HARLAN – Shelby County’s tax asking will increase an estimated $90,750 under a budget proposal expected to be adopted by the Shelby County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, March 13.    A hearing on the 2018-19 county budget will be held at 9 a.m.

    PORTSMOUTH -- Lloyd Pauley of Portsmouth will observe his 80th birthday at an open house on Saturday, March 24 from 1-4 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Portsmouth. Friends and relatives are invited to attend. He requests no gifts.    Hosting the celebration will be his children. Cards will also reach him if sent to 321 1150th Street, Portsmouth, IA 51565. 

    HARLAN -- George Kenkel of Harlan will mark his 80th birthday on March 12. He plans to celebrate with his family. 

    HARLAN -- Margie Barton of Harlan will celebrate her 85th birthday on March 19. Her family is planning a card shower in her honor.  Cards will reach her if sent to 1610 Erie Drive, Harlan, IA 51537.      Margie’s family includes Joan and Russ Chamberlain, Harlan; Terry and Kathryn Barton, Des Moines; Bruce (deceased), John and Jill Barton, Westminster, CO; and Ruth and Dave Cooper, Altoona.

 DES MOINES (March 2) -- The Springville girls basketball team is already a formidable outfit when seniors Mikayla Nachazel and Rylee Menster shoulder the scoring load and everyone else contributes to a great defense. When the role players and subs start knocking down shots as well, the top-ranked Orioles are downright unbeatable. It was that kind of afternoon for Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Friday as the seventh-ranked and fourth-seeded Spartan

 DES MOINES (March 2) -- The final numbers are nothing short of fantastic for Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton seniors Sophia Peppers and Kealey Nelson. Peppers and Nelson played their final high school game on Friday as the Spartans lost to Springville in the 1A state tournament semifinals.

 DES MOINES (March 3) -- For the second straight year, Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton’s Sophia Peppers was one of six girls named to the Class 1A All-Tournament Team at the Girls State Basketball Tournament in Des Moines.

The HCSD has been made aware of a rumor which has begun to create increased levels of concern and anxiety amongst students and the community that the school was being targeted for a violent act. As of this communication there is no specific threat against the school. If a student or a parent/guardian comes across information that is contrary to this, please contact the school immediately.

 DES MOINES (March 2) -- Three years ago, an upstart 11th-ranked Springville team pulled off a semifinal upset at the Girls State Basketball Tournament, scoring the first 16 points of the game and holding off No. 2 Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton 68-57. The Orioles have rarely looked back since, finishing as state runner-up in 2015 and winning the last two state titles in Class 1A.