OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A survey of rural bankers in 10 Western and Plains states suggests a slightly brighter economic picture that remains shadowed by lower agriculture and energy commodity prices. A March report released Thursday (Today) says the Rural Mainstreet Index rose to 40.2 from 37.0 in February and 34.8 in January. Survey officials say any score below 50 on any of the survey’s indexes suggests that factor will decline.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the monthly survey, and he says prices for farm products have fallen about 11 percent and fuel roughly 25 percent since June. Goss says the confidence index dropped to 30.1 this month from 30.4 in February, reflecting the bankers’ pessimism.

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

A restaurant chain based in northwest Iowa has been linked to a food poisoning outbreak in at least nine states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 13 people who were sickened by E. Coli reported they ate at a Pizza Ranch restaurant prior to becoming ill. Health officials have declared the E. Coli outbreak has come to an end.

Officials with Pizza Ranch, based in Orange City, say their independent testing on different products found no problems but the restaurant has temporarily discontinued the use of a dough mix from an ingredient supplier that may’ve been a factor in the outbreak. Pizza Ranch has more than 180 locations in 13 states, including restaurants in more than 75 Iowa towns and cities.

(Radio Iowa)

The members of Iowa’s Congressional delegation are supporting a measure to re-name the main Cedar Rapids post office in honor of an Iowa National Guard soldier who died in Afghanistan. U-S Senator Joni Ernst, from Red Oak, talked about Sgt. 1st Class Terry L. Pasker during her weekly conference call with reporters. “Sergeant First Class Pasker was born in Anamosa, Iowa. He enlisted in the U-S Army in 1990, and later joined the Iowa National Guard in 1995. While serving in the guard, he served two tours in Afghanistan — in 2005 and 2011,” Ernst says.

The 39-year-old Pasker was killed in July of 2011 during his second tour in Afghanistan when an Afghan security officer shot and killed him at a roadway checkpoint.  “While we will never be able to say thank you enough to Sergeant First Class Pasker and his family. This post office would honor his legacy and serve as symbol throughout the community of his unwavering heroism” according to Ernst.

Ernst says the re-naming now just needs the approval of the rest of Congress. “It should not be a long process. It should be as simple as passing the legislation and that would rename the post office. We feel it’s the right thing to do for Sergeant Pasker,” Ernst says. The measure in the Senate sponsored by Ernst and Senator Chuck Grassley, is companion to a House bill introduced by Representative Rod Blum and co-sponsored by Iowa’s three other Representatives Dave Loebsack, David Young and Steve King. Pasker is survived by his wife, Erica; parents, Mary and David; brother, Andrew, and two sisters, Christine and Rebecca.

(Radio Iowa)

The head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement was questioned before Congress this week about the death of an Iowa woman in a “horrific” car crash in Omaha. The January accident was allegedly caused by an undocumented immigrant who was released from jail and has vanished. Nebraska U-S Senator Ben Sasse questioned ICE director Sarah Saldana, saying Omaha police asked ICE to hold the suspect, but ICE refused. Saldana denied that.

“I don’t understand where you got the information with respect to our ‘refusing’ to deal with this individual,” Saldana said, “that’s not my understanding of the facts.” Sasse replied: “This is ICE’s public comment. ICE said that in response to Omaha law enforcement who said they requested that ICE detain him.” Saldana responded: “I am ICE and I don’t recall making that statement. I would not have said that.” The suspect, 19-year-old Eswin Mejia of Honduras, posted bond and hasn’t been seen since. It’s feared he fled the country to avoid prosecution, as he was in the U-S illegally. Police say Mejia was street racing while driving drunk and rear-ended the S-U-V driven by 21-year-old Sarah Root, of Council Bluffs, killing her. Senator Sasse told Saldana that Root’s family and many others want to know why the feds wouldn’t hold the suspect after he met bail, as he was clearly a flight risk.

“This is my letter to you February 29th,” Sasse says. “I’m quoting your agency’s public statement. Your agency said in response: ‘At the time of his January 2016 arrest in Omaha on local criminal charges, Eswin Majia, 19, of Honduras did not meet ICE’s enforcement priorities.'” Due to the suspect’s immigration status, Omaha police requested ICE detain him but that was denied as ICE said it would not be consistent with the president’s executive actions. Saldana says it’s unclear exactly what happened and she’s still investigating the case.

“Quite frankly, sir, it’s very easy to look back and say, ‘That person’s judgment was incorrect,’ and I have some concerns about that,” Saldana says. “Every situation we have that results in something as horrific as this, we always try to learn from it. I’ll be following up to look at the specific individuals involved, how the judgment was formed and why that was done.” When asked if if she thought someone who street races while drunk and kills another person is a threat to public safety, Saldana said, “Yes.” The suspect is accused of motor vehicle homicide but the judge set bond at $50,000. He was able to secure 10-percent of that and was freed. Sasse says Omaha police moved as quickly as possible to have ICE take Majia into custody.

“We tried to act, sir, but I believe there was a matter of hours between the time that we were contacted and the actual release,” Saldana says. “It is very hard for us to get to every inquiry that is made by law enforcement and unfortunately, it had a horrible consequence here.” Police say Mejia’s blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit and he was driving on a suspended license when he was racing and rear-ended Root’s vehicle. Saldana testified on Tuesday before the Senate Homeland Security Committee.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce have announced the 2016 schedule of community events. The events include:

• April 29th: The Young Professionals of Atlantic (YPA) Dessert Gala at the Atlantic Golf and Country Club (AGCC). Young professionals in the area will be recognized for their commitment and outstanding work in the community.
• June 17th: Nine and Wine at the AGCC, a 9-hole golfing event where teams of 4 play best ball while enjoying a wine tasting and appetizer at every hole.
• July 16th: Crazy Daze, where local businesses will offer “crazy” deals for the weekend.
• Aug. 13th: AtlanticFest, sponsored by 1st Whitney Bank & Trust, featuring car and motorcycle shows, a Bags Tournament, crafters, road race, pedal pull, & more.
• June thru September: Produce in the Park every Thursday from 4:30-to 6:30-pm at the Atlantic City Park, offering fresh vegetables, fruits, baked items and other products from local producers and crafters.
• Sept. 23-24th: Coca Cola Days, featuring a Tailgate Party, and the Iowa Chapter of Coca-Cola Collector’s Show, Swap and Sell meet.
• Oct. 15th: The Annual Fireman’s picnic at the city park, featuring smoke brisket sandwiches and activities, including the Fireman’s parade later that evening.
• Grand Lighting Ceremony: Nov. 17th.
• Ice Skating Rink on a synthetic rink, with skates provided at a low cost, Nov. 26-27 during the “Small Business Weekend,” with a VIP skate night Nov. 25th for sponsors.
• Lighted Christmas Parade: Dec. 3rd.
• Annual Holiday Concert: Dec. 4th.

If you are interesting in sponsoring or volunteering for any of the events, contact the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017, or visit www.atlanticiowa.com, on the web.