Harlan County Journal

01/06/2025

Harlan County Senior Center will be closed Monday, January 6, 2025 and will reopen Tuesday

01/06/2025

No school for students on Monday, January 6, 2025. Staff report at 10:00.

01/05/2025

There are a few closings tomorrow - Jan. 5, 2025. Check before heading out...

01/04/2025

Harlan County Journal has been receiving reports of very slick roads across the entire region.
What's happening where you are?

01/04/2025

Winter storm warning
Storm expected to have widespread impact on both sides of state line

The following has been released by the National Weather Service regarding Harlan and Furnas Counties.

Make sure to check the weather where you are

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WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM CST
Harlan and Furnas Counties

Freezing drizzle/freezing rain, snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulation mainly 4 to 7 inches. Total ice accumulation up to around one-tenth of an inch. Winds shifting
from easterly to northerly, and highest gusts around 30 MPH expected late tonight into Sunday daytime.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...This is a complex storm system, with varying precipitation types and impacts at varying times. Initially, freezing drizzle/freezing rain will be the primary issue today, before accumulating snow and blowing snow becomes the primary precipitation type tonight into Sunday daytime, with snow then gradually ending from northwest to southeast Sunday afternoon and
evening. Near-blizzard conditions are possible at times during the period of heaviest snow and strongest winds. Once snow ends, very cold temperatures and wind chill values as cold as -10 to -20 degrees will occur into Monday morning.

01/03/2025

Use caution...

⚠️ CAUTION: People are encouraged to use caution as avian influenza is affecting waterfowl and other bird species throughout Nebraska and adjacent states.

Nebraska Game and Parks officials said waterfowl die-offs and sick birds have been reported at water bodies from Niobrara to Alma recently. About 300 dead or dying snow geese have been collected at Harlan County Reservoir and additional ones at locations in northeast and southeast Nebraska. Highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, has been confirmed in two cases.

Due to the widespread nature of the die-offs and that reservoirs attract waterfowl, gulls, bald eagles and other migrating birds, additional birds may be affected or found.

Though the risk of infection to people is low, officials said the public should avoid all contact with sick or dead birds and report them to their local conservation officer or Game and Parks office. Find contact information at OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Waterfowl hunters or domestic bird owners should take the following precautions:

✔️ Do not harvest or handle birds that appear sick or are dead.
✔️ Wear personal-protection equipment, such as disposable gloves, masks and eye protection, while cleaning your harvest or interacting with birds. Always clean and process birds outdoors.
✔️ Double bag the remaining carcass and dispose of it properly; do not leave the carcass behind for other animals to scavenge.
✔️ Wash your hands immediately after cleaning or handling birds.
✔️ Disinfect all equipment, including hunting gear.
✔️ Cook the meat thoroughly.
✔️ Do not let your dog or other domesticated animals come into contact with sick or dead birds.
✔️ If your animals become sick after interacting with sick or dead birds, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Avian influenza is widespread in wild and domestic birds worldwide, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and has been detected in every state across the U.S. Nebraska Game and Parks continues to monitor and test dead waterfowl as appropriate.

Learn more about the disease or make a disease report at OutdoorNebraska.gov; search for “avian influenza.”

https://outdoornebraska.gov/about/press-events/news/use-caution-near-areas-of-migrating-birds/

01/03/2025

Livestock Marketing Association has been alerted to the theft of 23 head of mostly black steers, weighing approximately 600 #, from south of Thayer, Kansas on the Labette / Neosho county line.

They are all steers and have a purple tag in the left ear and have a brand on the back left hip of a circle with an M and a bar under it inside the circle.

If you have any information regarding these animals please contact local law enforcement or the Labette or Neosho County, Kansas Sheriffs Department.

01/03/2025

Stay weather aware this weekend...

Though it will be cold the next day or so, no precipitation is expected through Friday. That all changes on the weekend as a winter storm develops in southeast Kansas, while another system dives into the area from the northwest. The combination of the two have the potential to bring significant winter weather to parts of south central Nebraska and north central Kansas, especially Saturday night and Sunday. Some areas have the potential to receive 6" or more of snow from this weather. Strong north winds will cause blowing and drifting snow too through the day Sunday. Keep in touch with the latest forecasts through the weekend.

01/02/2025

From the Harlan County Clerk's office

01/01/2025

12/13/2024

FYI
"... Fog is also expected to develop east of Highway 183 this evening which could freeze to surfaces and create additional slick spots. A light glaze of ice to 0.2" is expected...."

For more information on the freezing drizzle and rain: https://www.weather.gov/media/gid/DssPacket.pdf

11/27/2024

Community Thanksgiving Dinner information

11/16/2024

Nebraska 2024 firearm deer season began today! Show us! Details in first comment...

10/26/2024

Alma Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual Tour of Hidden Rooms the evening of October 25th. Four rooms were included - Waggoner Insurance, the Hex + the Hive, the old Methodist Church, and a mystery room.

Learn more about the Tour and the rooms I'm the October 31, 2024 edition of the Journal

10/25/2024

The winner of the monster Pumpkin is Cynthia Butts Thank you to all who participated!

10/24/2024

Excellent news! Holden has been located and is safe!

Thank you to everyone who helped look and spread the word. This EMA has been canceled.

10/12/2024

Congratulations to Alma Cardinals Marching Band!

Back to Back Champs! The Alma Band claimed 1st Place in the UNK homecoming parade today for the second year in a row. Our 29 person band (today) beat the 130 person Crete band, who came in second. Congratulations to the band!