The results of a study conducted by the Iowa Hospital Association reports the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic generates 361 jobs that add $23.5 million to the economy in Cass County and the surrounding area.  The IHA study says also, that CCMH employees by themselves spend $5.4 million on retail sales and contribute $326,521 in state sales tax revenue.

CCMH CEO Todd Hudspeth said in a Press Release that “People are often surprised to learn how many people we employ and the size of our business.” He says “It takes a lot of patient care professionals to enable us to care for our community twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and even more staff behind the scenes.”

Cass Atlantic Development Corporation (CADCO) Executive Director Russell Joyce, said the “Cass County Health System has become major player in the area of “quality of life” that we market for our area. Having an up-to-date facility that is well staffed and equipped, along with an administration, plus a Board of Trustees, that looks to the future is a large part of growing a community.” Joyce added that there is an “Influx of younger families returning or relocating to our community along with retirees, both looking for a higher level of life quality,” and that  “We can thank our health care providers for helping make this happen.”

The IHA study examined the jobs, income, retail sales and sales tax produced by hospitals and the rest of the state’s health care sector. The study was compiled from hospital-submitted data on the American Hospital Association’s Annual Survey of Hospitals and with software that other industries have used to determine their economic impact.

The study found that Iowa hospitals directly employ 71,437 people and create another 57,792 jobs outside the hospital sector. As an income source, hospitals provide $4.2 billion in salaries and benefits and generate another $1.8 billion through other jobs that depend on hospitals.

In all, Iowa’s health care sector, which includes employed clinicians, long-term care services and assisted living centers, pharmacies and other medical and health services, directly and indirectly provides 307,402 Iowa jobs, or about one-fifth of the state’s total non-farm employment.

The Iowa Hospital Association is a voluntary membership organization representing hospital and health system interests to business, government and consumer audiences. All of Iowa’s 118 community hospitals are IHA members.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) — A jury has acquitted a former drug offender who voted despite having lost her right to cast a ballot, in a rare trial that highlights Iowa’s harsh policies toward voting rights for ex-felons. Jurors rejected a perjury charge yesterday against Kelli Jo Griffin, who was accused of lying on a voter registration form before she cast a ballot in a municipal election in November.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha-based economist says a survey of bankers in Iowa, Nebraska and eight other Midwestern states suggests the regional economy is experiencing slow to no growth. The Rural Mainstreet Index by Creighton University economist Ernie Gross rose slightly above growth neutral in March, to 50.1, compared with 48.4 in February.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A two-hour standoff between a Davenport man and local authorities has ended peacefully. The Quad-City Times reports the suspect was taken into custody around 11 a.m. yesterday after speaking with a negotiator. No injuries were reported.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) —North Carolina Central is the Number 14 seed in tonight’s East Regional in a second round matchup Friday against third seeded Big 12 tournament champion Iowa State. Iowa State is taking note of what the Eagles have done this season: A 20-game win streak, a road win at North Carolina State and a close loss at Wichita State, the only undefeated team in the country and the Number One seed in the Midwest.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An economist says a survey of bankers in 10 Midwest and Plains states suggests the regional economy is experiencing slow to no growth. The Rural Mainstreet Index rose slightly above growth neutral in March, to 50.1, compared with 48.4 in February. The survey indexes range from 0 to 100, with 50 representing growth neutral. A score above 50 suggests growth in that factor in the months ahead.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the region will need to see more increases in farm commodity prices to push the agriculture-based economy back into healthy growth territory. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

A distracted driver caused an accident late Thursday morning about three-miles east of Shenandoah, in Page County. Sheriff’s officials say 49-year old Jennine Ohnmacht, of Blanchard, was traveling north on E Avenue at around 11:50-a.m., when she looked down. As she looked up, she found the 2002 Chrysler Town and County van she was driving was beside a 2005 Sterling tractor trailer, in the northbound lane.

The van clipped the driver’s side of the semi, driven by 60-year old Rodney Long, of New Market. Authorities say the Long’s semi left a little more than 153-feet of skid marks from the tires on both dual trailer axles, and swerved towards the ditch in an attempt to avoid contact with the van. Damage from the mishap amounted to $5,000. No injuries were reported.

The sheriff’s office says Ohnmacht was cited for Driving on the wrong side of a two-way highway.

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report a Glenwood woman was arrested early this (Thursday) morning on a drug charge. 47-year old Lisa Mae Bolan faces a Possession of Controlled Substance charge. She was taken into custody at around 3:20-a.m. on Highway 275. Bond was set at $1,000.00.

Authorities said also, no injuries were reported following a single vehicle rollover accident Wednesday afternoon. Officials say  Jess Mullanix of Glenwood, was driving a 2004 Dodge 4 Miles eastbound northwest of Glenwood on Ellington at Glover Road, when the vehicle slipped-off the edge of the gravel road and rolled into the south ditch. The vehicle came to rest on its driver’s side. The accident was reported at around 2:25-p.m.