OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A June survey report says growth in rural areas of 10 Midwestern and Western states has slowed. The report released Thursday says the Rural Mainstreet Index hit its lowest level of the year, 56.7, compared with 58.5 in May.  But survey organizers say any survey index score above 50 on the 100-point scale suggests growth in the months ahead.
 
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey of rural bankers. Goss says the global economic slowdown, combined with a stronger U.S. dollar, have pushed agriculture and energy prices lower. He says downward pressure that weakens overall growth for rural parts of the 10 states.  The states are Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

The Iowa State Patrol says an Adair woman injured during a single-vehicle rollover accident was later cited for Failure to Maintain Control. 73-year old Rosalie Jessen suffered non-incapacitating injuries following the crash which occurred Tuesday morning in northwestern Adair County.  The woman was transported by private vehicle to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, for treatment.

Officials say Jessen was traveling west on County Road G-30 at around 8:20-a.m., when the 2008 Toyota Corolla she was driving went off the road, to the north. When Jessen over-corrected, the car entered the north ditch where it rolled over and came to rest on its wheels, near a utility pole. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $10,500.

Ann Pross, Director of Iowa Western Community College’s Cass County Center, says applications are currently being accepted for nursing scholarships being offered by the Don and Lois Sonntag Endowment Fund. All students from Atlantic and surrounding communities are encouraged to apply for the available funds. The actual amount awarded to each student will depend upon the number of qualified applicants.

Applications can be found on the Iowa Western website at www.iwcc.edu/es/financial/scholarships.asp, and must be received by July 6th, 2012. IWCC officials will make the final determination of who is qualified for the scholarships, based on need and certain scholarship criteria. All funds from the effort will be used only for those students enrolled in nursing prerequisite courses, or the nursing program.

In addition, the Sonntag Endowment Fund is offering a Challenge Grant of up to $5,000, for matching funds to benefit students attending Iowa Western Community College. The Atlantic couple has already committed $2,500 to nursing scholarships, and a gift from Pat McCurdy brings the current scholarship total to $3,500. Additional funds are still being accepted to match the $5,000 challenge, and have $10,000 available for area students who are pursuing a career in nursing.

Matching funds under the endowment program can be in any amount, and should be submitted directly to the Iowa Western Community College Foundation, a 501-c-3 tax deductible entity. For more information, contact Don Sonntag at 712-249-1906, or Ann Pross at IWCC in Atlantic, at 712-243-5527.

A Clarinda man was arrested Wednesday evening on an OWI charge. Police Chief Keith Brothers says 37-year old Ryan Gary Fewsen was taken into custody at around 6:30 p.m. , on a charge of OWI/1st offense, following a traffic stop at 14th and Stuart Streets. officers Fewson was released on a recognizance bond and will appear before the Page County Magistrate at a later date for an initial appearance.