(Radio Iowa) – The Mid-America Business Index for August shows Iowa’s manufacturing sector is being hit by a sales slowdown. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss checks in each month with manufacturing supply managers in nine states, including Iowa.

“What we’re seeing in our survey for Iowa, for the region and for the nation is the manufacturing sector is bumping along,” Goss told Radio Iowa. “I won’t call it in a recession…(but) it’s certainly a slowdown and we’re seeing the pinch in the streets as we’re seeing pull backs in employment.”

The state’s overall Business Conditions rating for August marks a fourth month of decline from what Goss calls “growth neutral.” New orders and production were down among Iowa manufacturers in the August report, with an overall decline in hiring. “The national number came out this morning and also showing that employment in the manufactuing sector remains weak and declining and job losses there,” Goss said. “And certainly again, in terms of Iowa, you can trace that back to the agricultural equipment manufacturing, but also to those related industries.”

Ernie Goss

Goss cited a pull-back in facilities that produce fabricated metal. According to the latest data from the U.S. International Trade Administration, exports from Iowa’s manufacturing sector through August are down nearly 6% when compared to the first eight months of last year. “At least going forward, that’s going to unfortunately continue,” Goss said. “…And of course it’s slowing down the Iowa economy and the regional economy.”

Goss has a separate survey that focuses exclusively on what’s happening the agricultural sector. “Those who sell directly to the farmers are having a real downturns in overall sales as the farmers cut back on their purchases,” Goss said, “and we’re seeing some of those impacts.”

In a news release issued this morning by Creighton, Goss said the supply managers he surveys for the monthly Mid-America Business Index are “pessimistic” and 35% of them say a recession is “a real threat.”

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Police in Atlantic investigated, but found no credible evidence of a shooting, Sunday night. According to a press release, the Cass County Communications Center received a 911 call Sunday from a person who said an individual had been shot behind the apartments in the 1300 block of E. 10th Street, in Atlantic. When officers arrived on the scene, they found no one in the area had any injuries, and that there had NOT been any altercations that occurred.

An investigation into the situation resulted in the arrest of 33-year-old Samantha Wehrli, of Atlantic, for False Reports of an Indictable Offense to a Public Entity, and Public Intoxication. Wehrli was booked into the Cass County Jail.

No other details are being released at this time. If you have any information with regard to the incident, please call the Atlantic Police Department at 712-243-3512.

“A criminal charges is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Department of Corrections officials confirm M-pox or monkey pox has been detected in the state prison in Fort Dodge, but they’re not saying how many inmates are infected with the highly contagious virus. M-pox causes severe rashes and blister-like sores. It was originally found in Africa, but in 2022, m-pox spread around the world in cases linked to travel.

According to a statement from the Iowa Department of Corrections, affected individuals in the Fort Dodge prison are receiving care, with “enhanced sanitation and isolation protocols in place to prevent further spread.” Health officials say m-pox is spread through close contact with someone who has the virus or by touching surfaces or items an infected person has touched.

The Fort Dodge Correctional Facility (I-DOC photo)

State health officials confirmed the first case of monkey pox in Iowa back in 2022. The patients was an adult in north central Iowa who was likely infected during international travel.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Atlantic, today (Tuesday), tabled a request from the Atlantic Public Library for the use of ARPA funds to repair the roof of the Library. Board Chair Steve Baier said the repairs are estimated to cost approximately $100,000. No action was taken because the Board wanted more details on the scope of the project and other sources of funding. It’s estimated the ARPA account has about $11,000 available, after bills for other projects are factored-in.

Cass County Supervisor’s mtg. 9-3-24

The Board approved the abatement of taxes on a property in Griswold, as recommended by County Assessor Shana Platt. She said a “clerical error” necessitated the abatement of taxes on 309 4^th Street, in Griswold.

And, they approved an auditing firm contract with Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Company CPA’s, for the fiscal year that ends June 30, 2024. The Board received a regular report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors approved the appointment of two Deputy Medical Examiners – Jeals Brines, D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) and Jill Pollpeter, M.D.(Medical Doctor) as requested by the County’s Medical Examiner, Dr. Elaine Berry.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Officials with the Glenwood Police Department say three people were arrested on drug charges over the Labor Day weekend. On Monday, 31-year-old Zachary Jolley, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He posted a $3,300 bond before being released from the Mills County Jail.

On Sunday, Glenwood Police arrested 19-year-old Christian Caskey, of Glenwood, for OWI/1st offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Caskey posted a $1,300 bond and was released from custody. And, 29-year-old Sabrina Castaneda, of Las Vegas, NV, was arrested in Glenwood for Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was also later released on a $1,300 bond.

Authorities said also, 45-year-old Noah Handley, of Glenwood, was arrested Sunday for Public Intoxication. He was released after posting a $300 bond.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – State Auditor Rob Sand’s Office today (Tuesday), released a Financial Statement pertaining to Cass County (Iowa). In brief, the statement shows:

2023 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
* Revenues of the County’s governmental activities increased 2.3%, or approximately $428,000, from Fiscal 2022 to Fiscal 2023. Property and other County Taxes increased approximately $349,000. Operating Grants and Contributions increased approximately $569,000.
* Program expenses of the County’s governmental activities increased O.5%, or approximately $65,000, more in Fiscal 2023 than in Fiscal 2022. Public Safety and Legal Services increased $48,000, County Environment and Education increased $165,000, Roads and Transportation increased $422,000, and Administration increased $506,000.
* The County’s net position increased 9.6%, or approximately $4,314,000, from June 30, 2022 to June 30, 2023.

Read the entire report, here: Cass_County_Iowa_2023_496625401942C-min

(Red Oak, Iowa)  – The Board of Supervisors in Montgomery County today (Tuesday), received a regular, weekly report from Montgomery County Engineer Karen Albert.

The Board also heard comments from West Township resident Jan Norris, with regard to the South Dakota Pipeline ruling. She said passing a zoning ordinance establishing setback distances from rural Montgomery County homes is the only thing the board can do to mitigate the risk she believes residents will be forced to live with “should these hazardous liquid pipelines be allowed to be built next to our homes and through our farms.” And, she said the additional Phase II pipeline route gives Montgomery County another opportunity to be proactive. She urged the Board to “take advantage of it.”

Norris also claimed Summit Carbon Solutions’ claim about the number of easements they have reported at meetings in Red Oak and Corning, are false and misleading to property owners.

She said the recently held area meetings, show opposition to the pipeline is growing.

MC BOS mtg. 9-3-24

The Supervisors Tuesday (Today) approved of tax rebate requests for:

• The County Farm, in the amount of $4,938.
• City of Red Oak-owned property at 205 4th Avenue, in the amount of $188, and the rebate of property taxes acquired by Kimberly Lamb from the City of Red Oak, at 1210 N. 4th St., in the amount of $1,250.
• They also approved Tax Transfers from Rural Services Basic to Secondary Roads for FY 24/25, in the amount of $80,000, and from General Services Basic to Secondary Roads, in the amount of $1-million, for FY 24/25.

OAKLAND, Iowa — A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is set to open this (Tuesday) afternoon, in Oakland. The center will open at 1-p.m., and continue its operations until 6-p.m. Hours the rest of this week are from 8-a.m. until 6-p.m. The DRC will provide one-on-one help to people affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding this past Spring.

Recovery specialists will explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications.

The DRC is located at the Oakland Community Center, 614 Dr. Van Zee Road.