RED OAK -- While many of her teammates have battled illness or injury during the first few weeks of the cross country season, Greichaly Kaster remains a solid mark of consistency for Harlan Community. Kaster placed second to fellow sophomore Ashley Wendt of Atlantic at Monday’s Red Oak Tiger Invite, giving her four straight top-five finishes to start the year, including back-to-back second-place medals. Kaster’s teammates all placed in the to

    ST. LOUIS, MO -- Harlan native Louree Philson (Brandenburg) Clem will celebrate her 100th birthday on September 26. Her family is planning a card shower in her honor. Cards will reach her if sent to Louree Clem, c/o Jim Brandenburg 12355 Creekhaven Drive, St. Louis, MO 63131.    Louree’s family includes two children, Barbara and Jim; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 

    HARLAN -- Former Irwin residents Vernon and Della Holdsworth of Harlan marked their 70th wedding anniversary on September 4.

    ST. LOUIS, MO -- Maggie Dust and Todd DeWees both of St. Louis exchanged marriage vows at the 9th Street Abbey in St. Louis on April 22, 2016. Matt Vianello, JD, performed the double ring ceremony.    Parents of the couple are Cecil and Mary Ann Dust, Ellisville, MO; and former Harlan residents Doug and Laurel DeWees, Maricopa, AZ. 

    IRWIN -- Nearly four inches of rain definitely made the grounds a little muddy Friday, but by the weekend, the Greenridge Steam and Gas Show site south of Irwin was greeted with drying conditions, sunshine and warm temperatures.    Officials called the old-time farming event another huge success this year.  The event featured everything from broom making and a blacksmith shop to farm equipment parades and sorghum making.

    HARLAN – The Harlan City Council has appointed Kate Kohorst as mayor to fill out the unexpired term of Gene Gettys, Jr., who resigned earlier this month after being named city administrator.    Kohorst, a Harlan attorney and former member of the city council and Harlan Municipal Utilities Board of Trustees, was one of two candidates expressing interest in the position, the other being Richard Jones, retired funeral home director at Pauley

    HARLAN --  Following a closed session to review Harlan Municipal Utilities General Manager Ken Weber’s yearly accomplishments, the board of trustees voted to pay him $120,000 for his employment through Oct. 1, 2017.     This is the salary set forth for the third year of his three-year contract.  No public information was available on his job review.

    HARLAN – City officials here have given the okay to a Christmas lighting project that will illuminate the trail in Pioneer Park with decorative trees this holiday season.    The Harlan City Council this month voted unanimously to work closely with the community’s new Harlan Christmas Light Celebration Committee in lighting up the city this December, including along the park’s sidewalks.    Harlan City Administrator Gene Gettys, Jr.

    AVOCA -- Wray Thomas Carroll, 49, Avoca, died September 20 at his home.    Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca with burial in the Graceland Cemetery at Avoca.  A masonic service will be held Friday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca.  Visitation is Friday from 5-8 p.m.