(By JOSH FUNK AP Business Writer) – OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Union Pacific’s third-quarter profit declined 12%, but the volume of shipments it handled surged as the economy rebounded from the worst of the virus-related shutdowns earlier this year. The railroad said it earned $1.36 billion, or $2.01 per share, during the quarter. That’s down from $1.56 billion, or $2.22 per share, a year ago. The results fell short of the $2.03 per share that analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research expected, on average. The railroad said volume was still down 4% in the quarter, but that represented a significant improvement over the second quarter when volume plunged 20%.

Police in Creston have arrested a man on a trio of charges. 27-year old Dustin Michael Boyd, of Creston, was arrested a little after 9-p.m. Wednesday at a residence in the 300 block of W. Adams Street. He faces charges that include Public Intoxication, Assault on a Peace Officer (without injury), and Disorderly Conduct. Boyd was being held in the Union County Jail on a $1,600 cash or surety bond.

Creston Police said also, a man residing in the 800 block of W. Adams Street reported two tires on his car were slashed, while the vehicle was parked in the alley behind his residence. The loss was estimated at $100. And, a man residing in the 400 block of S. Division Street in Creston, reported to police the back window of his car was broken out, while the vehicle was parked at his residence. The loss was estimated at $200.

(By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer) – The Coca-Cola Co. said it saw gradual improvement in the third quarter, as it turned its focus to emerging leaner from the global pandemic. Atlanta-based Coke said its revenue fell 9% to $8.7 billion. That was well ahead of Wall Street’s forecast of $8.4 billion, according to analysts polled by FactSet. It was also better than the 28% drop in revenue the company saw in the second quarter.

FILE- In this Aug. 8, 2018, file photo bottles of Coca-Cola sit on a shelf in a market in Pittsburgh. The Coca-Cola Co. said on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, it saw gradual improvement in the third quarter, as it turned its focus to emerging leaner from the global pandemic. Atlanta-based Coke said its revenue fell 9% to $8.7 billion. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Coke Chairman and CEO James Quincey said the company has accelerated a planned reorganization that will put more emphasis on fast-growing brands. Coke is retiring several underperforming products by the end of this year, including Tab diet soda.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:05-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Interstate 80 is blocked this at the 63 mile marker westbound in Cass County, due to an accident involving a semi and a car. The incident took place in the construction zone. The driver of the semi reportedly hit his head on the steering wheel and requested to be checked out. The other vehicle was in the median. Cass EMS, Anita Rescue and Wiota Fire were dispatched to the scene at 6:49-a.m.

No other details were immediately available.

A traffic stop at around 8-p.m. Wednesday in Red Oak, resulted in the arrest of a Red Oak man on an OWI charge. According to Red Oak Police, 21-year-old Nathan Andrew Fournier faces a charge of OWI/1st offense after being pulled over at 3rd and Elm Streets, in Red Oak. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:30 a.m. CDT

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A split Iowa Supreme Court is upholding a new Republican-backed law that will bar county elections commissioners from mailing absentee ballots this week to thousands of people who omitted information on their applications. The 4-3 ruling means voters who want to cast ballots by mail for the Nov. 3 election must complete their absentee ballot applications before Saturday’s deadline in order to qualify. Auditors will not be allowed to use the state’s voter registration system to fill in any blanks on submitted applications. Dissenting justices contend that the ruling will “likely cause thousands of voters to not receive their ballot in time to use it.”

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says her administration will try to convince federal auditors to allow its plan to spend $21 million in coronavirus relief funds on a long-planned information technology system. Reynolds says the state believes spending federal virus aid to purchase and implement a new accounting and human resources system for the executive branch is “an allowable expense.” State Auditor Rob Sand has said the use of federal funds for the Workday project is inappropriate. He warns that Iowa will be on the hook to repay $21 million to the federal government if it’s not diverted to an allowable use.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The number of Iowa residents dying from the coronavirus is quickly rising again after weeks of increasing hospitalizations and outbreaks at nursing homes. The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 31 new deaths from the virus Wednesday, the most confirmed in a 24-hour period since the beginning of the pandemic. That does not mean that 31 people died in one day. Instead, it means that the state received 31 new reports of confirmed COVID—19 deaths through medical examiners and death certificates. Many of the deaths happened a few or several days ago.

While some cities, including Audubon, have cancelled Halloween this year over fears of spreading the Coronavirus, Atlantic still plans to hold trick-or-treating on Oct. 31st, from 4:30-until 6-p.m.  Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones said during Wednesday’s City Council meeting, things will be a little different this year, however, than in years past.

(Updated) Trick-or-Treating in the downtown business district is from 2-until 4-p.m., Oct. 31st.  In other business, the Atlantic City Council passed by a vote of five-to two, the second reading of an Ordinance amending the City’s Code of Ordinances, with regard to the expansion of a two-way stop at 22nd and Olive to a four-way, and from a two-way stop at 32nd and Chestnut, to a three-way stop. The proposed changes is to encourage traffic to slow down before entering the city. Councilpersons Casady and Somers voted against the measure.

Atlantic residents Dale Gross and Dale Retallic spoke out against the plan, which the Mayor contends will prevent accidents from happening at those intersections. Gross said there’s no evidence or records he could find, of 22nd and Olive being a hot spot for accidents. He says the 35 mile per hour speed limit is enough to prevent any crashes.

Retallic reiterated his statement from the last Council meeting two weeks ago, in agreeing that if the City’s goal is to reduce speeding, increase the number of tickets, and/or install speed bumps. Councilman Pat McCurdy who voted to approve the second reading, said he’s spoken with four people who live in the area are in favor of the 4-way stop at 22nd and Olive, because of what is perceived to be increased truck traffic, especially from the new rock quarry. McCurdy also pointed out that snow plows have a tendency to knock out speed bumps. The third and final reading of the ordinance will take place in two weeks.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, approved the third and final reading of an Ordinance vacating and conveying an alley between Hemlock and Sycamore Streets, south of E. 18th Street. The lot will be divided equally among the four adjacent property owners. The also passed a Resolution setting November 4th as the date for a Public Hearing on vacating a Right of Way for a stub (non-connecting) section of road, just east of 9th and Plum Streets.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The number of Iowa residents dying from the coronavirus is quickly rising again after weeks of increasing hospitalizations and outbreaks at nursing homes. The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 31 new deaths from the virus Wednesday, the most confirmed in a 24-hour period since the beginning of the pandemic. That does not mean that 31 people died in one day. Instead, it means that the state received 31 new reports of confirmed COVID—19 deaths through medical examiners and death certificates. Many of the deaths happened a few or several days ago.