havana.    Castro died November 25 at 90 years old, and his death has created headlines in recent weeks.  He ruled Cuba for approximately 50 years before his brother, Raul, took o

    COUNTY -- The Shelby County Board of Supervisors has four options heading forward in developing next year’s budget, including an offer from a Harlan citizen to prepare it pro bono, and will determine soon how best to proceed in developing the county’s 2017-18 fiscal year plan.    At the request of the board, auditor-elect Mark Maxwell attended Tuesday’s regular meeting to discuss auditor duties, including whether or not he will serve as bu

    REGIONAL – The fourth adoption list of the Christmas season has been released this week, and the number of needy families this holiday season continues to grow.    The deadline has passed for those families wishing to be adopted, but there still are many on the list who need assistance this year.    For those donating, they can deliver gifts to WCCA’s Outreach Office on Wednesday, December 21 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Thieves are making off with delivered packages in Harlan, and the Harlan Police Department is investigating.    Police officials said with the holiday season upon us, many residents are ordering their gifts online.  This means many deliveries to residential areas around town are being made on a daily basis.    “These deliveries are being made while you’re at work and your kids are at school, nobody is home,” officials said.  “Thi

    COUNTY – The Shelby County Compensation Board will meet Wednesday, Dec. 14 to discuss salary compensation for the county’s elected officials.    Members of the compensation board are selected by the elected officials they represent and include: Ron Rosmann (supervisors), Ron Goodside (supervisors), Tim Meyer (treasurer), Randy Conrad (recorder), Rod Baxter (sheriff), and Frank Powers (attorney).

    REGIONAL -- The first legislative coffee of the year was held Saturday, Dec. 10 at Shelby County Farm Bureau Financial Services offices with 18 in attendance to hear a pre-legislative session discussion with Iowa Rep. Steve Holt (R-Denison) and Iowa Sen. Jason Schultz (R-Schleswig).      The nearly two hour discussion included presentations by Holt and Schultz as well as questions from those in attendance.

    HARLAN -- Kelly Doonan has joined the staff of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI) as the new Membership and Events Coordinator.      A long-time resident of Shelby County, Kelly will provide SCCCI members with additional support to promote and engage their businesses, help in the recruitment of new business members to the organization, and plan the many SCCCI events and fundraisers throughout the year. 

    COUNTY -- With the holiday season upon us, Shelby County residents know it is time for the annual appearance of the Salvation Army bell ringing campaign.