BLAIR, NEB. -- The Iowa Western Baseball League will wrap up its 2017 season Saturday, August 19, when a team of IWL All-Stars takes on the Dodge County All-Stars in Blair, Nebraska.

 HARLAN -- The Harlan Community cross country program held its annual preseason Cyclone Camp August 7-11, concluding with a timed race at Prairie Rose State Park on Friday morning. The camp was attended by 51 prospective harriers (36 high school runners, 15 middle schoolers) who took part in various workouts throughout the week.

 HARLAN -- The Harlan Community volleyball team opened preseason practices on Monday, August 7, with a roster of 30 players in grades 9-12. First-year Cyclone head coach Willie Baughman, a varsity assistant the last two years, inherits a program that finished 20-18 overall last year and placed fifth in the Hawkeye 10 Conference with a record of 6-4. HCHS returns seven letter winners from a year ago, led by first-team all-conference libero Sidn

 AREA -- Forty-two total baseball and softball players from the area have been recognized on this year’s Hawkeye Ten, Western Iowa and Rolling Valley all-conference teams, including 20 first-team selections. The Harlan Community baseball team, which set a school record for wins (36-3) and finished as the Class 3-A state runner-up, leads the charge with five first-team players, followed by the Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton baseball and softball tea

 HARLAN -- Harlan Community junior Olivia Petersen was one of just 20 girls in the nation awarded the Ultra Ankle® JVA AthLeader Award in volleyball this past June to recognize those players who exemplify outstanding volleyball performance, academic excellence, leadership, responsibility and selflessness.

 GALVESTON, TEX. -- Alex Bladt, 12, caught a 30-inch black tip shark on July 3 while fishing in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Galveston, Texas. Alex, the son of Greg and Tammy Bladt, Harlan, was on a fishing charter with his father and brother Aiden when he reeled in his meal for the day.

Harlan Community Schools welcomes new teachers for 2017-2018.

DES MOINES -- Shelby County Fair Queen Emma Barnes, 17, of Harlan, participated in the 2017 Iowa State Fair Queen Coronation Ceremony on Aug. 12. 

KIRKMAN -- Angie Kiem always knew that she wanted to come back to Shelby County.    Until she was nine, Kiem lived in Kirkman. It wasn’t until 2012 that she and her husband, Doug, decided to make their move.    After finding a job that would allow him to live anywhere, Doug – who retired from the U.S. Navy – and Angie began a search for a home in Iowa.