HARLAN -- There is a new and friendly face in the Shelby County Extension office. Harlan native Larry Wendt, Jr. began his work as the Shelby County Director on February 7, 2022. As County Director Wendt will have the responsibility of coordinating Shelby County Extension programs delivered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

    HARLAN – The Harlan Municipal Utilities is in conversations with Regional Water to potentially partner in a feasibility study that could lead to the opportunity to receive additional water supply via the Council Bluffs Water Department.    Tom Kallman, general manager, Regional Water, Avoca, addressed the HMU Board of Trustees Thursday, Feb.

    HARLAN -- Many school children in southwest Iowa drive past farm ground on their way to school each day.

    ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Harlan native Brady Greer is living quite the adventure overseas this year as the newly-married HCHS alumnus and his wife, Presleigh, have moved to Abu Dhabi, a capital in the United Arab Emirates.    The pair has decided to experience life abroad, and come this August will head to Bangladesh where they plan to stay for another two years.    “The biggest reason to move was to see the world,” said Greer, th

    HARLAN – The Harlan Municipal Utilities is expected to implement voluntary water restrictions again this summer as drought conditions continue to deepen across the region and entire Midwest.    Like last year, HMU is implementing its Water Conservation Policy and Water Watch effective April 1 through September 30.    The voluntary water restrictions are being implemented due to reduced production in the HMU well fields as well as long-term

    MANNING – The annual C3 GALA will be held Saturday, March 25 at the Hausbarn Heritage Park building in Manning, with proceeds going to support the IKM-Manning School District.    Postponed in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual GALA will be held in person in 2022 with a meal, entertainment and live and silent auctions as in past years.    C3, comprised of members of churches throughout the Manning area, stands for “Christ, Com

    HARLAN – Auditors for the Harlan Community School District report increased revenues and expenditures with a clean audit for the year ended June 30, 2021.    The HCS Board of Education accepted the audit from Schroer & Associates, P.C. during its regular meeting Monday, Feb. 21.    HCS Director of Finance Brian Gubbels called it a clean audit with no significant compliance issues, which is always a good sign.

    HARLAN – The Harlan Education Association and Harlan Community Schools Board of Education will enter exempt closed session meetings to negotiate a contract settlement following initial proposals presented Monday, Feb. 21.    Both entities proposed a yearly package increase of three percent for the 2022-23 fiscal year master contract, which equates to $609 added to the base salary and movement on the salary scale.

    HARLAN -- Nancy Boettger of Harlan was selected as the 2022 Iowa Mother of the Year®.    She is the 73rd woman in Iowa history to hold this honor. In the early 1980s, after working beside her husband on the farm and also raising their four children for 15 years, Boettger earned a BA in education and taught middle school. She then became the Director of Education at the hospital in Harlan.
Full article in the Tribune.

From Staff Reports    HARLAN -- Ed Goetzinger was named Citizen/Volunteer of the Year at the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s annual awards banquet held Friday evening, Feb. 25 at the C.G.

    HARLAN -- Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan has been named one of the 100 highest-ranked Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in the United States by The Chartis Center for Rural Health.    This annual recognition program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX™.  Myrtue has received the Top 100 recognition for 10 of the last 11 years.

    HARLAN – The Harlan Jazz Experience has qualified for the 2022 Iowa Jazz Championships (IJC) with a first-place showing in Class 3A at the Dick Bauman District Jazz Festival held Monday, Feb.

    HARLAN – The City of Harlan currently is seeking applications for mayor through March 18 following the resignation of Mayor Mike Kolbe effective March 31.    The Harlan City Council formally accepted Kolbe’s resignation at its February 15 council meeting, and will proceed with an appointment process.    Interested individuals have until Friday, March 18 to fill out the necessary application available on the city’s website or in paper form

DEFIANCE – The City of Defiance has begun the process of seeking funding to rehabilitate its older water tower in an effort provide an additional water source for the community and surrounding area.    Defiance Mayor Jamie Goetz said last week it’s become apparent that drought conditions have taken a toll across the region, and efforts need to be made to secure reliable water resources for everything from drinking water to fire protection.