HARLAN – Work is progressing on a downtown building rehabilitation project being funded in part by an Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) catalyst grant that helps communities stimulate growth in their downtown areas.    The building at 601 Court St., the corner of 6th and Court Sts., has been undergoing extensive renovations during the past two years.  Owned by Jerry Henscheid, the project was the recipient of a $100,000 catalyst g

    REGIONAL -- Lack of rain has kept mosquitoes and ticks at bay so far this summer, but a change in weather could lead to an increase in population later in the season.    Iowa State Extension Entomologist Donald Lewis said the dry weather in Iowa this summer has resulted in fewer mosquitoes and ticks.    “The drought in the last year has made it difficult for ticks to survive and thrive,” Lewis said.

    REGIONAL -- Homeowners may want to watch out for a new species of earthworm, nicknamed the “crazy worm,” on their properties this summer.    The worm, commonly referred to as the Asian jumping worm, is similar in appearance to a common earthworm, but is easily identifiable by its erratic, snake-like behavior.    The jumping worm behaves like a snake, wiggling and thrashing when disturbed.    They will typically be found at the surface of t

    HARLAN -- When Lauren Jones and Sarah McDonald moved to Harlan to begin their careers at the Shelby County Historical Museum, they had never even heard of the town.    Now, they are well-versed on the history of Shelby County and apply their expertise to update and enhance the museum.    McDonald began her position as executive director of the museum in April 2018.

    HARLAN -- The 75th annual Flight Breakfast carried on despite rain Sunday, June 20 at Rushenberg Field in Harlan. More than 400 people attended the Father’s Day event to enjoy breakfast and view the airplanes, while five planes flew in for a free breakfast. The event is sponsored by the Harlan 8-Ball Aviation Club.

    HARLAN -- Congregational United Church of Christ, Harlan, is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a special worship service Sunday, June 27 at 10:30 a.m.    Pastor Donna Ewert said she hopes parishioners past and present will stop by for the service and view the tables of memorabilia available in the fellowship hall downstairs.    “We are the little church on the hill who believes in Christ,” Ewert said.  “We welcome all, love God and ot

    HARLAN – A proposal to change some traffic patterns designed to make the trip leading up to the downtown Harlan square safer and easier was rejected by the Harlan City Council upon second reading of an ordinance that would have implemented the changes.    A 3-1 vote (quorum of full council needed to pass, or 4 votes) wasn’t enough to keep the ordinance change moving ahead to a third and final reading.    The decision came after much public

    HARLAN – As part of the City of Harlan’s comprehensive plan update, residents are being asked to consider taking a community survey, offering their thoughts and opinions on everything from housing, health care and city services to the importance of commercial and manufacturing growth, encouraging families to move to Harlan and arts/culture development, to name a few.    The City of Harlan is partnering with Southwest Iowa Planning Council

    REGIONAL -- Harlan water customers currently are under water restrictions due to continued drought conditions and limited pumping capacity while the utility works to rehab current wells and plan for additional well capacity in the future.    Shelby County customers who receive their water through the Regional Water Rural Water system also have been notified of water restrictions while dry water table conditions persist.    Harlan is under

    HARLAN -- City of Harlan and Harlan Municipal Utilities officials are working together on their own water conservation efforts, thinking outside the box in keeping the Norman D.

    COUNTY -- The Shelby County Farmers Market will open Saturday, June 19 with a variety of farm-fresh produce available for purchase.    The farmers market will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon at 2099 Chatburn Ave in the former Shopko parking lot.    The market will take place every Saturday through October 30.    Starting July 7, the market will also be open every Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

    HARLAN -- The Harlan 8-Ball Aviation Club will host their 75th annual Flight Breakfast Sunday, June 20 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the airport.    The event will be held at Rushenberg Field at the Harlan Municipal Airport on Hwy 59 South.    The breakfast will consist of bacon, eggs, pancakes and milk, juice or coffee.    The cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children 10 and under.

    COUNTY -- A poverty simulation Monday, June 14 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Harlan helped community members learn more about the experience of surviving in poverty and the challenges of overcoming it.    The Shelby County Prevent Child Abuse Council hosted the simulation.

     DOUGLAS, AZ -- The desert is hot and a half dozen dust devils surround us as we travel from Tucson to Douglas, AZ. As you might expect, it has not rained recently. Charlotte and I are accompanying Sister Joyce Blum FSPA, back to a location she served in the early 2000s. As you might also expect things are not quite the same today in this border community across from Agua Prieta, Mexico, as when she served here...."

    ELK HORN -- Travelers driving hybrid and electric vehicles between Omaha and Des Moines on Interstate 80 can unplug and recharge at the same time by hopping off the interstate at exit 54 and taking a short drive north on the Western Skies Scenic Byway to the Danish Windmill in Elk Horn.    “We are excited to offer travelers the latest generation of ChargePoint® EV stations,” said Lisa Steen Riggs, the Windmill’s manager.