HARLAN -- The yearly firework show will once again be on display at J.J. Jensen Park on Thursday, July 4. The show has entertained numerous Harlanites for more than 30 years. However, the show is impossible to be put on without the help of Harlan American Legion Post #150.    Every year the Legion attempts to raise $5,000 for the fireworks show.

    PORTSMOUTH -- Max and Jerri Handbury of Persia will mark their 50th anniversary at an open house on Sunday, July 14 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Parish Hall in Portsmouth. Friends and relatives are invited to attend.    The couple’s children and their spouses are Jenny and Dale Kosmacek, Stanton, NE; Amy and Dave Sliva, Columbus, NE; Matt and Linnea Handbury, Neola; and Craig and Jennie Handbury, Tipton, IA.

    HARLAN -- Darlene (Jensen) Heilesen of Harlan will celebrate her 90th birthday with family on July 12. Her family is planning a card shower in her honor. Cards will reach her if sent to 3006 Country Club View, Harlan, IA 51537.    Darlene’s children include Pat and and husband, Don Holdsworth, Harlan; the late Bruce Heilesen and the late Becky Carver. She has four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

 HARLAN (June 19) -- One week after playing eight varsity softball games in six days, Harlan Community finally returned to the diamond Wednesday night on the heels of a rare Monday off and a Tuesday rainout at Lewis Central. Facing an opponent that didn’t offer much resistance, the Cyclones shook off any lingering rust to score a 10-0, six-inning win over Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln at H.

 SIOUX CITY (June 19) -- Connor Bruck and Brett Sears both pitched complete games and Harlan Community plated clutch late-inning runs to sweep a baseball doubleheader at Sioux City East, 6-3 and 5-2, on Wednesday. The fourth-ranked (Class 3A) Cyclones, who were rained out at Lewis Central Tuesday, improved to 14-3 overall while the Raiders fell to 13-7. Game one was tied 3-3 late before HCHS scored one run in the sixth and two more in the seve

 IRWIN (June 19) -- Katie Anzalone’s two-run homer in the seventh inning put the finishing touches on AHSTW’s 12-1 Western Iowa Conference softball win at IKM-Manning Wednesday night. Kailey Jones pitched a four-hitter for the Lady Vikes, who improved to 9-8 overall and 7-5 in the WIC with their second win of the year over the Wolves (5-12, 4-10 WIC). Bianca Cadwell took the loss, allowing nine hits but just two earned runs as IKM-Manning comm

 DOW CITY (June 17) -- Freshman Macy Emgarten pitched a one-hit shutout and junior Kami Waymire belted a solo home run as part of a 3-for-3 night, leading the Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton softball team past Boyer Valley 9-0 on Monday. Emgarten (7-8) struck out 10 and walked four, beating the Bulldogs for the second time this season. The Spartans improved to 7-2 in Rolling Valley Conference play and 8-9 overall, blowing the game open with a five-r

 MISSOURI VALLEY (June 17) -- The AHSTW softball team built a 5-0 lead after two innings and held off Missouri Valley 6-4 Monday, snapping a six-game losing skid and going back over .500 in the Western Iowa Conference. Katie Anzalone led the Lady Vikes’ six-hit attack, going 3-for-4 with three stolen bases and two runs scored.

 MISSOURI VALLEY (June 17) -- AHSTW rallied past the Missouri Valley baseball team for the second time this season Monday night, scoring three runs in the top of the seventh to beat the Big Reds 3-2. The Vikings also beat Mo.