SHENANDOAH (Aug. 27) -- In the preseason cross country rankings released last week by the Iowa Association of Track Coaches, the AHSTW girls were listed as a “team to watch” just below Class 1A’s top 15.

 MANNING (Aug.

    HARLAN -- Ruth E. McKinstrey, 85, Harlan, formerly of Sioux Falls, SD, died August 26 at Elm Crest Retirement Community.    Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 7 at 11 a.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.  Visitation is Saturday from 10-11 a.m.

    HARLAN -- Father Benedict Joseph Kenkel, 91, Harlan, died August 28 at Elm Crest Assisted Living.    Services were held Saturday, Aug. 31 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling with burial in the St.

    AVOCA -- AHSTW junior Sophia Platt performs with the flag corps during halftime of the Viking football game vs. Underwood Friday evening, Aug. 30.  The Vikings suffered a tough home loss to the Eagles, 55-6, but hope to bounce back at Shenandoah this week.  See all the football highlights from area contests inside today on the sports pages.

    HARLAN – Harlan has been ranked as being one of the best social cities in Iowa for retirees, as compared by SmartAsset, a financial technology company aiming to provide personal finance advice on the web, offering free and personalized tools to empower retirees to make smart personal finance decisions around homebuying, retirement, taxes and more.    Harlan came in eighth in Iowa as a best social city for retirees.  Charles City ranked at

    HARLAN – Harlan’s housing stock is aging, rehabilitation efforts will be needed in the future, and additional housing is needed, according to a recently-completed housing survey conducted as part of Community Development Block Grant application that was submitted to the state this year.    The City of Harlan has been awarded $249,000 from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) to support rehab projects in the community.   

    SHELBY - Iowa farm history will come to life September 7-8 at Carstens Farm during the 37th Annual Carstens Farm Days.  Threshing, sawmill operations, crafters and vendors, a quilt show and of course, tractors will be on display.  The Farm Days show has something for everyone throughout the weekend. 

    HARLAN -- Judy Paulsen never grew up playing with or creating doll houses. It wasn’t until her mother brought home a big box from the grocery store and decided to make a doll house for Judy’s youngest children and her grandchildren that the fascination took hold.