HARLAN -- Cold temperatures in early January have led to an increase in natural gas usage in Harlan, officials at the Harlan Municipal Utilities said this week.    “Given the cold temperatures, it’s expected the amount of gas used would be up this year,” said Doug Hammer, Director of Marketing at HMU.    The first 15 days of 2018 have been marked with temperatures in the single digits and wind chills of up to 30 degrees below zero.

 RED OAK (Jan. 9) -- The Harlan Community boys placed third out of five teams while the Cyclone girls took fifth at last Tuesday’s Red Oak Bowling Tournament at Red Oak Lanes. Competition was fierce on the boys side of the meet as Lewis Central edged Shenandoah by 69 pins for the title, 2,796 to 2,727.

    PARKER, CO -- A surprise card shower is being planned for former Shelby resident Gene Bargenquast in honor of his 80th birthday on February 10.    His sister, Pam, will be collecting the cards and sending them to Gene. Cards can be sent to Pam Allen, P.O. Box 60, Shelby, IA 51570.

 MOUNT AYR -- The Harlan Community wrestling team finished with a hard-luck 5-3 record and tied for third place out of nine teams at the Ron Scott Memorial Dual Tournament in Mount Ayr January 12-13. HCHS opened the tournament Friday with a 42-39 loss to eventual champion Lathrop (Missouri) and suffered its only other losses based on criteria after finishing in a dual tie against both Shenandoah (31-30 loss Friday night) and Martensdale-St.

INDIAN LAND, SC -- Former Harlan resident Dave Koos of Indian Land will mark his 80th birthday at an open house hosted by his family on Saturday, February 3. The celebration will be held from 2-5 p.m. at the Carolina Reserve Clubhouse in Indian Land.    Friends and relatives are invited to attend. Cards will also reach him if sent to 4058 Perth Road, Indian Land, SC 29707.

 GLENWOOD (Jan. 13) -- In a high-scoring matchup of top-10, Class 3A boys basketball teams Saturday night, free throws proved to be the big difference maker as second-ranked Glenwood held off No.

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