STATE -- Influenza spread and severity is building in Iowa, as the Iowa Department of Public Health reported four new influenza-related deaths today: an elderly (81+ years of age) female and older adult (61 to 80 years of age) female in Southeast Iowa; an elderly female in Northeast Iowa; and an elderly male in Northwest Iowa.    Since October 2017, a total of 14 influenza-related deaths have been reported.

 COUNCIL BLUFFS (Jan. 5) -- When a 49-40 lead to start the fourth quarter turned into a 50-49 deficit less than two and a half minutes later, the Harlan Community boys basketball team buckled down and found a way to win. Sparked by seven points from Shane Chamberlain, the Cyclones used a pivotal 9-3 run to regain their edge and hit just enough free throws down the stretch to outlast St.

 HARLAN (Jan. 5) -- Don’t look now, but Harlan Community has risen to fourth place in the Hawkeye Ten Conference girls basketball standings. Taking command of the game with a 20-0 first-half run, the Cyclones limited St.

 ANITA (Jan. 4) -- It was an up and down start to 2018 for the Harlan Community wrestling team Thursday night as the Cyclones earned a 1-1 split vs.

 ELK HORN (Jan. 4) -- The AHSTW wrestling team improved its dual record to 15-5 Thursday night by sweeping a quad meet at Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton. The Vikings defeated the host Spartans 66-6, rallied past ACGC 42-34 and beat Griswold 54-10. Exira-EHK finished 0-3 on the night, also losing to Griswold (54-12) and ACGC (42-17). The most competitive dual involving an area team saw AHSTW erase a 28-6 deficit vs.

    AVOCA -- Vera Leona Schuning, 102, Avoca, died January 13 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.    Services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 10:30 a.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca with burial in the Graceland Cemetery.  Visitation is Tuesday, Jan. 16 from 5-7 p.m.

    EARLING -- Kathryn A. Martin, 87, Earling, formerly of Shelby, died Friday, Jan. 12 in Earling.    Services will be held Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. at Shelby United Methodist Church in Shelby with burial in the Shelby Cemetery.  Friends may call Tuesday from 1-2 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Russell Dale Adams, 91, Harlan, died January 12 at Elm Crest Retirement Community.    Services will be held Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 1:30 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan with burial in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Kirkman.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

    KIRKMAN -- Rex Gilbert Adams, 88, Kirkman, died January 4.    Services will be held Saturday, March 10 at 11 a.m. at the Kirkman United Methodist Church in Kirkman.    Adams is survived by sons Rex A. (Cindy) Adams and Jay B. (Roxanne) Adams; grandchildren Alison (Don Cook), Rex C.