ELK HORN -- If you told Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton baseball coach Tony Petersen that his team would hold Coon Rapids-Bayard to just two hits on Wednesday, he would have liked his chances. But two singles were enough on this night as the Crusaders took advantage of seven walks, two hit batsmen and a crucial error and wild pitch in the sixth inning to knock the Spartans out of first place in the Rolling Valley Conference with a 3-1 road victory.

 ELK HORN -- Monday’s Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton baseball game vs. Adair-Casey was suspended by rain at the halfway mark with the Spartans leading 5-1 after three and a half innings. The game will be resumed at Adair-Casey as part of a doubleheader on June 30.

 COUNCIL BLUFFS -- The Harlan Community baseball team held off a seventh-inning rally by St. Albert Monday night to beat the Falcons 4-2 in Hawkeye Ten Conference action. Cyclone senior Brett Croghan (3-1) took a shutout to the seventh inning and pitched a complete game for the win, allowing six hits and two earned runs, walking none, hitting one batter and striking out seven to outduel Brandon Williams.

 COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Harlan Community stranded the tying run at third base in the top of the seventh inning Monday night, falling to St. Albert 4-3 in Hawkeye Ten softball action. The Cyclones fell behind 4-1 after two innings and never fully recovered, managing just four hits off Saintes pitcher Bailey Clark.

    HARLAN -- Fred and LaVonne Fox of Harlan will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 25 from 1-4 p.m. at an open house and card shower at the Therkildsen Activity Center in Harlan. Friends and relatives are invited to attend.    Their children are Ronald and Val Fox, West Des Moines; and Julie Fox and significant other, Keith Schaben, Denison. Fred and LaVonne have seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

    DES MOINES -- John and Linda Helling of Harlan announce the engagement of their daughter, Carly Jean Helling to Justin Cole Brinker both of Ankeny. He is the son of Carol and Lanny Bauer, Webster City; and Mike Brinker, Grimes.    The couple will marry on July 2 in Des Moines. 

    AUDUBON -- Ashlyn Spies and Sean Birks both of Audubon will exchange marriage vows on July 23 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Audubon.    Parents of the couple are Randy and Lynn Spies, Audubon; and Randy and Rachel Birks, Irwin.

    EARLING – Shelby County will honor one of the county’s earliest settlers in a ceremony Sunday, June 26 at the Holcomb Cemetery northwest of Earling.    The day has been declared John McIntosh Day, proclaimed by the Shelby County Board of Supervisors, and highlights of the event will include the placing of a new tombstone for McIntosh in the cemetery, as well as four more tombstones for his children and wife.    The ceremony begins at 1 p.m

HARLAN -- Tennis balls, a yellow race car, a disc golf frisbee and an unfertilized goose egg were all found while Steven Olson was clearing the island in the pond at Pioneer Park.    As a part of the Parks and Recreations board and a member of the community, Olson was concerned about the wellness of the park.