HARLAN — Approximately 10 students at Harlan Community High School walked out of class Friday afternoon to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The walkout was planned and organized by students and was not sanctioned or supervised by the school district.

HARLAN —Schroer & Associates, P.C. has released an audit report for the Harlan Community School District for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.

STATEWIDE — Iowa continues to report some of the highest cancer rates in the country, and state leaders and researchers say a combination of behavioral, environmental and health care factors are likely contributing.
According to the report, there are currently 805 cancer survivors, which the registry classifies those who are currently living with or who have had cancer. 

HARLAN — HCSD Special Olympians have been busy, competing in a bowling competition and January, and recently attending a basketball skills and cheerleading event February 7.
Eighteen cheerleaders and nine individuals competed in the primary and intermediate divisions. 
The five on five team earned first place, as did the 3v3 team. Six athletes qualified for the state competition, held in Des Moines March 13 and 14. 

HARLAN — SCSB presented the HCSD Education Foundation with a check for $10,000 representing a Giving Tuesday Fundraiser where the bank matched donations.
The Harlan Community Education Foundation has received over $100,000 worth of donations and pledges in its short-term goal of $250,000 for the Endowed Fund for the school district. 

HARLAN — When Kile Magner walks around the community, he makes a point to talk to people.
“I’m trying to get around and at least say hi and so they know my face,” Magner said. “I’m a very social animal so I like to be out talking to people.”
From CNA to CEO 

SHELBY COUNTY — When someone receives a cancer diagnosis, the first thoughts are often medical: What’s next? What’s the plan? But very quickly, another truth becomes clear — cancer is rarely faced by one person alone. It is faced by a spouse, a parent, an adult child, a friend, a neighbor, a co‑worker… a whole circle of people who step in and help carry the load.

SHELBY COUNTY — A Malvern man faces multiple charges after a pursuit in Shelby and Pottawattamie Counties Saturday.
According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, 34-year-old Nicholas James Gragg was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, 2nd offense, Prohibited Acts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Reckless Driving, Eluding, and several citations.

SHELBY COUNTY — The Shelby County Cattlemen held its Annual Meeting Saturday, Feb. 7 at St. Peter’s Hall in Defiance.
Over 600 attendees were served a New York strip dinner in less than an hour. Following the dinner, the Trophy Scholarship Fund Auction was held, raising $56,500 for future scholarships to local students. 

SHELBY COUNTY — Following a public hearing in which no written or verbal comments were submitted, the Shelby County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance regulating open burning during its Tuesday, Feb. 3 meeting.

Shelby County — Shelby County has initiated the formal process to repeal Zoning Ordinance 2022-4, which governs the placement of hazardous carbon dioxide pipelines within the county.

By Blake West, Sports Writer
HARLAN — Harlan Community sophomore Ellexis Stephens is set to return to the Iowa High School Girls State Wrestling Tournament on Thursday evening at Xtream Arena in Coralville, this time with a deeper appreciation for the moment and a championship mindset.

SHELBY COUNTY ­­­ Shelby County Conservation Board will be hosting a Hunter Safety Education Online Field Day  Saturday March 21 from 8 a.m. to noon at  Nishna Bend Recreation Area.
Anyone born after Jan 1, 1972 must complete a hunter            safety education course in order to obtain an Iowa hunting license. Attendees must be at least 12 years old to take the class

Manning – The Wall That Heals will be on display in Manning in 2026 and as part of the exhibit, local Vietnam Veterans who died after returning home are eligible to be honored as part of the In Memory Honor Roll display. Since the Vietnam War ended, thousands of Vietnam veterans have suffered due to Agent Orange exposure, PTSD and other illnesses as a result of their service.

AREA — Officials with the Atlantic-based Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA),  announced the organization was awarded a State Transit Assistance Special Project grant to help launch a pilot program to improve access to healthcare. SWITA is partnering with Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital and CHI Mercy Hospital to launch a new healthcare transportation program call SWI-Ride.