DEFIANCE –  An unknown motorist moved a barricade on a freshly-paved portion of Linden Road south of Defiance late last month and caused damage to the new road, shortening its life span in the process.    Shelby County Engineer Brandon Burmeister confirms that the morning after the concrete slab was poured, a motorist drove around the barricades and across the new pavement.  The slab was poured Wednesday, June 23 and was driven across befo

     KIRKMAN -- The archway at the entrance to the Kirkman Rose Hill Cemetery sustained substantial damage Wednesday, June 30 after being hit by a piece of farm equipment.    “It wasn’t vandalism,” said Dan Mickelson, president of the Douglas Township Trustees and overseer of the cemetery.

    COUNTY – Shelby County currently is developing a plan of action on how best to spend federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds it has received.    Estimates have Shelby County government allocated $2.22 million in ARPA funds that need to be committed by the end of 2024.  The county board of supervisors discussed a draft plan of distribution guidelines earlier this month including the release of a request application for eligible entiti

    HARLAN – The City of Harlan and Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCC&I) are working with local retailers, a non-profit and local building owners to establish a can and bottle redemption center in town following the closing of The Can Place in Harlan in June.    Todd Valline, SCCC&I Executive Director, said the building The Can Place has utilized has been purchased by a private owner, and the new owner of the build

    HARLAN -- In order to bring more awareness to the Shelby County Historical Museum, the museum and The Lounge are partnering up for Cocktails and Collections, an event where history and alcohol collide.    Bar Owner Don Kaufman will give a demonstration and lecture on the makings and history of old timey drinks.

    HUNTSVILLE, AL – Darbie Argotsinger, Harlan, recently attended the Advanced Space Academy at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, home of Space Camp®, Space Camp® Robotics, Aviation Challenge® and U.S.

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Community Library will host a free creative writing camp for teens Tuesday, July 27 and Wednesday, July 28 from noon to 3 p.m. at the library.    The writing workshop is based on the theme “dream writing” and participants will “use material from both night dreams and daydreams to create poems, stories, comics and plays.”    The program is for teens ages 13 through 18.

    ELK HORN -- Law enforcement responded to a welfare check in Elk Horn around 10 a.m. Monday, July 12 that resulted in a house fire.    Shelby County Sheriff Neil Gross said the individual who started the fire may have intended to harm himself. The residence at 4116 Madison St. suffered severe fire damage.    “We were called for a welfare check on an individual who possibly wanted to cause self harm,” Gross said.

    HARLAN -- The Shelby County Fair is back in full swing this year with a regular schedule of events, activities and entertainment to support agriculture and 4-H in Shelby County.    The fair will take place July 14 through 18 at the fairgrounds in Harlan.    Last year, the fair was reduced due to the pandemic.

    HARLAN – Harlan Community Theatre’s presentation of the classical Disney® musical Beauty and the Beast kicks off Friday, July 16 at 7 p.m.

    DEFIANCE -- The Mulligan family is looking forward to participating in the Shelby County Fair this year after activities were reduced during the pandemic last summer.    Andy and Tiffany Mulligan have been avid supporters of the fair for years.

    KIMBALLTON – Bella Muller, 14, finished sixth in the nation out of 18 competitors at the USA Olympic Weightlifting Youth Nationals Competition held June 25-July 4 in Detroit, MI.    Muller, the daughter of Ilee and Michael Muller and a freshman-to-be at Elk Horn-Kimballton High School this fall, is among the best young weightlifters in the country and has lofty goals of making the Olympic weightlifting team in future years.    It was last

    COUNTY -- Six young women are in the running to be crowned Shelby County Fair Queen this week.    Coronation will take place Thursday evening, July 15 in the show ring at the fairgrounds at 8 p.m.

HARLAN – A Harlan psychologist and farmer whose life’s work involves improving the behavioral health care of those in the agricultural business will be the featured speaker at a town hall for farmers Thursday, July 15 during the Shelby County Fair.    Michael R.

    REGIONAL -- As the Shelby County Fair approaches, the Boysen family is preparing to show off months of hard work on their projects for this year’s fair.    Mitch and Cindy Boysen live on a farm outside of Wiota with their children Leah, Chet and Greta.