HARLAN (Dec.

 AVOCA (Dec. 11) -- The AHSTW boys won each quarter on Friday night and gradually pulled away from IKM-Manning for a 59-44 Western Iowa Conference victory. The Vikings improved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the WIC while the Wolves dropped to 0-5 and 0-4, respectively. AHSTW shot 55 percent from the field, including 11-of-24 from three-point range.

 AVOCA (Dec.

    SHELBY -- Andrew “Andy” Jacob Redbinbaugh, 26, Shelby, died December 20 at the 23 mile marker, I-80 westbound.    Family will greet friends Sunday, Dec. 27 from 1-4 p.m.

    MANNING -- Max Sanford, 15, Manning, died Friday, Dec. 18 at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines following a vehicle accident the previous evening.    Services were held Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 10:30 a.m.

    STATE -- The value of an acre of Shelby County farmland remained steady, while surrounding counties either remained steady, dropped slightly or increased slightly, according to the annual farmland value survey presented by Iowa State University last week.    Favorable interest rates, a strong demand for land, and substantial government payments helped stabilize Iowa’s farmland market in a year in which Iowa’s farmers faced the destructive

    AVOCA -- The winter sports season officially has kicked off, and while it looks a little different as far as number of spectators, the athletes are still getting to play on the hardword and grappled on the wrestling mats. Also able to perform are the area dance teams.

    HARLAN – The Iowa Jazz Championships (IJC) Board of Directors announced last week the cancelation of the 2021 event scheduled for April 6, 2021.    The decision came from the IJC Board of Directors and Co-Chairs Tuesday, Dec. 15 after learning the Iowa Bandmasters Association (IBA) had removed the competitive aspect of the six district festivals in Iowa for 2021.
 

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Municipal Utilities Board of Trustees and employees represented by AFSCME (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees) Iowa Council 61, Local 1014, have begun initial collective bargaining negotiations this month.    The board held an exempt session meeting Wednesday, Dec.