ELK HORN — After sixteen years of dedicated service, Tova Brandt will conclude her tenure as Executive Director of the Museum of Danish America October 31, 2025.Tova began her career at the museum as the Albert Ravenholt Curator of Danish-American Culture in 2009 and stepped into the role of Executive Director in 2020.

HARLAN — Fall family fun will fill downtown Harlan on Saturday, October 25, during the 24th Annual Harvest Fest celebration.“It’s amazing that this is the 24th year, and the Harvest Fest committee is really looking forward to October 25,” said committee member Lori Christensen.Cornstalks donated by Farm Service Co-op were placed around the square on October 16 to mark the harvest season.Events will kick off at 9:30 a.m.

SPENCER — Jeffrey Gross andthe HCHS girls cross country teamhave qualified for the State CrossCountry Championship.Gross placed seventh at theClass 3A Iowa High School CrossCountry State Qualifying Meet inSpencer on Wednesday.The HCHS girls’ team finishedsecond, qualifying as a team forthe state meet.

HARLAN — The Harlan Community School District continues to demonstrate excellence across multiple measures in the recently released 2025 Iowa School Performance Profiles, significantly outperforming state averages in key academic and readiness indicators.According to the Iowa Department of Education report, Harlan students achieved strong results in core academic areas: Math proficiency: 77.21% (State average: 70.93%) English Language Arts pro

SHELBY COUNTY — Shelby and Story counties have officially filed to take their battle over zoning ordinances for carbon sequestration projects to the U.S. Supreme Court.According to court records, the counties filed a petition for a writ of certiorari on Friday, Oct.

SHELBY COUNTY — National 4-H Week will be celebrated October 5–11, 2025, and will inspire and connect the nation’s 6 million 4-H’ers, 3,500 educators, 500,000 volunteers, and 35 million alumni. This year’s theme, “Beyond Ready,” highlights how 4-H prepares members for life and careers by giving them the skills, resilience, and leadership needed in a rapidly changing world.

High School Gears Up for Homecoming 2025: “Island Nights under Cyclone Lights”Harlan Community High School is ready to celebrate Homecoming 2025 with a week full of spirited traditions, exciting events, and plenty of Cyclone pride. This year’s theme is a Hawaiian Luau, with the slogan “Island Nights under Cyclone Lights.”

SHELBY COUNTY — Area candidates have filed their paperwork for the upcoming city and school board elections, according to the Shelby County Auditor’s Office. Voting for the Iowa City/School Election will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

HARLAN - The Harlan Community School district showed off its brand new Intermediate building to the public with the official ribbon cutting Thursday, marking the completion of the nearly two-year project for the school district. Harlan Community Superintendent Dr.

HARLAN — Authorities have released their findings regarding the Tuesday, September 16 residential fire in Harlan.When authorities got to the home, located at 1108 3rd St., the house was full of smoke and they found two people inside, a man and a woman.

STATEWIDE — Summit Carbon Solutions filed a petition to amend its pipeline permit with the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC).The petition, filed Monday, requests modification of the route and pipe size, the addition of an ethanol plant to the route, and changes to “amend the conditions regarding North Dakota and South Dakota.”In June 2024, the IUC approved Summit’s CO2 pipeline permit through Iowa but stipulated that Summit could not begin const

HARLAN – The City of Harlan has been awarded a Trees for Kids grant in the amount of $2,500 from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to support the planting of new trees in the community.City Administrator Gervas Mgonja said the grant will allow the City to improve parks and public spaces while involving local students in the process.“We are excited to receive this grant, which will help us grow and sustain a healthy tree canopy in Harlan

AVOCA – The City of Avoca is moving forward with full implementation of its Noise Camera Program to address excessive engine brake noise along Highway 59.

The Twelfth Annual Southwest Iowa Art Tour is scheduled for September 20 and 21 with sneak peaks available at limited locations on Friday, September 19. This year, Mi Casa Restaurant, located just off the downtown Harlan square at 512 Market St.

MANNING — The City of Manning is celebrating a major win for its future: a $1.75 million grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s (IEDA) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Comprehensive Neighborhood Revitalization Program.