AREA (June 25) -- The annual Western Iowa Conference Baseball and Softball Tournaments will be held this week, with the championship games slated for Thursday night in softball and Friday night in baseball. The 2nd-ranked (2A) IKM-Manning softball team, last year’s WIC Tournament champion, is unbeaten in conference play so far and will be the top seed.

 ELK HORN (June 21) -- Cole Madsen went 3-for-3 and Tyler Petersen pitched six innings for the win Thursday as the Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton baseball team snapped a four-game losing streak by topping Boyer Valley 9-4 in the rain. The Spartans (4-8 overall, 3-7 in the Rolling Valley Conference) actually led 11-4 when play was halted in the bottom of the sixth - still batting with two on and nobody out - but the official final score reverted bac

    ELKHORN, NE - Dennis John Kenkel, 78, died Tuesday, June 26 here. A Rosary was held at 4:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Earling on Thursday, June 28, followed by family greeting friends  from 5-8 p.m. and a 7 p.m. wake service. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 29 at 10:30 a.m. with burial in the St.

    OMAHA, NE -- Katherine Gaul, 52, Omaha, NE, died June 24 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.    Services will be held Saturday, June 30 at 10:30 a.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan with burial in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Earling.  Visitation is Saturday, June 30 from 9-10:30 a.m.

    HARLAN – A long-time Harlan musician will be inducted into the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in September for the fourth time.    Bob Fields already has been honored as a member of The Great Imposters (2007), The Impacts (2009) and Larry Ray and the Redtops (2016), and now will be recognized this fall when El Riada’s is inducted into the Hall of Fame during ceremonies September 1-2.    Festivities for the 2018 Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fa

    HARLAN -- Every year, the fireworks show attracts hundreds to the J.J. Jensen ball fields. This show would not be possible without the help of the Harlan American Legion Post #150 and the community members' donations.    For more than 30 years the American Legion has been fundraising for the fireworks display.

   HARLAN -- If you are looking for fresh, direct from the source produce, the farmer’s market is the place for you.    A variety of merchants now are selling fresh produce in the northwest corner of the Shopko parking lot from 8:30 a.m.-noon.    It will take place every Saturday through October, and every Wednesday starting July 11 from 3:30-6 p.m. through September.    The farmer’s market has been going on for around 30 years. 

    REGIONAL – The number of registered sex offenders that call the greater Shelby County area their home has increased in the past six months, according to Iowa’s state sex offender registry.    Shelby County and areas surrounding the county have 38 registered sex offenders as of this month, as opposed to December, 2017 when there were 31 registered sex offenders listed in the area and 26 a year ago.  Some offenders are new to the area while

    HARLAN -- Bauer’s Shoes was one of eight businesses in downtown Harlan to receive grant money for facade work.    The building received a new paint job and all new windows and doors.    Old bricks were replaced around the sides of the building and eventually a new awning will be installed replacing the old one on the west side of the building.    Pictured L to R: Carol Chadwick and Keith Bauer.