BRANSON, MO -- One phone call.    One phone call can change the direction of someone’s career.    For Scott Kwapiszeski, this phone call changed his career direction to Branson, MO.    Scott Kwapiszeski was raised in Panama and said he has always been interested in music.

    HARLAN -- Roman candles, sparklers, poppers, bottle rockets, and snakes.

    REGIONAL -- Crops in Iowa have grown significantly over the last two weeks due to much needed rainfall, but this rainfall also caused some crops harm particularly on Thurs., June 28 when hail and reports of wind flattened crops surfaced.    “Iowa experienced a pronounced pattern shift from previous weeks that brought measurable precipitation to the state.

HARLAN -- The hot temperatures in early June meant busy days at the Norman D. Stamp Aquatic Center in Harlan. Although it has been rainy the past few weeks, area kids still got some time in at the pool. 

    SUN CITY CENTER, FL -- Former Harlan residents Dean and Darlene Philson of Sun City Center observed their 70th wedding anniversary on June 27. They have been celebrating with more than 30 family members in Sun City Center during the past week.    The couple’s three children and their spouses include Steve and Pam Philson, Lincoln, NE; Michelle and Greg Caudill, Manassas, VA; and Kim and Ken Conte also of Manassas.

    HARLAN -- Chris and Joni Larsen of Harlan announce the engagement of their daughter, Lauren to Scott Opperman, son of John and Nancy Opperman, Manning.    Lauren and Scott will marry on July 14 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan.

 SERGEANT BLUFF (June 22) -- It wouldn’t be an official trip to Sergeant Bluff for the Harlan Community baseball team without some seventh-inning peculiarity. Two years ago, HCHS finished a 4-3 loss to Sergeant Buff-Luton playing under protest when the tying run was sent back to third base despite an overturned ‘out’ call at first that kept the Cyclone seventh inning alive.

 SHENANDOAH (June 21) -- The Harlan Community softball team continued its run of success against the southern half of the Hawkeye Ten Conference on Thursday, sweeping a doubleheader at Shenandoah by scores of 7-2 and 13-0 in four innings. HCHS is now 7-1 in varsity twin bills vs.

 AVOCA (June 22) -- Peyton Gross pitched a one-hit shutout and Grace Youngren blasted a solo home run Friday night as the 2nd-ranked (2A) IKM-Manning softball team blanked AHSTW 4-0 to sweep the season series. Gross struck out seven Lady Vike batters, walked one and hit one while recording her 10th shutout of the season. IKM-M scored three runs in the second inning to give Gross all the support she would need.