REGIONAL -- You may already know that smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer in the United States. But do you know what’s number two?    The answer is radon, an invisible, radioactive gas—and if you didn’t know, you’re not alone. 

    HARLAN -- The family of Irma Pedersen is planning a card shower in honor of her 80th birthday on February 21. Cards will reach her if sent to 1508 Erie Drive, Harlan, IA 51537.    Her family includes the late Lee Pedersen, Shelly and Terry Saunders, Harlan; Kim Measner, Greeley, CO; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

 DES MOINES (Feb. 15) -- There’s no such thing as an easy draw at the State Wrestling Tournament, and that’s particularly true for this year’s eight area qualifiers. Among the two state qualifiers from Harlan Community and six from AHSTW, seven will face a first-round opponent ranked in the top 10 of their weight class by The Predicament when competition begins Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena.

 MISSOURI VALLEY (Feb.

 REGIONAL (Feb. 10) -- Fifteen area wrestlers will take their shots at earning a state tournament ticket Saturday when district meets are held across Iowa starting at noon. AHSTW leads the area with 10 district qualifiers and will compete in the Class 1A, District 5 Tournament at Oakland.

 HARLAN (Feb. 6) -- Knocking down 13-of-16 free throws during the fourth quarter and overtime, the Harlan Community boys basketball team survived 36 hard-fought minutes to outlast St. Albert 69-68 Tuesday night and avoid a third straight home loss. HCHS also beat the Falcons 64-61 on January 5. The rematch featured 10 lead changes and three ties in the fourth quarter alone, capped by Matt Fagan’s game-tying put-back for St.

 COUNCIL BLUFFS (Feb. 6) -- The Harlan Community girls basketball team never recovered from a slow start in Tuesday night’s 67-45 loss at St. Albert. HCHS fell behind 21-10 in the first quarter and was later outscored 20-10 in the fourth as the Saintes avenged a 20-point loss in Harlan earlier this season. The Cyclones were also scheduled to play at Sioux City East Monday night, but the game was cancelled due to inclement weather. St.

 WOODBINE (Feb. 6) -- Sophia Peppers approached a triple-double with 32 points, nine rebounds and nine steals on Tuesday night as the Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton girls capped a 20-1 regular season with an 80-35 rout of the Woodbine Tigers. Kealey Nelson added 13 points for the Spartans, followed by Leslie Caniglia with 11, Kamryn Waymire nine and Jacey Anthofer six.

 WOODBINE (Feb. 6) -- Cole Burmeister (24) and Dakota Rold (23) combined for 47 points Tuesday night as the Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton boys basketball team wrapped up Rolling Valley Conference play with a 71-54 road win over Woodbine. The Spartans finished 10-6 in the RVC and will take a 13-7 overall record into Friday’s final regular season game vs.