HARLAN -- Returning to the program for which she was a four-time all-stater from 2007 to 2011, Brooke Schaben experienced an eventful first season as head coach of the Harlan Community softball team. It was a summer marred by injuries and inconsistency at times, but there were also positives as the Cyclones maintained excellent team chemistry through adversity and adjusted well to Schaben’s aggressive offensive coaching style. There were sign

TOPEKA, KAN. -- The Cyclone Pride 13U C Division traveling softball team put together an overall record of 25-11 this season, capped by a ‘Top 8’ finish at the USSSA National Tournament (Midwest Region) in Topeka, Kansas, July 20-23.

    HARLAN -- Chris and Patricia Blum of Harlan observed their 60th wedding anniversary on  August 21.    The Blums celebrated their anniversary at the annual Blum family reunion in Panama on June 26 and again at the Dan and Janet Hansen home near Dunlap with immediate family members including grandchildren and great-grandchildren in attendance as well as Pat’s sisters, brothers, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

    HARLAN -- Dave and Judy Pedersen of Harlan will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on August 27. Their family is requesting a card shower in their honor. Cards will reach them if sent to 1219 Baldwin, Harlan, IA 51537.    Their family includes Angie and Shawn Miller, Harlan; Sheila Driver, Cherokee; and Josh Pedersen, Iowa City. Dave and Judy have five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. The couple is retired.

    HARLAN -- Galan and Janet Johannsen of Harlan will mark their 50th wedding anniversary on September 2. The couple celebrated with a family weekend in July in Kansas City.    Their family is planning a card shower in their honor. Cards will reach them if sent to 834 Timber Road, Harlan, IA 51537.

New teachers and administration at the Shelby County Catholic School include from left: Allison Gross, second grade; Cindy Schwery, music; Bree Malone, third grade; and Josh De Weerd, principal.  (Photo by Kim Wegener)

HARLAN -- Students and staff headed back to the classroom this week as the beginning of the school year got under way at Harlan Community on Tuesday, Aug. 23. 

    PANAMA -- The Shelby County Trails Committee is in the early stages of planning a new bike trail that will run five miles from Panama to Portsmouth.    “We just want to get trails in the county is what it amounts to,” said Dean Kloewer, member of the Shelby County Trails committee.    The Wabash Trace Nature Trail currently has plans to extend to nearby towns within the next few years.

    REGIONAL -- Local officials are saying the threat of Zika virus transmission in the Shelby County area and the state of Iowa is extremely low.    Yet there is a risk to Iowans when they travel to Zika-affected areas.    The continued transmission of Zika virus in the Caribbean, Central and South America, and a very small area of Miami, FL, means those who travel to these areas of local, active transmission should be aware of the Zika risk.