OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The economy in rural areas of 10 Midwest and Plains states remains strong as healthy rainfall this spring helps crops get established. The overall economic index for the region grew to 60.5 in June from May’s 58.8. That suggests growth in the months ahead. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the monthly survey, says the bankers are optimistic because of the consistent growth in the national economy and improving crop conditions.

The confidence index grew to 60 in June from May’s 54.5. The indexes range from 0 to 100, with 50 representing growth neutral. Any score above 50 suggests economic growth in the months ahead. The index is based on a survey of rural bankers in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Deputies in Audubon County arrested an Atlantic man Tuesday night on weapons charges. 17-year old Jacob Quentin Dvorak was taken into custody at around 10:30-p.m. on charges that include Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, Carrying Weapons, and Assault Displaying a Dangerous Weapon. The charges follow an investigation into an incident which allegedly occurred on Main Street in Exira at around 2-a.m., Tuesday.

Dvorak was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Council Bluffs. The incident remains under investigation. Atlantic Police assisted in the investigation.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad now has the final say on payments for all Medicaid-funded abortions in Iowa.  Branstad on Thursday signed a health care bill that includes a provision that changes the rules for how the state reimburses abortions for Medicaid patients. Previously the state Medicaid program approved the dollars after extensive review. But under the new rules, Branstad will have to sign off on these reimbursement dollars.
 
Iowa’s Medicaid program covers a small number of abortions each year due to rape, incest, fetal deformity or to protect a mother’s life. The new rules effect reimbursements after the abortions, not authorizing the procedures ahead of time.
 
Abortion rights advocates say Iowa would likely be the first state to set such a policy.

The Harlan Police Department reports three people were arrested this week on separate charges. Taken into custody on Tuesday, was:

65-year old David Peters, of Harlan. Peters was arrested following a reported disturbance at the Harlan Public Library. He was initially charged with Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct, but after being booked into the Shelby County Jail, Peters was found to allegedly be in possession of a controlled substance. He was subsequently charged with Possessing Contraband in a Correctional Facility.

24-year old Shannon Schow, of Harlan, was arrested Tuesday following a traffic stop. Schow was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated. And, 21-year old Michael Tremayne, of Harlan, was arrested Tuesday for OWI, and Driving Under Suspension. The vehicle he was driving was registered to Andrew Whyte, and 28-year old Dane Stevens, of Harlan, reportedly possessed te vehicle. Stevens was cited for allowing an unauthorized person to drive, and for failure to transfer a title.

On June 12th, 29-year old Gabriel Brown was arrested in Harlan after he was found to be in possession of a 2012 Chevy Malibu, that was reported stolen. Brown was brought to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Theft of a Motor Vehicle in the 1st degree. That same day, two Nebraska residents were arrested following a report of a suspicious vehicle in the Dollar General parking lot, in Harlan.

Officials say 26-year old Nicholas Denetelli, of Omaha, was arrested on a charge of Carrying Weapons. 22-year old Morgan Kriz, of Kearney, NE, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs. Both subjects were booked into the Shelby County Jail.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports four people were arrested Wednesday, on various charges. 19-year old Benjamin Lee McGhee, of Glenwood, was arrested at around 11:30-p.m. in Glenwood, on a warrant for Violation of his probation. Bond was set at $7,500. 37-year old Sean Eugene Hicks, of Emerson, was arrested just after 8-p.m., on warrants for Burglary in the 3rd degree, Theft in the 1st and 2nd degrees, and Criminal Mischief. Bond was set at $40,000.

53-year old Alfred Charles Barrett, of Glenwood, was arrested at around 6:30-p.m. at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for Violation of his probation. Bond was set at $5,000. And, 51-year old Thomas Michael Horan, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 11-a.m. Wednesday at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on three warrants for Theft in the 3rd degree, Ongoing Criminal Conduct, 2 counts of Criminal Mischief, and a separate count of Criminal Mischief. His bond was set at $33,000.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad has signed legislation that expands low-income health care in Iowa. Branstad signed the bill today (Thursday), in Mason City. The location was selected to acknowledge two lawmakers from the region – Republican House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer and Democratic Sen. Amanda Ragan – who helped broker the final deal.  Branstad says the deal will “increase access to high quality modern health care.”
 
Under the plan, Iowa will accept federal dollars offered to states that expand Medicaid under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul. The state will use the funding to create a new health plan for some poor residents and will pay the premiums for other low-income Iowans to get insurance on the new health care exchanges.  Branstad says he’s optimistic the plan will get federal approval.

Officials with SWIPCO (The Southwest Iowa Planning Council, Region 13), are issuing a call to local community leaders to apply for 2014 calendar year Community Development Block Grants (CDBG’s). Authorized under the Housing and Community Development Act, the main goal of the CDBG program is to “develop viable communities by providing decent housing and suitable living environments, and expanding economic opportunities for persons of low and moderate incomes.”

In Iowa, grants ranging from $200,000 to $600,000 are available, based on population. Regardless of the amount, a local match is required, and typically comes in the form of local bonding, a USDA grant/loan package, or a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan. The CDBG program can be used in Iowa, to fund eligible activities, including public facilities and community buildings, housing rehabilitation, and economic development as well as job training.

Cities in the SWIPCO service area (Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby Counties), are encouraged to contact Courtney Harter or Jeremy Middents, at 712-243-4196 for more information.

In addition, SWIPCO has funds available in its Business Revolving Loan Program available for new or current businesses. Loans are available from $2,000 to $125,000, with interest rates starting at 4-percent. For more information, call Barb Barrick at 712-243-4196.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A judge is declining a new trial for a New Jersey man who was found guilty of running a nationwide prostitution ring.  U.S. District Judge James Gritzner ruled Wednesday that the evidence supported Johnelle Bell’s conviction on 12 counts of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution, and testimony from a witness who didn’t appear at trial likely wouldn’t have changed the outcome. 

Prosecutors say Bell was a pimp who ran an Arkansas-based traveling prostitution venture. He lured troubled young women to join under false promises of long-lasting relationships and coerced them through physical abuse and threats.

Prosecutors uncovered the ring after an FBI agent posed as a customer in response to prostitution ads on Backpage.com in Omaha. The federal trial took place in Iowa because the venture traveled to Des Moines.

The Atlantic Police Department reports today (Thursday), the arrest of 26-year old Jacky Ray Walters, of Atlantic. Walters was arrested on a Cass County Warrant for Delivery of a Controlled Substance. He was transported to Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending a court appearance.

w/ Ric Hanson

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