HARLAN – The Harlan Community Schools (HCS) learned last week that it will receive an additional $1,451,851 in funding through the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER).    This, combined with $646,457, $124,739, and $64,000 in earlier federal relief funds, brings the total stimulus funding brought in to the school district to $2,287,047.    Officials said the funding is being distributed to districts throug

    AVOCA – The AHSTW Drama Department presented High School Musical in two performances this past weekend at AHSTW High School to enthusiastic crowds eager to see local students’ rendition of the popular musical based on the Disney® Channel original movie by the same name.    Under the direction of Tyler Privia and Annie Keupp, the musical had a full cast of 21 and production/creative crew of five.    “We are so proud of the work each and eve

    COUNTY – A routine line item on the Shelby County Board of Supervisors’ April 20 agenda to approve the previous meeting’s minutes was prefaced with some discussion regarding protocol last week.    Shelby County Auditor Mark Maxwell said he was challenged by another elected official about the accuracy of the minutes regarding a citizen who addressed the board April 6 with concerns about treasurer’s office procedures.    Maxwell said he outl

    HARLAN -- Work could begin as early as late May or early June on the rehabilitating of three water wells owned by the Harlan Municipal Utilities followed by three more wells being restored in the next fiscal year.    The HMU Board of Trustees approved a proposal Thursday, April 22 from Cahoy Pump Service, Sumner, IA, for the three well project at a cost of $49,800. This required a budget amendment to the current fiscal year.

    HARLAN – The Harlan Community Schools is expected to approve an agreement that will allow the City of Harlan to utilize a well on school property at Merrill Field to help with anticipated water shortages in Harlan.    The HCS Board of Education will address the issue at its next board meeting, allowing the city access to the abandoned well if approved.  The district had used water from the well to water the Merrill football field, but has

    COUNTY -- The Shelby County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that grants totaling $103,870 were awarded to Shelby County nonprofit organizations and community projects as part of its spring grant cycle.    The following organizations were awarded grants by the Shelby County Community Foundation Advisory Board:    • Concerned, Inc., Automated External Defibrillator (AED),     $1,500    • Country Care Center Corporation,    Person

HARLAN -- Having grown up in a natural health-minded family, Esther Arkfeld had always taken interest in the idea of alternative health options found in plants.    The Shelby County resident’s intrigue for the field came to full fruition four years ago, when she launched her natural health company, Stillwood Naturals, from her modern homestead in rural Shelby County, just northeast of Harlan.

    HARLAN -- Years ago, Tony Carter reminisced with his father, Ron, as they walked around the downtown Harlan square. Ron told Tony how he remembered the downtown buildings looking and what businesses used to be in which building as he was growing up. They talked about multiple buildings and making improvements.    After he retired, Ron would assist Tony with his businesses by helping out and if needed running errands.

    COUNTY – Hazardous materials, batteries and bulbs are among the recyclable materials that should be checked before being thrown away as they could be fire hazards at the county landfill, local recycling officials said this week.    As officials try to ramp up recycling efforts in Shelby County this month, they are cautioning residents about some more items that should be recycled rather than thrown away with the trash.  And those include h

    HARLAN – Questions about the Harlan Community Schools’ middle and high school end of instructional day activity period remain this week as district administration moves forward with its elimination amid resistance from coaches and some in the community.    Also offering insight are the Iowa State Auditor’s Office and Iowa Department of Education (DOE), further muddying the situation with questions of whether teaching and coaching contracts

    HARLAN – The Harlan Community High School Drama Department will present Disney®’s musical Frozen JR. this weekend in three performances April 23-25 at the HCHS auditorium.    The enchanting modern classic from Disney® is being presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI), New York, NY.  Show times are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and a 2 p.m.

    HARLAN – Harlan Community High School Business Professionals of America students picked up dozens of awards at the Iowa BPA competition recently, solidifying the program as one of the best in Iowa.    Overall, 33 students qualified for nationals, which is by far the most the program has ever had, said Chad Swanson, BPA Advisor and Business Instructor at HCHS.    “We will have 14 students who have chosen to advance and compete virtually at

    COUNTY – Shelby County’s official website is offline due to hacking vulnerabilities following an update recommended by the state regarding election security.    Taryn Knapp, Director, Shelby County Information Technology, said it could be up to three months before a replacement website is up and running.    “Most things are still available,” Knapp said.  “We have a lot of links to secondary sites with property taxes and assessments.”    Th

    COUNTY – Shelby County’s financials look solid for the year ended June 30, 2020, according to an audit report presented to the Shelby County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, April 6.    “The county continues to be in a good financial position,” Chris Nelson, president, Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Co, PC, Atlantic, told the board.    Revenues of the county’s governmental activities decreased 12.3 percent, or approximately $1,961,000 from the

    HARLAN – Staff in the Harlan Community Schools will be receiving a one-time $750 stipend in December as part of a retention incentive plan proposed by administration through negotiations with staff and as approved by the HCS Board of Education Monday, April 12.    The stipend is a way for the district to keep its quality staff at all levels, said HCS Superintendent of Schools Lynn Johnson.    “I think what was imperative for the (negotiati