AVOCA -- The AHSTW Large Group Speech Team is 52 members strong this year which is approximately 25 percent of the high school population, making it the largest extracurricular at the school. Fifteen members are freshmen and/or new to the program. The team is coached by Ms. Annie Keupp, Mrs. Kim Noethe, and Mrs.

Article Courtesy of IHS    REGIONAL -- To support tribal communities and utilities across the country, the IHS Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction   provides technical assistance related to the establishment, training, and equipping of utility organizations to operate and maintain Indian sanitation facilities.

    HARLAN – Breaking Cylence, Harlan Community High School’s show choir group, has kicked off its contest season with strong performances at its first two competitions, a third-place showing in Class 3A at Dallas Center-Grimes (DC-G) Take Two Jan. 22 and fourth in Class 3A at the Glenwood Gala on Jan.

    HARLAN – It’s interesting to look at the City of Harlan by the numbers in 2021.    A total of 235 family and individual pool passes were provided.    There were 144 events at the C.G.

    My days of leaving a movie theater with a fresh sense of hope and enlightenment are over — for now.    The last couple years of film releases have been wrought with everything contrary to what makes a good movie. Creativity and originality have deserted the “great” minds of Hollywood, leaving them nothing but the will to create a new Batman every few years.    But why are so many terrible movies being made?

HARLAN -- Congratulations to the many vocalists from Harlan Community High School who have participated in honor choir performances recently, selected for Wartburg’s Meistersinger Honor Choir and the Southwest Iowa Honor Choir held at Iowa Western Community College.    The Southwest Iowa Honor Choir was titled Gettin’ in Treble, and was hosted by the Southwest Iowa Choral Directors Association.

DES MOINES -- On January 18, local Harlan Civil Air Patrol Cadet Austin Rhoads and Commander Stacy Condie traveled to the State Capitol for Legislative Day, along with other cadets and senior members of other squadrons in the Iowa Wing.

    DEFIANCE – The 2022 Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association’s annual banquet will be back to an in-person event this year after a drive-through style banquet in 2021 in order to adhere to safety considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic.    “We are pleased to be back in person after a one-year hiatus,” said board member Tim Graeve.     Annually bringing anywhere from 600-725 people together for the popular banquet, it’s one of the most suc

    HARLAN – Shelby County Catholic School, along with other Catholic schools across the nation, will celebrate Catholic Schools Week this week, January 30-February 5.    Catholic Schools Week is an annual observance meant to highlight the value of Catholic education and its contributions to communities and the nation.    The theme for this year and through 2025 is Catholic Schools: Faith, Excellence, Service.  Catholic schools have a specific

    HARLAN -- Grace Coenen and Megan Klein have qualified for state speech after earning a Division I rating at the district competition held in Council Bluffs Saturday, Jan. 22.
Full article in the Tribune!

    COUNTY -- A number of Shelby County women gathered recently to learn more about proposed pipelines in Iowa and Shelby County and to register their opposition to the projects.    Dixie DeBlauw, Julie Kaufmann, Doris Silling, Donna Ewert, Judy Tamm, Ginny Muenchrath, Jann Reinig and Wava Bails met and learned about pipeline dangers.  Some of the women are landowners who are impacted by a proposed local pipeline project while others are not. 

    HARLAN – Newly-elected Harlan Community Schools Board of Education President Jim Reischl wants district patrons to know they are welcome at any board meeting.    “We want an environment where people know that they’re welcome to come when it’s appropriate,” Reischl said.    In sitting at the head of the table for his second meeting as board president Monday, Jan.

    COUNTY – An Omaha woman is suing Myrtue Medical Center and the Shelby County Medical Corporation alleging negligence in treatment following a surgical procedure and advisable follow-up review and consultation.    Susan Ronnfeldt filed the civil notice in Shelby County District Court December 22.
Full article in the NA.

    DES MOINES – Senator Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, has announced his re-election bid for Senate District 6.    “I have had the privilege of representing this area in Des Moines, while passing some of the most important legislation for the state of Iowa,” said Schultz.
Full article in the NA.

    HARLAN -- Harlan Community Student Council will be hosting a combined Pink/Blue Out Tuesday, Feb. 1 to raise funds for cancer awareness and research.  Donations from the evening’s events, held during the boys and girls basketball games vs.