Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa (AP) — An Omaha, Nebraska soybean processing company plans to build a $90 million vegetable oil refinery in western Iowa. The Sioux City Journal reports that Ag Processing Incorporated plans to build the refinery at its complex near Sergeant Bluff, creating at least 20 new jobs. The information comes from documents by Ag Processing seeking nearly $1 million in Iowa loans and tax breaks released by the state Wednesday.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Some business owners are uneasy about a planned temporary homeless shelter in Iowa City aimed at keeping people warm during the winter. Owner Jim Rogers of Jim’s Instrument Manufacturing tells KWWL-TV the short-term housing solution, which will be open only in January and February, could draw more criminal activity to the area. He says there’s already a homeless shelter in the area.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A former manager at an Iowa-based halal food supplier is expected to plead guilty as part of a federal criminal investigation into the company’s exporting and marketing practices. The conspiracy charges filed yesterday against 50-year-old Philip Payne are the latest involving the Midamar Corporation of Cedar Rapids.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A Black Hawk County jury has found a former Waterloo man guilty of molesting a young girl. The Waterloo-Cedar Fall Courier reports that 38-year-old Mexican citizen Ivan Fernando Fierro was convicted Friday of second-degree sexual abuse.

Police in Council Bluffs said Thursday two arrests have been made in connection with the theft of mail from mail boxes in the community. Bluffs Police Capt. Todd Weddum reports 45-year old Eric J. Kriegler, and 30-year old James A. Whitsel, both of Council Bluffs, were each charged with four counts of Theft. Kriegler also faces charges associated with four traffic offenses.

According to Weddum, a Council Bluffs resident called 9-1-1 today (Thursday), to report they had eye-witnessed a white Toyota sedan in their neighborhood. The occupants of the vehicle were allegedly stealing mail from residential mailboxes. A short time later, a Council Bluffs police officer saw a vehicle matching that of the suspects, and initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Bluffs and Willow Streets.

The driver, identified as Eric Kriegler, was subsequently arrested for several traffic offenses. Upon further investigation, it was determined the vehicle contained pieces of mail stolen from three different neighborhoods in Council Bluffs. Kriegler and his passenger were then taken into custody.

The Criminal Investigation Division of the Council Bluffs Police Department is continuing to look into the case, to see if any additional charges will be added. The U-S Postal Service Inspector’s Office was also notified of the incident.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A new report says Iowa should invest more in business development, education and infrastructure to boost the state’s economy. The nonprofit Battelle Memorial Institute released the report Thursday. It was commissioned last year by an economic advisory board co-chaired by Gov. Terry Branstad. Overall, the report said the state has seen job growth and wages increases in recent years. Still, there is room for improvement. As of 2013, Iowa ranked 23rd nationally for per capita income.

Recommendations in the report included simplifying the state tax code and providing more funding to programs that offer support to businesses. It suggests increasing educational opportunities to develop more skilled workers. The report also cites Iowa’s infrastructure needs, stressing the need for more funding for roads and better broadband infrastructure across the state.