ELK HORN -- James George O’Keefe, 69, Elk Horn, died February 5 at the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn.    Services will be held at a later date.    O’Keefe is survived by his mother, Pauline O’Keefe, of Huntley, WY; wife Phyllis O’Keefe of Elk Horn; son James J.

    FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ -- Norma Jean Pycha, 72, Fountain Hills, AZ, formerly of Defiance, Omaha, and Blair, NE, died February 4.    Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m .at Messinger Funeral Home in Fountain Hills with interment at the Bohemian Cemetery of Omaha at a date to be announced.    Pycha is survived by three stepsons and their families, three grandchildren, nine siblings, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

    HARLAN -- The HCS Board of Education met in closed session for approximately 5 1/2 hours Monday evening, Feb.

    HARLAN – Two Harlan residents who have spoken before at public forums, or meetings of the HCS Board of Education, again Monday addressed the school board, citing concerns for costs associated with the independent investigation into allegations made regarding Supt.

    HARLAN – Applause broke out on two occasions at Monday’s school board meeting following speeches by teachers Brent Tucker and Randi Daniels, who said they and others were there to support the school board, which currently is awaiting the conclusion of an independent investigator’s report regarding allegations made against HCS Superintendent of Schools Justin Wagner.    Daniels and Tucker stood in solidarity with approximately 45 current an

    AVOCA -- Cheerleaders and Little Cheerleaders Show off their Viking cheer spirit during halftime last Friday in Avoca.

    HARLAN -- Myrtue Medical Center Board of Trustees is proposing to lower the current tax levy rate from $1.20792 per thousand taxable valuation to $1.17357 for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. The public hearing date and time on the tax asking proposal for 2019-2020 is set for Tuesday, February 26 at 7:30 a.m.

 ELK HORN (Jan.

 ELK HORN (Jan. 28) -- Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton entered the Class 1A boys basketball rankings at No. 10 Monday and promptly defeated CAM 74-50 that night to sweep the season series. The Spartans knocked down 12-of-25 three-pointers in the game, including 6-of-12 by Josh Pettepier and 4-of-5 by Trey Nelson, who led the team with 18 points each.