HARLAN – The Harlan Community Schools Board of Education Monday, Dec. 7 approved the formation of the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Student Club, paving the way for the group to become an official club within the school district.    The board voted 6-0 (Kathy Mahlberg, Al Hazelton, Angela Monson, Joni Larsen, Amy Rueschenberg and Monte Schechinger aye) approving the club.  Board member Lonnie Muxfeldt was absent from the meeting. 

 HARLAN -- Had the final shot fallen, it would have been a pretty sweet way to extend a remarkable winning streak to 53 games. But alas, Taylor Frederick’s 26-foot jumper at the final horn was narrowly off the mark Tuesday night, allowing Dowling Catholic to edge Harlan Community 56-54 in a well-played battle of large-school girls basketball titans. HCHS, which turned a 14-point first-half deficit into a 50-45 lead with 4:26 to go, was unable

In many respects, Jess Schaben is the same girl now - playing big-time college volleyball at Iowa State - as she was during a four-year standout career at Harlan Community High School. Still leading her team in kills. Still the first to encourage a teammate. Still smiling. Still just ... Jess. But a lot has changed in a year’s time. When a match is over these days, Schaben signs memorabilia for young autograph seekers.

 HARLAN -- Another outstanding Harlan Community volleyball season was rewarded by the Iowa Girls Coaches Association last week as three Cyclone seniors were named to the 2015 IGCA All-State teams. Middle hitter Taylor Frederick, in addition to being cited on the Class 4-A First Team, was one of just eight players selected to the all-class Elite Team from across the state.

COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Harlan Community sophomore Abby Bruck competed for the Lewis Central girls swim team for the second consecutive year and finished her season at the state meet in Marshalltown. Abby is pictured above with LC swim coaches Bruce Schomburg and Kelsey Schomburg. Bruck qualified for state in both the 200-yard freestyle relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay.

 HARLAN -- Since falling one point short in the 2013 state championship game, the Harlan Community girls basketball team has simply taken ownership of the Class 4-A realm, posting 52 straight victories and earning back-to-back state titles. Expectations won’t be scaled back much this winter for the third-ranked Cyclones, but the make-up of the team certainly has a new dynamic as they prepare for Tuesday night’s 2015-16 season opener vs.

    REGIONAL – The annual Christmas adoption list has grown to 136 families desiring “adoption,” and potential donors should contact West Central Community Action soon.    Calls are being taken Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. or 2-4:30 p.m., for persons wishing to be adopted or to adopt a family.

    CEDAR FALLS -- Services are pending for Paul Martin Zaccone, 19, Harlan, who died in his sleep of natural causes on Sunday, Dec. 13.    He is the son of Mark and Kim Zaccone, Harlan.    Zaccone was a freshman at the University of Northern Iowa.    Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan is in charge of arrangements.

    COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Richard L. Thomsen, 77, Council Bluffs, formerly of Tennant, died Thursday, Dec. 10 in Council Bluffs.    A prayer service was held Monday, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. at Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Shelby.  Friends were asked to call Monday from 10-11 a.m.