AREA -- Seventeen local volleyball players, led by a trio of first-team selections, have been recognized on the 2017 all-conference teams from the Hawkeye Ten, Western Iowa and Rolling Valley conferences. Area first-teamers include Harlan Community senior libero Sidney Craig as well as Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton senior hitters Sophia Peppers and Sydnee Young. Second-team selections were Lexi Larsen (HCHS), Kia Rasmussen, Gabrielle Cadwell and

 COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Six Harlan Community High School students competed in the Special Olympics State Bowling competition held last Saturday (November 18) at Thunderbowl in Council Bluffs. Each Cyclone bowler participated in a singles event for their age group, placing between first and fourth.

 HARLAN (Nov. 16) -- Outscoring Harlan Community 24-3 in the second quarter, IKM-Manning beat the Cyclones 34-13 as part of Thursday’s girls basketball jamboree at HCHS. Eight teams participated in the event, each playing for a half. Additional winners included: Atlantic (over Griswold), Panorama (over AHSTW) and Treynor (over Red Oak). The IKM-M vs.

 FORT WORTH, TEX. (Nov. 18) -- Former Harlan Community star Jess Schaben surpassed 1,000 career kills at the collegiate level on Saturday night, leading the 23rd-ranked Iowa State volleyball team to a 3-0 sweep of TCU (25-19, 25-16, 25-14) for the Cyclones’ 20th win of the season. Schaben, the daughter of Bryce and Carrie Schaben, rural Defiance, finished the match with a team-high 12 kills to go with seven digs.

 AREA -- Led by AHSTW’s 17 total selections, 50 players from the Harlan Newspapers’ coverage area have been recognized on this year’s All-District football teams. During the 2017 season, Harlan Community, AHSTW, IKM-Manning and Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton combined for an overall record of 30-11, two district championships and three playoff berths. HCHS led the local charge by going 10-2 overall, winning the Class 3A, District 7 title with a perf

    HANCOCK -- Alden Krueger, 87, Hancock, died December 1.    Services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.

    AVOCA -- Patsy Ann Nuzum, 50, Avoca, died November 23 in Harlan.    Graveside services were held Monday, Dec. 4 at 11 a.m.

    DUNLAP -- Marilyn (Schomers) Grote, 62, Dunlap, died Sunday, Nov. 26 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs.    Services will be held Friday, Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dunlap.  Visitation with family was held Thursday, Nov. 30 from 4-8 p.m. at the St. Patrick’s Parish Center where there will be a rosary at 4 p.m.

HARLAN -- Beautiful weather greeted hundreds who turned out Saturday, Nov. 25 for the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony in downtown Harlan.  Participants got a chance to visit with Santa Claus, check out the downtown lights and climb on trains.  Refreshments were provided by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Industry.