GRISWOLD -- When talking about his basketball team Tuesday night, AHSTW girls head coach Tyler Morris referenced “2017” about four times during the process of answering four questions. And why not? Since flipping the calendar less than two weeks ago, the Lady Vikes are 3-0 in the new year following Tuesday night’s 46-23 win at Griswold.

 ELK HORN -- Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton senior Cole Bruns notched career win number 100 in the final dual Monday night as the Spartans finished 0-3 in a home quad vs.

 MANNING -- Sparked by a big first quarter, the IKM-Manning girls basketball team cruised past Riverside 76-40 on Monday night, improving to 6-3 overall and 5-2 in the Western Iowa Conference. The Wolves outscored the visiting Bulldogs 21-6 in the opening stanza and continued to pull away throughout the night, shooting 48 percent from the field and making 9-of-21 three-pointers.

    HARLAN -- Liane Christensen of Harlan will celebrate her 94th birthday on January 13. Her family is requesting a card shower in her honor.        Cards will reach her if sent to Elm Crest Retirement Community, 2104 12th St., Room 218, Harlan, IA  51537.   

    STATE -- The Board of Directors of the Association of Iowa Fairs has inducted Roger Ahrenholtz of Harlan into the Association of Iowa Fair’s “Hall of Fame”.    The honor was presented to  Ahrenholtz at the awards banquet during the association’s 2016 Conference and annual meeting, which was held December 9-11 in Des Moines.

Part two of the Harlan Newspapers’ look back at 2016 includes more stories that made the headlines during the year.  Here is July-December’s highlights:

    REGIONAL - Two influenza-related deaths have occurred in Iowa this flu season including a 61-year-old Southwest Iowa woman and an 81-year-old Central Iowa woman.    While influenza activity has been low so far this season, this death serves as an unfortunate reminder that the influenza virus is circulating and has the potential to cause severe illness.

    HARLAN – Committee assignments have been proposed for 2017 by Harlan Mayor Kate Kohorst, and were approved at a meeting of the Harlan City Council Tuesday, Dec. 20.    Council members include Jay Christensen, Ward 1; Dave Miller, Ward 2; Sharon Kroger, At Large/Center Township; Michael Kolbe, Ward 3; Greg Bladt, Ward 4; and David H. Pedersen, at large/Lincoln Township.

 HARLAN -- A strong fourth quarter erased a somewhat forgettable first three Friday night as the Harlan Community boys basketball team rallied for a 54-45 home win over St.