PORTSMOUTH -- Bob and Janet Croghan of Portsmouth announce the engagement of their daughter, Kelsey, to Jarad Gaskill, son of Greg and Lori Gaskill, Irwin.         Kelsey is the granddaughter of Stella Lefeber, Portsmouth. Jarad is the grandson of Joleen Sievertsen, Manilla, and Lynn and Myrna Gaskill, Manilla. He is the great-grandson of Opal Gaskill, Manilla. 

DES MOINES -- AHSTW junior R.J. Harris was named third-team All-State by the Iowa Newspaper Association earlier this week after leading the Vikings to one of their best basketball seasons in school history. The INA announced its 2017 All-State Boys Basketball selections on Tuesday, choosing three teams per class and naming Gladbrook-Reinbeck’s Joe Smoldt as this year’s Mr.

VERMILLION, S.D.

DES MOINES -- Harlan Community senior Joshua Cheek was one of just 21 senior boys basketball players statewide named to the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association’s 2017 Boys Academic All-State Team. Josh is the son of Kevin Cheek and Janell Leinen. Selected from more than 170 nominations, this elite group combined to average an ACT composite test score of 29.6, a cumulative GPA of 3.98 and 15.7 points per game on the basketball floor.

 IOWA CITY -- Moving up one spot on the podium from last year, IKM-Manning senior Taylor Gross finished as a state champion last Saturday (March 11) in the Special Olympics Basketball Skills competition for ages 16-21. The event was held at Iowa City High. The daughter of Paul and Joy Gross, rural Manilla, Taylor has been competing in Special Olympics state competitions for many years.

    HARLAN -- The 31st Annual Home, Garden & Living Show will be hosted by the Harlan Newspapers this Saturday, March 25 in Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium, Harlan.    The format has changed this year, moving to a one-day event, 10:30 a.m.

    HARLAN -- Alice A. Carey, 94, Harlan, died March 22 at Elm Crest Retirement Community.    Services will be held Saturday, March 25 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan with burial in the St. Mary’s Cemetery at Panama.  A wake service will be held Friday, March 24 at 7 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.  Family will greet friends Friday from 5-7 p.m.

    DES MOINES -- Trent Lee Smith, 44, Des Moines, died March 20 at Taylor House Hospice.    Services will be held Friday, March 24 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan with burial in the Evergreen Cemetery at Red Oak.  A wake service was held Thursday, March 23 at 7 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.  Visitation was Thursday from 4-9 p.m.

    HARLAN -- LaVern Leo Schmitz, 86, Harlan, died March 20 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.    Services were held Thursday, March 23 at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance with burial in the Sts.