DENISON (Jan.

 DENISON (Jan. 28) -- In a game dictated by defense, Harlan Community outscored the Denison-Schleswig girls 12-3 in Tuesday’s fourth quarter to beat the Monarchs 37-33 and earn a split of the season series. HCHS avenged an earlier one-point loss to Denison and won for the fourth time in five games - all in a span of nine days.

 MANNING (Jan. 27) -- The IKM-Manning boys improved to 7-7 overall Monday night with a 54-41 home win over Audubon. The Wolves (7-5 in the Western Iowa Conference) built a 27-16 halftime lead and were able to keep the Wheelers at bay during the final 16 minutes. Senior Colby Keller paced IKM-M with 14 points and six assists on the night while Colten Brandt also finished in double figures with 12 points and four steals.

 MANNING (Jan. 27) -- The IKM-Manning girls put together a strong first half that carried them past Audubon, 60-42, in Western Iowa Conference action Monday. The Wolves broke a tie with the Wheelers for third place in the WIC standings, improving to 9-3 in league play (11-4 overall). IKM-M led 17-6 after one quarter and 37-21 at the half.

    COUNCIL BLUFFS -- Margaret Christine Maassen, 90, Council Bluffs, died February 8 at Josie Harper Hospice House.    Private family memorial services are planned for Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 10:30 a.m.

    HARLAN -- Harlan's Matt Hudson visits with caucus-goers at the Democratic Caucus Monday, Feb. 3 at the C.G. Therkildsen Activity Center in Harlan.  Hudson was making a point about Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg to some of those in attendance at the Ward 3 precinct, which gave candidate Pete Buttigieg five delegates.

    HARLAN -- Pat Kenkel talks to a group at the Grove/Union/Washington/Westphalia precinct of the Republican Caucus in Shelby County Monday evening, Feb. 3.  The caucus was held at Vet's Auditorium in Harlan.  Kenkel and the group had just broken into small groups to talk about delegates.

    HARLAN -- According to Harlan Community Schools Activities Director Davis Pattee, the next HCHS Cyclone head football coach will likely be named sometime in February.    In fact, a recommendation to the HCS Board of Education from school administrators could take place as soon as the end of the current week or early next week in regards to the coaching hire. The next HCS Board of Education meeting currently is set for Monday, Feb. 17.

HARLAN – Harlan Community Schools’ past decisions to keep its tax levy unchanged for numerous years is leading to some tough discussions moving forward on how best to keep the district financially stable in the wake of declining enrollment and increasing special education costs.    The HCS Board of Education held a financial workshop recently with Travis Squires, managing director with Piper Sandler, Des Moines.  The firm provides public finan