WALNUT -- On March 8, 1944, Ronald Paasch witnessed the tragic death of seven men in a bomber crash in Walnut.    Today, Paasch owns the land where the accident occurred and has dedicated a memorial to the victims with a replica of the B-24 Liberator aircraft that crashed.    Paasch, now 93, was a sophomore in high school when the incident occurred.

    DES MOINES – A Harlan alum and former student musician from Harlan Community High School has helped lead his theater students at Des Moines Christian (DMC) High School to top awards in the state’s high school musical theater awards showcase.    Jeff Johannsen was the musical director this past spring for the school theater department’s production of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, which has garnered a number of awards includi

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Community Library recently revamped the children’s area of the library with a rural theme and a new play area.    The play area, called Monogram Farm, opened to the public last week after nearly three months of construction.

    REGIONAL -- Businesses nationwide have recently experienced shortages and price increases on a wide variety of products, from beef to bullets.    Many of the shortages are a result of slowed production during the pandemic and increased demand as the economy reopens.    Firearms and ammunition have been impacted by shortages caused by soaring demand.

Reporter Molly Blanco spent an evening photographing some t-ball at J.J. Jensen last week. Nothing quite like a beautiful evening at J.J. Jensen Park, where the Braves took on the Royals and the Twins battled the White Sox last Wednesday. A few highlights.....

    SHELBY COUNTY – Curtis Schnack is excited to be back home doing the things he loves, meaning anything that has to do with the outdoors.    A 2016 graduate of Harlan Community High School, Schnack has joined the Shelby County Conservation Department as a naturalist and park technician.

    HARLAN – The popular motorcycle bike night Roar Into Harlan is returning this summer with a series of events following a 2020 year that was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.    Celebrating its 10th anniversary, organizer Seth Johannsen said each night will host live entertainment, food, fun and prizes, with hopes of attracting as many as 150 motorcyclists each evening to the community.    “Our first night was May 20 and it did rain,

    HARLAN – U.S. Rep.

    REGIONAL -- Many Iowa farmers have completed their planting for the season, finishing up early due to warm weather and rain early in the season.    “Planting of Iowa’s expected corn crop is nearly complete at 97 percent, two weeks ahead of the five-year average,” Iowa secretary of agriculture Mike Naig said in a report released May 24.    According to the report, 89 percent of Iowa’s soybean crop had been planted by May 23, which is 15 day

    HARLAN – Harlan Community High School band and vocal students will have the opportunity to travel and clinic next year as part of a music adventure trip to Nashville and Memphis.    The HCS Board of Education has approved the out-of-state trip, tentatively scheduled for March 13-17, 2022.    “The music students take a big trip every four years and the upcoming year, 2022, is the year for their big trip,” said HCS Superintendent of Schools

    COUNTY -- Travel Iowa has ranked two Shelby County restaurants among its top 10 best burger joints.    Troy’s Bar and Grill, Earling, comes in at #3 while Milk & Honey, Harlan, ranks #9 on the Travel Iowa list.    Of Troy’s, Travel Iowa says Troy’s serves up juicy tenderloins and delicious chicken wings, but its specialty is the mouth watering burgers.  “Voted one of the top 10 burgers in Iowa in 2020, this bar & grill offers a ran

    HARLAN -- Locals can celebrate the history of Shelby County from the comfort of their homes at this year’s virtual Log Cabin Day event.    The free online event will begin June 6 at 11 a.m.

    HARLAN -- Just as the Myrtue Medical Center roof renovations are close to complete and the cafeteria renovations have been given a green light, all of the construction you see taking place east of the hospital by 12th street is part of Myrtue’s master facility plan.    The trenching, utility connections and installation of cooling equipment is all part of a project which will upgrade the heating and cooling systems at the hospital and posi

    COUNTY -- Myrtue Medical Center’s Public Health Department will make stops to outlying communities throughout the county during the month of June to offer vaccination opportunities.    On even-numbered Tuesdays, Shelby County Public Health will go to towns on the western part of the county.    On odd-numbered Tuesdays, Shelby County Public Health will go to towns on the eastern side of the county.    Appointment times are every 5 minutes.

    HARLAN -- Students at the Shelby County Catholic School took a walking field trip before the end of the year.