REGIONAL – The Iowa Department of Education released its Iowa School Report Card this month, with area schools rating from commendable to acceptable on the new system’s scale.    Iowa’s schools are rated on certain educational measures, including math and reading proficiency, college and career ready growth and readiness, how many students are improving academically each year, efforts to close achievement gaps, graduation rates, attendance

2 hr late start for HCSD and SCCS. No AM Pre-school or Transitional Kindergarten for HCSD for Thurs, Jan. 26.

 MOUNT AYR -- Harlan Community came within one match win of an undefeated team championship last weekend, placing second with a 7-1 record at the 2017 Ron Scott Memorial Dual Tournament held Friday and Saturday in Mount Ayr. Lathrop (Missouri) rallied to beat HCHS 35-33 in the first round of the tournament and won the title with an 8-0 mark, also surviving a 39-37 decision vs. Shenandoah on Saturday.

 AVOCA -- Racking up 58 first-half points and shooting 60 percent from the field, the AHSTW boys basketball team crushed Riverside 94-21 last Friday night and improved to 12-1 on the season (9-1 inside the Western Iowa Conference). The Vikings led 31-8 after one quarter and 58-12 at halftime

 ELK HORN -- A strong first half of offense carried the Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton boys last Saturday as the Spartans completed a season sweep of Glidden-Ralston with a 66-55 home victory. Scoring with relative ease in its half court offense as well as in transition, Exira-EHK led by as many as 17 points in the first half and took a 43-28 lead into halftime before holding off a second-half Wildcat rally. Dakota Rold, a 6-foot-6 sophomore, led t

 CHARTER OAK -- Trailing by 12 points entering the fourth quarter, the Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton boys rallied within 50-48 at the two-minute mark but couldn’t finish the comeback in a 64-59 loss at Charter Oak-Ute last Friday night. “Charter Oak-Ute has a nice starting five with several years of experience,” said E-EHK coach Doug Newton. “We came out flat and they were able to grab the lead and gain some confidence.

    HARLAN -- Dolores Carmelite Kaufman, 91, Harlan, died January 21 at Elm Crest Retirement Community.    Services were held Monday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan with burial in the St.

    HARLAN -- Eleanor A. Graves, 94, Harlan, died Thursday, Jan. 19 in Harlan.    Services were held Monday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m.

    AVOCA -- Dixie Louise Schirm, 95, Avoca, formerly of Walnut, died January 18 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.    Services will be held Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Walnut with burial in the Layton Township Cemetery at Walnut.  Visitation was Monday, Jan. 23 from 6-8 p.m.