OMAHA -- Madeline Novoa of Columbia, MO and Brent Bruck of St. Louis, MO will marry on June 10 at St. John’s Church on the Creighton University campus in Omaha.    Parents of the couple are Jose and Laura Novoa, Omaha; and Bruce and Karen Bruck, Portsmouth.

    HARLAN -- Amanda Brewer of Denison began her duties as the new director of the Harlan Community Library on April 18. Brewer said she is excited to bring some new ideas to the library and is eager to attend state meetings to learn more at roundtable discussions that she can incorporate at the Harlan Community Library.    “I would like to bring the best practices that have worked in my previous jobs and incorporate them here also.

    COUNTY – The latest county population estimates from the Iowa State Data Center in Des Moines shows Shelby County continues to lose population.    The data center, which is an associate of the U.S. Census Bureau, released the population data of Iowa and its 99 counties last month.  Most of Iowa’s counties saw a loss in population according to the data, with 71 showing decreased numbers.

    DES MOINES -- The Harlan FCCLA Chapter along with more than 500 members from FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) chapters across the state attended the Iowa FCCLA State Leadership Conference on April 3-5.    Harlan FCCLA Chapter member Gabe Madson attended the conference and was elected as a member of the Iowa FCCLA 2016-2017 State Executive Council.

    WILMINGTON, NC -- Word has been received of the death of Linda Rose Petersen Pollert, 72, Wilmington, NC.    She was a former Harlan resident.    Services will be held Saturday, May 21 at 2 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Barbara Stracke, 85, Harlan, died April 30 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.    Services will be held Tuesday, May 3 at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance with burial at a later date in the Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery at Defiance.  A wake service was held Monday, May 2 at 7 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.  Visitation was Monday from 2-9 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6-9 p.m.

    AVOCA -- Kandy Jo (McGurren) Dea, 56, Avoca, died April 29 at her home.    Services will be held Wednesday, May 4 at 11 a.m. at Walnut High School with burial in the Layton Township Cemetery at Walnut.  Visitation is Tuesday, May 3 from 4-8 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m.

    ELK HORN -- Patsy Jean Petersen, 87, Elk Horn, died April 27 at the Salem Lutheran Home.    Services were held Saturday. April 30 at 10:30 a.m.

 CARROLL -- The Harlan Community boys have yet to win a team title in eight outdoor track meets this spring, but that’s just fine with head coach Sam Brummer. Competing against tough competition night in and night out and observing where the Cyclones’ top performers currently rank in Class 3-A, Brummer is excited for what lies ahead in the final four weeks of the season. Highlighted by another strong showing in the field events, including Marc