HARLAN — Nine Harlan FFA members traveled to the National FFA Convention and Expo October 28-31 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The members attended several tours and participated in various National FFA Convention activities while on the trip.

AMES – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach staff members were honored in October at the Iowa 4-H YouthFest professional development conference. Award recipients were recognized for their impact on local communities, accomplishments in their field and embodiment of the ISU Extension and Outreach 4-H mission.The award ceremony was held on Oct.

HARLAN — The generosity of a Shelby County parish has left a missionary pastor shocked, humbled, and eternally grateful.The people of St. Michael Parish in Harlan raised $175,000 that’s being used to build a new church in a rural, poor area of Father Clement Owusu’s home in Ghana. Father Owusu dreamed of building a church as tribute to his late father and to the parish that played an instrumental role in his vocation to the priesthood.

HARLAN —The Harlan Firefighters Association is slated to be the recipient of a Fuel Up and Give Back pilot program by AGRILAND FS that will run October 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026. During that time, AGRILAND FS will donate 3¢ for every gallon of gas and diesel fuel sold at their Harlan FAST STOP® location at 2401 12th St.

HARLAN — The Myrtue Medical Center Board announced that Kile Magner has been named Chief Executive Officer, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

HARLAN — A Harlan man convicted in the murder of an Earling woman was sentenced Wednesday to a maximum of 50 years in prison.Winston “Joe” Joseph Leal, 34, was originally charged with first degree murder for the death of Theresa Kenkel in late July. Her body was found when Deputies went to conduct a requested welfare check on her at her residence. Leal plead guilty to a lesser charge of Second-Degree Murder.

HARLAN — Chief Executive Officer, Barry Jacobsen, will be retiring at the end of the year, and Myrtue Medical Center proudly acknowledges his nearly three decades of leadership.

HARLAN — Children of all ages enjoyed a bounty of family fun in downtown Harlan Saturday at the 24th Annual Harlan Harvest Fest Celebration.Attendees enjoyed a $1 movie, games, food, and fun, all provided by local businesses and the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry.Pictured: Hansen House provided train rides around the square throughout the event.

HARLAN — Members of the Shelby County Plant Iowa Committee, the City of Harlan, and the Harlan FFA joined together to plant 33 trees in Harlan city parks Wednesday, October 15.Funding for the trees was provided through the “Trees for Kids” grant, a program run by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

SHELBY COUNTY — The Shelby County Board of Supervisors voted to increase the wages of the county death investigators and the county medical examiner, effective in Fiscal Year 2027 at the Tuesday, October 7 board meeting. Jenny Lefeber of Myrtue Medical Center presented the proposed wage increases to the Board.

SHELBY COUNTY — A woman charged as an accessory in the death of an Earling resident has entered a guilty plea. According to online court records, 35-year-old Ashley Elizabeth McWilliams waived her rights and pleaded guilty Friday, October 3.

HARLAN —Harlan Community School District celebrated homecoming last week.

HARLAN — The Harlan City Council voted to increase the wages of waste water treatment employees during the regular meeting held Tuesday, October 7.Upon recommendation from the Personnel & Finance Committee, the council approved a $2 per hour wage increase pending the Union Agreement.

HARLAN — The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying those responsible for extensive vandalism perpetrated over the weekend on the restroom at Pioneer Park in Harlan.Due to the extent of the damage, the City of Harlan has announced that the park’s restroom will be closed for the season effective immediately.Anyone with information with regard to the vandalism is urged to contact the Shelby County She

HARLAN – September is Suicide Prevention Month. While 1 in 20 U.S. adults have serious thoughts of suicide each year, many people struggle to talk openly about suicide- either sharing their own thoughts or reaching out to someone who might be struggling. Talking about suicide isn’t harmful — silence is.