OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A monthly survey of business leaders suggests the economy will pick up over the next few months in nine Midwest and Plains states because manufacturing remains strong. The overall economic index for the region increased to 62.3 in June from May’s solid 55.5. Any score above 50 suggests growth.

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, while a score below that suggests decline. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate hike didn’t dampen business leaders’ confidence in the economy.

The survey released Monday covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Police in Creston, Sunday night, arrested a woman on three counts of Arson. Officials say 42-year old Shelia Shoults, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center at around 11:30-p.m. Shoults was being held for Union County in the Ringgold County Jail while awaiting a bond hearing.

Sheila Renae Shoultes

(UPDATE) – Authorities say Creston Police and Firefighters responded to 805 1/2 Jefferson Street Sunday for a reported house fire. When they arrived, the house was in a state of a fully developed fire, with flames breaching the room of the home. Officials say this was the fourth time the home had caught fire, and other attempts indicating the cause was intentional.

A camera had been placed in the house to capture any illegal activity within the residence, and was successfully removed. The images captured showed the suspect, Shoults, who was located and asked to come to the LEC for questioning. She agreed to do so and after being read her rights, confessed to setting the blaze. She stated that she was tired of all the strange people coming and going in and out of the home. She was also concerned as children would enter the home as well. Shoults had taken steps to have the house condemned, but the process was taking too long. She also confessed to three other cases where the house was set on fire.

A Creston man, 19-year old Aaron Comstock, was arrested Saturday night, on a Possession of a Controlled Substance, charge. Comstock was later released on a $1,000 bond. Also arrested Saturday night, was 47-year old Johnny Agans, of Prairie City. He was charged with Public Intoxication and later released on $300 bond.

Saturday afternoon, 20-year old Michael Ward, Jr., of Afton, was arrested at the Union County LEC in Creston, for OWI/1st offense. He was later released on a $1,000 bond.

Two people were arrested early Saturday morning, in Creston: 25-year old Tay McDonald, of Bridgewater, was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was later released on a $300 bond. And, 23-year old Joseph Weinkoetz, of Afton, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. He was subsequently released on a $1,000 bond.

EVANSDALE, Iowa (AP) – The fifth anniversary of the abduction and killing of two young cousins will be marked by events raising awareness about the unsolved case and teaching lessons about child safety.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports child safety will be the focus of an event on Sunday when DNA samples and fingerprints of children will be taken for free. Workshops on personal safety will also be offered at the Evansdale Community Resource Center.

Ten-year-old Lyric Cook-Morrissey and 8-year-old Elizabeth Collins were taken on July 13, 2012. Their disappearance during a bike ride sparked a massive search that ended tragically when their bodies were discovered on Dec. 5, 2012, in Bremer County.

On July 15, a memorial motorcycle ride from Lofty’s Lounge in Evansdale will be held to remember the girls.