COUNTY – Shelby County is recommending a business program that will provide financial incentives to companies that create new jobs within Shelby County.    The county’s board of supervisors is proposing paying a company  a certain dollar amount for new, full-time equivalent jobs created that are in place for three years.  At the end of the three-year period, the monies would be paid.    The amount per job has yet to be determined, but in p

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Community is ready to celebrate homecoming this week, under the theme “The Wizard of Oz -- There is no place like “home”coming.”    There’s plenty of excitement in the air as the Harlan Community Cyclone football team readies to meet Carroll in a Friday night match-up, hoping to get another win after starting its season 2-3 and keep its playoff hopes alive with wins over Greene County and ADM, and tough losses vs.

    PANAMA - Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds toured the 300-employee local trucking firm, Panama Transfer, on Wed., Sept.

    HARLAN – Longtime Harlan Community School Board member Lonnie Muxfeldt was elected unanimously as the next president of the board of education, serving for the 2016-17 school year.    Muxfeldt, who is starting his eighth year on the board, replaces Kathy Mahlberg who has served as board president for the last two years.  Muxfeldt took the president’s seat following board approval at Monday’s regular meeting of the board of education.

    HARLAN -- The recently released 2015-2016 audit for the Harlan Municipal Utilities showed a “clean” audit with their combined net asset position up slightly, despite a slight decrease in overall sales.    The Utility’s combined net position increased by $1,402,375 or 4.06%.  This came despite operating revenue showing a 5.73% decrease.   It was partially offset by a decrease in expenses of 3.54%.    Gas, Water and Electric net positions in

    IRWIN -- Nearly four inches of rain definitely made the grounds a little muddy Friday, but by the weekend, the Greenridge Steam and Gas Show site south of Irwin was greeted with drying conditions, sunshine and warm temperatures.    Officials called the old-time farming event another huge success this year.  The event featured everything from broom making and a blacksmith shop to farm equipment parades and sorghum making.

    HARLAN – The Harlan City Council has appointed Kate Kohorst as mayor to fill out the unexpired term of Gene Gettys, Jr., who resigned earlier this month after being named city administrator.    Kohorst, a Harlan attorney and former member of the city council and Harlan Municipal Utilities Board of Trustees, was one of two candidates expressing interest in the position, the other being Richard Jones, retired funeral home director at Pauley

    HARLAN --  Following a closed session to review Harlan Municipal Utilities General Manager Ken Weber’s yearly accomplishments, the board of trustees voted to pay him $120,000 for his employment through Oct. 1, 2017.     This is the salary set forth for the third year of his three-year contract.  No public information was available on his job review.

    HARLAN – City officials here have given the okay to a Christmas lighting project that will illuminate the trail in Pioneer Park with decorative trees this holiday season.    The Harlan City Council this month voted unanimously to work closely with the community’s new Harlan Christmas Light Celebration Committee in lighting up the city this December, including along the park’s sidewalks.    Harlan City Administrator Gene Gettys, Jr.

    HARLAN -- On Wednesday evening, Sept. 14, responders throughout Shelby County assisted in a full scale emergency exercise at the Harlan Community School District.

    ELK HORN – It’s Homecoming week, and the Exira, Elk Horn and Kimballton communities are celebrating with the Exira-EHK School District under the theme Box Office Blitz.    Homecoming king and queen candidates have been selected and include front L to R – Sadie Schultes, Rachel Walker, Malaina Leader and Maggie Rasmussen.  Back L to R – Cole Bruns, Chris Paulsen, Gage Lauritsen and Tyson Patridge.    Crown bearers are Zoey Rasmussen and Ty

    HARLAN – The 2016 Harlan Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraiser will be held Saturday, Sept. 24 at Pioneer Park.    Registration begins at 9 a.m. with the two-mile walk starting at 10 a.m.    All funds raised through the walk further the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association, a non-profit 501©(3) organization, and all donations are tax deductible. 

    COUNTY – The Shelby County Board of Supervisors has received a petition requesting proper maintenance of the Slates Cemetery in Douglas Township.    Sixty-eight signatures were on the petition presented to the supervisors this fall.      The petition states, “We the undersigned, descendants of Samuel C.

    PORTSMOUTH -- A mural is in the process of being painted on the large fence along Main Street in Portsmouth.    “The fence was looking plain for years,” said Connie Juhl, community member. “We are just trying to clean up the city a little bit.”    About a year ago Juhl and Laura Anderson, city clerk, began brainstorming a project for the fence, since it is such a prominent part of Main Street.

    AVOCA – The AHSTW school community has had a special homecoming week this week under the theme “There’s No Place Like HOMEcoming!,” culminating with tonight’s football contest featuring the Vikings taking on Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center.    Homecoming king and queen candidates have been selected, and include (pictured at left):  Front L to R --  Cydney Anderson, Jaycie Schueman, Ashtyn Danker, Cassidy Espeseth and Anna Bauer.  Back L to R --