Faith Family Church held its annual dinner theater production on Friday. “A Courthouse Christmas” featured holiday music from the Harlan Community High School Jazz Experience.    Around 250 people attended the event. A portion of each ticket went to a band fundraiser, which allowed them to present a check for $2,000 to the jazz band.
 

   A construction project at Myrtue Medical Center has been taking longer than expected but is nearing completion.

STATEWIDE — Governor Kim Reynolds announced on Monday the newly created Iowa Entry-Level Driver Training Program to provide more opportunities for interested truck drivers to obtain their commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Iowa.  “Truck drivers play such a critical role in meeting our supply chain demands-- ‘If you got it, a truck driver brought it’.

HARLAN — Five teachers received grants from the Parian Masonic Lodge No. 321 on Monday evening.    “The Parian Masonic Lodge No. 321 implemented a TAG (Teacher Appreciation Grant) award program at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.

HARLAN ­— A former Harlan Community School District high school teacher associate — Ashley Joe Cibic, 35, of Harlan — was arrested Nov. 21 on several charges including controlled substance violation, two counts of unlawful possession prescription drugs, child endangerment and sexual exploitation by a school employee.    HCSD Supt. Jenny Barnett said the associate was placed on administrative leave Sept. 16 and terminated Sept.

HARLAN – The audience at Harlan Community High School had a taste of several plays as students performed several skits on Sunday.    Before the performances began, students were inducted into the International Thespian Society Troupe.

SHELBY COUNTY — Santa was busy in the area on Saturday. The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce brought Santa to several locations in the area, including Panama, Irwin,  Tenant and Portsmouth. Santa could also be found at the Shelby Fire and Rescue Hotspots Light Up The Holidays event Saturday. Kids could make ornaments, color pages and families feasted on soup and desserts throughout the day.  

Staff Reports    HARLAN —  Protect your health and others during respiratory virus season    There has been a sharp increase in three respiratory illnesses locally and across the country.  You may have heard of this as a “tridemic” or “tripledemic.”  The new term refers to the threat of flu, RSV and Covid-19 for all ages. It is important to try to prevent you and your family from getting sick, especially around the upcoming holidays.

 HARLAN — Harlan Community Elementary second- and third-graders entertained family and friends Monday with Christmas music.      Principal Jeff Moser even got in on the fun and helped with one of the songs. The choirs are directed by Taylor Peek, bottom right.
 

HARLAN — Kristen Westergaard-Bladt, Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine, began practicing at Harlan Veterinary Associates & Referral Center this week. She will completely take over in January as Matthew Sternberg, Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine, moves on to other opportunities with Virbac Animal Health as a Professional Services Veterinarian. His last day is Dec.

HARLAN —“Your car warranty is about to expire. Press 1 for more details.”    “You may be eligible for refinancing of your student loans.”    Chances are you have received phone calls like this. Or perhaps an e-mail has come through saying a friend is in trouble in a foreign country and needs money wired. Or there may be a call saying a grandchild is in trouble or in jail and needs money to get bailed out.

HARLAN — Christmas came to Harlan on Saturday with the annual tree lighting. Santa Claus arrived on a fire truck, the tree was lit and many children gave their wish list to jolly old St. Nicholas.  River Dillavou, 5, sits with Santa Claus to tell him his Christmas wishes at the Courthouse Square in Harlan. River was the first out of a long line of visitors to Santa on Saturday night.
 

HARLAN — Andrea Rietveld joined Girl Scouts in first grade.

HARLAN – Congratulations to the six Harlan music students that were selected to participate in the 76th Annual All  State Music Festival on November 19.   All State Music auditions were held in October with over 4,500 music students across Iowa auditioning for the 200 member Orchestra, the 600 member Chorus and the 300 member Band.

HARLAN — Zachariah Rush is facing several charges after allegedly stealing a police cruiser Nov. 24 outside of Myrtue Medical Center around 1:50 a.m.Harlan police chief Derrick Yamada said it’s unclear how Rush gained access to the vehicle.“A male was brought in from the county with active severe bleeding from an incident that happened in the county.