ELK HORN -- With one decisive two-minute burst, the Ar-We-Va boys basketball team showed there’s a reason they’ve won 50 consecutive regular season games. Answering Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton’s 13-2 first-half finish that put the Spartans up 29-25 at the half, Ar-We-Va’s Derek and Drew Schurke combined to score the first 10 points of the third quarter and the Rockets led the rest of the way to beat the Spartans 62-54 on Friday night. It was the

 ELK HORN -- Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton outscored Ar-We-Va 19-2 in the second quarter en route to a 58-35 win over the Rocket girls in Rolling Valley Conference action Friday night. The 2nd-ranked (1-A) Spartan girls improved to 7-0 overall and also beat Guthrie Center 67-20 on Saturday. See Friday’s Harlan News-Advertiser for more details. 

 COUNCIL BLUFFS -- The Harlan Community girls kept their Hawkeye Ten winning streak alive Friday night, opening the fourth quarter with a pivotal 11-2 run and holding off Lewis Central, 43-40, on the Titans’ home floor. Bailey Hansen and Jordyn Moser both hit 1-of-2 free throws in the final 10 seconds, sandwiched around a key defensive charge taken by Emma Ahrenholtz with three seconds left, to preserve the victory. The third-ranked (Class 4-A

    AVOCA -- Joanne Ernst will celebrate her 85th birthday on December 31. Her family is planning a card shower in her honor.    Cards will reach her if sent to Avoca Lodge, 612 E York Road, Apt. 20, Avoca, IA 51521.    Joanne’s family includes her children: Tim and Jana Ernst, Carlisle; Georgiann and Robin Andersen, Minden; Brenda and Bill Arkfeld, Portsmouth; Tom and Nancy Ernst, Lincoln, NE; Brian Ernst, Harlan; and 14 grandchildren. 

    EARLING -- Jerry Bissen of Earling will celebrate his 90th birthday at an open house on Saturday, December 26 at the Earling Parish Hall from noon - 4 p.m. Friends and relatives are invited to attend.

    WESTPHALIA -- Ashley Marie Weihs and Marc Anthony Villaverde both of Omaha were married at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia on June 26, 2015. Father Tirso Villaverde Jr., uncle of groom, performed the 2:30 p.m. double ring ceremony.    Parents of the couple are Gary and Diane Weihs, Harlan; and Marcial and Eleanor Villaverde, Mount Prospect, IL.

    HARLAN – Security was tight in Harlan Saturday, Dec. 19, as attendees of the campaign stop by Republican presidential candidate Dr.

    HARLAN – The City of Harlan is moving forward with grant applications that, if approved, would provide funding for downtown rehabilitation and housing rehabilitation within the city.    The Harlan City Council Tuesday, Dec.

HARLAN – A winter holiday farmers’ market will be held in Harlan today, Tuesday, Dec. 22, offering local residents the opportunity to shop with local producers for those last minute holiday meals and gifts.    The event will be held from 3-7 p.m.