OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The economy continues improving in nine Midwest and Plains states but business leaders are less optimistic after the latest surge in coronavirus cases in the region, according to a new monthly survey released Monday. The overall index for the region suggests strong growth even though it dipped to 64.1 in December from November’s 69. Any score above 50 on the survey’s indexes suggests growth, while a score below 50 suggests recession.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey, said the survey’s confidence index suggests business leaders are worried about the economy after the recent growth in virus cases across the region.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld a life prison sentence for an influential Iowa youth basketball coach who used his position to sexually exploit more than 400 boys over 20 years. A panel of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Gregory Stephen’s argument that his 180-year sentence was excessive because he did not kill or physically injure his victims. The panel agreed with U.S. District Judge C.J. Williams “that the harm to the children was ‘incalculable and profound’ and radiated to their families.”

Stephen amassed a digital collection of thousands of sexual images of his players and their friends. He also molested some boys during trips to basketball tournaments and professional games.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s unemployment rate has steadily dropped back down after hitting a peak when the coronavirus hit — but the pandemic has still left a hole in the state’s workforce. Iowa State University economist Dave Swenson says most of the drop is not from people getting back to work — it’s from people giving up their job search. “The most important factor driving that rate down is not more people working, it’s people leaving the labor force and not working or not looking for work,” Swenson says.

The unemployment rate in Iowa is three-point-six ( 3.6) percent — about one percent above the level before the pandemic — and down from a high of 11 percent in April. Swenson says the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics data tell the story of what is happening. “Even though the number of jobs has gone up the number of people that are participating actively in the economy, according to the B-L-S survey, has continued to go down,” according to Swenson.

That survey shows the number of people counted as unemployed in Iowa has fallen by more than 130-thousand since April, while the state has added only about 37-thousand jobs. Swenson says the leisure and hospitality industry leads the state for job losses over the past year followed by the education and health care sector, and government. He says nationally women have been most likely to leave the workforce during the pandemic. He believes the numbers are also likely to include many small business people forced into retirement.

(By Grant Gerlock, Iowa Public Radio)

The Cass County Board of Supervisors held their first meeting of the new year, Monday morning (today), both in-person and electronically. It was also the first meeting for Bernard Pettinger, of Anita, who was selected by voters during the November General Election, to succeed Frank Waters.  Waters did not run for re-election. During their meeting, the Board voted to keep Steve Baier as Board Chair, and Mark O’Brien as Vice Chair.

During the session, the Board voted to: keep their meetings on Tuesday’s at 9-a.m.; Set the mileage reimbursement rate at 45 cents per mile, for the use of personal vehicle to conduct County business; They set the Medical Examiner’s fee at $200 per call; and after much discussion, and by a vote of 4-to1, adopted the holiday schedule. The 2021 (2022 New Year’s Day) Holiday Schedule for County employees not covered by bargaining agreements for the year 2021:

• Memorial Day, May 31
• Independence Day, July 4 (Monday, July 5)
• Labor Day, Sept. 6
• Veterans Day, Nov. 11
• Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25
• Christmas Day, Dec. 25 (Friday, Dec. 24)
• New Year’s Day 2022 (Monday, Jan. 3)
• 2 Personal days

The Cass County Supervisors approved the appointments of deputies/assistants and /or Clerks to the Auditor and Sheriff, including:

• Mary Anstey and Sheri Karns, Auditor’s Office
• Benjamin Bartholomew, Corey Larsen and Josh McLaren, Timothy Olsen, Kyle Quist, Tyler Shiels as Deputy Sheriff’s, with Jon Westering as Chief Deputy.
• Sheriff’s Assistants: Joni Knudsen, Billie Taylor-McLaren and Steph Witzman.

Sheriff Darby McLaren, last month requested the Board approved the designation/promotion of Sergeant certain deputies. The Board today (Monday) approved the promotion and pay increases for Kyle Quist, and Tyler Shiels. Deputy Shiels is also the County K9 Officer, with supplemental pay. And, they approved the 2021 Annual Livestock Construction Evaluation Resolution (Master Matrix).

Authorities in Mills County report a woman from Montgomery County was arrested early Friday morning, following a traffic stop that escalated into a pursuit. Deputies had attempted to stop 22-year-old Dakota Lynn Girouex, of Red Oak, at around 3:42-a.m., in the Kwik Trip parking lot, in Glenwood. Instead of yielding, Girouex began to flee from authorities. The 2006 Chevy Trailblazer she was driving nearly struck two patrol vehicles in the process.

