HARLAN – The City of Harlan has hired Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) to help with the preparation of an application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for housing rehabilitation.    The Harlan City Council voted 5-0 Tuesday, Dec.

REGIONAL – The deadline has passed for individuals and families to seek assistance in this year’s annual holiday adoption program, but there still is time for those wishing to adopt families to do so.    For those donating, they can deliver gifts to WCCA’s Outreach Office on the designated drop-off day, Monday, Dec. 17 between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.    Distribution of gifts to families will be held on Tuesday, Dec.

    APACHE JUNCTION, AZ -- Former Harlan resident LaVale Jensen of Apache Junction, AZ will mark her 90th birthday on December 21. Her family is requesting a card shower in her honor. Cards will reach her if sent to 2080 S. Ironwood Drive #159, Apache Junction, AZ 85120.

    DEFIANCE -- Annette Kloewer of Defiance will celebrate her 70th birthday on December 28. Her daughters are planning a card shower in her honor. Cards will reach her if sent to PO Box 174, Defiance, IA 51527.

    DEFIANCE -- Melissa Kite and Derek Anderson both of Onawa exchanged marriage vows at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance on June 16, 2018. The 2 p.m. double ring ceremony was performed by Father Chris Fontanini.    Parents of the couple are Dan and EAnn Christensen, Defiance; and Bill and Rhonda Anderson, Defiance.

 HARLAN (Dec. 3) -- The Harlan Community bowling teams opened their season with a split against Shenandoah Monday at Cyclone Lanes. The Cyclone girls were victorious by a total score of 2,122 to 2,017 while the Mustangs won the boys dual 2,573 to 2,290. The HCHS girls built a 121-pin advantage following two individual rounds and were able to make it stand throughout the Baker games.

 BLAIR, NEB. (Dec.

 GLENWOOD (Dec. 4) -- Harlan Community’s promising start to the 2018-19 wrestling season continued in earnest Tuesday night with a 3-0 showing and two conference victories at Glenwood. HCHS swept the quad with wins of 72-6 over Southwest Iowa (Sidney), 82-0 over St. Albert and 47-28 over the host Rams. The Cyclones notched their first dual win vs.

 NEOLA (Dec. 4) -- The AHSTW girls basketball team never quite landed a knockout punch at Tri-Center Tuesday night, but still led nearly wire-to-wire in picking up its first conference victory of the season, 51-41, over the Trojans. Sophomore Claire Harris led the Lady Vikes with 20 points and Claire Denning added 10 - all in the first half - as they improved to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in Western Iowa Conference play.