OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A monthly economic report says business conditions in nine Midwestern states improved slightly in November.  The Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to a tepid 51.2 on a growth scale of 0 to 100. The index was growth-neutral in October at 50.0, the lowest level since 2012.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the region’s heavy manufacturers reported solid increases in new export orders in November. The region’s employment gauge also jumped to 51.2 in November, from 48.2 the previous month. Goss attributes the October downturn to the federal government’s partial shutdown.

States included in the survey are Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Adair-Casey United Methodist Church Pastor Melodee Carstens reports the Adair-Casey Food Pantry gave out Thanksgiving dinners to 32 households on Sat., Nov. 23^rd. That’s in addition to their usual offering of bi-weekly items. Each holiday dinner included ham, fresh potatoes and homemade pumpkin pies.

Volunteers with the Adair-Casey Food Pantry.

The A-C Food Pantry, housed in the Casey United Methodist Church, was established in May of this year by the Adair and Casey United Methodist Churches as well as other interested individuals, organizations, and businesses. Since mid-June of this year, the A-C Food Pantry has served 47 families with a total of 123 individuals.

Last week the A-C Food Pantry received word from the Food Bank of Iowa that it has been approved to be a partnering agency with them. This partnership will allow the A-C Food Pantry to purchase food from the Food Bank of Iowa at a discounted price enabling them to serve more people with a greater variety of items.

The pantry was also notified last week that it has been awarded $1,500.00 from the Southwest District of the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church 2014 Matthew 25 Grant. These monies will be used to help purchase needed supplies and food for the pantry. Anyone who lives within the Adair-Casey School District is eligible to receive items from the pantry.

The Pantry is open the second Wednesday and fourth Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. If you would like more information as to how you might become a donor or a recipient of the A-C Food Pantry, you may contact Peg Snyder at 641-746-3319.

Police in Red Oak arrested 20-year-old Jesse Patrick Beaman, of Red Oak, early Monday morning. Beaman was taken into custody on warrants for 3rd degree criminal mischief, failure to appear for 1st degree arson, conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, and two counts of forgery.

Beaman was arrested in the 200 block of East Nuckols Street just before 1:30-a.m. He was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

Two people were arrested over the weekend in Adams County. The Sheriff’s Department says 63-year old Gail Eugene Freihage, of Prescott, was arrested for Driving Under the Influence, just after 7-p.m. Saturday following a traffic stop. His bond was set at $1,000.

And, 18-year old Bryce Ludwig, of Melcher, was arrested following a traffic stop at around 7:30-p.m. Sunday. Ludwig was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant out of Marion County, and for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $300.

One person was injured during an accident Sunday night in southern Cass County. According to dispatch reports, a man was ejected from a vehicle during a crash which occurred just west of the intersection of Highway  71 (630th St.) and Tucson Road. The accident was reported at around 8:20-p.m.

The accident victim was said to be conscious and breathing when Griswold Rescue arrived on the scene. A medical helicopter was put on stand-by but then cancelled. No other details are available.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Legalizing medical marijuana will again be debated in the upcoming legislative session, though Iowa lawmakers have so far been loath to embrace a policy that is finding acceptance elsewhere. Democratic Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City says he will pursue legislation seeking to legalize medical marijuana in 2014.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A man who fled police in western Iowa at speeds up to 100 miles per hour is recovering after being shot at by a state trooper in Council Bluffs. Iowa officials say the incident began around 7 a.m. yesterday when a state trooper tried to pull over a man driving a stolen vehicle. During the chase, the trooper’s car went into a ditch on U.S. Highway 275 northeast of Lake Manawa. The trooper was not hurt.

CORNING, Iowa (AP) — Two boys, ages 8 and 9 drowned Saturday evening in an Adams County pond. The Adams County Sheriff’s office says the boys fell through the ice. Their bodies were recovered under the ice at around 5:30-p.m.. The deaths happened near Prescott. The names of the victims weren’t released Sunday.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa won seven of 10 matches and beat host Iowa State 23-9 yesterday in their annual wrestling dual meet. The fourth-ranked Hawkeyes beat the rival Cyclones for the 10th straight time and claimed the Dan Gable Traveling Trophy for the fourth time in as many tries.