HARLAN — Harlan FFA members traveled to the 97th Iowa State FFA Leadership Conference in Ames on April 13-15 to compete and participate in various events. Over 7,000 FFA members, advisors and guests from across Iowa gathered for the 97th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference, making it a record setting year.

 SHELBY COUNTY — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig visited Southwest Iowa March 28 as part of Iowa Ag Week and his annual visits to every county in Iowa.

HARLAN — The Iowa Department of Education publicly released the graduation and dropout rates for the graduating class of 2024 Monday, March 31. Harlan Community School District (HCSD) continues to demonstrate strong academic performance, with graduation rates exceeding state averages and dropout rates remaining low.The four-year cohort graduation rate for Harlan’s Class of 2024 stands at an impressive 95.54%.

 SHELBY COUNTY — A Public Safety Project Committee has been formed to discuss the future of the Shelby County Jail. Jail Administrator Kyle Lindberg discussed the need for the committee at the Shelby County Board of Supervisors and the Harlan City Council meetings Tuesday, April 1. Lindberg said recent jail inspections have drawn attention to infrastructure and safety issues at the current jail, which was built in 1983. “We are dealing with an

ELK HORN — In collaboration with Seelman Landscape Architecture and Jensen Ecology, the Museum of Danish America is excited to announce the launch of its comprehensive Campus Master Plan, a visionary initiative aimed at enhancing the museum’s 35-acre campus and enriching visitor experiences.

HARLAN—The Harlan Community School District Board of Education held their regular board meeting along with two hearings, one for the budget and a second for the 2025-26 calendar, March 24. Board President Greg Bladt called the hearing to order, and a quorum was established with members Jade Albertsen, Greg Bladt, Roger Kenkel, James Reischl, and Pete Sorensen present. Absent members included Al Hazelton and Jennifer Arkfeld.

 SHELBY COUNTY — Representatives from Summit Carbon Solutions were in attendance at the Shelby County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, March 4, to update the Board and take questions on the proposed carbon capture pipeline project. Kylie Lange, Iowa Pipeline Manager for Summit was accompanied by company spokesman Riley Gibson.

Shelby County Engineer  Chris Fredericksen said his department has recently discovered more than 1,000 tires dumped in eight locations in the rural area of southwest Shelby County. “By the time you figure disposal fees and labor to take them out, were looking at more than $10,000,” Fredericksen said. If anyone has information regarding the illegal dumping, or sees anything suspicious, please contact Fredericksen at 712-755-5954 or thee Shelby

HARLAN — The Harlan Community School District has hired Dean Mosher to replace longtime  boys basketball coach Mitch Osborn.“There was talk the last couple of years about who would follow Coach Osborn and when the time came,” Mosher said. “Especially this year, it was talked about more and more.

HARLAN — A 36-year-old man was shot and killed during an armed standoff with law enforcement in Harlan early Thursday morning.According to a press release from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 4:30 a.m. Thursday, March 6 , deputies responded to a residence near College Place and Pine Street for a welfare check.

 SHELBY COUNTY  — Danielle Segebart, Director of Head Start/Early Head Start for West Central Community Action (WCCA) has been named Administrator of the Year by the Iowa Head Start Association. The award celebrates the important contributions of staff who oversee the Executive Director or Assistant Director levels of administrative work in a Head Start or Early Head Start programs. Wendy Mueller, Executive Director of WCCA in Harlan, said Seg

Harlan - Marilyn Ruth (Long) Lange passed away peacefully, with her family at her side, on November 24, 2024, at Hospice of the Valley in Mesa, Arizona.  Marilyn was born on June 25, 1938, to Earl and Doris Long, on their family’s farm near Ottoson, Iowa.  She graduated from Ottoson School in May of 1956.  After courting Herb Lange four years and graduating, they married on September 2, 1956.  They were happily married for 68 years.

 SHELBY COUNTY — Shelby and Audubon County Sheriffs are warning the public about ongoing scams targeting the elderly. A statement from Shelby County Sheriff Neil Gross said his office was notified Tuesday, February 25, about a possible scam involving an elderly resident of the county.

 by Renée Brich, Managing Editor HARLAN — “Take what you need. Leave what you can.” It’s the simple concept behind Harlan Community Library’s Little Free Pantry, but library staff members hope it makes a big difference for those struggling with food insecurity. “Groceries are expensive. Families are struggling.

 by Renée Brich, Managing Editor HARLAN — “Take what you need. Leave what you can.” It’s the simple concept behind Harlan Community Library’s Little Free Pantry, but library staff members hope it makes a big difference for those struggling with food insecurity. “Groceries are expensive. Families are struggling.