HARLAN – Shelby County residents will soon see some development work at the Harlan Plaza area in south Harlan as final plans have been approved and bids set to be let in early April on initial dirt and road work.    Within a year the south corridor into town will see the likes of the Buck Snort Restaurant and a new, larger Bomgaars facility, as well as a proposed new dental office located in the Harlan Plaza near the Settle Inn motel.    T

HARLAN -- Every year for about 10 years, HCHS Talented and Gifted Instructor Kim Zaccone has had her math classes celebrate Pi Day,  March 14.  She has contests to see how many digits (places) of pi the students can memorize.        Remarkably, this year, students set an incredible record, said Zaccone.  Three students memorized more than 100 digits of pi (3.14) each.   

    ELK HORN -- The Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton School Board has approved the sale of not to exceed $3.9 million in general obligation bonds, to be used for capital improvements at school buildings in Elk Horn and Exira.    Bids were set to be opened yesterday, Monday, March 19, and were expected to be considered by the board for action at the meeting of the board Monday.    The dist

    MANNING -- Todd and Jean Stadtlander of Manning announce the engagement of their daughter, Kara to Doug Havick, son of Curt and Dee Havick, Ute.    The couple plans to marry on May 12 at the United Methodist Church in Manning 

 DES MOINES (March 9) -- The Glenwood boys basketball team represented southwest Iowa and the Hawkeye Ten Conference in fine fashion last week, winning three straight thrillers at Wells Fargo Arena to claim the program’s first-ever state championship. This year’s Class 3A title winner, which beat Harlan Community 82-69 in a substate final on February 26, features plenty of local ties. Rams head coach Curt Schulte graduated from HCHS in 1989 an

    DEFIANCE -- Robert and Luella Wilwerding of Defiance will mark their 50th wedding anniversary on March 23. Their family is planning a card shower in their honor.      Cards will reach them if mailed to Box 367, Defiance, IA 51527.

    HARLAN -- Julie Ann Ranney-Mikels, 61, Harlan, died March 13 at her home.    Visitation will be Sunday, March 18 from 5-7 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.    Ranney-Mikels is survived by sons Richard (Keri) Ranney of Harlan and Robert (Katie) Ranney of Colo; brothers Jim Ranney of Turner, OR, Joe Ranney of Harlan and Jeff Ranney of Harlan; and three grandchildren.

    WALNUT -- Alice Lamer, 88, Walnut, died Tuesday, March 13 in Elk Horn.    Services will be held Saturday, March 17 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Walnut with burial in the St. Patrick’s Cemetery at Walnut.  A wake service will be held Friday, March 16 at 8 p.m. at the church.  Friends may call Friday from 4-8 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m.

    HARLAN – Three culinary students from Harlan Community High School competed in a regional food competition that saw the trio team up to take first place at the event held Monday, March 5 in Council Bluffs.    The team of Kayla Pauley, Abie Gorden and Tara Hansen earned top honors in the baking division, competing in the 5th Annual Iowa Western Community College Baking Competition.    Competing teams had two hours to make four identical pla