COUNCIL BLUFFS -- The Harlan Community girls basketball team will have two full weeks to digest and relive Tuesday’s heartbreaking loss at Abraham Lincoln. Up by 12 points in the third quarter, the Cyclones watched their lead slowly dwindle away down the stretch before A.L.’s Hope Riche made a three-pointer at the final horn to give the Lynx a 58-57 non-conference victory. Just one week after the HCHS boys lost on a last-second overtime three

 MANNING -- After watching his team fall behind 7-2 in the opening moments Tuesday night, IKM-Manning girls basketball coach Gene Rasmussen decided it was time for a quick change. So less than two minutes into the game against AHSTW, Rasmussen swapped out all five starters without thinking twice.

 ELK HORN -- The third-ranked Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton girls basketball team improved to 8-0 Tuesday night with a dominating 71-15 home win over West Harrison. The Spartans led 25-5 after one quarter and 52-9 at the half before outscoring the Hawkeyes 17-0 in the third quarter.

 HARLAN -- Battling through some typical ups and downs with an inexperienced varsity lineup, the Harlan Community boys basketball team will take a 3-3 record into Friday’s final December game vs.

    DAVID CITY, NE - Helen Barta, 105, formerly of Persia, died Wed., Dec. 28 at St. Joseph’s Village in David City, NE.    Services are pending at Pauley Jones Funeral Home, Harlan.

    AVOCA - Melissa K. Martin, 50, formerly of Avoca, died Mon., Dec. 26 at Star Valley Medical Center, Las Vegas, NV.    Visitation was Thurs., Dec. 29 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home, Avoca with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m.    Funeral services are Friday, Dec. 30 at 10 a.m. at St.

    EARLING - Angela Gaul, 101, Earling, died Tues., Dec. 27 at Little Flower Haven.    Visitation was Thurs., Dec. 29 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. with a Catholic Daughters Rosary at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.    A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Dec. 30 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with burial in the St.

    IRWIN - Maxine A. Heilesen, 87, died Monday, Dec. 26 in Elk Horn.    Visitation was Thurs., Dec. 29 from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. (family greet friends 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.)  at Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan with services on Friday, Dec. 30 at 10:30 a.m.

    HARLAN – Small business development along Highway 59 south of the Settle Inn hotel took a step forward this month as city officials in Harlan move to re-plat the lots to allow for future development, including the possibility of a new restaurant, The Buck Snort.    The Harlan Personnel and Finance Committee met with a restaurant representative Thursday, Dec.