Marvel Lou Jacobsen was born on April 6, 1935, to Louie J. and Alma A. (Gruhn) Thomsen near Gray, Iowa. She was baptized and later confirmed her faith at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. Marvel graduated from Harlan High School with the Class of 1953. Following her education, she worked as a telephone operator in Harlan and for the Mutual of Omaha.On February 1, 1957, Marvel was united in marriage to Frederick I.

AVOCA - The AHSTW Viking football team played nine football games in the 2025 season and went 4-5.  The Vikings season ended in the Class A playoffs.

MANNING – The IKM-Manning Wolves football team tied its best win total since 2019 this fall, finishing with a 6-3 record.

MANNING- The 2025 class A district 8 all-district teams were announced on Tuesday, with the IKM-Manning Wolves being well represented and senior Ben Ramsey earning offensive MVP of the district. Along with Ramsey on the first team offense, the Wolves also had Seniors Davis Rasmussen, Ashton Ahrenholtz, and Jace Starman. Ramsey was second in class A in passing yards and Ahrenholtz was fifth in class A in receiving yards with 735. Rasmussen was

DENISON — Officials with Project Harmony, a recognized leader in child advocacy, announced Wednesday, the opening of their newest satellite location at Senior Life Solutions – located East of the main campus at Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison.

INDIANAPOLIS — Nine students and two advisors from the Harlan FFA Chapter traveled to Indianapolis for the National FFA Convention, held October 28–31. Along the way, the group visited several locations for educational tours, giving members opportunities to meet new people, build leadership skills, and explore career paths.

AREA — Strong solar storms have caused shimmering auroras in the sky, filling it with an array of vibrant colors, and according to NASA and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the solar cycle has caused the auroras to be viewed further south than normal.Tuesday and Wednesday, the northern lights were visible in areas typically outside the viewing range, including Shelby County.

STATEWIDE — Scientists for Iowa are calling for a shift toward renewable energy and stronger building standards to address the growing impact of climate change on insurance costs.About 180 Iowa researchers and educators from 26 colleges and universities across the state released the Iowa Climate Statement Monday, warning that higher temperatures and increasingly destructive weather events are contributing to rising insurance premiums.“Each of

HARLAN — The Harlan Community School District honored those who have served at a Veteran’s Day program, which featured keynote speaker Retired USMC Col. Jim Shelton.  Pictured clockwise are: Student speakers included  Annelyse Sheehan (at podium) and (left to right) Sofia Gallardo Barajas, Manasseh Bauman, Dominic Scherder, and Jayden Lacy; Col.