AVOCA -- It wasn’t the outcome that AHSTW wanted, but the Lady Vike girls basketball team certainly has some positive signs to build on following Tuesday night’s season opener vs.

 FORT MYERS, FL.

 HARLAN -- The IKM-Manning girls basketball team used a big run in each quarter to pull away from Harlan Community 37-24 in the final matchup of Thursday’s eight-team jamboree in Harlan. In other action, Red Oak defeated Griswold, AHSTW beat the HCHS JV 25-10 and Panorama beat Atlantic 34-16.

 CARROLL -- Longtime Harlan Community teacher and coach Chad Swanson has been recognized as the Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association Volleyball Assistant Coach of the Year for 2016. Swanson received a plaque commemorating the award at Saturday’s IGCA Volleyball All-Star Game in Carroll. Swanson has been a member of the HCHS volleyball coaching staff for nearly 20 years and also served one year as head coach in 2002.

    LOCHBUIE, CO -- Dorothy Louise Armentrout, 76, Lochbuie, CO, died November 28 at her home.    Services will be held Saturday, Dec. 3 at 10:30 a.m.

    HARLAN -- Cleo A. Anderson, 91, Harlan, died Monday, Nov. 28 in Atlantic.    Services will be held Saturday, Dec. 3 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan with burial in the Harlan Cemetery.  A wake service will be held Friday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. at Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan.  Friends may call Friday from 1-8 p.m.

    AUSTIN, TX -- Word has been received of the death of Grant Samuel Wishard, 23, Austin, TX, who died unexpectedly at his home on November 12.    Memorial services were held on November 22.    Survivors include his parents Tammy and Kevin Wishard of Austin; sisters Lauren (Chris) and Jaclyn; grandparents Bill and Helen Wishard of North Richland Hills, TX and Donald and Marilyn Dahlof of Kirkman; birthmother Erin Ronlof May; uncle Todd Dahlof

    INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- Thomas William Troll, 65, Indianapolis, IN died November 19.    There will be no services, but a memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 2-4 p.m.

    HARLAN -- The downtown Christmas lighting ceremony was a huge success Saturday evening, Nov. 26 with hundreds turning out to meet Santa and kick off the festive season.