HARLAN (July 17) -- In baseball - or any sport for that matter - it’s important to answer an opponent’s rally as quickly as possible to keep momentum on your side. Harlan Community was able to do that and then some Friday night, countering Creston’s two-run top of the fourth with four runs in the bottom of the inning, then adding two in the sixth to put away the Panthers 9-2 in a Class 3A, District 16 semifinal. Brenden Bartley finished a tri

 KIMBALLTON (July 17) -- The Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton softball team earned another crack at Newell-Fonda here Friday, moving within one game of the state tournament with a 6-2, Class 1A regional semifinal win over West Harrison. The 9th-ranked Spartans took control with a five-run third inning and got a four-hitter and 13 strikeouts from ace pitcher Macy Emgarten, improving their unbeaten record to 15-0. They advanced to Monday night’s Region

 ONAWA (July 15) -- For the second straight year, AHSTW’s softball season came to an end at the hands of West Monona. The fifth-ranked Spartans (19-1) got a three-hitter from senior pitcher Lexi Lander and used a four-run fourth inning to down the Lady Vikes 6-1 Wednesday night in a Class 2A regional quarterfinal.

 COUNCIL BLUFFS (July 14) -- St. Albert followed up a five-run third inning with nine runs in the fourth and finished off Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton 16-2 in a five-inning Class 1A district baseball semifinal last Tuesday night. The third-ranked Falcons (19-1) advanced to Saturday’s District 14 final and won big again, beating up Sidney 16-1 in four to earn a spot in Tuesday’s Substate 7 final against CAM (15-2).

    COUNTY -- The Shelby County Fair was anything but ordinary this year.

    PORTSMOUTH -- Doramae Heller says she and her husband, Phil, feel lucky to live in a small town where people are concerned for others well-being. Portsmouth has been Doramae’s home since their marriage six decades ago and Phil’s home all his life.    Doramae (Dermody) graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in Neola. The couple met at a St. Patrick’s Day dance in Neola. They were married on June 16, 1960 at St.

    HARLAN -- Donnabelle John of Harlan will celebrate her 99th birthday on August 7. Her daughter, Deborah, is planning  a card shower in her honor.    Cards will reach her if sent to 2104 12th Street, Harlan, IA 51537. She requests no gifts.
 

    HARLAN -- These four boys wore masks and provided hand sanitizer at their lemonade stand this week at the corner of 19th and Willow Sts.  As of Tuesday afternoon they had raised $45 at $1 per cup. 

    COUNTY – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate will be mailing absentee ballot request forms to all of Iowa’s active registered voters, it was announced this week.    Auditor and Election Commissioner Mark Maxwell said Shelby County voters will be receiving absentee ballot request forms likely in late August directly from the state for the Nov.