REGIONAL – Harvest activities were virtually completed during the week ending November 20, including harvesting, baling corn stalks, tiling, terracing, hauling and spreading manure, and anhydrous application.    In west central Iowa, including Shelby County, 92 percent of the corn crop for grain and 95 percent of the soybeans harvested as of last week, slightly lagging behind the statewide average of 98 percent overall.    Iowa Secretary o

    HARLAN – A team of students from Harlan Community Middle School finished as state runners-up at the 2016 Middle School Mock Trial State Tournament Wednesday, Nov. 16.    This year’s mock trial case was a civil case based on a 2013 wrongful death lawsuit filed by a mother whose son died participating in the extreme obstacle course event in West Virginia.

    ELK HORN—2016 marks the 38th anniversary of the Danish Villages of Elk Horn and Kimballton, Iowa’s Christmas celebration called Julefest 2016 on Friday-Saturday, Nov. 25-26.

    COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Patricia A. (Andersen) Custer, 71, Council Bluffs, died November 21.    Services will be Saturday, Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. at Cutler-O’Neill Funeral Home in Council Bluffs, luncheon to follow at the funeral home, and then interment at 1:30 p.m. at the Harlan Cemetery.  Refreshments will follow at the Peace Lutheran Church in Harlan. Visitation is Friday, Nov. 25 from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

    AVOCA -- JoAnn Hilda Weihs, 85, Avoca, died November 21 at Myrtue Medical Center.    Services will be held Saturday, Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan with burial in the Harlan Cemetery.  A wake service will be held Friday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.  Visitation is Friday from 5-8 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Corey and Michelle Sorensen of Harlan announce the engagement of their daughter, Macie to Luke Ferguson, son of Renee Murray, Harlan; and Matt Ferguson, Harlan.    The couple will exchange marriage vows on December 22 in a ceremony at the Harlan Golf and Country Club.

Christmas Highlights!

    IRWIN – An Irwin Christmas Market is planned for Saturday, Dec. 10, offering a variety of events to celebrate the holiday season.    The market will run from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

    AVOCA – Live cold-weather animals from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo are coming to Avoca City Hall on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 3-4 p.m. as part of the community’s Christmas kick-off celebration, Holidays on Main.