EXIRA-- The Exira-EHK school board gave the final approval for the construction of a new press box at the football field located in Exira.    “The one that’s been there has been for a long, long time and safety precautions are our number one reason why [we are building a new one],” said Tom Petersen, athletic director.    The project has been a concept to the school for approximately three years.

    HARLAN -- Students can enjoy an extra week of summer again this year before heading back to classes as Harlan Community School District prepares for a new school year.    The first day of school in the 2016-2017 school year at Harlan Community Schools will be on Tuesday, Aug. 23.    Parents and guardians should be aware that the first day of school, and Wednesday, Aug. 24, will see a 1:30 p.m.

    COUNTY -- Non-Profit agencies within Shelby County will have until the end of August to complete applications for funding from Shelby County Community Chest.    Funds from SCCC are made possible by the generosity of local donors to the SCCC annual fund drive which will be taking place this fall.  Shelby County Community Chest accumulates and then disburses the funds from this campaign to local non-profits for a single year.

    HARLAN -- On Tuesday, Aug. 2, Dan Burden gave a presentation about why active transportation makes sense on behalf of the Blue Zones Project sponsored by Wellmark.    The basement of the library was filled of various community members curious about the walkability and bikeability of Harlan.    Burden started by showing the distance that typical generations have walked on a daily basis.

    REGION -- While the summer started off with heavy rains and many concerns amongst farmers, according to professionals, the weather did not have a long term affect on the growing season.    Mike Witt, Iowa State University Outreach and Extension crop specialist, explains that crops are moving into some of its final stages of development, but farmers should be looking out for grasshoppers and beetles.    However, the primary issue earlier th

   COUNTY -- New signs to welcome visitors into Shelby County have now been put in place.    The Shelby County Board of Supervisors has authorized the project, which has been in the works for nearly a year.    “They had fallen into disrepair and had weathered a little bit,” said Todd Valline, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry Executive Director.

HARLAN -- As Joyce Gradoville stepped into 1012 Baldwin St., she knew immediately that she was home.  However, Gradoville didn’t realize that her future bed and breakfast would have such a rich history.    “I love the house, I absolutely love it,” Gradoville said, as she learned more about the history of the place.    Levi Franklin Potter was born in 1855 in the Milwaukee area.

    COUNTY – A 41-year-old Irwin man has been charged with vehicular homicide and reckless driving in connection with a car-motorcycle accident July 9 that killed Cole J. Andersen, 46, Irwin.    On Wednesday, Aug.

An August thunderstorm dumped between 2.5" - 3" on Harlan in a matter of two hours and the high winds tore numerous limbs across the City of Harlan down. It appeared most of the significant tree limb damage to homes and property was due to rotted limbs that between the weight of the rain, the wind and the weak tree structure sent trees tumbling across town. Apparently its natures way of cleaning up !

    IRWIN -- For Hope Ohara and Steve Studer there are two seasons: sailing season and surgery season.    Accustomed to nontraditional living, the two own a boat on the ocean near Grenada in the West Indies. It wasn’t long for the sea legs to find land as they grew older.

    HARLAN – A review of assessment data at Harlan Community Schools shows that students K-12 continue to perform above state and regional average on math and reading tests designed to assess student knowledge in those areas.    HCS Board of Education members discussed the data with school administration during a summer board retreat last week, and said they were happy with nearly all scores being higher than average.    “The principals and te

    The three-day anniversary celebrating the 90th anniversary of Bauer’s Shoes store and the City-Wide Anniversary Celebration hosted great crowds and even better bargains that combined with the state-wide sales tax holiday. 

The Redwoods will be performing from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13 at  The Beach Box at Pauley’s Pub in Panama.  The blues band is from Omaha, but features musicians with tiesfrom the area including Nathan Bjoin of Harlan on drums; Olivia Klein on vocals and Henry Tomsu on bass, bothwho have family from this area.
Food is available for purchase from 5-7:30 p.m. — prime rib sandwich and pulled pork sandwich as specials.

    HARLAN -- As seven-year-old Annabelle, dressed in a white sheet, flew from the front porch of the Potter House to the light post, she couldn’t help but catch the eye of Kat Eenhuis, a clairvoyant psychic medium.    Annabelle is one of the many spirits that reside in the Potter House, 1012 Baldwin St.

    HARLAN - Two Harlanites, along with the city administrator for the City of Monroe, IA, are finalists for the Harlan City Administrator position to replace former administrator Terry Cox.    Cox resigned effective June 30 after having served 39 years as the city’s administrator.    The  search committee included: Sharon Kroger,  Dave Miller and Greg Bladt.    Tentative plans have the three candidates being interviewed by the City Council as