The Harlan City Council approved the 2014 Harlan Housing study conducted by SWIPCO. In a meeting Tuesday, John McCurdy from SWIPCO gave a final presentation on the housing study. McCurdy says there are three main factors driving the housing market in Harlan, “One is attrition. That is the number of homes, because of age, need to be replaced. Another is demographic change that is through the changing population even if you don’t add another person, the changes in demographic will drive. We have smaller household sizes which drive up the demand for housing units. And the third is that there is an increase in income particularly in middle to upper income. We have a pretty steady number of low to moderate income but there is a group that does have some money to spend on housing units.”

He says based on the factors, Harlan would need to make changes annually to keep up with the housing stock, “So our conclusion from the study is based on attrition, the city would need to rehabilitate or replace 10 low to moderate income, typically rental units a year, to keep the housing stock. Based on demographic change, another 10 housing units and those would be of all varying types, would be needed to maintain the housing stock. And then because of this increased affordability or increased income, the higher ends, there is a demand for at least 5 new construction and we turned that into the $165,000 or above range.”

In other business, the Harlan City Council approved a grant application for “The Jacket Store ,” on Market Street, for a new awning, storm door, window, tuck pointing and painting. The grant money is through the downtown upper story/façade funding. The total cost of the project amounts to just over $9,874, with the grant at a 50 percent share of slightly more than $4,937.

And, City Administrator Terry Cox reported to the board the city will go out for bidding on the Runway 15/33 Pavement Rehabilitation Project at the Harlan Municipal Airport. The council will act on those bids on Tuesday, July 15th. Cox also mentioned the Harlan Aquatic Center saw an increase of $8,475 from 2013 in season tickets for families, singles and daily visitors.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office is seeking help from the public in solving a recent residential burglary incident. Authorities say sometime between the hours of 5-a.m. and 5-p.m. Monday, a person or persons entered a residence in rural Dexter, located on 310th Street, northwest of Lake Diamondhead.

The burglar or burglars forced their way into the home by destroying the front door and its frame. Once inside, they took possession of numerous items including: a Remington 870 12 gauge shot gun; antique lamps; toy figures; candle holders, and an urn with a loved one’s ashes inside. Also inside the urn was a gold one-third carat, diamond ring.

Anyone with information regarding this day time burglary is urged to contact the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office at 641-747-2214.

Police in Atlantic say a Union County man was cited following a chain-reaction accident Tuesday evening. Officials say Kolby Shaw, of Creston, was cited for Failure to Maintain Control and Reduce Speed, after the vehicle he was driving rear-ended one vehicle, which in-turn collided with the rear of another vehicle. The accident happened at around 5:20-p.m. near the intersection of 7th and Olive Streets.

Authorities say vehicles driven by Brittney Jensen and Rebekah Rasmussen, both of Atlantic, were traveling east in the 500 block of east 7th Street and both had come to a stop at the intersection. Shaw failed to stop in time and hit the Rasmussen vehicle, causing it to be pushed into the rear of the Jensen vehicle.

Damage from the crash amounted to $8,100.

(9-a.m. News)

The office of Governor Terry Branstad reports the Governor has appointed a southwest Iowa woman to the state’s Electrical Examining Board. Marg Stoldorf, of Red Oak, was appointed, along with Allen DeHeer, of Winterset, and Emily Wuebker, of Afton.

The Iowa Electrical Examinging Board is responsible for: adopting wiring standards that protect public safety; issuing licenses; handling disciplinary matters; setting continuing education standards, and determining inspection fees.

The unpaid position appointments went into effect Tuesday, and are subject to Iowa Senate confirmation.