OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A survey in nine Midwestern and Plains states suggests that exports are helping fuel regional economic growth.  A report released Wednesday says the Business Conditions Index for the Mid-America region rose in May, to 60.2 from 57.7 in April. Creighton University economist Ernie Gross oversees the survey.

He says that although higher commodity prices have hampered the regional economy, exports are making “a significant contribution to growth.” The survey of supply managers and executives and the report use a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth in the next three to six months, while a score below 50 suggests a contracting economy.

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

Police in Red Oak say one person was arrested Tuesday after officers investigated a reported odor complaint. 24-year old Tyce Samual Watts, of Elliott, was arrested after authorities went to 1660 east Summit Street in Red Oak, at around 1:30-p.m.

A search of the premises resulted in the recovery of a small amount of what authorities say was suspected to be marijuana, as well as drug paraphernalia.

Watts was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Police in Red Oak Police say a woman arrested in late May faces additional charges stemming from an on-going investigation. 18-year-old Andrea Marie Elarton was originally charged with possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, in connection with an arrest in the 900 block of East Reed Street in the late-evening hours of May 23rd.

Elarton was subsequently charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and a felony violation of the state’s drug tax stamp law She was being held in the Montgomery County Jail, on $5,000 bond.

Following a number of days of increasing responses to the current Missouri River flooding, Lynn Grobe, Chairman of the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday signed a local disaster declaration for Pottawattamie County including the Cities of Carter Lake and Council Bluffs. This allows for those two cities, as well as Pottawattamie County, to request  additional assistance if needed from outside resources and entities as the flood crisis continues.

Flooding continues on the low level areas near the river and City and County crews are monitoring closed areas and the levee system. Officials anticipate an increasing rise in the level of the Missouri River and are making efforts to anticipate any needs that may be required.

Pottawattamie County Emergency Management continues to facilitate calls between the State of Iowa Department of Homeland Security, the Army Corp of Engineers, and many citizens
and business partners that may be affected by this event. Planning sessions continued over the Memorial Day weekend and operations meetings with key responders will continue on a
daily basis.

A Nebraska girl suffered minor injuries in Griswold Sunday afternoon, after she was struck by a car. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says Ellie Howard, of LaVista, NE, was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, after she was hit as she was trying to cross the street at around 4-p.m., Sunday.
The accident happened at the intersection of Whitney and Park Streets in Griswold. Officials say 21-year old Eve Alexandria Kwiatkowski, of Griswold, was traveling westbound on Whitney Street when her 2008 Chevy Impala made contact with the girl, who is believed to be under the age of 10.
No citations were issued.

Three people were arrested on separate charges over the past week, here in Cass County. The Sheriff’s Department says 46-year old Tracy Joe Lane, of Griswold, was arrested May 24th on charges of OWI/3rd offense, Child Endangerment, and Driving While Revoked. Lane was brought to the Cass County Jail and released May 28th, on $10,000 bond.
Last Sunday, sheriff’s deputies arrested 34-year old Shawn Michael Egging, of Omaha, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Egging was released later that day on $1,000 bond.
And, on Friday, 36-year old Thomas Jordan Fredrickson, of Atlantic,  turned himself in to the Cass County Jail on a Cass County Sheriff’s warrant for OWI 2nd Offense. Fredericksen was released later that day on his own recognizance.