MANNING -- The IKM-Manning volleyball team took a good first step toward contending for the top of the Western Iowa Conference here Thursday night, sweeping Audubon 25-17, 25-18, 25-23 in the WIC opener for both squads. Five days after losing to the Wheelers (20-22, 17-21) as part of a fourth-place showing at the South Central Calhoun Tournament, the Wolves played consistently sharp and aggressive on their home floor and trailed only once - o

 EXIRA -- Drew Buckholdt returned to Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton’s lineup with a vengeance Friday night, scoring five touchdowns as the Spartans routed Sidney 53-18 for their first win of the football season. Buckholdt, one of three Spartan starters to miss last week’s 40-6 non-district loss at Bedford, caught touchdown passes of 8, 9 and 19 yards from Kyle Petersen and also scored on runs of five and two yards.

 CRESTON -- If you like offense, and lots of it, then Friday night’s game between Harlan Community and Creston/O-M was the place to be.

 HARLAN -- After facing five of the state’s best volleyball teams last Saturday, opening Hawkeye Ten Conference play must have seemed like a breeze for Harlan Community on Tuesday night. Playing their first “center court” match of the season, the Cyclones trailed for just one point the whole way in a methodical 25-13, 25-17, 25-14 sweep of Shenandoah. HCHS, which lost to five state-ranked, Class 5-A foes at West Des Moines Valley’s Marj White

 CRESTON -- The football schedule-makers wasted no time setting up early-season drama among the presumed playoff contenders from Class 3-A, District 7. With all due respect to the other four teams, most prognosticators would list Carroll, Glenwood, Creston/Orient-Macksburg and Harlan Community as this year’s “favorites” to compete for the district’s two guaranteed playoffs spots later this fall. The postseason hunt begins in earnest Friday nig

 AMES -- More than 45 bowlers participated in the Iowa Games “Bowl for the Gold” qualifying tournament held earlier this year at Cyclone Lanes.

 LAKE CITY -- The IKM-Manning volleyball team opened the season by placing fourth out of six teams at last Saturday’s South Central Calhoun Tournament. The Wolves finished 2-3 on the day, defeating Greene County and Glidden-Ralston in two sets each while losing competitive matches against South Hamilton (2-1), Audubon (2-0) and South Central Calhoun (2-1).

    HARLAN -- On Wednesday evening, Sept. 14, responders throughout Shelby County assisted in a full scale emergency exercise at the Harlan Community School District.

    ELK HORN – It’s Homecoming week, and the Exira, Elk Horn and Kimballton communities are celebrating with the Exira-EHK School District under the theme Box Office Blitz.    Homecoming king and queen candidates have been selected and include front L to R – Sadie Schultes, Rachel Walker, Malaina Leader and Maggie Rasmussen.  Back L to R – Cole Bruns, Chris Paulsen, Gage Lauritsen and Tyson Patridge.    Crown bearers are Zoey Rasmussen and Ty