MANILLA -- Dave Muhlbauer of Manilla has announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat held by Sen. Charles Grassley, becoming the first Democrat to enter the 2022 race.    Republican Sen. Grassley has retained his seat in the U.S. Senate since 1981, but it is unknown whether he will run for another term.    Muhlbauer, 37, is a fifth-generation farmer and former vice chairman of the Crawford County Board of Supervisors.

    LINCOLN, NE – Jack Klitgaard and Mitchell Rueschenberg have been selected for the prestigious Nebraska Young Lions All-Star Jazz Band, and will be performing this week in Lincoln, NE.    Klitgaard, the son of Dr. Don and Laurel Klitgaard of Harlan, and Rueschenberg, the son of Joe and Amy Rueschenberg, Harlan, are 2021 graduates of Harlan Community High School.    The band will perform Thursday, June 3 at 7 p.m.

    HARLAN – Austin Rhoads always has been drawn to law enforcement and the military – specifically the Air Force.    As a youngster he has had a strong drive to be a police officer or pilot.  Part of a community in Roblox, he participates in role play games and has made friends with kids with similar interests, as well as current police officers and air personnel.    He’s proud of his Blue Stripes jacket and masks he received as a reward for

    ELK HORN/KIMBALLTON -- “Take a Danish vacation without a passport” this weekend at the 41st annual Tivoli Fest in Elk Horn.    Tivoli Fest will take place Friday and Saturday in Elk Horn and Kimballton after being cancelled last year due to the pandemic.    Tivoli Fest is traditionally celebrated on the Saturday and Sunday before Memorial Day each year.

    ELK HORN -- The Danish community of Elk Horn selected Galen and Eileen Sornson to reign as the 2021 Tivoli Fest king and queen at the events this weekend.    A humble, warm and fun-loving couple, the Sornsons reside on a farm just outside of Elk Horn that has been in the family for generations.    Born and raised on the farm, Galen has been deeply involved in the Danish community for years.

    HARLAN – Current and “graduated” businesses at Hive452, an incubator for small business development in Shelby County based in Harlan, gathered recently to share their growth, honor those who are moving on after out-growing their space, and to announce open entrepreneurial space for new business opportunities.    Living Well Home Care and Thrive Occupational Therapy, Health and Wellness are moving to new areas in Harlan, and Michael David I

    HARLAN -- Two Harlan FFA seniors recently worked to improve the agricultural literacy of Harlan Community Schools’ preschool through fifth grade students.    Reanna Obrecht and Julia Schechinger conducted the Food for America program, which is an educational program that focuses on teaching young people about agriculture and connects FFA members with their community.        Fourteen classes were visited during the program which included: N

    AVOCA -- AHSTW held graduation ceremonies Sunday, May 23 at the AHSTW gymnasium.Here, the top 10 students in the AHSTW High School graduating class of 2021 gather for a photo before the graduation ceremony and include front L to R -- Kailey Jones, Claire Denning, Chloe Falkena, Ryan Kilmer and Chyann Bain.  Back L to R -- Michael Griffen, Julia Kock, Jay Patel, Tasha Datus and Morgan Holtz.    At right, graduating senior Jonni Poore gets a

   HARLAN -- A Harlan Scout has completed his Eagle Scout project this spring, and expects to finish his merit badge program this summer.    Joseph Andersen, the son of Eric and Jami Andersen, installed two Yakports on the south side of Prairie Rose Lake, to provide a safe and stable cradle for personal paddle sport launch boarding and unloading.    Simply place your favorite paddle sport vessel on kayak launch and enjoy a sure-footed and stab

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Community Library summer library program will kick off June 1 with activities and prizes for all ages.    “We’re just encouraging reading and learning during the summer months because there’s always that summer slide,” said youth services librarian Emily Kurth-Christensen.    The theme for the summer library program is “Reading Colors Your World” and is aimed at promoting diversity.

    AVOCA -- Sixty-six graduates will be honored during commencement exercises slated for Sunday, May 23 at 1 p.m.

    HARLAN – A Harlan Community High School student and his parents have dismissed without prejudice their lawsuit against the school district, filed in Shelby County District Court last week.    Jameson Bieker, and his parents James and Sharon Bieker, had filed a petition for immediate injunction due to alleged “repeated emotional and physical violence,” and requested the court allow Jameson to return to school without a face mask.    In a st

    COUNTY – Shelby County has lifted its mask mandate for county buildings effective immediately.    Visitors to the buildings, including the Shelby County Courthouse, will not be required to wear a mask when conducting business with county officials.  In addition, county employees, while they can if they choose to, will not be required to wear masks.More in the NA!

    HARLAN – Vandals used a chemical-type substance to burn the grass on the east side of the high school building in Harlan, spelling out “2021” as well as a vulgar word in the grassy area near the practice football field.    HCS Superintendent of Schools Lynn Johnson said the district has been in contact with the Harlan Police Department, which is investigating the vandalism incident.    “It is very disappointing that persons would have so l

    HARLAN -- Molly Blanco of Burlington recently joined the Harlan Newspapers as its summer intern.    Blanco just completed her sophomore year at Iowa State University in Ames. She is double majoring in journalism and mass communication and Spanish with a minor in sociology.
Full article in the NA!