OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A new survey suggests that the economy will slow down in rural parts of 10 Western and Plains states in the months ahead. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says weak crop and energy prices are hurting profits across the region. The Rural Mainstreet Index dipped into negative territory at 49 in September from August’s 50. Any score below 50 suggests that factor will decline.

Farmers are delaying big purchases if they can because of the environment. The farm equipment sales index remained at 14.2 in September. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a rollover accident early this (Thursday) morning, resulted in possible/unknown injuries to the only occupant of the vehicle, but that person was not transported to the hospital. Officials say 28-year old Lyndsey Marie Cottrell, of Creston, was driving a 1999 Chevy Monte Carlo LS east on Highway 34 north of Kent at around 4:05-a.m., when the car went out of control and drifted onto the shoulder. Cottrell over-corrected, sending the car into the south ditch, where it hit a fence and rolled over before landing on its wheels. Damage from the crash amounted to $3,750.

And, a man from Afton and teenager from Osceola reported minor/Possible injuries following an accident that took place Wednesday afternoon, on Highway 34. 18-year old Zachary Carlo was traveling west on Highway 34 at around 4:50-p.m., when a trailer being pulled by Carlo’s 1993 Chevy pickup, began to fishtail. The action caused Carlo to lose control of the pickup, which entered the north ditch and rolled over, causing the trailer, which was loaded with an unregistered pickup truck, to separate from its tow vehicle.

The unregistered pickup then became separated from the trailer, and came to rest in the ditch. The Sheriff’s report says Zachary Carlo, who was wearing his seat belt, was ejected through a side window of the pickup. His passenger,17-year old Carly Kistler, of Osceola, was also wearing a seat belt, but suffered unknown/possible injuries. Neither was transported to the hospital.

Damage from the accident amounted to $5,000.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday), issued a report on recent arrests. Officials say at around 1:20-a.m. Thursday (Today), 22-year old Miguel Magana, of Schuyler, NE, was arrested on Bunge Road, for Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree. His bond was set at $2,000.

Last Sunday (Sept. 13th), 35-year old Aprile Marie Waston (no city given), was arrested in Mills County on a warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree. Her bond was set at $300. On Saturday, 55-year old Lloyd Dean Black, of Omaha, was arrested on an OWI/1st Offense, charge. Bond was set at $1,000.

And last Friday (Sept. 11th), 30-year old Keith James Charlier, of Blanchard, was arrested in Mills County on a warrant for Probation Violation. The man was being held without bond, in the Mills County Jail.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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A Council Bluffs Police Officer investigating a reported Burglary in Progress Wednesday night, was slightly injured when the suspect attempted to disarm the officer. Authorities say the incident happened at around 9-p.m. at 2924 Avenue D. When officers arrived and attempted to arrest 51-year old Mike Snyder, of Council Bluffs, Snyder, who was allegedly intoxicated and irate, attempted to disarm one of the officers on the scene. The officer suffered a cut to his hand in the scuffle, but did not require medical treatment.

Snyder was taken into custody after a brief struggle and transported to the Pottawattamie County Jail, where he was booked-in on charges that include Attempting to Disarm a Police Officer, Serious Assault on a Police Officer, and Interference with Official Acts.

A man in his 30’s is being sought in connection with an incident of assault involving a cutting tool, in Council Bluffs. According to Bluffs Police Sgt. Chad Geer, at around 3:50-p.m., Wednesday, officers spoke with a 15-year old male who had been assaulted with a knife. The unidentified victim said he was in the area of 25th Street and Avenue D, when he was approached by a white male subject who struck the teen with a sharp object, thought to be a box cutter.

The assailant, who was described as wearing a dark-colored stocking cap and coat, left the scene following the incident, which remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the assault is asked to call the Council Bluffs Police Department at 712-328-STOP (7867).

The area’s top news at 7:07-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest at around 2:10-a.m. today (Thursday), of 30-year old Montana Wayne Kroupa. The Essex man was taken into custody on a Montgomery County warrant for Probation Violation. Kroupa was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 cash bond. Deputies with the Page County Sheriff’s Office assisted in conducting the arrest.

A recently released study by the Marine Corps found all-male squads were safer, more efficient and more lethal that squads the included women. Iowan Joni Ernst is the only female combat veteran in the U-S Senate, and says she is aware of the study, but hasn’t read the full report. “It is very interesting — I do think we have a number of challenges as we move into integrated combat roles for men and women. It is fascinating as we go through this,” Ernst says.

The Republican from Red Oak says she wants more information on the performance of women in the military. “I would like to see more than just a Marine Corps study,” Ernst says. “I would like to see across the board how we are integrating females into those combat roles in all branches, whether it is through the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, etcetera.”

Ernst says the role of women in the military has been changing rapidly. “Going back to several weeks ago, we did have two females who graduated from the Airborne Ranger Training Brigade at Fort Benning, they completed Ranger school,” according to Ernst. “They are showing that women can compete and complete these types of courses. We need more information as actually move into integrating within the combat role, on the ground in combat.” She is anxious to see how the role of women in the military develops.

“I think many of us agree that certainly there are roles for women in combat. We want to make sure that no standards are lowered to enable women to participate. Certainly we have women who can meet those standards,” Ernst says. She says we need to do “what is right and best for all of our troops.” Ernst is lieutenant colonel in the Iowa National Guard and did a tour of duty in Iraq.

(Radio Iowa)