HARLAN -- The Harlan Community Schools Board of Education approved the 2017-18 school calendar at its regular meeting Monday evening, April 10.    The first day of school this fall will be August 23, with the first semester ending on December 22.  The second semester will begin January 3 and end on May 24.    Next year’s school calender will include three built-in weather or state tournament days.

    COUNCIL BLUFFS -- On April 11, Matthew E. Gross, a 40-year-old Westphalia resident, was sentenced by Chief United States District Court Judge John A.

GRINNELL -- Duane M. Bissen, 66, Grinnell, died Tuesday, April 11 at his home.    Services will be held Tuesday, April 18 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grinnell with interment in the Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.  Visitation will be held Monday, April 17 beginning at 2 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell.  Family will receive friends from 4:30-7:30 p.m.  A scripture service will be held at 4 p.m.

    COLLEGE STATION, TX -- Paul A. Pauley, 87, College Station, TX, died April 10 in College Station.    Services will be held Saturday, April 15 at 11 a.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan with burial in the Harlan Cemetery.  Visitation is Saturday from 10-11 a.m.

 HARLAN -- When Harlan Community girls track coach Doug Renkly used words like “mean” and “frosty” to describe his team’s performance here Thursday night, he wasn’t referring to the weather or anyone’s personality. Renkly was talking about his team’s “lazer-like focus,” determination and competitive spirit that was on display for nearly three hours as the Cyclones placed second to Sioux City Bishop Heelan in the annual Koos Invitational girls

 HARLAN -- Scoring twice on first-half breakaway goals into the wind, the Harlan Community girls soccer team was unable to take advantage of a second-half breeze at their backs in Friday night’s 4-2 home loss to Sioux City West. HCHS led 2-1 with less than 10 minutes left in the first half before the visiting Wolverines scored the final three goals, including two before halftime and another just 54 seconds following the break. The Cyclones, wh

 CLARINDA -- Led by Nick Foss’ gold medal in the long jump, Harlan Community scored 19 times in 16 events and placed fifth in the “Class 3-A” division of Friday’s Clarinda Cardinal Relays boys track meet. Glenwood won the 3-A team title with 152 points, followed by Lewis Central (124), Atlantic (89), Thomas Jefferson (86) and HCHS (66). The 2-A division was won by Griswold, which scored 124 points to edge St.

 HARLAN -- Led by Kevin Campbell’s medalist round of 39, the Harlan Community boys golf team opened the season with a 24-stroke victory over Denison-Schleswig at the Harlan Golf and Country Club Thursday, winning 166 to 190. Jay Swanson and Matthew Bjoin both added rounds of 41 for the Cyclones while Troy Nowatzke and Ross Petersen shot 45s.

 HARLAN -- The Harlan Community boys tennis team finished a busy week going 2-1 in dual competition following Friday’s 9-0 home win over St. Albert. HCHS lost to Denison-Schleswig 7-2 on Thursday and won 9-0 at Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson last Tuesday. The Cyclones are now 2-2 on the season. HCHS seniors Alec Plagman and Caleb Rasmussen both finished the week 3-0 in singles play in the number two and six spots of the lineup, respectively.