CRESTON -- Creston/Orient-Macksburg lived up to every bit of its number-one dual ranking in Class 2-A Thursday night, scoring bonus points in nine out of 12 contested matches en route to a 61-12 dual win over Harlan Community. The Panthers improved to 10-0 overall and 7-0 in Hawkeye Ten Conference duals, while HCHS (5-6 overall) dropped to second place in the conference at 4-1.

 ADEL -- Taylor Frederick eclipsed 20 points on consecutive nights while Jordyn Moser and Emma Ahrenholtz also posted back-to-back double-digit scoring efforts as the Harlan Community girls handily defeated St. Albert and A-D-M this past weekend. The Cyclones, who moved up to No. 2 in the latest Class 4-A rankings, won a 60-38 conference home game vs.

 COUNCIL BLUFFS -- The Harlan Community Cyclones won with defense Friday night, holding St. Albert to just 21 points through three quarters and picking up a 54-33 conference road victory over the Falcons. HCHS outscored St.

ADEL -- Getting a break-out offensive performance from Kyle Juhl, the Harlan Community boys basketball team eclipsed 65 points for just the second time this season Saturday night, notching a 73-47 non-conference win at A-D-M. Juhl scored a season-high 32 points and also grabbed a team-best 13 rebounds, shooting 13-of-20 from the field and knocking down five three-pointers in the second quarter to help the Cyclones build a 41-27 halftime lead. 

 MANNING -- One of the top rivalries in the Western Iowa Conference was renewed in Manning Friday night, and while both games were tightly-contested, the Treynor girls and boys both kept their undefeated records intact by outlasting IKM-Manning. The Cardinals won the girls game 55-49 before taking the boys game 63-55 as both Treynor squads improved to 9-0 overall and 8-0 in the WIC.

AVOCA -- The IKM-Manning girls used an 18-4 second-quarter advantage to pull away from AHSTW and win Tuesday’s Western Iowa Conference game, 62-34. Kia Rasmussen paced a balanced Wolves’ scoring attack with 15 points, followed by Peyton Gross with 12, Shauna Reitan 10 and Caitlin Muhlbauer seven. Madi Lingle distributed six of the team’s 19 assists for IKM-M, which improved to 7-2 overall and 5-2 in the WIC. 

    HARLAN -- The family of Horace Graves is planning a card shower in honor of his 90th birthday on January 20. Cards will reach him if sent to 929 Redwood Rd., Harlan, IA 51537.    Horace and his wife, Leona, have been married for 66 years.

    HARLAN – Considering an Iowa retirement soon?  Already live in Harlan?  Well, you’re in luck…according to some “experts,” this is the place to be in your senior years if you live in Iowa.    Real estate website findthehome.com partnered with msn.com recently to rank the “most fun” places to retire in every state, and Harlan tops the list in the state with “fields of opportunities.”    In addition, smartasset.com recently published a study

    AVOCA -- Many residents of Avoca and nearby communities were shocked to receive a letter in the mail indicating their pharmaceutical services would be switching to another provider. Carley Drug, a storefront occupying Avoca Main Street for over 45 years, is closing January 29, 2016.    Many residents immediately reached out to Ronda Holst, longtime Carley Drug employee.