HARLAN — Tom Butler remembers his first and last fire call — from a fatal car accident to a barn fire on a Shelby mutual aid call. He’s seen many things over the years.    Butler retired after 34 years at the end of the year. He received one final Firefighter of the Year award from the Harlan Fire Department during their winter banquet in February.    “It was a nice tribute for a send off,” he said.

Griffin Schleimer, a 2021 alumni of Harlan Community High School, had the opportunity to perform with the Nebraska Intercollegiate Band March 2-4 as part of the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association Conference in Lincoln.“A couple weeks ago I was nominated to join the ensemble by my band director at UNO, Joshua Kearney,” Schleimer said. “The list came out about a month ago but I didn’t make it in.

 HARLAN — Jonathan Bladt, Senator Grassley’s new Regional Director, left, hosted a town hall meeting Friday in the Shelby County Chamber Atrium. The public provided input and comments on what they wanted to see included in the 2023 Farm Bill. Topics included pipeline depth, supply chain issues causing disruptions for farmers, farm ground purchases by foreign countries and more.
 

    ELK HORN — For 40 years, Sarah Kunik was a familiar face to the residents at Salem Lutheran Homes and Rehabilitation Center.    Kunik retired last week after 40 years of caring for the residents of Salem Lutheran Homes and Rehabilitation Center. Throughout the 40 years, she has seen many changes within the center.   “I started in 1983. I needed a job, with two kids I needed to support,” Kunik said.

    HARLAN – Unified Law Enforcement is being considered once again. A public meeting will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Therkildsen Center regarding joining of the Harlan Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff Office.    “Unified Law Enforcement (i.e. consolidation of Harlan Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff) has been considered at various times over the past two decades,” said City Administrator Gene Gettys.

    HARLAN — As book characters like the Cat in the Hat and Harry Potter roamed the gym, Harlan Community Elementary School held its literacy night Thursday.    Paula Kjergaard, K-5 Instructional Coach, said the elementary literacy night is an annual event that started as a project for her Master’s and Literacy Specialist degrees.    “It coincides with Read Across America month which is March so we hold it the first week of March each year,” s

    HARLAN  —  Students from HCHS Business Professionals of America (BPA) chapter will attend the 2023 BPA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Calif., April 26–30.    “For students attending the National Leadership Conference, the event is the culmination of a year’s work,” said Chad Swanson, HCHS business teacher. “These students, along with Mr. Kohorst, Mrs.

HARLAN – The Harlan Community School District Board of Directors held a special meeting Tuesday.    The board approved the negotiations agreement with the Harlan Education Association    “It is a package increase of 3% for the 2023-24 master contract that would include $618 added to the base salary,” said HCSD Superintendent Jenny Barnett.

    HARLAN  —   The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was not unfamiliar with a house belonging to Nelson Guyer in Elk Horn. They had been there before for other issues. But this time was different. This time, Guyer took steps to harm himself and threatened to blow up the house.    On July 12, 2021, Sheriff Neil Gross was the first to respond to the home.

    HARLAN – Since September, students at Harlan Community High School have had an opportunity to explore careers and learn life skills that will serve them in pursuing careers or education beyond high school.    Lori Pilachai, HCHS education specialist with Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG), said students at HCHS made preliminary entries in four categories for the statewide career development conference were successful in three categor

    HARLAN – Governor Kim Reynolds recently appointed Shelby County Auditor Mark Maxwell to a four-year term with the State of Iowa County Finance Committee. Maxwell will be one of five elected county officials elected to the eight member committee, which also consists of the Auditor of the State, a senate approved certified public accountant, and an operations research analyst. He will continue to serve his role as Shelby County Auditor, and

 HARLAN — U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) toured Sorensen Equipment in Harlan on Wednesday. Feenstra discussed his agriculture tour, the farm bill, asset depreciation and the estate tax.

    HARLAN — Harlan Community High School Breaking Cylence and Middle School Cytones show choirs have been singing and dancing their way to success this season at various competitions.    Their most recent success was this weekend at the Sing and Swing competition in Atlantic. Breaking Cylence placed first in 3A and the Cytones were first in middle school.

AREA — New data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed all teens are increasing mental health challenges, experiences of violence, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The survey also showed  girls fared worse than boys across nearly all measures.The findings are consistent with teen mental health in the area.

 HARLAN  —  A Harlan family recently brought a new life into the world with help from a lifelong friend. Matt and Mary Hoch’s daughter, Ruth, was born October 23, 2022. Ruth’s birth story, however, began over three and a half years ago when the Mary gave birth to her daughter, Hazel. Mary had a previously undiagnosed medical condition, which caused Hazel to be born a month premature.