AVOCA (Jan. 13) -- The AHSTW girls surged ahead 30-6 after one quarter and defeated Tri-Center 68-21 here Monday night, led by Kailey Jones’ 29 points, 13 rebounds and five steals. Jones hit 12-of-17 field goals.

 COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Thirty Harlan Community Schools Special Olympics athletes participated Tuesday, January 7, at Iowa Western Community College in regional competition for basketball skills and cheerleading. The event was held at the IWCC Reiver Arena. All three cheerleading teams from Harlan Community have advanced to state March 13-14 in Iowa City.

 NEOLA (Jan. 11) -- Despite not having an individual champion, Harlan Community won Saturday’s Tri-Center Wrestling Invitational by placing in 12 out of 14 weight classes and outscoring 17 other teams. Led by a pair of runner-up wrestlers in freshman Zane Bendorf (160) and junior Jesse Schwery (220), HCHS scored 182 points to record its first tournament title of the season.

 DENISON (Jan. 9) -- An extra-long holiday break appears to have been very productive for the Harlan Community wrestling team. Competing for the first time in 19 days, the Cyclones won a dual from Atlantic/CAM for the first time in seven years, 42-30, then routed Denison-Schleswig 65-15 in double dual action Thursday at Denison. HCHS improved to 9-3 overall and took over sole possession of first place in the Hawkeye Ten Conference at 6-0.

 AVOCA (Jan. 9) -- The AHSTW wrestling team improved its dual record to 9-5 overall on Thursday night with a home quad sweep of East Mills, ACGC and Griswold. The Vikings opened the meet with a 52-24 win over East Mills, going 6-1 in contested matches and picking up four wins by forfeit.

 HARLAN (Jan. 9) -- The Harlan Community bowling teams both picked up a decisive conference win vs. Creston Thursday at Cyclone Lanes, improving to 1-2 against Hawkeye Ten opposition. Led by Madison Horn’s team-high 405 two-game set (194 and 211), the HCHS girls (4-2 overall) won by 445 pins over the Panthers, 2,285 to 1,840.

    HANCOCK -- Donna Lee Hoepner, 74, Hancock, died January 20 at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital.    Services will be held Saturday, Jan. 25 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca with private family burial at the Graceland Cemetery in Avoca.  Family will greet friends Saturday from 9-11 a.m.

    AVOCA -- Rita Jeanne Hartigan, 68, Avoca, died January 19 at her home.    Services were held Thursday, Jan. 23 at noon at St.

    HARLAN -- Approximately 171 people turned out on a cold and snowy afternoon Saturday, Jan.