DES MOINES -- The Harlan Community and Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton girls basketball teams were both defeated in the first round of the Girls State Basketball Tournament this week, the Cyclones losing to Marion Wednesday and the Spartans falling to Newell-Fonda on Monday.

 DES MOINES -- The Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton girls attempted 37 fewer shots than Newell-Fonda in Monday’s Class 1-A state tournament quarterfinal, turning the ball over 29 times and allowing 22 offensive rebounds. Yet there the Spartans were, leading the defending state champs by a point with three quarters in the books. And that’s when Newell-Fonda reaffirmed exactly why it has played in the last three state title games. Tweaking their press

 DES MOINES -- IKM-Manning’s first-round opponent at the Boys State Basketball Tournament features two 20-point scorers and plays a fast, pressuring style. How well the Wolves can slow tempo and play under control will go a long way in determining their success in Monday’s Class 1-A quarterfinal vs.

    SHELBY -- Donald Ray Colligan, 79, Shelby, died March 4 at Elm Crest Retirement Community.    Private services will be held at a later date.    Colligan is survived by his wife, Joan Colligan, of Shelby; sons James Colligan of Omaha, NE and Keith (Cynthia) Colligan of Shelby; daughter Lisa (Rick) Knavel of Ennis, TX; brothers Robert (Marlene) Colligan of Wisner, NE and Louis (Marilyn) Glister, Jr.

    PANAMA -- Lucille Margaret Koch, 87, Panama, died March 4 at the Little Flower Haven Nursing Home.    Services will be held Tuesday, March 8 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church in Panama with burial in the St. Mary’s Cemetery at Panama.    A rosary was held Monday, March 7 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Parish Center.  Visitation was Monday from 5-9 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Dorothy Hall of Persia will celebrate her 90th birthday on Sunday, March 13 beginning with her immediate family attending church with her at the First Assembly of God near Harlan. Following the service, a catered noon meal is planned for her family, church members and additional family and friends.    Hosting the celebration will be her family.

    WESTPHALIA -- Samantha Ohlinger and Robert Kinney both of Omaha will marry on May 14 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia.    Samantha is the daughter of Mary (Blum) Ohlinger, Omaha, and the late Gerald Ohlinger. Robert is the son of Danny and Flocelia Kinney, Omaha. 

    IRWIN -- Larry and Judy Knudson of Irwin will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at an open house on Saturday, March 12 from 1-4 p.m. in the Irwin Community Building. Friends and relatives are invited to attend.    The couple’s three children are Brad Knudson, Irwin; Brenda and Dan Hansen, Kimballton; and Brian Knudson, Irwin. The Knudsons have six grandsons. 

STORM LAKE – Five students from Harlan Community High School brought home two victories after competing at the Buena Vista University Spanish Language Fair in Storm Lake Monday, Feb. 22.    HCS Spanish Instructor Kayla Weis took the students – Addie Kaster, Jenna Leinen, Maggie McGrath, Clare Klein and Haley Koch, to the event, and said she was extremely proud of their efforts.