ELK HORN (Dec. 8) -- The Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton girls basketball team is off to a 3-0 start on the season following Rolling Valley Conference wins over Glidden-Ralston, Coon Rapids-Bayard and Paton-Churdan. The seventh-ranked (1A) Spartans opened up with a 64-26 win at Glidden-Ralston on Tuesday, Dec. 1. Scoring leaders for E-EHK included Quinn Grubbs with 18 points, Macy Emgarten 14, Tatum Grubbs 13 and Mollie Rasmussen 12.

 ELK HORN (Dec. 8) -- Easton Nelson led the way with 24 points as Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton defeated Paton-Churdan 59-42 here Tuesday night in a Rolling Valley Conference boys basketball game. The Spartans improved to 2-1 on the season.
   Exira-EHK Points: Easton Nelson 24 (9-13 FGs), Jackson Radcliff 15 (7-10 FGs), Trey Petersen 9, Hunter Andersen 5, Tyler Petersen 4, Aiden Potts 2.

    COUNTY – The Shelby County Trails Board’s “Get Your Feet on the Trail” fundraiser is in full swing this month, as the committee works to secure funding that will lead to the construction of the first phase of the project in western Shelby County.    One hundred percent of the donations from the fundraiser will be used to construct multi-use trails in Shelby County.    Bob Mortensen, president of the trails board, said the fundraiser is a c

    HARLAN – Five-year financial projections for the Harlan Community Schools show a need to cut expenditures each year in order to offset declining enrollment and limited allowable growth, but doing so could allow the district to reduce its property tax levy while keeping the solvency ratio and unspent authorized budget in check.    Those words come from the HCS Board of Education and its finance committee, which met on December 10 to review

    HARLAN -- Another home was brought into Harlan by flatbed trailer to be renovated and put in place in north Harlan to help address the housing needs in town.    Bruce Burger Construction is renovating the home after it’s set in place at 501 7th St.  Here, O’Neill Company helped maneuver the home through the city streets, turning the corner here at 5th and Broadway Sts.

    AVOCA -- Donald V. Nielsen of Avoca will celebrate his 90th birthday on December 27. His family is planning a card shower in his honor.    Cards will reach him if sent to 1108 N. Frost Avenue, Avoca, IA 51521. His family includes Dennis and Marge Nielsen, Elmwood, NE; Deb and Keith Hotze, Macedonia; Duane and Kristi Nielsen, Avoca; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
 

 HARLAN -- When Abi Albertsen ultimately decided that college athletics was part of her future, the Harlan Community senior did not mess around. About a month after capping a successful high school cross country career at the state meet in Fort Dodge, Albertsen signed a national letter of intent last Wednesday, Dec.

 HARLAN (Dec. 7) -- The Harlan Community girls bowling team is off to a 2-0 start on the season while the boys are 1-1 following home duals against Tri-Center and Shenandoah at Cyclone Lanes. The Cyclone girls defeated Tri-Center 2,402 to 1,836 last Thursday (Dec. 3) and easily defeated Shenandoah 2,419 to 1,683 on Monday. Lily Hegarty led the team with a two-game series of 396 vs. the Trojans, including a 218 in the first game of the year.

    HARLAN -- Harlan Community High School music students Jack Klitgaard, Mitchell Rueschenberg, and Jackson Lotenschtein this week have put their talents together to record a Christmas video for the community.  The selection of holiday tunes will be provided to the local long term care facilities, and will be available on Harlan Municipal Utilities and Farmers Mutual Cooperative Telephone Company public access channels, as well as during lunc