By Bob Bjoin, Editor    COUNTY -- On August 23, local city clerks began accepting nomination papers for the elected positions of city mayor and city council members in communities throughout Shelby County.    For those considering candidacy within city positions this year, the deadline for filing nomination papers will be September 16 at 5 p.m.  This year’s general election is Tuesday, Nov.

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Municipal Utilities is lifting its Tier 1 Water Warning effective Wednesday, Sept.

Don't miss game highlights and photos of AHSTW's thrilling 20-16 win over IKM-M Friday night in the Tribune, on the street Monday afternoon. Here are a few photo highlights....

    HARLAN – Regional theatre enthusiasts are going to be thrilled at the proposed musical selection for next summer’s Harlan Community Theatre, but they’ll have to remain in suspense until an official announcement is made later this year.    A planning meeting of the group was held Wednesday, Aug.

    MANNING -- Ahead of a September 14 bond issue vote, the IKM-Manning Community School District is sharing updated Iowa state laws related to absentee voting that have gone into effect this year.    Registered voters may request an absentee ballot any time before Monday, August 30 at 4:30 p.m.    They can download an absentee ballot request form by visiting https://sos.iowa.g

    COUNTY – Shelby County will investigate further a proposal from a Storm Lake renewable energy company the possibility of implementing solar energy panels on some county buildings with a goal of saving future energy costs.    Rob Hach with Trusted Energy gave a short presentation to the Shelby County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, Aug.

    AVOCA – An outbreak of COVID-19 within the staff at AHSTW has forced the delay of the start of the school year.    In an announcement Monday, Aug.

    REGIONAL – Five of the seven members of the Harlan Community Schools Board of Education will be up for election this fall as voters head to the polls in the November school election.    Board members Al Hazelton, Amy Rueschenberg, Seth Piro, Jessica Anderson, and Joe Herzberg have board seats for the districts they represent up for election in November.    Hazelton represents district 1; Rueschenberg district 2; Piro district 3; Anderson d

    COUNTY -- Non-profit agencies within Shelby County will have until the end of August to complete applications for funding from Shelby County Community Chest (SCCC). Funds from SCCC are made possible by the generosity of local donors to the SCCC annual fund drive which will be taking place this fall.    Shelby County Community Chest accumulates and then disburses the funds from this campaign to local non-profits for a single year.

    HARLAN – The Harlan Community Schools, as part of the Green Hills Area Education Association territory, has been awarded up to $8,000 in federal grant funding through the Department of Justice over a three-year period for threat assessment training.    The monies will be instrumental in helping the HCS district, in partnership with the AEA and law enforcement, in its crisis team planning and efforts to provide needed assistance to students

    HARLAN – The Harlan Community Schools is piloting a new program this fall that will pair students with business leaders and community members in a project called HCHS Career Café.    Jenni Svendsen, HCHS Counselor, said the counseling department is excited to offer the new opportunity for students to learn about different career opportunities.  A series of small roundtable discussions will allow for students to sign up and meet with commun

    HARLAN – The Harlan Community Schools will be offering full-time, 100 percent on-campus (face-to-face) learning opportunities for students during the 2021-22 school year, with regular school schedules Monday through Friday.    HCS Administration notified parents/guardians, students, and staff last week that the school year will look much like what it did before the COVID-19 pandemic last year saw accommodations and restrictions such as mas

    DES MOINES -- Congratulations to these Harlan Community High School band students who participated in the Southwest Iowa Honor Marching Band performance at the Iowa State Fair Parade in Des Moines on August 11, L to R -- Ian Kearney - tenor drums,  Garrett Hillwick - trumpet, Emma Herzberg - bari sax, and Angie Ordonez - tenor sax.

    HARLAN -- New staff has joined the Harlan Community Schools and Shelby County Catholic School for the 2021-22 school year.

     REGIONAL -- Unique baby names are on the            rise,  especially at Myrtue Medical Center this past year.    Only seven of the babies at Myrtue Medical Center from July 2020 through July 2021 were given one of the most popular baby names from 2020.    The list of most popular baby names is developed by the Social Security Administration.    The most popular female names for 2020 were: Olivia, Emma, Ava, Charlotte, Sophia, Amelia, Isa