Members of Iowa’s largest business group are predicting the state’s economy will grow over the first three months of 2018. Mike Ralston is president of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI), which has released the results of an inaugural survey of its members. “Those who responded to the survey, 80-percent of them expect sales to increase in the first quarter of 2018,” Ralston said. “That’s really good news for Iowa.”

According to Ralston, there are several reasons why so many leaders of those companies expect a bump in sales over the first quarter of next year. “One is that ABI folks tend to be exporters and exports are strong right now. Another one is there seems to be an indication that the ag market is going to improve and a lot of folks in Iowa make things for the ag sector, so that’s good news,” Ralston said. “And third is folks have had some success in attracting new workers and thus, they’re able to fill out shifts and be more productive.”

Just over 72-percent of ABI board members said they plan to make capital expenditures in Q-1 and many expect to expand their workforces. “Fifty-percent of the people who responded to the survey indicated that they are going to hire in the first quarter,” Ralston said. “So, if you’re looking for work, there are jobs out there in Iowa.”

ABI member companies come from all 99 Iowa counties. This is the first time ABI has conducted a public quarterly survey of its board in the organization’s 114-year history.

(Radio Iowa)

Red Oak Police say the driver of a vehicle involved in a collision at around 5:45-p.m. Monday was checked by medics but was not seriously injured. The accident happened at the intersection of 8th and Joy Streets, when a 2016 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by 56-year old Jeanne Franson, of Villisca, struck a 2009 Nissan Murano driven by 43-year old Shirley Urich, of Red Oak. Authorities say the crash happened when Franson failed to yield at the intersection. Her pickup struck the Murano on the passenger side front door. The impact caused the Nissan to spin 180 degrees on the roadway. Airbags deployed on both vehicles. Urich was checked out by medics but did not require transport to the hospital. Franson was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop or Yield sign.

Damage from the crash amounted to $9,000.

A traffic stop just south of Elliott at around 12:10-a.m. today (Tuesday), resulted in the arrest of 33-year old Cory Ross Smith, of Elliott. Smith was arrested for Driving While Revoked for OWI Test Refusal. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

A woman from Nebraska was injured during a single-vehicle, rollover accident Monday evening near the Cass-Pottawattamie County line. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2003 Toyota Camry driven by 22-year old Agnes Santo Lako, of Lincoln, NE., was traveling east on Interstate 80 at around 4:50-p.m., and near mile marker 50, when for reasons unknown, the car went out of control.

The vehicle entered the median and rolled once, coming to rest on the driver’s side on the inside lane of I-80 westbound. The lane was blocked during the initial investigation. Authorities say alcohol is a likely factor in the crash, which remained under investigation.

The Patrol says Santo Lako, who was wearing her seat belt, was flown by Midwest MedAir to the UNMC in Omaha.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:20 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district and his wife are opening their home to a 17-year-old Guatemalan immigrant whose parents were forced to leave the U.S. because they weren’t in the country legally. Jennifer Galdames applied for legal residency before her stepfather and mother were detained in October. The high school junior didn’t want to move to New Jersey to live with a relative she hadn’t met, so Des Moines Schools Superintendent Tom Ahart and Jami Bassman Ahart took her in.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Fire has destroyed a popular Des Moines bowling alley that dates to the 1950s. A fire department spokesman says firefighters were called to Plaza Lanes just after 5 a.m. Monday after a passerby reported smoke and small flames. Firefighters opened up the roof in an effort to douse the flames but the fire moved quickly through the structure, with the roof collapsing about a half hour later. In a message on the business website, the owners promised to rebuild the bowling alley.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — A judge has sentenced a Chicago man to life in prison for the 2015 shooting death of a man during an argument in Burlington, Iowa. The Hawk Eye newspaper reports 24-year-old Earl Booth-Harris was sentenced Monday following his November conviction of first-degree murder in the death of 24-year-old Deonte Carter. Police say Booth-Harris shot Carter three times on Feb. 16, 2015, after arguing over stolen shoes. Later, Booth-Harris was charged with attempted murder in an attack on a jail officer.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The funeral service for former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad’s brother has been held in northern Iowa. Monroe “Monte” Branstad, who was 67, died last Wednesday at a Mason City hospital after a recent illness. Terry Branstad, now ambassador to China, returned to Iowa for the Monday funeral.

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones, Monday evening, administered the Oath of Office to one new and one returning Parks Board members. John Krogman and Jolene Smith were elected on during the City Elections on Nov. 7th. Both ran unopposed. Smith was re-elected. For Krogman, who once served as Mayor, it was his first time on the Board.

Afterward, the Board nominated and elected Erin McFadden as Vice-Chair. In his report to the Board, Parks and Rec Director Seth Staashelm said plans for the playground at the Schildberg Rec Area are going well. He said the playground plans are in-place and he’s working with the Rotary still to with the financing for the shelter and plans, the bids for which will let in January or February 2018. He’s hoping a local company will place bids for the shelter, the budget for which is $45,000, but they’re hoping for closer to $42,000 to $43,000.

Staashelm said also, many of the Schildberg projects will be kicking off in the Spring, and some projects will be wrapped-up. John Krogman said however, that the roof on top of the fishing pier may be installed this winter, much to the surprise of Staashelm and the Board. An Eagle Scout will also work on picnic tables in the Spring. Staashelm said there are currently 15 campers on the pads at Schildberg, and five empty spots, but the numbers seem to stay current. As soon as person leaves another takes their place. Work on the Lake #3 Trail will be conducted in the Spring, but it’s perfectly solid enough right now in its natural form to walk on.

As far as the Public Gardens at Mollett Park off East 3rd Street Place and Cedar Park, Staashelm says they received feedback on their website, social media, and Harvest Markets, as to what should be featured at those sites. Rentable spots at Mollett Park are possible for gardening there. The area could also feature edible landscaping, such as fruit and nutbearing trees and shrubs. There are hopes, too, of running a trail from Mollett Park to 7th Street, along with improved parking.

The feedback was also positive for public gardens and edible landscaping at Cedar Park, along with a splash pad. A basketball court was also deemed a priority. Restrooms were also requested. Staashelm said he will present the preliminary plans to the City Council on January 17th.

In other business, the Board approved offering members of the Nishna Valley YMCA a combo pass to Sunnyside Pool. And, Staashelm said they will be setting up the ice rink Tuesday and Wednesday for use later this week, weather permitting.