HARLAN -- Milton Barry, 87, Harlan, died August 20 at the Manilla Manor.    Services were held Monday, Aug. 24 at 11 a.m.

    HARLAN – A shortage in a reagent utilized in COVID-19 testing may cause some hiccups in testing availability in the future, officials from Myrtue Medical Center said August 4.    Barry Jacobson, Myrtue CEO, told the hospital board of trustees there could be some testing issues moving forward.    “We have been informed probably 2-3 weeks ago that there is a shortage of the reagent that’s used for COVID-19 testing,” Jacobsen told the board. 

    HARLAN -- Richard Petersen of Harlan celebrated his 89th birthday on August 19. He and his wife, Lile, reside at 1441 Oak Road, Harlan, IA 51537.    Their family includes Mark and Deb Petersen, Harlan; Tami and Dan Goetz, Cedar Falls; Brian Petersen, Harlan; Jeff and Cyndi Petersen, Harlan; nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

    WESTPHALIA -- Bruce and Julie Goeser of Harlan announce the engagement of their daughter, Katie to Jason Curry both of DeSoto, IA. Jason is the son of Diane Curry, Des Moines, and the late Dave Curry.    The couple will marry on September 26 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia.
 

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Community School District welcomes 10 new staff members for the 2020-21 school year.  They began duties this week and will welcome students back on Monday, Aug. 24.

    ELK HORN -- Her love of Danish heritage makes working at the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn a great fit for Cheyenne Jansdatter. She is employed as the archival collections manager at the museum.    Jansdatter had spent summers since she was five-years-old visiting her dad and siblings in Copenhagen, Denmark.    “Danish was my first language and spending my summers in Denmark helped me build my fluency.

    HARLAN -- Residents are reporting this month the theft of political signs from their residences/yards.  Harlan Police Chief Frank Clark confirmed that the department has had one report of a political flag stolen.  Local residents are reporting the theft of Trump/Pence signs from their yards.  No Biden/Harris signs have been reported missing.    Officials said if caught, the thieves could be charged with fifth-degree theft as well as trespa

    COUNTY -- The Shelby County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted from organizations providing charitable services in Shelby County.    As part of this fall grant cycle, $40,000 is available to support Shelby County nonprofit organizations and community projects.

Substitute Teachers?    The district is seeking to strengthen the substitute pool and the state has implemented less restrictive licensing guidelines.    Those guidelines include removing day limits, lowering the age and degree requirement to obtain a substitute authorization, and increasing opportunities for holders of a career and technical authorization.    The district encourages and welcomes persons to consider being a substitute.  Call K