HARLAN – The elementary schools at Harlan Community celebrated Character Counts Week this week.  Elementary School Counselor Courtney King-Crum said as October is a busy month, the schools have once again decided to combine Red Ribbon Week activities with character counts week in a joint celebration.  Red Ribbon Week promotes a healthy drug-free lifestyle while Character Counts Week celebrates positive character.    “This is a chance for schoo

HARLAN – The Harlan Community School District may have the opportunity to tap into additional funds at the end of the year for educational needs, thanks to recent legislative action that opened up internal funding streams should there be unspent balances in those funds.    A bill enacted this year allows for the transfer of unspent funds from three funds – Home School Assistance Program, Pre-School, and Professional Development – to a super fl

HARLAN – The Harlan Community Schools likely will again offer an early retirement incentive to certified staff members this year.    Discussion last week at the Harlan Community Schools Board of Education table included offering a $20,000 stipend to staff that are eligible to retire, and who notify the district by February 1, 2018.  Staff members must be IPERS (Iowa Public Employment Retirement System) eligible, meaning age 55 or qualify for t

HARLAN -- Harlan Municipal Utilities customers will see a drop in the price of natural gas for the second winter in a row, HMU officials announced this week.    According to Doug Hammer, Director of Marketing and Stakeholder Relations at HMU, the price of natural gas will drop 43 cents per thousand cubic feet (MCF), or almost 10 percent, compared to last year. 

HARLAN -- The Harlan City Council Tuesday, Oct. 17 approved a resolution for the disposal of city-owned property, in particular lots 3 and 4 of Parkway Subdivision along Industrial Parkway in south Harlan.  The council unanimously approved the sale of the land to C.J.

HARLAN -- Leona Kaufmann will celebrate her 100th birthday at an open house on Sunday, November 5 from 1-3 p.m. in the McKee Activity Room at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan. The celebration will be hosted by her family. Friends and relatives are invited to attend.    Cards will also reach her if sent to 1303 Ironwood Rd, Harlan, IA  51537.

PERSIA -- The family of Lowell Chapman is planning a card shower in honor of his 90th birthday on October 29. Cards will reach him if sent to 3572 296th St., Persia, IA  51563.Lowell and his wife Ruby, live on their Century Farm near Persia.         Their children include Cheryl (Chapman) and Garry Bergman, Kathy (Chapman) Benes (deceased), and Rick Chapman (deceased). The Chapmans have three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 

PORTSMOUTH -- Gerry and Betty Huebert of Portsmouth celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a family dinner on October 7 at a Dunlap restaurant.    Their children are Dan Huebert and Rochelle Bradley, Persia; Mike Huebert, Persia; Dennis and Jeana Huebert, Denison; Debra and Dean Gessert, Harlan; Diane and Steve Mumm, Portsmouth; and Janice Christensen and Gary Stoltz, Earling. 

    DUNLAP -- Norman and Millie Nielsen of Dunlap will mark 65 years of marriage on November 1. They will celebrate with an open house on Sunday, October 29 from 2-4 p.m. at the Gold Slipper in Dunlap. Friends and family are invited.
Their children and spouses are Judy and Jude Schoenherr, Denison; Jan and Ivan Hansen, Harlan; and Joan and Lynn Heimerman, Harlan. The Nielsens have five grandchildren.