HARLAN – Does your home have a smoke alarm?    According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the answer is likely yes: NFPA research shows that most American homes have at least one. But do you know how old your smoke alarms are?

    COUNTY -- Voters have the opportunity to elect members of the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Shelby County Council from a slate of four candidates at the Nov. 8 general election.    “The council members elected this year will be involved in bringing educational opportunities to Shelby County for the next four years,” Mary Taggs, Extension Educator said.

    REGIONAL -- Marne and Elk Horn Telephone Company and Walnut Communications, who announced their plan to merge in July, have completed the transaction, according to General Manager Janell Hansen.    “We have finalized the paperwork, made the necessary filings and have received the necessary approvals from the FCC, so now we continue on with the best part of the merger – the people, which include all our employees and all our customers,” sta

Click here to see the poster larger.http://www.harlanonline.com/harvest-fest-2016

    REGIONAL – A terrified voice cried out in the night.  “Who are you? What do you want?”    The sound of snapping twigs closed in on the five teenagers enjoying an evening around a glowing campfire at Gitchie Manitou State Park. The night of music and laughter had taken a dark turn.

    “We have been tracking threats that have been made against schools across the country by individuals dressed in clown attire.    “We take these threats seriously and any students attempting to dress as clowns or scare others using clown attire will face consequences.    “We have been in touch with local law enforcement and they are tracking this as well.”

    COUNTY -- The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry is hosting a candidates forum Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Harlan Community High School auditorium.    Shelby County Auditor candidates incumbent Marsha Carter (D-Defiance) and Mark Maxwell (R-Harlan) will discuss the issues and answer questions from the public.    The two both will appear on the November 8 general election ballot.

    HARLAN – Parking changes may be forthcoming for some streets in Harlan to comply with the International Fire Code as it pertains to safe clearance distance for emergency vehicles that may be responding to a call in the community.    The Harlan City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Oct.

    HARLAN -- Following a presentation by Keri Sonderman, Director of Diagnostic Imaging at Myrtue Medical Center, the MMC Board of Trustees approved the replacement of the current CT (computed tomography) equipment with the Toshiba Aquilion Prime 80 Choice.

    ELK HORN -- On the evening of Thursday, October 6, Nazi concentration camp survivor Steen Metz will speak to an open audience at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church beginning at 7 p.m. A question-and-answer session will follow his 45-minute presentation.

    REGIONAL – You’ll definitely feel them before you see them.  Those little black bugs which seem to have more teeth than they do body, swarming through the air in the early fall evenings just before dark, causing distress for anyone who may be gardening, attending a ball game or just out for a walk.    And that ferocious bite they have!    The past two weeks have been the worst, as the warmer weather has brought them out of hiding.

Congratulations!King Brandon TrevinoQueen Brooke Nelson

    HARLAN – Local economic development officials entertained a group from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Wednesday, Sept.

    CHICAGO, IL -- Portsmouth native Jen Davidson won gold in female 4-way formation skydiving at the 2016 World Parachuting Championships this month at Skydive Chicago.

Harlan Community High School celebrated homecoming week this week with a series of dress-up days.  Tuesday was Generation Day, and these students and teachers got in the spirit.  Underclassmen dressed up as babies while upperclassmen and teachers dressed up as older individuals.