COUNTY -- Shelby County Emergency Service Officials, including Fire Chiefs, Law Enforcement, and Emergency Management will begin twice weekly updates on local fire danger conditions.    Signs placed strategically in each community, primarily at the fire stations will indicate what the fire danger is for any particular day.     This program, implemented in 2010, resulted in a reduction of fire responses county-wide.

    COUNTY --     Local residents getting calls regarding applying for a business property tax credit can do so for free at the assessor’s office.    Shelby County Assessor Tony Buman said some residents are reporting having received a letter in the past week from a company offering to assist them in filing an application for the Iowa Business Property Tax Credit, for a fee.

    HARLAN -- Les and Janet Blum of Harlan observed their 50th wedding anniversary on October 9. The couple celebrated their anniversary with their family at Honey Creek Resort at Lake Rathbun this summer.    The couple has four children: Todd and Karla Blum, Harlan; Brad Blum, Shelby; Nicole and Jeff Steenbock, Springfield, NE; and Kelli and Matt Rueckert, Ossian, IA. Les and Jan have 10 grandchildren. 

    HARLAN -- Dennis and Carol Woodin of Harlan will mark their 50th wedding anniversary on October 23. Dennis and Carol plan to celebrate their anniversary with a winter cruise.    The couple’s two sons are the late Ron Woodin and the late Randy Woodin. The Woodins have two grandsons. 

    ELK HORN -- Jim and Kelly Schwarte of Elk Horn announce the engagement of their daughter, Sara to Ryan Rasmussen both of Lincoln, NE. Ryan is the son of Randy and Carmen Rasmussen, Jacksonville.    Sara and Ryan plan to wed on November 7 at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church. 

    HARLAN -- Brandt and Stacy Ferry of Kirkman announce the engagement of their daughter, Rachel to Alec Guttenfelder, son of Doug and Teresa Guttenfelder, Atlantic.    The couple will exchange marriage vows on November 14 at the First United Methodist Church in Harlan. 

    COUNTY -- The Shelby County Community Chest has kicked off its annual fund drive with hopes of raising $40,000 this year for local organizations.    Shelby County Community Chest raises funds for agencies which provide valuable services to youth, for area residents and to communities in the Shelby County area. The SCCC board currently is conducting a direct mail campaign during the month of October.

    KIRKMAN -- Kelly Lane Fiscus, 64, Kirkman, died October 14 in Kirkman.    Services were held Monday, Oct. 19 at 10:30 a.m.

    OMAHA, NE -- Lisa Ann Keane, 54, Omaha, NE, died October 12 at Immanuel Medical Center.    Services will be held Friday, Oct. 16 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church in Panama with burial in the St. Mary’s Cemetery at Panama.  A wake service was held Thursday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the church.  Visitation was Thursday from 3-9 p.m.