OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The economy is expected to continue growing slowly in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states, but the ongoing trade disputes remain a concern.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says grain prices have fallen even lower since the trade disputes erupted.

The overall economic index for the region increased slightly to 54.8 in August from July’s 53.8.

That score still suggests growth because it is above 50, while any score below 50 indicates a shrinking economy.

Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

The bankers remain concerned about the economy. The confidence index remained in negative territory but climbed to 46.5 in August from July’s 42.7.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Wednesday of an Oakland man after being called to 105 South Main Street in Oakland for a disturbance. At 5:40pm Deputies arrested 40-year-old Jeremy Lee Miller of Oakland for Domestic Assault With Injury and Child Endangerment.

A community homecoming and deployment recognition ceremony for an Iowa Army National Guard unit based in Waterloo will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 17, at the Waterloo Army Aviation Support Facility, 2245 W. Big Rock Road north of the Waterloo Regional Airport. Civilian officials and Iowa National Guard leadership will participate and the public and media are welcome and encouraged to attend this ceremony.

Approximately 35 Soldiers with Detachment 1, Company C, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion were mobilized in August 2017 as part of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (OFS), Afghanistan. These Soldiers traveled to their mobilization station at Fort Hood, Texas for additional training before deploying to the Afghanistan theater of operations. The unit operated throughout Afghanistan before returning to Iowa in July 2018.

Det. 1, Co. C, 2-211th GSAB provides aerial medical evacuations (“medevac”) via UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, supplying medical service and support for patients en route to combat support hospitals. The unit provided 28 point of injury (MEDEVAC) missions, 41 transfers and tactical evacuation missions and transported a total of 133 patients while flying nearly 900 total flight hours.

The unit, created in 2005, is comprised of the former Troops D, E and F of 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry, all of Waterloo.  In 2008, the unit was mobilized for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in support of overseas contingency operations. They completed federal active duty in Afghanistan and Iraq and returned to Iowa in July 2009. The unit was again mobilized from June 2012 to June 2013 for Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan and returned to Iowa in June 2013.

For more information about the Iowa National Guard go to: www.iowanationalguard.com. Be sure to “like” us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IowaNationalGuard and follow us on Twitter @IowaNatGuard and Instagram @IowaNationalGuard for the latest Iowa National Guard news.

Youth entering 4^th-6^th grade are invited to join Cass County Extension for a fun Day Camp to learn more about the science of engineering through hands-on experiments. Learn all about robots and programming as we spend the day with a variety of robotic components and learn how to translate a plan into a program for robots to do work!

Robot Mania Day Camp will be August 20 at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  There is no cost to attend. Lunch will not be provided, so participants will need to bring their own sack lunch.  Youth must register by August 17.

Registration forms are available at the Cass County Extension Office or online at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/.

“The Cass County Extension staff has worked very hard to put this hands-on, fun-filled, interactive, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) based camp together for the youth of the community, and we hope you will be able to join us!” says Shelby Van Horn, County Youth Coordinator.

Robot Mania Day Camp promises exciting, hands-on learning while meeting new friends.  Join us for a day filled with fun, snacks, and hands-on STEM! Don’t miss the fun-register today!

Questions?  Please call Cass County Extension at (712)243-1132.

Cass County Extension will be offering an opportunity for youth ages 11-15 to participate in a Babysitting Basics Workshop. This session will take place on August 22 with the class being held at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. This workshop is encouraged for any youth who are interested in becoming a safe and successful babysitter.

“We are excited to offer this opportunity to the youth of Cass County.” Stated Shelby Van Horn, Extension Youth Coordinator, “We’ve had multiple requests for this type of workshop. This course will provide an opportunity to learn about many aspects of babysitting, including safety, first aid/CPR overview, age appropriate play activities and much more!”

The course date is August 22. A $10 registration fee covers all class materials, snacks and lunch. Registration forms can be picked up from the Cass County Extension office. Registration forms are also available online at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass to print and return. Pre-registration is requested by August 20. Space is limited, so don’t delay in registering. For more information, call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132 or email shelbyvh@iastate.edu.