PANAMA —  With 900 pounds of meat, 600 people served and thousands of dollars in scholarships presented, the annual Shelby County Cattlemen’s Banquet was Saturday at St. Mary’s Hall in Panama. More than $50,000 was raised during the trophy auction.    Several awards were presented during the event. Cattleman of the Year was awarded to Randy (Motor) Bruck. The Friend of the Industry Award was presented to Alan Mores.

HARLAN – Nationally known songwriter, professional musician and educator Willie Murillo brought his expertise and talent to the Harlan Community School District for an educational clinic and master class for students in the jazz program. The day concluded with a career workshop and concert, with a song commissioned for the Harlan Community Jazz Experience group.

HARLAN —     The Harlan Municipal Utilities Board of Trustees at their regular meeting Jan. 26 approved a 25-cent increase of the gas billing charges for HMU.    HMU contracted with Bill Lindley from Clayton Energy for their gas purchases on December 1, 2022. Lindley gave a presentation regarding the structure of the proposed new gas billing during the board’s regular meeting.

HARLAN  — Students at Shelby County Catholic Schools celebrated vocations to priesthood and religious life with Des Moines Bishop Michael Joensen and Shelby County priests and religious.    Fifth-graders wrote letters to invite the religious to Mass and lunch following the Mass.
 

HARLAN — The Learning for Life (LFL)  group connection of Myrtue Medical Center Department of Public Health met at the Harlan Public Library January 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and attended their Family Fun Night--making fish aquariums.   Each child,  with assistance from their family, was able to make a fish aquarium to take home with them.

As part of his annual 99 county tour, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig stopped in Shelby County on Friday at HTS Ag in Harlan. He visited with employees, learned about the business and services they offer, and discussed issues the company is facing.
The group discussed the challenges of regulations on applications and use of drones and spray drones. They also discussed carbon credits.

AREA — Prairie Rose State Park has begun the monumental task of removing approximately 300 mature Ash trees that have been destroyed by the Emerald Ash Borer.

 STATEWIDE — Earlier this week, the Iowa Legislature passed a bill to create taxpayer funded education savings accounts (ESAs) for all Iowa students attending a private, accredited school. “The Students First Act” (House File 68) passed through the Iowa House with a vote of 55-45.

    DES MOINES — In celebration of National Unclaimed Property Day, held annually on February 1, State Treasurer Roby Smith is sharing the newest report of unclaimed funds in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt for Shelby County.    “In 2022, more than $82,000 was reported to the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt for Shelby County residents, meaning you or someone you know could have money waiting to be claimed,” Smith said.    For the celebration, Smith’s Of

    HARLAN — This year’s Iowa Mother of the Year award was given to Ellen Walsh-Rosmann of Harlan. She is the 74th woman in Iowa history to be so named. Walsh-Rosmann, along with honorees from states across the United States, will be recognized during the 88th National Convention of American Mothers, Inc. this April in Omaha, Neb.    “It’s very humbling. I know there are a lot of other mothers that are more deserving,” Walsh-Rosmann said.

 PANAMA — When it comes time for farmers and landowners to sell off all or a portion of their land there are different options, including private sale or a land auction.    Schaben Real Estate recently helped the Schwery Family LLC sell two tracts of land at St.

Fay Porter, a 2018 Harlan graduate and drummer, is taking his music studies abroad — to Riga, Latvia — starting in February and returning in June.
In Latvia, Porter will study jazz, attend master classes, composition, arranging, jazz improv classes, along with playing with one of their big bands and one of their combos.

At a town hall Saturday in Harlan, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst addressed issues facing veterans as well as her concerns over  Ukraine aid actually making it to the people there who need it.Paul Arnold asked the senator about friends that have to choose between medical retirement or VA compensation.
“Why can’t they still receive both? It wasn’t their choice to be medically retired out of service.”

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted its first legislative coffee of the season on Saturday.  
Iowa Sen. Jason Schultz (R-Schleswig) and Iowa Rep. Steve Holt (R-Denison), answered questions from the audience and provided updates on the current legislative session.

Harlan native Larry Wendt, Jr. has resigned from his role as the Shelby County Director for the Shelby County Extension Office. His last day was Monday. He started the job in February 2022.
"He’s moved on to other opportunities and we wish him well in those future endeavors," said regional director Terry Torneten.