AVOCA -- Robert Irvin Hundt, 75, Avoca, died December 14 at Creighton University Medical Center.    Services will be held Friday, Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m. at United Church of Christ in Minden with burial in the Minden Cemetery.  Visitation was Thursday, Dec. 17 from 5-8 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m.

 Meghan Zach, a junor at Exira/EH-K, performs with the winter guard during a recent performance during halftime of a boy/girl basketball doubleheader at Elk Horn.

COUNTY – A Shelby County deputy suffered bruises and abrasions after being attacked in rural Shelby County after being called to a possible car accident near Defiance Monday evening, Dec. 7.    Authorities aren’t releasing the name of the deputy, but sheriff reports said at approximately 10 p.m.

    DEFIANCE – The City of Defiance is seeking title to three properties within the city limits that officials have determined to be abandoned.    Petitions filed in Shelby County District Court outline the following properties the city is requesting the court grant it title to:    •  Property at 303 5th St., owned by Maria G.

    HARLAN – The Harlan Community Schools Board of Education has approved the formation of the teacher leadership compensation (TLC) selection committee, the first step in the schools’ TLC process.    The district should be notified by March if it has been selected to receive $435,563.24 in funding.  An application was submitted to the state Department of Education, and if approved, the monies will be used for the hiring of new teachers in coa

    AVOCA -- Ken and Julie Harryman of Avoca celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on December 14.    The couple’s children and their spouses are Cassie and Robert Cue, Harlan; Kent and Lauren Harryman, Avoca; and Sammy and Darren Stokes, Walnut. The Harrymans have five grandchildren. 

    PORTSMOUTH -- Jordan Bruck and Cody Webster both of Kimballton were married on August 1, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth. The 3:30 p.m. double ring ceremony was performed by Deacon Dan Gehler.    Parents of the bride are Bruce and Karen Bruck, Portsmouth. Parents of the groom are Brian and Tamara Webster, Omaha; and Paula and Timothy Otis, Anderson, IN. 

HARLAN -- The annual Blue Out for men’s cancer awareness and research was held Friday, Dec. 4 at Harlan Community High School, raising $9,500 for the cause.
The evening included a number of activities, including a bone marrow drive.  (Photos by Mike Oeffner)

    HARLAN -- Harlan Community High School senior cheerleaders Shea Ehlert, April Olmos, and Ashley Hastert (l to r) were recently selected as members of the 2015 Iowa Cheer Honor Squad, and performed during half-time of two of the Iowa high school football championship games at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Monday, Nov.