STATEWIDE — One minute it is sunny and the next minute dark clouds and intense winds pick up and debris starts flying.Tis the season for potential severe weather. The National Weather Service will sponsor Severe Weather Awareness Week March 27-31 to prepare people for the season.Each day covers a specific topic. Monday is focused on severe thunderstorms.Brian E.

 HARLAN —  The Last Supper is coming to life again in Shelby County after a hiatus from 2019 to 2022. The event has taken place for more than 20 years.    Sponsored by First United Methodist Church, the Last Supper has been performed throughout Iowa. This year there are only two performances — April 2 at Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn and April 6 at Faith Family Church in Harlan.    The performances include acting and music.

 HARLAN — The Harlan City Council approved the 28E agreement to share law enforcement services with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.    The next step before it could be enacted is a vote by the Shelby County Board of Supervisors at their next meeting.    In the crowded City Council chambers, members of the public were invited to share their concerns.    “What is the price we’re going to pay for unification?

HARLAN — Harold Rand Petersen, 94, of Fort Dodge passed away March 15, 2023. Petersen dedicated much of his life to his beloved hometown of Harlan. “I’ve been here most of my life and it has always been my home,” Petersen said in an August 2004 interview with the Harlan Newspaper. H. Rand Petersen, only child of Wilmer and Eunice Anderson Petersen, was born February 5, 1929 in Harlan.

    EARLING – Immaculée Ilibagiza, author and survivor of the Rwanda genocide in 1994, spent three months hiding in a tiny bathroom with seven other women, praying silently. Her father, who sent her to safety, died along with Ilibagiza’s mother and two brothers. Another brother, who was studying abroad at the time, survived.

    Staff Reports        HARLAN – Harlan FFA members competed in various Leadership Career Development Events at the Southwest Iowa District FFA Leadership Conference held at IKM-Manning on Saturday, March 4.    Members also participated in Sub-district FFA Contests at Atlantic High School on February 8, most qualifying for the district event.

 ELK HORN —  In the spring of 1966, residents of Elk Horn decided the town needed a swimming pool. Rather than using tax payer money to fund the project, it was decided each family in the community would be asked to donate $100. By the time the pool was dedicated on August 23, 1966, 328 families had contributed to the pool fund.

Staff Reports    HARLAN —  Harlan Community Individual Speech Team member Darbie Argotsinger will be performing at IHSSA’s All-State Festival at UNI in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on March 27, 2023.  Darbie, the daughter of Todd and Lacie Argotsinger, is a junior at Harlan Community High School.

    HARLAN  —  Have trombone. Will travel.    Travel could be across the world for Harlan Community High School senior Keyton Francis who was selected as a trombone player in the United States Marine Corps band.

The Harlan Community Music Boosters Association (HCMBA) supports all band and vocal programs by providing funding for uniforms, instrument repairs, music and much more!  Once again this year, the HCMBA will be hosting their annual “Just Donate” fundraiser.  Parents, students, and other supporters will be traveling around the district on Sunday, March 26 from 2-6pm collecting donations for the school’s music programs.  Inserted into the Newspap

Approximately 450 people packed Panama’s St. Mary’s Hall for the Shelby County Pheasants Forever annual banquet and fundraiser Sat. evening, March 11. Capter Treasurer Lee Schoof reported that $76,075 was raised through a variety of silent and live auctions, raffles and other donations. All proceeds will be used to enhance hunting and wildlife conservation in Shelby County.

Fifth grade band and choir performed a concert Thursday, celebrating Music in the Schools Month. The concert was led by band director Tom Cronin and choir director Taylor Peek.
 

    HARLAN — The HCSD Individual Speech Team, under the direction of Ms. Lisa Hagemeier, participated in the Iowa High School State Speech Competition held at Ames High School on Saturday.      Harlan Community School District had five students performing in seven events.

    HARLAN — More than 100 Shelby county residents gathered at the C.G. Therkildsen Center to share their thoughts about the possibility of Unified Law Enforcement between the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Harlan Police Department.

    HARLAN  —   The Harlan Community Middle School 8th grade MathCounts team recently brought home the first place trophy from the Southwest Iowa Regional Competition held at the Boys and Girls Club in Council Bluffs on March 2.