AVOCA (March 29) -- The AHSTW boys soccer opener was a one-sided affair Thursday as juniors Gabe Madsen and Blake Osbahr both recorded hat tricks in the Vikings’ resounding 10-0 home win over Nodaway Valley.

IKM-Manning Track & Field2018 GIRLS & BOYS SCHEDULEMon., March 26    South Cnt.

 DENISON (March 27) -- The Harlan Community track teams both placed third at Tuesday’s Monarch Co-Ed Relays in Denison, combining for five gold medals and 186 points in the first scored meet of the season. Junior Chloe Hansen was the Cyclone standout of the night and one of six athletes to win two individual golds.

 COUNCIL BLUFFS (March 27) -- The Harlan Community boys tennis team opened its season on a good note Tuesday, winning two out of three doubles matches to outlast Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln 5-4. Last year, HCHS finished on the reverse end of a 5-4 decision vs.

    HARLAN -- Janis E. Sorensen, 74, Harlan, died Wednesday, March 28 in Harlan.    A family-directed memorial service will be held Friday, March 30 at 3 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Lawrence “Larry” Joseph Bissen, 68, Harlan, died March 24 at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital.    Services will be held Saturday, March 31 at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance with burial at a later date.  Family will greet friends Friday, March 30 from 4-7:30 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan and Saturday from 10-11 a.m.

    ATLANTIC -- Don M. Nielsen, 84, Atlantic, died Monday, March 26 in Atlantic.    Services will be held Saturday, March 31 at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan with burial of ashes in the Jacksonville Cemetery.  Family will greet friends Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at the church.    Nielsen is survived by sons Pastor Phillip (DeAnn) Nielsen of Kirkman and Mark (Amy) Nielsen of St.

    HARLAN -- Hundreds of people turned out Thursday night, March 22 for the third-annual STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Extravaganza held at the Harlan Community Schools.    The Southwest Iowa Regional STEM Hub hosted the event in the primary and intermediate gyms in the Harlan Community Schools.  The extravaganza was a celebration of all things STEM, with many booths of student and community businesses representing various

Community Schools will see its levy decrease slightly next year but will also see a tax asking increase as approved by the HCS Board of Education this week.    The board has approved a tax asking increase of $128,135 next year, mostly due to an increase in valuations, as the district lowers its overall levy to $11.69 per $1,000 taxable valuation from the current year’s $11.70.  Total taxes levied on property for the 2018-19 fiscal year will be