IRWIN - Helen M. VanAsselt, 94, longtime Harlan Newspapers’ Irwin correspondent, died Mon., Jan. 2 in Manilla. Friends may call Thurs., Jan. 5 from 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. with family greeting friends from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. at Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home, Harlan. Services are Fri., Jan. 6 at 11 a.m.

 DES MOINES -- One bad quarter led to a fourth straight loss for the Harlan Community boys basketball team last Friday in a neutral-site game at Wells Fargo Arena. Leading Mount Pleasant 30-27 at halftime, HCHS was outscored 24-13 in the third quarter and never recovered in a 70-63 loss to the Panthers. Mount Pleasant, which was one spot away from cracking the top 10 in last week’s Class 3-A (A.P.) state rankings, improved to 5-1 overall with

 AVOCA -- Rhett Welsh and R.J. Harris combined for 43 points and 19 rebounds last Thursday night as the AHSTW boys entered the holidays with a commanding 84-60 win vs. Underwood. In a battle for first place in the Western Iowa Conference standings, AHSTW led 27-17 after one quarter, 46-29 at the half and 69-43 after three.

 AVOCA -- Underwood’s Karley Larson knocked down 6-of-14 three-pointers and scored 32 points to lead the Eagle girls past AHSTW, 59-40, in Western Iowa Conference action last Thursday. AHSTW’s sixth straight loss dropped the Lady Vikes to 1-8 overall and 1-6 in the WIC as they entered a two-week holiday break.

 WESTSIDE -- Falling behind 39-24 at the half, Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton was unable to mount a second-half comeback in last Thursday’s 70-53 loss at sixth-ranked (1-A) Ar-We-Va. The unbeaten Rockets improved to 8-0 overall and 7-0 inside the Rolling Valley Conference while the Spartans entered the holiday break at 6-2 overall and 6-2 in the RVC. 

 WESTSIDE -- The third-rated Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton girls basketball team reached the Christmas break with a 9-0 record following last Thursday’s 66-21 win at Ar-We-Va. The Spartans, who also sport a 9-0 Rolling Valley Conference record, were led by Sophia Peppers’ 17 points and 13 rebounds against the winless Rockets (0-8, 0-7 RVC).

    HARLAN -- Marilyn Rodacker of Harlan celebrated her 80th birthday on December 25. Her family is requesting a card shower in her honor.    Cards will reach her if sent to 1709 West Park Street, Harlan, Iowa 51537. 

    HARLAN – The City of Harlan is actively marketing available lots in its G.H. Christiansen subdivision in north Harlan, and recently has put together a marketing packet of information for anyone interested in building a home in the community’s newest subdivision.

    HARLAN -- Shelby County residents saw a mild November turn quickly into a brutal December, a harsh reality that winter is here and with it comes snow, ice and plunging temperatures into the single digits below zero this past month.    With the winter months upon us, local emergency officials including the Harlan Fire Department are reminding homeowners about the fire dangers associated with heating equipment.    Improper use of such equipm