OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A business conditions index for nine Midwestern and Plains states rose over the past month, pointing to continued improvement in regional economic conditions, according to a report issued today (Thursday). The Mid-America Business Conditions Index hit 59.7 in February, compared with 57.3 in January, the report said. The December figure was 59.0. Good news abounded in several economic sectors, including manufacturing, the report said.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey, said “At this point in time, according to our surveys, Mid-America manufacturing firms are outperforming their U.S. counterparts. However, government data indicate that U.S. non-manufacturing activity is exceeding that of Mid-American non-manufacturing firms.”

The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth in that factor. A score below that suggests decline. The February employment index jumped to 59.4, from 52.3 in January. Goss said “Sixty percent of firms in our survey expect to add workers in the next six months.” The wholesale inflation gauge continued to reflect inflationary pressures, climbing to 82.0 from January’s 74.5. According to Goss, “Both our regional wholesale inflation index and the U.S. inflation gauge are elevated” and are expected to showing up at the consumer level, Goss said. “As a result, I expect the Federal Reserve’s interest rate setting committee to raise short-term interest rates by one-quarter of one percentage point at its next meeting on March 21st.”

Looking ahead six months, the business confidence index dropped to a still strong 74.5 from 80.5 in January. Goss says “Healthy profit growth, still low interest rates, and the recently passed tax reform package pushed business confidence into a range indicating vigorous business confidence.”

A woman from Glenwood has announced her bid to become the combined Mills-Fremont County Attorney. Republican Naeda Elliott said in a statement “I have proven to be tough on crime in Mills County. I will carry that philosophy to the Fremont County Office. As an experienced prosecutor, I know the devastating effect crime has on its victims. My main priority is to seek justice and to give victims a voice.” The current Mills County Attorney intends to run for the newly created multi-county office after Fremont County Attorney, Brenna Bird, announced she is not running for re-election.

Her bio says Naeda Elliott grew up in Southwest Iowa and obtained her law degree from The University of Iowa College of Law. She has served as the Mills County Attorney since June of 2016. She previously prosecuted for six years in Johnson County, Iowa. Shortly after being elected Mills County Attorney, Elliott says she successfully prosecuted the man responsible for the murder of a 19-year-old Glenwood resident. Since that time, she has sent numerous sexual predators and domestic abusers to prison.

Elliott says she has built bridges with multiple agencies across the State of Iowa to ensure our communities are safe. Those agency relationships, she says, will assist each county with their unique challenges and opportunities. She said also, that she will continue to make Mills and Fremont County the new standard for law and order in the state of Iowa.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce kicked off the 2018 Total Resource Campaign (TRC) this week. This is a six-week fundraising campaign supported by YGM and lead locally by Chamber staff, business professionals and dedicated volunteers. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce said “TRC has allowed the Chamber to offer more business resources to members and increase community activities. Last year’s campaign raised over $90,000 that goes towards business-based activities as well as community events like AtlanticFest and Christmas in Atlantic. We’re excited to offer our membership new opportunities as well and surpass last year’s total to keep serving our membership in a positive way.”

YGM is a professional consulting firm that works closely with non-profit organizations, specifically Chambers, to help increase fundraising efforts and build better memberships. The company offers sales training and innovative web-based technology to assist volunteers, business sponsors and chamber staff throughout the entire campaign. Joyce Powell, YGM consultant, said “The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce is one of our smaller clients but has done a fantastic job offering diverse sponsorships covering all markets.”

The first TRC in Atlantic was held in 2012 and since has more than doubled the normal sponsorship dollars and streamlined many of the Chamber’s efforts, transforming it into a better organization. The Total Resource Campaign wouldn’t be made possible without the dedication of volunteers. Volunteers help connect with the membership and drive the campaign’s success. Volunteers serve as advocates for the Chamber and community. Bailey Smith said “They meet and network with other volunteers from our area’s leading businesses. These dedicated volunteers share their enthusiasm for the great work the Chamber does for the area. They meet with Chamber businesses to help them find the best sponsorship for their business needs. We couldn’t do it without them.”

The Total Resource Campaign is going on now till April 11th. Contact the Chamber with any questions regarding sponsorship for the campaigns at 712.243.3017 or at the Rock Island Depot, 102 Chestnut Street.

TOLEDO, Iowa (AP) — A Marion teacher acquitted of not reporting that a classroom volunteer sexually abused her students is returning to work. Station KCRG reports that Marion Schools Superintendent Chris Dyer says Diane Graham will be back in a classroom Thursday at Vernon Middle School.

Graham was found not guilty Jan. 11. Prosecutors alleged that Graham was teaching at Starry Elementary in Marion when two students told her in August 2016 that they were being abused by the volunteer. Prosecutors said Graham didn’t report the abuse, allowing it to continue for two more months. Graham testified that she never saw or heard of any abuse.

The teen has been convicted of sexual abuse.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Court documents show the adoptive father of a 16-year-old girl who starved to death will enter a new plea later this month. Forty-seven-year-old Joseph Finn II already has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, child endangerment and neglect or abandonment. His former wife, Nicole Finn, was convicted Dec. 14 of murder and other crimes in the October 2016 death of Natalie Finn.
Medical examiners say Natalie Finn died from emaciation due to denial of critical care.

Polk County court records say the March 21 plea hearing was set Wednesday at the request of Finn’s lawyers. The records don’t say whether a deal with prosecutors has been reached.