REGIONAL – The annual weather summary from the Farmers Almanac says this winter will be warmer than normal with less snow than average.    If December is any indication of the rest of the winter months to come, then the almanac may be a little off.  Lots of snow and bitter cold temperatures have hit the area in late December and early January.    However, the almanac paints a picture of a late December to mid January freeze, with colder-th

    HARLAN -- Lyrick Chron Cardine is the first baby born in 2016 at Myrtue Medical Center.  The son of Eugene Cardine and Kimberlee Green, Harlan, arrived at Myrtue on Friday, Jan. 1 at 4:17 a.m., weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces.    Lyrick has three siblings -- Nicholas, 1 1/2; Paxton, 4; and Lyncoln, 3.    Mary Lou Tremel, Earling, scored the closest time of birth when she guessed 2:37 a.m.

    EARLING -- Gerald Christensen, 75, Earling, died January 10 at the Little Flower Haven Nursing Home in Earling.    Services are pending at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.    Christensen is survived by sons Timothy Christensen of Earling and Troy Christensen of Peoria, AZ.

    AVOCA -- Vernon L. Karstens, 94, Avoca, died January 9 at the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center.    Services will be held Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 10 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca with burial in the Graceland Cemetery at Avoca.  Family greeted friends Monday, Jan. 11 from 5-7 p.m.

    SHELBY -- Patricia Mortensen, 92, Shelby, died Saturday, Jan. 9 in Omaha.    Services will be held Saturday, Jan. 16 at 10 a.m.

 HARLAN -- There was a strange feeling in the air last February when the Harlan Community wrestling season came to a close at the district meet in Atlantic. The 2014-15 Cyclones had improved their dual win total by three - going 18-8 - placed sixth in the rugged Hawkeye Ten dual standings and conference tournament for the second straight season and advanced five wrestlers from sectionals to districts for the sixth year in a row.

 AREA -- Following a two-week break for the holidays, area high school sports teams resume their seasons this week with several intriguing basketball games highlighting the schedule. On Tuesday night, the 7th-ranked Harlan Community boys (5-1) will play at No. 6 Atlantic (8-0) in a key matchup for Hawkeye Ten Conference supremacy. The varsity game will tip off at approximately 7:30 p.m., following the JV game at 6:00.

    COUNTY – Shelby County has signed a five-year agreement with Myrtue Medical Center to provide community health services for the county.    Costs will begin at $130,000 in the first year, and raise by $10,000 increments over the five years to $170,000 in the fifth year.  The agreement comes on the heels of a three-year agreement at $100,000 each year between the medical center and Shelby County.    Providing the services at that rate create

    COUNTY – The well-being of Shelby County children continues to be better than average, according to the National Kids Count Initiative sponsored by the Annie E.