WESTSIDE -- Falling behind 39-24 at the half, Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton was unable to mount a second-half comeback in last Thursday’s 70-53 loss at sixth-ranked (1-A) Ar-We-Va. The unbeaten Rockets improved to 8-0 overall and 7-0 inside the Rolling Valley Conference while the Spartans entered the holiday break at 6-2 overall and 6-2 in the RVC. 

 WESTSIDE -- The third-rated Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton girls basketball team reached the Christmas break with a 9-0 record following last Thursday’s 66-21 win at Ar-We-Va. The Spartans, who also sport a 9-0 Rolling Valley Conference record, were led by Sophia Peppers’ 17 points and 13 rebounds against the winless Rockets (0-8, 0-7 RVC).

    HARLAN -- Marilyn Rodacker of Harlan celebrated her 80th birthday on December 25. Her family is requesting a card shower in her honor.    Cards will reach her if sent to 1709 West Park Street, Harlan, Iowa 51537. 

    HARLAN – The City of Harlan is actively marketing available lots in its G.H. Christiansen subdivision in north Harlan, and recently has put together a marketing packet of information for anyone interested in building a home in the community’s newest subdivision.

    HARLAN -- Shelby County residents saw a mild November turn quickly into a brutal December, a harsh reality that winter is here and with it comes snow, ice and plunging temperatures into the single digits below zero this past month.    With the winter months upon us, local emergency officials including the Harlan Fire Department are reminding homeowners about the fire dangers associated with heating equipment.    Improper use of such equipm

    HARLAN – The board of the Shelby County Historical Society (SCHS) has approved the hiring of a Grants and Development Coordinator.    Museum Manager Nathan Buman said, “The Grants and Development Coordinator will oversee all aspects of the organization’s grants, fundraising and membership.”    “I believe that bringing this person on board in this position will continue moving us forward as we strive to become a premier destination in weste

    COUNTY – Elected officials and their deputies in Shelby County will see a 2.25 percent salary increase and a potential one percent additional increase next year based on performance review under a proposal approved by the county’s board of supervisors Tuesday, Dec.

 MANNING – The growth of a basketball program was on full display Tuesday night as the AHSTW boys outlasted IKM-Manning on the road, 63-55, in Western Iowa Conference action. The Vikings scored the first 14 points of the game and stormed ahead 18-2 in the opening five minutes, then recovered and eventually pulled away after IKM-M rallied back to take a brief 36-34 lead early in the third quarter. To do both of those things in one night – lead

 COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Falling behind 22-4 against the fourth-ranked team in Class 4-A, Harlan Community fought back to make it a game but couldn’t get over the hump in a 60-49 boys basketball loss at Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln Tuesday night. HCHS closed within 37-27 at halftime and made it 53-46 with three minutes left before the unbeaten Lynx closed out their sixth win of the season. The Cyclones, who outrebounded A.L.