REGIONAL -- In the next several years, underserved internet customers in western Iowa will be served with Marne Elk Horn fiber internet after the company completes fiber projects in the region.    The company announced today that they have accepted the $4.5 million grant award from the Empower Rural Iowa    Broadband Grant program, which was announced in September, as well as the locations of the fiber projects they will be doing.    Accor

    AVOCA -- Buena Vista University (BVU) and the Avoca-Hancock-Shelby-Tennant-Walnut Community School District (AHSTW) have united in a Strategic Partnership, working together to strengthen their communities.    This agreement allows employees of AHSTW, as well as eligible family members of full-time employees, to receive grant funding to lower the overall cost of education while enrolled in classes at BVU’s Storm Lake campus.

    REGIONAL -- In this charitable season, dropping a donation locally into the red Salvation Army kettle, you know your goodwill stays in Shelby County to help your neighbors in need.      The local SA committee members like Marian Greer-Stokes, Salvation Army Committee Member and Special Project Coordinator, will ensure that all contributions are used wisely.

   EARLING – Work has begun on a stream mitigation bank project on Mosquito Creek along the east edge of Earling, with the goal being to prevent future erosion and provide flood control for the community.    Shelby County Conservation Director Nick Preston said the conservation board, City of Earling, Shelby County Board of Supervisors and JEO Consulting have partnered since 2018 in the planning and development of the stream mitigation bank on

    HARLAN – A public-private partnership between the Harlan Community Schools, Harlan Education Foundation and Conductix-Wampfler has led to the creation of a new, updated welding lab at the high school with hopes to prepare students who are interested in future technical careers.    “We are extremely excited to partner with Conductix to help our students gain skills that will immediately make them extremely valuable in the workforce,” said D

    HARLAN – Myrtue Memorial Hospital has put on hold a cafeteria/gift shop renovation project due to higher-than-estimated bids received for the project.    Myrtue Chief Executive Officer Barry Jacobsen said bids were upwards of $390,000 over the estimate, so he’s not recommending the board of trustees take any action at this time.    “The construction cost part of this is more than double what we expected,” said Jacobsen.  “In some of the di

    COUNTY – Shelby County is moving forward with a $2 million project to purchase radios and pagers for emergency, law enforcement and fire department communications.    The Shelby County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, Nov.

    COUNTY – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, in partnership with the Harlan Community and Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton Schools, Myrtue Medical Center Behavioral Health and Southwest Iowa Mental Health and Disability Services, will implement a school resource officer program committed to handling school needs regarding law enforcement matters and mental health services.    Beginning sometime in spring 2022, a deputy sheriff will be dedicat

    HARLAN – Myrtue Medical Center is offering a series of grief classes designed to provide a safe and supportive atmosphere for individuals to share about their experience and to learn about the grief process.    The classes are being offered twice a year, and are geared toward adults who have experienced the death of a loved one.  Children’s or teen grief classes are offered as needed.    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the classes haven’t bee

    PARADISE, CA – Omaha native Lizzie Johnson, the daughter of Steve and Rose Johnson and granddaughter of Louis Rosman, Harlan, has released a book chronicling one of the most devastating wildfires in California history.    Paradise:  One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire is earning numerous accolades as it provides a first-hand account of California’s Camp Fire, “a riveting examination of what went wrong and how to avert futur

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    AVOCA -- Downtown Avoca is celebrating a Holiday Hoedown on Saturday, November 27th from 3-7 p.m. to celebrate Holidays on Main, and everyone is invited!  This holiday event offers food, fun, prizes, and unique entertainment for all ages.

    ELK HORN/KIMBALLTON -- Getting into the holiday spirit is easy in the Danish Villages. Celebrated the weekend after Thanksgiving, the 43rd Julefest offers visitors a way to kick start the Christmas season.    For 43 years, this magical festival has warmed hearts and provided a way to celebrate all things Danish. Julefest promises an array of traditional foods, drinks and tasty treats such as pastries, wine, glögg, and pebbernødder.

    HARLAN – Join the Shelby County Historical Museum this holiday season for two great Christmas events!Have you been singing in the shower? Put your practice to good use on December 5 from 2-4 p.m. as we bring in the holiday season with some Christmas carols! Sing along to holiday classics with Dr. Davidson and friends. Don’t like to sing in public?

By Bob Bjoin, Editor    REGIONAL – The annual holiday adoption program is under way with a number of needy families hoping to receive some assistance this holiday season.    Administration of the adoption program is being handled by West Central Community Action, and the Harlan Newspapers remains actively involved in promoting and publicizing the adoptions.    Applications for families wishing to be adopted will be accepted now until December