ELK HORN -- With the fifth set deadlocked at 10, Mara Burmeister rotated to the front row for Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton and played like a girl on a mission. Four Burmeister kills later, the Spartans celebrated a 15-11 set victory and an up-and-down 3-2 decision over Ar-We-Va here Tuesday night, winning 25-21, 25-20, 13-25, 13-25, 15-11. Exira-EHK showcased both good moments and bad moments in snapping a short three-match losing skid, but neve

 MONDAMIN -- Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton improved to 5-0 on the gridiron last Friday night with a resounding 62-14 win at West Harrison. The Spartans are 3-0 in District 1 (8-Player) going into this week’s Homecoming game vs. Woodbine (1-4, 1-2). Exira-EHK led the Hawkeyes 33-2 at halftime and played with a running clock for most of the second half, outgaining West Harrison in total offense, 365-207.

    HARLAN – Fire Prevention Week is October 4-10, under the theme this year “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep.  Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!”    Location matters when it comes to a smoke alarm.  Along with firefighters and safety advocates nationwide, the Harlan Fire Department is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) this week to remind local residents about the importance of having working

    OMAHA, NE -- Richard Nicholas Stein, 89, Omaha, NE, died October 2 in Omaha.    Services will be held Saturday, Oct. 10 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Church in Portsmouth with burial in the St.

    PORTSMOUTH -- Vern E. Tarkington, 87, Portsmouth, died September 30 at the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center.    Services will be held Friday, Oct. 2 at 11:30 a.m.

    HARLAN -- Jerie Dee Obrecht, 65, Harlan, died September 30 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.    Services will be held Saturday, Oct. 3 at 10:30 a.m.

    KANSAS CITY, MO -- Darci Marie Towne, 35, Kansas City, MO, died September 26 at her home.    Services will be held Friday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca with burial in the Oak Hill Cemetery at Hancock.  Visitation was Thursday, Oct. 1 from 4-8 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m.

    HARLAN – Myrtue Medical Center Behavioral Health will host a community wellness event Thursday, Oct.

HARLAN -- Vernon Lee Hansen, a Harlan native and 1968 graduate of Harlan Community High School, was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Iowa band “Freestyle,” at Lake Okoboji on September 6.    He was primarily the sax player with that band, but got his start playing the trumpet while a student in Harlan. He played trumpet in the Harlan Band and at Drake University.