HARLAN -- Phillip and Jennifer Perkins of Harlan announce the engagement of their daughter, Bethany Kay to Matthew Aaron Colvin both of Austin, TX. Matthew is the son of Sam and Shari Colvin, Hutchinson, MN.    Bethany and Matthew will marry on September 3 at First Baptist Church in Harlan.

    IRWIN -- For Hope Ohara and Steve Studer there are two seasons: sailing season and surgery season.    Accustomed to nontraditional living, the two own a boat on the ocean near Grenada in the West Indies. It wasn’t long for the sea legs to find land as they grew older.

    HARLAN – A review of assessment data at Harlan Community Schools shows that students K-12 continue to perform above state and regional average on math and reading tests designed to assess student knowledge in those areas.    HCS Board of Education members discussed the data with school administration during a summer board retreat last week, and said they were happy with nearly all scores being higher than average.    “The principals and te

    The three-day anniversary celebrating the 90th anniversary of Bauer’s Shoes store and the City-Wide Anniversary Celebration hosted great crowds and even better bargains that combined with the state-wide sales tax holiday. 

The Redwoods will be performing from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13 at  The Beach Box at Pauley’s Pub in Panama.  The blues band is from Omaha, but features musicians with tiesfrom the area including Nathan Bjoin of Harlan on drums; Olivia Klein on vocals and Henry Tomsu on bass, bothwho have family from this area.
Food is available for purchase from 5-7:30 p.m. — prime rib sandwich and pulled pork sandwich as specials.

    FORT COLLINS, CO -- Vincent C. Archer, 87, Fort Collins, CO, formerly of Avoca, died June 26 in Fort Collins.    A graveside service will be held Saturday, Aug. 13 at 11 a.m. at the Graceland Cemetery in Avoca.    Archer is survived by sons Neil (Sue) Archer of Champaign, IL, Jeffrey (Dorothy) Archer of Fort Collins, and Bradley (Kris) Archer of Iowa City; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

    HARLAN -- Carrie L. Whisenant, 56, Harlan, died Thursday, Aug. 4 in Harlan.    Graveside services will be held Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Panama.  Friends were asked to call Monday, Aug. 8 from 2-8 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m. at Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan.    Burial is in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Panama.    Whisenant is survived by son Dustin J.

    EARLING -- Joe and Kathy Mahlberg of Earling announce the engagement of their daughter, Abby to Brian Kooker both of West Des Moines. Brian is the son of Dave and Nancy Woodin, Laurens; and Greg and Vicki Kooker, Ankeny.    Abby is the granddaughter of Marcy Powers, Defiance. Brian is the grandson of Shirley Kooker, Spencer; and Ron and Marge Dillon, Lenexa, KS.

    CLERMONT, FL -- Suzanne Ragnone of Winter Garden, FL and Dean Hanson of Clermont, FL were married on April 30, 2016 at the Clermont Baptist Church. Pastor Brian Braddock performed the 4:30 p.m. double ring ceremony.    Parents of the couple are Joseph and Cheryl Ragnone, Flint, MI; and Gary and Phyllis Hanson, Irwin.