HARLAN — The Harlan Community School District has hired Dean Mosher to replace longtime  boys basketball coach Mitch Osborn.“There was talk the last couple of years about who would follow Coach Osborn and when the time came,” Mosher said. “Especially this year, it was talked about more and more.

HARLAN — A 36-year-old man was shot and killed during an armed standoff with law enforcement in Harlan early Thursday morning.According to a press release from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 4:30 a.m. Thursday, March 6 , deputies responded to a residence near College Place and Pine Street for a welfare check.

 SHELBY COUNTY  — Danielle Segebart, Director of Head Start/Early Head Start for West Central Community Action (WCCA) has been named Administrator of the Year by the Iowa Head Start Association. The award celebrates the important contributions of staff who oversee the Executive Director or Assistant Director levels of administrative work in a Head Start or Early Head Start programs. Wendy Mueller, Executive Director of WCCA in Harlan, said Seg

Harlan - Marilyn Ruth (Long) Lange passed away peacefully, with her family at her side, on November 24, 2024, at Hospice of the Valley in Mesa, Arizona.  Marilyn was born on June 25, 1938, to Earl and Doris Long, on their family’s farm near Ottoson, Iowa.  She graduated from Ottoson School in May of 1956.  After courting Herb Lange four years and graduating, they married on September 2, 1956.  They were happily married for 68 years.

 SHELBY COUNTY — Shelby and Audubon County Sheriffs are warning the public about ongoing scams targeting the elderly. A statement from Shelby County Sheriff Neil Gross said his office was notified Tuesday, February 25, about a possible scam involving an elderly resident of the county.

 by Renée Brich, Managing Editor HARLAN — “Take what you need. Leave what you can.” It’s the simple concept behind Harlan Community Library’s Little Free Pantry, but library staff members hope it makes a big difference for those struggling with food insecurity. “Groceries are expensive. Families are struggling.

 by Renée Brich, Managing Editor HARLAN — “Take what you need. Leave what you can.” It’s the simple concept behind Harlan Community Library’s Little Free Pantry, but library staff members hope it makes a big difference for those struggling with food insecurity. “Groceries are expensive. Families are struggling.

 HARLAN — The Shelby County Historical Museum has named Megan Londo Executive Director. Londo joined the museum’s staff in May 2024 as the Collections Assistant, accepting new objects, entering them into the database, then displaying them in the museum. “I got really into researching the history of our county and ended up writing an article for our newsletter, so my job description changed a little.

Des Moines - Former Shelby County Extension council member Gwen Hansen met with Iowa legislators at the Iowa Extension Council Association legislative breakfast held at Capitol Building in Des Moines February 11.Hansen is currently serving as a representative for Audubon, Crawford, Harrison and Shelby Counties on the Iowa Extension Council Association Board of Directors.

 SHELBY COUNTY ­ ­— The Shelby County Board of Supervisors voted to increase the salaries of some elected officials by 3.5% in fiscal year 2026. The increase was based on the recommendation of the compensation board, represented by Ruthanne Grimsley, at the board meeting Tuesday, February 18. Grimsley said the recommended increase was based on current salaries for those same positions in similar sized counties.

 AREA — Schroer & Associates, P.C. recently released an audit report on the Harlan Community School District. The report showed the District’s revenues totaled $26,132,616 for the year ended June 30, 2024, a 13.62% increase from the prior year.

 SHELBY COUNTY — An estimated 21,000 Iowans were diagnosed with cancer in 2024, according to an annual report that tracks yearly cancer trends. The annual Cancer in Iowa report by the Iowa Cancer Registry found the state has the fastest-growing rate of new cancers and the second-highest rate of new cancers in the country.

Harlan Newspapers won several awards at the 2025 Iowa Newspapers Association’s (INA) Iowa Better Newspaper Contest, chief among them First Place in Community Service for the team’s work following the 2024 tornado disaster that devastated rural Shelby County.

 AREA — For 25 years, a dedicated group of volunteers have dedicated their time and talents to perform for residents of area nursing homes. This year marks the silver anniversary of the Goldenaires.“We love to volunteer and see the enjoyment in the residents’ eyes,” said member Kathleen Eckerman. Eckerman said the majority of the songs they sing are standards from the residents’ early years.

 HARLAN — In an effort to advance student learning and career readiness, Harlan Community High School will soon be the home of The Cyclone Corner Café, a student-operated coffee shop.