DES MOINES -- Of the 84 Iowa wrestlers competing in Saturday night’s state championship finals, the vast majority got their start in the sport long before seventh grade. AHSTW senior Tim Barr, however, is one of those rare exceptions. And while Barr’s amazing season and three-day state meet run didn’t end with him standing on the top step of the medalist podium at Wells Fargo Arena, countless kids who have wrestled since kindergarten would ha

 DES MOINES -- It wasn’t the exact ending he wanted, but Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton senior Lane Ring was happy to at least wrestle his final high school match inside Wells Fargo Arena. Making his second state meet appearance, Ring finished in the top 12 of the Class 1-A, 195-pound bracket Thursday and Friday, winning one out of three matches.

    DUNLAP -- Joseph “Jack” Aloys Stessman, 84, Dunlap, died Thursday, Feb. 25 at the Dunlap Specialty Care Center.    Services will be held Tuesday, March 1 at 10 a.m. at St.

    HARLAN -- Nora Irene Carmichael, 72, Harlan, died February 17 at Myrtue Medical Center.    Services were held Saturday, Feb. 27 at 10:30 a.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.  There will be no burial.    Carmichael is survived by guardian Janice Gaul; nieces and nephews and Concerned family. 

    SHELBY -- Dave and Judy Robinson of Shelby will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary today, February 26.    Their family is planning a card shower in their honor. Cards will reach them if sent to PO Box 244, Shelby, IA 51570.

    HARLAN -- Patricia “Pat” Miller of Harlan will celebrate her 80th birthday with an open house on Saturday, March 5 from 2-4 p.m. at the Therkildsen Activity Center in Harlan.    The celebration will be hosted by her family. Friends and relatives are invited to attend.

    WESTPHALIA -- Ivo Wilwerding of Westphalia will mark his 80th birthday on March 5. Cards will reach him if sent to 723 St. F32, Harlan, IA 51537.    Ivo and his wife, Darlene, have been married for 55 years. They reside on the family farm west of Westphalia.

    HARLAN – Harlan Community High School Athletic Director Mitch Osborn was honored last week by the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association, as Iowa Athletic Director of the Year.    He was presented the award during the state wrestling tournament in Des Moines. 

    HARLAN - Harlan agri-businessman Jeff Schmitz spent seven minutes voicing his concerns about the lack of accountability and leadership at Myrtue Medical Center by its administration and board of trustees during a tax levy public hearing here on Tuesday, Feb.