By Renée Brich, Managing Editor
HARLAN — The Harlan Municipal Utilities (HMU) Board of Trustees has approved a resolution to discontinue the addition of fluoride to the city’s water supply, citing recent federal findings, court action and a review of current research.

HARLAN — Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird visited Harlan Community High School Thursday, February 25, meeting with students, touring recently renovated facilities, and taking part in a question-and-answer session with the school’s Mock Trial team.

    HARLAN — Myrtue Medical Center, Myrtue’s Public Health, along with the Shelby County Board of Health, and other community providers, need your help in learning more about the specific health needs of Shelby County residents.  This information will be used to develop plans for future health improvements to the community. 

DES MOINES ­— February 12 found Farm Bureau leaders from around the state at the Iowa Capital. Priority issues were discussed with area representatives.
Above: Joel Wahling of Shelby,( center) discusses an issue with State Senator Jason Schultz.
At right: Pictured from left are Mark and Kim Riesselman of Crawford County and Paulette and Larry Madson of Shelby County with State Senator Jason Schultz. (Bob Bjoin, photos)

HARLAN —Prairie Rose Lake in Shelby County has once again been listed as impaired in the 2026 Integrated Report released by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 
The impaired waters list evaluates retroactive monitoring data to determine whether a water segment meets established criteria for its designated uses. When a waterbody is classified as impaired, it enters a restoration process under the federal Clean Water Act.

HARLAN — Staff Sergeant Jack Petersen of Harlan recently returned home after a seven-month deployment as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S. led international military campaign to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

The Harlan City Council approved the third and final reading of an ordinance amending the city’s snow removal regulations during its meeting Tuesday, February 17, following discussion from council members, city staff and residents.

DES MOINES – MidAmerican Energy plans to install an aircraft detection lighting system at its Walnut wind farm in Pottawattamie County by the end of this year, part of a broader effort to reduce nighttime turbine lighting while maintaining aviation safety.