Dakota Lynn Girouex (Mills County S/O photo)

The woman continued driving at speeds in excess of 100 mph, in an attempt to elude law enforcement. When she fled into Nebraska, authorities there pursued the vehicle on two separate occasions, and finally took Girouex into custody. The suspect vehicle had been stolen out of Fremont County on Dec. 26th.

Girouex faces multiple charges in Iowa and Nebraska, including outstanding warrants in Mills, Fremont and Pottawattamie Counties. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and multiple law enforcement agencies in Nebraska assisted in handling the incident. Girouex has a lengthy record of law enforcement contacts dating back to at least 2016.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Monday (today), reported numerous arrests dating back to Dec. 30th:

• Sunday morning (Jan. 3rd), 58-year-old Aubrey O’Dell McDaniels, of Philadelphia, PA, was arrested in Avoca, following a reported intoxicated male creating a disturbance at the Motel 6. McDaniels faces two counts of Disorderly Conduct by Loud Noise, and two counts of Public Intoxication. His bond was set at $300. That same morning, 40-year-old Sean Gabriel Jaime, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Council Bluffs, for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense, causing bodily injury.
• Saturday afternoon, 59-year old Darby LeRoy Durham was arrested by Pott. County Deputies, for Violation of a Protective or Restraining Order/contempt of court.
• Thursday night, 21-year-old Maeson D. McDonough was arrested for Theft in the 4th Degree. The woman was taken into custody on I-29 and was being held by Mills County Deputies as a wanted party.
• Thursday evening, 70-year old James L. Zimmerman was arrested at the Casey’s Store in Treynor, for a possibly intoxicated male in front of the store. Zimmerman was charged with OWI/1st offense. That same evening, 24-year old Kesley Dawn Woods was arrested in Council Bluffs, for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense, causing bodily injury, and Child Endangerment with Substantial Risk.
• Thursday afternoon, 28-year-old Roy Martin Richards, III, of Modale, turned himself-in to the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office. He was wanted on a warrant for Operating a Motor Vehicle without the Owner’s Consent. Bond was set at $2,000.
• Wednesday night, 44-year-old Anthony Lee Kies was arrested at the Flying J Truck Stop, in Avoca, for Public Intoxication.
• Wednesday afternoon: 26-year old Alec Weston O’Daniel, of Omaha, was served at the Pott. County Jail, with a warrant for Probation Violation. His bond was set at $30,000; 46-year-old Lonnie Michael Downs was arrested by Pott. County Deputies on a Colfax County, NE. warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice.; and, 42-year-old William Donald Martin was served at the Pott. County Jail with four warrants, charging him with Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance/Accident related, Disobedience to signs and signals, eluding a police officer, and improper use of registration.
• And, at around 9-a.m. Wednesday, 33-year-old James Dwight Mills, of Harlan, was arrested in Avoca, on a warrant for Violation of Parole.

Officials with the Glenwood Police Department, Monday (today), reported three arrests. At around 1:45-a.m. Saturday, 51-year old Kelly Earl Thibodeaux, of Omaha, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, following a property damage accident investigation on I-29 at mile marker 30. His bond was set at $1,000. Saturday night, 54-year-old Christina Elizabeth Jennings, of Glenwood, was arrested at the Mills County Jail, for Possession of Contraband. Her bond was set at $5,000. And, at around 3:15-a.m. Friday, 36-year old Sally Jo Thomsen, of Roselie, NE., was arrested for OWI/1st offense. She was also cited for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign, Failure to Yield the Right-of-Way, and Failure to Maintain Control. Thomsen’s bond was set at $1,000.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office Monday (today), said there were two arrested early this (Monday) morning. 31-year-old Jordan Henze, and 47-year-old Edwin Rogers, both of Glenwood, were arrested on separate charges. Henze was charged with OWI/1st offense and Driving While Revoked. His cash or surety bond was set at $2,000. Rogers was arrested for Driving while Revoked. His cash/surety bond was set at $2,000.

Deputies in Adams County were called Dec. 29th, to an apartment complex in Corning, following a report of a domestic disturbance. Following an investigation, 38-year-old Robert Surrell was arrested for Domestic Assault and Disorderly Conduct, with an additional charge of Obstruction of Emergency Communication associated with an incident on Dec. 28th.