HARLAN – Bill Kearney will take over the helm of the tradition-rich Harlan Community Jazz Program in 2021-22, with plans to continue the standard of excellence while building on music education for the students involved.    Kearney, who will be in his sixth year as high school band director, will step in as jazz band sponsor directing the Harlan Jazz Experience following the resignation of Ryan Meyer, and will be assisted by Tom Cronin, wh

    AVOCA – A fire at a Regional Water Rural Water Association booster station used to pump water to nearby communities was completely destroyed by fire early Friday morning, July 2 which led to a temporary, possible shortage of water, mandatory water use restrictions and a mandatory boil advisory for areas of western Iowa, including Shelby and Pottawattamie Counties.    Nicholas Gaul, manager, said the fire completely wiped out the station, a

    Annie Keupp announces the pageant winners, Riley Cairney and Milo Clingerman, at the first annual Li’l Mr. and Ms. Firecracker Pageant at the Avoca Main Street Farmers Market Wednesday, June 30.  (Photo by Molly Blanco)

    REGIONAL -- Iowa’s blood supply has reached critically low levels in recent months due to a dip in donations, increased demand for blood products and diminished staffing at blood centers.    Danielle West, director of public relations and marketing at LifeServe Blood Center, said the blood shortage has persisted for the past three to four months.    LifeServe is the sole provider of blood to more than 120 local hospitals in Iowa, Nebraska

    OMAHA, NE -- Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Charles W. Herbster announced this week Ellen Keast as Deputy Campaign Manager.    For the past six months she has served as the Deputy Director of Communications.  Keast is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and former member of President Donald J.

    MANNING – The IKM-Manning School Board of Education has approved a September petition vote following discussion at its recent board meeting Tuesday, June 29 and a presentation by Donovan Group and 10FOLD.    The board voted 5-1 (Heller nay) approving a September vote as opposed to a November vote, and work will begin to educate the public on what a proposed bond issue could entail as well as needs of the district.    Jerry Gallagher from D

Customers of the Regional Water Rural Water Assocation who are west of Highway 59 and east of Neola are being asked to immediately begin conserving and boiling water.Manager Nicholas Gaul said a fire completely wiped out a booster station and all customers west of the Nishnabotna are affected.Customers in Kirkman, Persia, Tennant and Westphalia are affected, as are the towns that buy water from them: Earling, Portsmouth, Panama and Minden.Gaul

    SHELBY -- More highlights from the Shelby 150th Anniversary Celebration held last weekend --

    REGIONAL -- As the Fourth of July holiday approaches this weekend, many friends and families will gather to enjoy fireworks displays and shoot off some fireworks of their own.    Fireworks are a fun and joyous way to celebrate the holiday, but they can also be dangerous.    Harlan Fire Chief Roger Bissen shared some of the dangers of fireworks and ways to use them responsibly.    Bissen said fireworks must be used appropriately to help red

    HARLAN -- The Harlan American Legion will host its annual fireworks display at J.J.

    DEFIANCE – A 1964 graduation ring from Saint Peter and Paul Parochial School in Defiance has brought back many memories for a former Defiance woman who remembers fondly her years growing up in the small Shelby County community.    Shari Mutchler said she inherited the ring from her sister, Norma Jean (Bieker) Pycha, who passed away two years ago.    “Her ring was from her high school graduation in 1964 from the parochial school in Defiance

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Municipal Utilities Board of Trustees received an asset appraisal at its regularly scheduled meeting Thursday, June 24, which was required under Iowa Utility Board (IUB) Iowa Code in response to a petition filed with the City of Harlan.    In October 2020, Harlan residents Mike Anliker and Aaron Anliker presented a petition to the City of Harlan which asked for a public vote to dispose of the utility.    A total of 113

    HARLAN -- At the Myrtue Medical Center Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday, June 29, Laboratory Director Jason Eckerman said COVID-19 testing has slowed down to the point that the hospital is now processing all of the tests in house.    “Out of that 8,357 tests that we’ve done, 1,034 were positive, which is about 13.5 percent,” he said.    The department has seen an increase in revenue due in large part to COVID-19 testing, which was heighte

    STATE -- The Iowa legislature passed a number of new laws that went into effect July 1 with a wide range of changes impacting Iowa and Shelby County citizens.    Rep. Steven Holt (R-Denison) highlighted a tax cut bill, a “constitutional carry” bill and a bill banning teaching of divisive concepts in schools as the most influential bills passed in the legislative session.    Sen.

    HARLAN --  After the citywide garage sale last week, SCCO/Hero’s Attic saw this pile of items left outside its building.  It was then rained upon over the weekend, and when officials returned on Tuesday, all the items had to be taken to the landfill at the volunteer organization’s cost.    At SCCO/Hero’s Attic, they appreciate every donation of good quality used home furnishings and appliances that they can possibly manage to fit into the